STORRS, Conn. – No. 10 Harvard field hockey battled to the end in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals, as the Crimson fell just short against No. 14 UMass at the George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex.

After a scoreless first half, the Minutewomen scored the eventual game-winning goal in the third quarter. An All-Ivy League honorable mention, junior goalkeeper Tessa Shahbo and the Crimson defense shined, as Shahbo stopped four shots in the contest against UMass.

Harvard ends the 2024 campaign with a 16-4 record, winning the 2024 Ivy League Tournament and reaching as high as No. 3 in the NCAA's Rating Percentage Index.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
The opening moments of the NCAA Quarterfinals saw Harvard (16-4, 6-1 Ivy League) stand strong against a run of UMass (17-5, 7-0 Atlantic 10) possession and penalty corners. In just the first five minutes of the match, the Minutewomen earned three penalty corners, as the Crimson turned away each one. Shahbo kept the match scoreless early on those corners, logging two saves.

Midway through the opening quarter, Harvard earned its first offensive chance of the afternoon. Sophomore midfielder Lara Beekhuis, the hero from the First Round match against Syracuse, controlled the ball on the left side of the circle. Beekhuis fired a shot towards goal, as the UMass keeper turned it away with a glove save.

UMass generated another run of corners at the end of the first quarter, as Shahbo and the runners stepped up again, stalling back-to-back Minutewomen corners to keep the scoreboard even.

At the end of the opening frame at the George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex, the Crimson took two shots, both on goal. UMass registered four shots in the first, as Shahbo stopped all four attempts.

A defensive stalemate defined the second quarter, as both sides performed admirably in their own ends. UMass took the lone in the second quarter, as it was saved by Shahbo. Neither team earned a penalty corner as the Crimson and Minutewomen entered the halftime break even at zero.

As the match entered the third quarter, both defensive units continued to stand strong, as Harvard and UMass only combined for three shots in the period. With under three minutes to go, the Minutewomen took the lead on a long range shot at the edge of the circle, 1-0.

The Crimson's comeback attempt in the fourth quarter fell just short, as UMass secured the victory.

HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS:

• The Crimson end the 2024 campaign with a 16-4 record and the 2024 Ivy League Tournament trophy, as Harvard was just one win away from matching the program's single-season win record.
• Harvard reached the No. 3 position in the NCAA's RPI, the highest spot for an Ivy League side this season.
• Beekhuis ends the season as Harvard's leader in goals (10) and points (22) this season, leading the Crimson in goals in back-to-back seasons.
• In 18 starts this season, Shahbo posted a 1.00 goals against average and 74 saves, both career bests for the two-time All-Ivy League honorable mention.

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