PRINCETON, N.J. – A dramatic overtime winner from All-Ivy League First Team selection and junior defender
Bronte-May Brough pushed No. 11 Harvard field hockey to a 1-0 overtime victory against Brown in the Ivy League Tournament Semifinals.
With the win against the Bears, the Crimson will defend its Ivy League Tournament Championship on Sunday, Nov. 10, as Harvard will renew its rivalry against Princeton at noon on ESPN+.
In her second consecutive shutout, junior goalkeeper
Tessa Shahbo was superb in goal for the Crimson, keeping Harvard's fifth clean sheet of the 2024 campaign with four saves.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
In the opening moments of the match, both sides exchanged possession, as Harvard (14-3, 6-1 Ivy League) created the first clear cut chance. After a quick restart in the attacking half, senior midfielder and team captain
Emily Guckian controlled the ball in the circle, as her close range shot drifted just wide of the right post.
With three minutes left, Brown (9-8, 4-3) produced a scoring opportunity, as Lexi Pellegrino danced past multiple defenders. Shahbo denied the Bears the opening goal with a kick save, her first of the match.
The second quarter was similar to the one before, as possession was even between both teams. Midway through the quarter, the Crimson almost took the lead. Junior midfielder
Fiene Oerlemans danced past a Brown defender on the wing and crossed the ball into the circle, as a shot from first-year forward
Martha le Huray was tipped over the crossbar by the Bears keeper.
At the end of the first half, the Crimson attack produced three shots, as the Bears also took three shots.
With the second half underway, both defenses continued to excel in the third quarter, limiting offensive chances. Shahbo made several key stops in the frame, including a stellar stick save to keep scoreboard even at zero each.
After a scoreless fourth quarter that saw the Crimson turn away a Brown corner late in the frame, a Harvard field hockey match went into overtime for the fifth time this season. At the end of regulation, the Crimson recorded six shots, as Shahbo logged four saves to keep the contest scoreless through 60 minutes.
The overtime period saw Harvard pin Brown back in its defensive end with creative passing, as the Crimson secured the match-winner on its second corner of extra time. After receiving the insert from junior midfielder
Kitty Chapple, sophomore midfielder
Lara Beekhuis fed the ball to Guckian, as the team captain set the table for Brough's winner.
Harvard ended the semifinal with 10 shots, half of them on goal, as the Crimson defense of Brough, junior
Marie Schaefers, and sophomore
Smilla Klas held the Bears scoreless on six shots.
HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS:
- For a second straight season, Harvard advances to the Ivy League Tournament Championship, as the Crimson won the inaugural championship last year.
- A three-time All-Ivy League First Team honoree, Brough scored her second goal of the season to send Harvard to the Ivy League final, as it marks the Uttoxeter, England native's first goal since the season opener against William & Mary.
- Shahbo stopped four shots in her fifth shutout of the season.
- Harvard has now won 85 straight games against unranked opponents.
UP NEXT:
The Crimson and Tigers will meet for a second time this season on Sunday, Nov. 10, as the two sides will renew their rivalry in the 2024 Ivy League Tournament Championship. The final begins at noon and will air live on ESPN+.
For all the latest on Harvard Field Hockey, follow the Crimson on Twitter (@HarvardFH)and Instagram (@harvardfieldhockey).
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