PRINCETON, N.J. – A valiant effort from the Harvard women's soccer team came up short tonight as the team fell to the Princeton Tigers in the Ivy League Tournament semifinal. The Crimson (7-4-5, 3-3-1 Ivy) couldn't hold off the Tigers (13-4, 6-1 Ivy) who emerged from the battle with a 3-1 victory. The 2024 season now comes to a close for the Crimson who will head into the offseason after another strong year on the pitch.
How It Happened
- The Crimson made its way to New Jersey to battle Princeton in the Ivy League Tournament semifinal tonight. Harvard, the tournament's fourth-seed, took on the top-seed and host institution Princeton at Roberts Stadium.
- Harvard, the defending tournament champion, was looking to pull off the upset and advance to the championship game for the second consecutive season.
- Princeton controlled the pace early, creating three chances in the opening 10 minutes, all of which were crushed by the Harvard backline.
- The Harvard defense and starting goalkeeper, Rhiannon Stewart, continued to stand tall in the early going, thwarting a number of Princeton chances through the next sequence.
- Despite the strong play of the Harvard defense, Princeton got on the board first, netting a penalty kick goal at the 22' mark of the contest.
- The Crimson looked to counter quickly and were able to create a few decent looks on the Princeton goal thanks to the strong play of Audrey Francois. The junior forward completed a number of impressive runs but couldn't pocket the equalizer as the Tigers escaped.
- Susie Long had the best chance of the half for Harvard, completing a strong run up the wing and into the box before putting a shot towards the net that was blocked by the opposition. After 45' the Crimson went into the locker room trailing by a goal.
- Princeton added to its lead early in the second half, getting a goal at the 50' mark to take a 2-0 lead.
- Francois continued to work from her forward position and nearly got Harvard on the board at the 53' mark but her cross to Nicola Golen was just outside the reach of the senior. August Hunter put a shot on goal later in the sequence but had her attempt stopped by the Tiger keeper.
- Princeton added another tally to its total at the 68' mark, taking a 3-0 lead.
- Harvard fought back late in the match, getting a goal from Áslaug Gunnlaugsdóttir at the 78' mark to make the score 3-1. Susie Long was credited with the assist on the goal.
- Stewart made two impressive saves down the stretch – one coming from point blank distance – to keep the Crimson in the match.
- When the final horn sounded, Princeton remained in the lead, coming away with a 3-1 victory over the Crimson.
Harvard Highlights
Up Next
After seven wins and a magical run to qualify for the Ivy League Tournament, the 2024 Harvard women's soccer season has come to an end. The team will now head into the offseason where it will regroup and prepare for the 2025 campaign.
