AMHERST, Mass. – The Harvard women's soccer team was back in action this afternoon to take on the University of Massachusetts-Amherst Minutewomen at Rudd Field. The Crimson (1-0-1, 0-0-0 Ivy) came away with a draw against the Minutewomen (1-2-1, 0-0-0 A10) after a tightly contested battle against the regional foe.
 
The Crimson's second half surge did not result in a goal as the team earned a draw after the 90-minute horn sounded. Despite the score, Harvard imposed its will down the stretch, keeping possession in the Massachusetts end of the field for a majority of the second 45 minutes.
 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Crimson made the trip out to Amherst to take on UMass for the first time since 2015 this afternoon, looking to build on its solid start to 2024.
• The pace was slow after the first touch, with both teams cautiously waiting to strike while trading long possessions. UMass would get the first shot on goal of the contest in the seventh minute, but the shot was easily corralled by starting goalkeeper, Rhiannon Stewart.
• Harvard did not get its first solid look at goal until the 18^th minute, when Josefine Hasbo's shot from distance sailed wide. Irena Heinsdottir Gonzalez had the only other look in the first 30 minutes, another shot from outside the 18, that also sailed over the crossbar.
• The Crimson offense began to click in the final five minutes, as the group created a trio of chances. Audrey Francois, Jasmine Leshnick each had good opportunities deflected by the defense as the sides went into halftime in scoreless tie. Shots favored the Crimson after 45', as the group led 4-2.
• The teams both came out to play in the second half, pushing the pace as they looked to find the net for the first time in the contest.
• Jade Rose recorded the first Crimson shot of the second half in the 46^th minute, putting a shot on target that was cleaned up by the UMass keeper.
• After a brief UMass push that resulted in Stewart's second save of the game, Harvard went on the attack but had three shot attempts blocked by UMass defenders.
• The sides traded shots on target, the first coming from the Crimson's Anna Rayhill in the 65^th minute. Stewart saved the third and final shot she faced in the contest three minutes later.
• After the clock hit 70 minutes, it was all Harvard, as the group fired off seven more shot attempts compared to UMass's one. The Crimson also created several opportunities off its seven corner kicks in the final 20 minutes. Audrey Francois also worked hard to create a number of chances down the stretch.
• The last chance came in the final seconds of action, when Anya Van Den Einde found a streaking Jade Rose who was flying up the middle of the field. Rose was met by a pair of UMass defenders, who barley stopped Rose from breaking free and having a wide open chance at goal.
• The game would end in a 0-0 tie, pushing the Crimson's record to 1-0-1 on the young season.

 

HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS

• Harvard recorded its first draw of the season with the 0-0 tie.
• It is the first 0-0 tie for the program since the 2018 season.
• The team led in shots, 17-7.
• Rhiannon Stewart recorded her second consecutive shutout, making three saves to keep the sheet clean.
• The Crimson dominated in the possession battle, especially in the second half where the team held possession in the UMass zone for 70-percent of the 45 minute period.
• The Crimson also led in corner kicks, taking 10 compared to the Minutewomen's one.

 

UP NEXT

Harvard will return to Boston to train for its cross-town showdown with Northeastern next week. The Crimson and the Huskies are scheduled to take the pitch at 6:30 PM on Monday (Sep. 2) in Boston and on ESPN+.