Box Score CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – An excellent offensive display lifted No. 7 Harvard field hockey to its first win at Berylson Field this season, as the Crimson defeated No. 16 UConn at home, 3-2. With the win, Harvard now has two victories against ranked opponents in 2024.
Harvard enjoyed an excellent afternoon from the penalty corner, as the Crimson scored all its goals against the Huskies from corner opportunities. Sophomore forwards
Sage Piekarski and
Lara Beekhuis logged a pair of goals in the first half, as junior midfielder
Kitty Chapple extended the lead in the third period. Two-time All-American
Bronte-May Brough enjoyed a great match against the Huskies, recording a career-high two assists.
Throughout the contest, Harvard's defense stifled the UConn offense, holding the Huskies to just six shots and three penalty corners in their first defeat of the season. The Crimson offense recorded 14 shots, as 10 of them were on target.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The first period saw both teams trade possession, trying to maintain consistent attacking pressure. After a long stretch in the attacking half, the Crimson (3-1, 0-0 Ivy League) won the first penalty corner of the afternoon, forcing two consecutive saves from the UConn (5-1, 0-0 BIG EAST) keeper. On the third Harvard penalty corner, a shot Brough deflected off a Huskie, as Piekarski logged the opening goal of the contest, 1-0.
Harvard owned the first period, out shooting UConn, 6-1. The Crimson recorded the first three penalty corners of the day, scoring the opening goal on the third chance from the spot.
UConn leveled the score five minutes into the second quarter, scoring a goal in open play, 1-1. Moments later, Harvard regained the lead. On its first corner of the second period, first-year midfielder
Martha le Huray fired a pass to Beekhuis on the left side of the circle, as the sophomore fired a powerful shot to top left corner of the net, 2-1. A native of Laren, Netherlands, Beekhuis leads the team in goals this year with three.
At the halftime break, the Crimson scored two goals on five penalty corners, as Harvard held UConn to just three shots and two corners over the first 30 minutes of the contest.
In the third period, Harvard's offense remained effective, extending the Crimson advantage. Midway through the quarter, Harvard earned another penalty corner, as Chapple converted the chance to increase the lead, 3-1. With the goal, Harvard tallied its third goal from the corner, a new single-game high this season.
With 9:54 left in the contest, UConn cut into the Crimson lead, scoring a solo goal in open play, 3-2. Harvard's defense rallied for the remained of the afternoon, shutting down the UConn attack to secure the victory.
HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS:
- Harvard scored a season-high three goals from penalty corner opportunities in the win against UConn.
- The Crimson earn back-to-back wins against UConn for the first time in series history.
- With a goal in the first half, Beekhuis has scored in consecutive matches for the third time in her Crimson career. The 2023 Ivy League Tournament Most Outstanding Player, Beekhuis leads Harvard in goals (3) and points (6) this season.
- Brough logged multiple assists in a game for the first time in her Crimson career.
UP NEXT:
Harvard begins its 2024 Ivy League schedule up north next week, heading to Dartmouth on Saturday, Sept. 21, as the Ivy opener is scheduled for a noon start time. The Crimson keep it rolling on Sunday, Sept. 22 with a non-conference match against Vermont at 1 p.m.
For all the latest on Harvard Field Hockey, follow the Crimson on Twitter (@HarvardFH) and Instagram (@harvardfieldhockey).
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