CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – For the third straight game, women's ice hockey skated into overtime after a 60-minute battle against the University of Maine Black Bears at the Bright-Landry Hockey Center on Friday afternoon. The Crimson (2-12-2, 1-10-1 ECAC) were unable to pull out the win as Maine (6-17-0, 5-11-0 HEA), escaped with a 3-2 win in overtime over Harvard.
Zoe Boosamra and
Eva Dorr sparked the team by scoring their first goals of the season while
Ainsley Tuffy put up yet another impressive effort, making 27 saves in the narrow defeat.
HOW IT HAPPENED
For the first time six years, the University of Maine Black Bears came to Cambridge to take on its former conference rival, the Harvard Crimson. The nonconference tilt
Both teams had their chances in the early going, with
Ella Lucia leading off the game by putting two shots on net in her first shift. Maine countered with a bit of pressure, but starting goaltender,
Ainsley Tuffy was to make six saves to keep the Black Bears off the board.
The Crimson's first powerplay opportunity came right after the media timeout in the first period, as the team began to make its move. Less than a second after the penalty expired,
Zoe Boosamra tipped home her first goal of the season to put the Crimson in the lead.
Emily Hamann made a series of great plays on the forecheck to get the puck in deep, eventually finding Boosamra right on the doorstep for the goal. Maine fought back quickly, getting a goal three minutes later to level the score with just over five minutes remaining.
Harvard put four more shots on net in the following minutes, but the Crimson rush was cut short after it had to send a skater to the box for high sticking. The Black Bears added its second goal of the game on the powerplay, taking a 2-1 lead. After 20 minutes, Maine would go into the break holding its 2-1 lead.
Tuffy would go on to make nine saves with Crimson skaters blocking six shots in front of her to help the team stand tall in the second frame. Harvard's penalty kill units also stymied the Black Bears on all three of its powerplays in the frame. Harvard had six shots on net in the period but could not convert as Maine would hold its 2-1 lead going into the second intermission.
Eva Dorr came in clutch to start the third period, scoring her first goal of the season to level the score just 95 seconds into the frame. Harvard's defense continued its stout effort on in the defensive zone, holding off all of Maine's advances in the period. After the 60 minute buzzer rang, the teams were still knotted at two goals apiece as play moved into overtime.
Maine escaped the Bright with a victory after scoring on its first possession in overtime.
Harvard Highlights
- Zoe Boosamra and Eva Dorr scored their first goals of the 2024-25 season.
- Emily Hamann notched her first career point with the primary assist on the Boosamra goal.
- Angelica Megdanis and Kaley MacDonald also recorded assists in the game.
- Ainsley Tuffy had another solid outing, making 27 saves.
- Harvard skaters blocked 17 shots in front of Tuffy.
- Dorr led the Crimson on the faceoff dot, winning 11 of 14 draws.
- Ella Lucia posted a team high four shots on goal.
Next Up
The 2025 Dunkin' Women's Beanpot is on deck for the Crimson, who will take on Boston University in the first semifinal game at Matthews Arena on Tuesday afternoon (Jan. 14).
