DURHAM, N.H. – The Harvard women's hockey team improved to 2-0 on the season after a thrilling 2-1 victory at the University of New Hampshire. A late goal from Carla McSweeney lifted the Crimson (2-0-0, 0-0-0 ECAC) to the result in what was a highly competitive contest between Harvard and the Wildcats (3-3-1, 0-0-0 HEA). Angelica Megdanis also found the back of the net while starting goaltender Ainsley Tuffy earned her first career win by making 33 saves in net.
 
The Crimson now hold a record of 2-0 for the first time since the 2021-22 season and have built strong momentum heading into ECAC action next weekend.
 

How It Happened

Harvard women's hockey made the short trip up I-95 to the University of New Hampshire to renew the long-standing regional rivalry between the two schools. The 58^th meeting in program history was played at the Whittemore Center in Durham this afternoon in the second game of Harvard's season.
 
The Crimson hit the ice flying, putting 10 shots on goal in the first period, five of which belonged to Morgan McGathey. Despite the solid start for Harvard, New Hampshire was first to the scoreboard, getting a goal midway through the first frame to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. Tuffy stopped the other 10 shots she faced in the frame to keep the Crimson within striking distance.
 
Angelica Megdanis leveled the score in the second period with her second goal in as many games. The junior's strike tied the score a one goal apiece at the halfway point of the contest. Tuffy really settled during the second period, making another 10 saves to preserve the tie. Harvard outshot the Wildcats 12-8 in the period as momentum began to shift towards the Crimson in the contest.
 
Harvard's penalty kill – which was a perfect three-for-three in the win - successfully held off UNH twice in the third period to keep the game level. The Crimson had a powerplay chance of its own late in the third period that yielded four shots on goal and two prime scoring chances. A solid defensive stand for the Wildcats helped the team hold off the surging Crimson offense.
 
With four minutes to go in regulation, Carla McSweeney made a great defensive play in her own defensive zone, poking the puck off a UNH defender's stick and up into the neutral zone. After gaining possession, McSweeney raced past a Wildcats defender to create a breakaway chance. The first-year slotted a shot through the five-hole of the Wildcat goaltender to score her first collegiate goal and put Harvard on top, 2-1.
 
Tuffy made two saves late in the action – part of 13 overall saves in the third period – to help the Crimson secure the victory on the road.
 

Harvard Highlights

• Ainsley Tuffy posted her first career win with a 33-save effort.
• Carla McSweeney's first career goal went down as the game-winner.
• Angelica Megdanis scored her second goal of the season and now holds the team lead with two.
• Scout Oudemool blocked four shots to lead the team.
• Morgan McGathey recorded six shots on goal.

 

Up Next

Harvard will return home next weekend to host Cornell and Colgate to begin ECAC conference play. The game against the Big Red is slated for 5:00 PM Friday night at Bright-Landry with the action set to air regionally on NESN. The matchup with the Raiders will take place Saturday at 3:00 PM with the action streaming live on ESPN+