PROVIDENCE, R.I. – February 7, 2025 – First-year goaltender Ainsley Tuffy made 44 saves in an impressive effort between the pipes, but it was not enough to lift Harvard to victory in a narrow 3-1 loss to the Brown Bears. Ellie Bayard tied the game for the Crimson (2-21-2, 1-17-1 ECACH) late in the third period before Brown (13-10-3, 8-8-3 ECACH) stole the win with a late goal.

How It Happened

The Crimson traveled South to Providence, R.I. this evening to kick off its final road trip of the regular season against the Brown Bears. The Ivy League rivals faced of at Meehan Auditorium which each team looking to improve its position in the ECAC standings heading into postseason play.
 
The Crimson went on the offensive early in the contest, with Kaley MacDonald logging the first shot on goal and scoring chance of the game with a backhand attempt deep in the Brown zone. The Bears looked to counter but were held off by the Crimson defense and starting goaltender, Ainsley Tuffy, who made five saves in the first ten minutes of play. The Crimson put three more shots on net in the third period but could not find the twine. Tuffy continued her strong start by making three saves to send the teams into the first intermission locked in a scoreless tie.
 
Similar to the first period, the second frame saw the Crimson offense start strong. Emily Hamann had a chance on the doorstep early in the period, but her redirect found the pad of the Brown goaltender. After a series of strong shifts for the Crimson, play shifted into the Crimson end of the ice. Brown countered with a number of good chances, putting eight shots on net that were all stopped by Tuffy. The Bears finally beat Tuffy late in the second, getting the game's first goal with just under six minutes left in the period.
 
The Crimson penalty kill unit was called on late in the frame to hold off the Bears attack. A stout defensive stand from Harvard– that featured three more saves from Tuffy – killed off the first powerplay of the game for Brown. The Crimson weathered the storm in the second period to go into the second intermission down by one.
 
Harvard's penalty kill was tested again early in the third period but the Crimson was up to the task, holding off Brown's powerplay for the second time in the contest. Ainsley Tuffy continued to perform throughout the third, racking up 15 more saves in the period to keep it a one goal game going into the final five minutes.
 
Senior captain Ellie Bayard tied the game down the stretch, tipping in a goal after a feed from Ella Lucia on the far wing. Bayard's goal came on the powerplay and made the score 1-1 with just under five minutes to play. The Bears worked quick on the counter, creating a number of chances while looking for the game-winner. After Harvard killed off another Brown powerplay, the Bears kept pushing, eventually finding the go-ahead goal just under two minutes remaining in the contest. Brown capped off the win with an empty net goal to escape with a 3-1 win over Harvard.
 

Harvard Highlights

• Ellie Bayard scored the Crimson goal in the third period, her third of the season.
• Starting goaltender, Ainsley Tuffy, made 44 saves in an impressive effort.
• Ella Lucia and Sophie Ensley were credited with the assists on the Bayard goal.
• Harvard killed off both Brown powerplays, improving its penalty kill streak to seven.
• Harvard blocked 20 shots as a group, led by Kaley MacDonald's four blocks.
• Zoe Boosmra led the team with 11 faceoff wins.

 
 

Up Next

The Crimson will be back on the ice tomorrow night in New Haven, Conn. to take on the Yale Bulldogs. Puck drop inside Ingalls Rink is set for 3:00 PM and will air live on ESPN+.