CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The No. 13 Harvard Crimson got the job done this afternoon in the 106
th playing of the Harvard-Yale rivalry, earning its first win of the 2025 Ivy League lacrosse season. The Crimson (5-1, 1-0 Ivy) defeated the Bulldogs (1-4, 0-1 Ivy) for the first time since the 2017 season in what was an all-around team effort.
Sam King led the offense with five goals and
Martin Nelson anchored the defense with three caused turnovers and two ground balls.
How it Happened
The 106
th meeting between the Crimson and Bulldogs kicked off the 2025 Ivy League season for both teams in what was an amazing day on the banks of the Charles River. Over 2,500 fans made their way through the gates at Jordan Field to witness the battle between the Ivy rivals.
Harvard hit the ground running, dominating the opening phase of the game with a 6-0 scoring run.
Sam King got the Crimson going with a goal on the opening possession and a pair of Yale turnovers led to another goal by
Jack Speidell. Another Yale turnover led to King's second goal that led into a
Joe Dowling strike that opened up a 4-0 lead for the Crimson. Back-to-back strikes from
Teddy Malone made the score 6-0 with just over two minutes remaining in the opening quarter. Yale punched back, putting two shots in the back of the cage, but King landed the final punch of the opening frame, completing his first quarter hat-trick with a goal on the last possession of the quarter to make the score 7-2 in favor of the home team.
John Aurandt IV added another highlight reel goal to open the scoring for Harvard in the second quarter, throwing an off-handed wrapround shot into the back of the cage to make the score, 8-2. Yale countered with a three-goal scoring run to cut into the lead.
Owen Gaffney's sixth goal of the season stopped the initial run by the Bulldogs, bringing the score to 9-5. Another mini-run by Yale saw the side score three goals in the final six minutes of the half. King's fourth goal of the game helped the Crimson hold its rivals at arms length as the score still favored Harvard at the break at 10-8.
Harvard's defense responded well after Yale's second-quarter surge, holding the Bulldogs to just a single goal in the third frame. Four saves from
Graham Stevens and four caused turnovers by the Crimson defenders stumped the Yale offense. King, Speidell and
Andrew Perry scored the Harvard goals in the frame to help the build carry a 13-9 lead into the final quarter.
After a pair of clutch saves from Stevens in the opening minutes of the fourth frame,
Logan Ip reestablished a five-goal lead for Harvard with his first tally of the game. Yale quickly responded with a goal off the ensuing faceoff before the Harvard defense dug in and locked the Bulldogs down. The Crimson held Yale off the scoreboard for nearly ten minutes, forcing five turnovers, four of which were caused by Crimson defenders. Yale pocketed one more goal with two minutes remaining, but the Bulldogs comeback attempt was thwarted by the Crimson, who ran off the field with a 14-11 victory over its arch-rivals.
Harvard Highlights
- Havard got the win in the annual clash with Yale for the first time since 2017.
- Sam King netted five goals to lead the Crimson offense.
- Teddy Malone scored two goals and dished out three assists to pick up five points on the day.
- Martin Nelson caused three turnovers to lead the defense.
- Owen Guest scooped up five ground balls and caused a turnover.
- Graham Stevens made eight saves while guarding the cage.
- Stevens also caused a turnover and grabbed five ground balls.
- Jack Speidell tallied four points to contribute offensively.
- Logan Darrin and Charlie Muller each caused two turnovers.
- Harvard's defense forced 22 Yale turnovers, 14 of which were caused.
- The Crimson went 23-for-24 on the clear and held Yale to just a 75-percent (12-for-18) clear percentage.
- Harvard won the ground ball battle, beating Yale 39-27.
Up Next
Harvard will hit the road for the first time since February next weekend when it makes the trek to New Jersey to battle the Princeton Tigers. The Crimson and the Tigers are set to square off next Saturday (Mar. 22) at 12:00 PM in Princeton and on ESPN+.
