CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard field hockey coach Tjerk van Herwaarden made history at Berylson Field in Harvard's home opener for the 2025 season, as the four-time Ivy League Coach of the Year secured his 150^th career win. Leading the Crimson for a 13^th season, all 150 of van Herwaarden's 150 career wins have arrived at Harvard.

It was another thrilling contest for the Crimson, as it took two dramatic overtime periods for No. 8 Harvard to earn the 2-1 win against No. 12 Ohio State. Sophomore midfielder Martha le Huray opened the scoring in the final moments of the first quarter, as the Buckeyes equalized late in the third. le Huray struck again with 2:10 remaining in the second overtime for the game-winner, marking the first multi-goal performance from a Crimson in 2025.

The Crimson thrive in the big moments, owning a five-game winning streak in overtime and shootout contests. Harvard has played six overtime contests in its last seven games.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Harvard (3-0, 0-0 Ivy League) started its first ranked matchup of the year against Ohio State (2-3, 0-0 Big Ten) on the front foot. The Crimson produced the first chance immediately, firing off a shot that drifted just wide two minutes into the game.

With under two minutes remaining in the opening frame at Berylson Field, Harvard jumped into the lead. Sophomore Tilly Butterworth sent an aerial pass into the circle, as the pass bounced off the post, allowing le Huray to send a shot past the Buckeyes' keeper, 1-0.

The second frame saw Harvard's defense continue to shine, dispossessing Ohio State and limiting scoring chances for the visitors, Over the first 30 minutes of action, Harvard only allowed one shot, as firs-year goalkeeper Linde Burger denied Ohio State's first-year defender Philipa Schipper a goal with a kick save off a corner.

Heading into the halftime break, the Crimson attack registered four shots compared to Ohio State's one.

Halftime adjustments allowed the visitors to maintain possession and create chances. After a green card on Harvard's senior defender Bronte-May Brough, Ohio State generated consecutive penalty corners, as senior defender Katie Fichtner converted on the second to tie the score, 1-1.

Neither offense found a winner in the fourth quarter, as the Crimson headed to overtime for the third-straight time to start the 2025 season. Harvard generated several scoring chances across both overtime periods, logging six shots compared to Ohio State's three in extra time.

Just two minutes into the second overtime, Harvard almost broke through. Senior defender and team captain Fiene Oerlemans dribbled the ball on the left side of the circle and fired a shot off, as the Ohio State keeper just got a pad on it to deflect the ball wide of the net.

Harvard produced the magical moment with 2:10 left on the clock in the second overtime. Junior midfielder Lara Beekhuis sent a pass across the circle, as the ball drifted just past three Ohio State defenders. le Huray punched the ball into the back of the net to clinch Harvard's first ranked win of the year.                
     
The Crimson ended the day with 11 shots, seven of them on target. In her first start at home in the cage, Burger stopped three shots, including a key save in the first overtime. The 2024 Ivy League Tournament's Most Outstanding Player, le Huray now has four goals in her Crimson career.

HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS:

• With Harvard's 2-1 double overtime win against Ohio State, van Herwaarden earned his 150^th career, only the second head coach in program history to reach that milestone.
• Harvard extends its winning streak in overtime contests to five.
• The Crimson defeat a ranked opponent for the first time this season.
• This is Harvard's first win against a Big Ten foe since the 2023 season, when the Crimson toppled No. 6 Rutgers, 2-1, in the opening round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

UP NEXT:

Harvard hits the road this Sunday, traveling to Storrs, Connecticut for another ranked clash against No. 16 UConn. Action starts at 1 p.m. and will air live on UCONN+.

For all the latest on Harvard Field Hockey, follow the Crimson on Twitter (@HarvardFH) and Instagram (@harvardfieldhockey).