CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard women's soccer is storming into Ivy League play with back-to-back wins after the team defeated the UNH Wildcats, 3-2, this afternoon. The Crimson (2-3-2, 0-0-0 Ivy) defeated the Wildcats (1-3-3, 0-0-0 America East) behind a steady defensive effort and a dominant offensive performance.
Lauren Muniz, Olof Kristinsdottir and
Jasmine Leshnick each scored goals to help lift the Crimson to its second consecutive win.
How it Happened
The Harvard Crimson hosted another regional foe this afternoon as the New Hampshire Wildcats made the trip down I-95 to battle at Jordan Field in a rematch of the 2022 NCAA Tournament opening round. It was the sixth consecutive home game for the Crimson, who were looking to build more momentum heading into Ivy League play next weekend.
It was all Harvard to begin the match as the Crimson dominated possession for the first 15 minutes of play. Crisp passing and steady ball control led to a series of attempts in the New Hampshire defensive end. The Wildcats managed to hold off the Crimson advance as the game remained scoreless. Despite the strong opening, UNH managed to work the ball into the Crimson end at the 15' mark and earned a penalty kick try. The Wildcats converted on the attempt to take a 1-0 lead early in the contest.
The Crimson kept swinging throughout the first half, looking for the equalizer.
Lauren Muniz answered the call for her team at the 30' mark, chipping in a shot after a great run and entry pass from
Anna Rayhill. Muniz's second goal of the season tied the game at one and put Harvard right back in the mix. The Crimson dominated possession in the first half – officially holding the ball for 74-percent of the first period – but remained knotted up at one heading into the halftime break.
After the break, Harvard continued its hunt for the go-ahead tally. The Crimson quickly worked the ball into the Wildcats end to put several more attempts on the record. In the first 15 minutes of the second half, Harvard logged six shots attempts, two of which were saved by the UNH keeper and one of which rung off the crossbar. Muniz and
Danicka Miller logged the shots on goal while Chadwick's strike found the woodwork.
The Crimson finally got some separation at the 70' mark after Kristinsdottir scored her first goal of the season and first since 2023 after missing all last season due to injury. Leshnick began the breakout with a through ball to Rayhill, who found Kristinsdottir in the 18 for a clear shot and score.
Just five minutes later, Leshnick was back on the break for the Crimson, working the ball across midfield before dumping a pass off to Elsa Santos López. The first-year dribbled through the middle before putting a pass back on the boot of Leshnick. The junior defender fired a low-lining shot from way outside the box that made it through all the traffic in front of the Wildcats goal and into the back of the net. Leshnick's second goal of the year gave Harvard some breathing room as the team took a 3-1 lead with 15 minutes remaining.
The Wildcats did not shy away, as the team responded with a goal at the 85' mark to made the score 3-2. UNH continued to push for the equalizer but could not break through the stout Harvard defense. The Crimson held on until the final buzzer to post a 3-2 win over the Wildcats and head into Ivy League play on a two-game winning streak.
Harvard Highlights
- Lauren Muniz and Jasmine Leshnick each scored their second goals of the year.
- Olof Kristinsdottir got on the scoresheet for the first time this season.
- Anna Rayhill, Elsa Santos López and Leshnick each recorded assists in the match.
- Rhiannon Stewart made one save in goal.
- Harvard outshot UNH, 16-5.
- The Crimson won 12 corner kicks compared to the Wildcats' one.
Up Next
The Crimson will now move into its Ivy League schedule that is set to begin next Saturday (Sep. 20) with a tilt against the Dartmouth Big Green. Harvard will host its Ivy rival with the match set to begin at 7:00 PM at Jordan Field and live on ESPN+.
