PRINCETON, N.J. – Two goals from senior defender Bronte-May Brough and a strike from junior forward Sage Piekarski highlighted a fantastic effort on both ends for No. 4 Harvard field hockey, as the Crimson earns a marquee 3-1 win against No. 8 Princeton on the road.

Scoring opportunities for both sides were limited across the 60 minutes of action, as Harvard tallied three goals on just five shots and two corners against the Tigers. First-year goalkeeper Linde Burger was instrumental for the Crimson, as the Heerhugowaard, Netherlands native stopped a career-high six shots this evening.

With a 7-0 record, Harvard is now off to the best start in program history. The Crimson win at Princeton's Bedford Field for a third straight time.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Both sides were evenly matched in the opening stages, as Harvard (7-0, 2-0 Ivy League) and Princeton (4-3, 1-1) traded possession and attacking chances in the first period. The hosts found the first scoring opportunity of the evening, earning a corner that the Crimson successfully defended to preserve the tie.

Both defenses shined in the first, as Princeton logged the only shot of the frame. For the first time this season, the Crimson did not log a shot in a quarter.

Harvard's defense continued to define the contest, standing tall against a spell of Princeton penalty corners and attacking chances in the second quarter. The Tigers logged five shots in the second quarter, as terrific goalkeeping from Burger kept the Tigers off the board, as the first-year stopped two shots in the frame.

With 6:11 left in the second quarter, the Crimson made some noise in Princeton, earning its first corner of the day. First-year Rosa Kooijmans fed the insert to Brough, as the senior fired a powerful shot in the back of the cage for the opening goal of the matchup. A three-time All-American, Brough now has two goals this season and has scored in back-to-back games for the first time since the 2023 season.
At the conclusion of the first half, the Crimson scored on its only shot of the opening 30 minutes, as the Harvard defense limited Princeton to six shots and two attempts on target.

Midway through the third, Harvard doubled its advantage. With its second corner of the day, Harvard executed the plan to perfection, as senior midfielder and team captain Kitty Chapple settled an insert that Brough fired into the cage, 2-0. This marks the sixth match of Brough's career with multiple goals.

Heading into the fourth, Harvard kept capitalizing on its chances again, as the Crimson added a third goal in the final frame at Bedford Field. A shot from junior midfielder Lara Beekhuis bounced off the Princeton keeper, as Piekarski collected the rebound and sent the ball into the back of the cage with 12:18 left in the contest.

Princeton would score six minutes later, but Harvard's defense regrouped and kept the Tigers at bay for the 3-1 victory. Harvard scored three goals on five shots, as the Crimson is outshot for the first time this season. Burger was key throughout the match, stopping a career-high six shots.

HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS:

• Harvard is 7-0 to start the 2025 season, marking the best start to a campaign in program history.
• The Crimson have now won three-straight contests at Princeton's Bedford Field.
• Harvard is now 3-0 against ranked opponents this season. They own a +5-goal difference in matchups against ranked foes.
• Brough scores multiple goals in a game for the first time since 2023. The Uttoxeter, England native has now scored multiple goals in six matches in her storied Crimson career.
• Burger sets a new career-high in saves with six.

UP NEXT:

Another test awaits Harvard in the Garden State this weekend, as the Crimson take on No. 14 Monmouth on Sunday, Sept. 28 at noon. Harvard fans can watch every minute live on FloSports.

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