CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Two goals for Ólöf Kristinsdóttir helped the Harvard women's soccer team end its seven-match homestand in style as the team earned a 2-0 win over its Ivy League rival, Princeton. The Crimson (3-4-2, 1-1-0 Ivy) relied on a stout defensive effort – that included two saves and another shutout for senior goalkeeper,
Rhiannon Stewart – to stump the Tigers (2-4-3, 1-1-0 Ivy) and secure three points in the Ivy League standings.
How it Happened
The Crimson and the Tigers renewed its rivalry today at Jordan Field in what was the 46
th match between the sides in series history. It was busy day at Jordan Field as the Harvard Women's Soccer alums celebrated alumni day during the match.
Typical in the matchup between the two teams, the pace of the game was fast from the jump with both sides looking for an early strike. Harvard logged the first shot on goal of the game in the sixth minute, when Ólöf Kristinsdóttir's shot was saved on the goal line by the Princeton keeper. The Tigers countered quick with a shot but the attempt sailed high as the defenses prevailed in the early going of the contest.
An intense battle in the midfield ensued after the quick start. Princeton attempted to make a few runs towards the Crimson net but the backline of
August Hunter, Amy König and
Jasmine Leshnick kept the Tigers at bay. The Crimson capitalized at the 16' mark in the match after
Audrey Francois completed a great run into the Princeton defensive third. The senior sent a cross into the middle that was batted around by the Tiger defense and eventually cleaned up by Kristinsdóttir, who slotted a low shot past the keeper and into the back of the net. Her second goal of the season put the Crimson up, 1-0.
Harvard kept the pressure on the Tigers for the remainder of the half to keep the Crimson in the lead, 1-0, at the end of the first half.
Princeton came out swinging in the second half, recording an early shot on goal.
Rhiannon Stewart was up to the task, however, and got a hand on the shot to record her second save of the afternoon. At the 60' mark, the Crimson advanced the ball up the field and was able to win a penalty kick opportunity after a Tiger defender was called for a handball in the 18. Kristinsdóttir stepped up to take the penalty and converted, beating the keeper to the top right corner of the net.
Princeton kept pressing after falling behind, recording five shot attempts in the final 25 minutes of play. All five shots were either blocked by the Crimson defense or off target. Harvard's stout defensive presence held the team hold off the Tigers and secure a massive 2-0 victory over Princeton; it's first of Ivy League play. The win gave Harvard three points in the league standings heading into a two-game road stretch over the next couple of weeks.
Harvard Highlights
- Ólöf Kristinsdóttir recorded her second career brace with two goals.
- Elsa Santos López recorded her team-leading fourth assist on the game-winning goal.
- Rhiannon Stewart made two saves to secure her eighth career clean sheet.
- Sarah Lloyd made her first appearance of the season.
- August Hunter, Jasmine Leshnick and Amy König played a stellar match on the backline for the Crimson.
Up Next
After a seven-game home stand, the Crimson will play its first away match since August when it hits the road next week. The team will head up to Ithaca, N.Y. to take on the Cornell Big Red in the third of its seven Ivy League regular season matches. First kick is set for 12:00 PM with all the action streaming live on ESPN+.
