WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – An all-around effort from the attack and the defense defined No. 4 Harvard field hockey's 2-0 win against No. 14 Monmouth, as the Crimson earn its fourth win against a ranked opponent this season and improve to 8-0 on the 2025 campaign.

The Crimson offense jumped into the driver's seat early, as senior midfielder Kitty Chapple put Harvard ahead with a goal in the first two minutes of the contest. Junior forward Sage Piekarski doubled Harvard's lead in the third quarter with her second goal in the past two contests.

Havard's defense, highlighted by first-year goalkeeper Linde Burger and defenders Bronte-May Brough, Brooke Chandler, Smilla Klas and Marie Schaefers, shutout a Monmouth offense that led the nation in goals per game (5.29) and points per game (15.00) heading into the weekend. Harvard limited Monmouth to six shots across 60 minutes, the Hawks' lowest shot total since the 2024 season.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
It didn't take long for Harvard (8-0, 2-0 Ivy League) to grab the lead against Monmouth (7-2, 0-0 Coastal Athletic), as the Crimson produced the opening goal just a minute and 37 seconds into the contest.

Chapple received a pass on the edge of the circle, evaded multiple Monmouth defenders and slipped a shot into the cage to put the Crimson ahead, 1-0. A three-time All-Ivy League selection, Chapple now has two goals this season.

From there, Harvard controlled the tempo of the first quarter, registering three more shots. Monmouth earned the first corner of the day, but the Crimson corner defense was superb and preserved the 1-0 advantage heading into the second quarter.

Both sides traded possession and opportunities in the second quarter. With 5:26 remaining in the first half, the Crimson earned its first penalty corner of the afternoon, as sophomore midfielder Tilly Butterworth saw her shot get parried wide by the Monmouth goalkeeper. Harvard maintained its offensive pressure, earning another penalty corner 50 seconds later. This time Brough fired off a shot that drifted just wide of the goal.

At the conclusion of the first 30 minutes at So Sweet A Cat Field, Harvard recorded eight shots while limiting Monmouth to just three shots in the first half.

Harvard continued to find success offensively and defensively in the third quarter. Butterworth and senior forward Kate Oliver almost doubled the lead within the first six minutes of the second half, as the pair forced saves from Monmouth goalkeeper Charlie Bowman.

Moments later, Harvard broke through and extended the lead. Sophomore forward Martha le Huray fired a shot that rebounded in front of the Monmouth goal, as Piekarski poked the ball into the net for her second goal of the weekend.

The fourth quarter saw both sides exchange chances, as Harvard's defense allowed only two shots in the frame to wrap up the 2-0 victory.

The Crimson logged 16 shots against Monmouth, 10 of them on goal. Harvard's defense limited the nation's top attack to zero goals and just six shots, as Burger posted the fourth shutout of the season.

HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS:

• Harvard is 8-0 to start a season for the first time in school history.
• The Crimson is now 4-0 against ranked foes this season, just one shy of last season's win total against ranked teams.
• Across the last five games, Harvard is outscoring its opponents by a margin of 16-1.
• Burger earns the fourth shutout of her Crimson career.
• Piekarski, le Huray and junior midfielder Lara Beekhuis are all tied for the team lead in goals with four each.

UP NEXT:

Harvard ventures back to Cambridge next weekend, as the Crimson returns to Ivy action on Saturday, Oct. 4 at noon against Penn. Admission to Berylson Field is free of charge and the contest will air live on ESPN+.

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