STANFORD, Calif. – In a thrilling, back-and-forth contest, No. 6 Harvard field hockey concluded the opening weekend of the 2025 season with a 3-2 shootout victory against Stanford on the road.

After the hosts opened the scoring in the first quarter, Harvard took a 2-1 lead with goals from junior forward Sage Piekarski and sophomore midfielder Tilly Butterworth. Midway through the fourth quarter, Stanford tied the score off a penalty corner, as the Crimson bested the Cardinal in the shootout, 3-2.

In just her second career start between the posts for Harvard, first-year goalkeeper Linde Burger was instrumental in the victory, stopping five shots to go along with three saves in the shootout.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The majority of the first quarter was a defensive stalemate, as Harvard (2-0, 0-0 Ivy League) and Stanford (2-2, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) combined for zero shots across the first 10 minutes of action. The hosts crafted the opening goal in the closing minutes of the first period, as Stanford's junior midfielder Kate Nemec slotted the chance home, 1-0.

Within the first five minutes of the second quarter, the Cardinal almost doubled its advantage, as consecutive saves from Burger stalled the Stanford attack. With under five minutes to go in the first half, Harvard almost drew level, as first-year forward Lucy Barker spun away from a defender and forced a save from Stanford's keeper Daisy Ford.

The scoreboard remained at 1-0 at the end of the first half. The Crimson logged two shots across the first 30 minutes of action, as neither team took a penalty corner in the first half. Burger logged two saves in the first two periods of action at Stanford.

Harvard bounced back in the second half, evening the score midway through the third quarter. A quick burst from senior midfielder and team captain Fiene Oerlemans created space in the Stanford defense near the circle, as she fed a pass to Piekarski at the back post to level the score.

The first corner of the afternoon for Harvard arrived with 19 seconds left in the third quarter. Senior defender Bronte-May Brough had her shot parried away by Ford, as Piekarski's follow up drifted just wide of the right post. After a video review, Harvard was awarded a penalty stroke, as Butterworth converted to put the Crimson ahead.

A native of Norwich, England and a NFHCA Watch List selection, that goal is Butterworth's first of her collegiate career.

Harvard's attack established a rhythm in the third quarter, registering eight shots in the frame. The Crimson's defense only allowed one shot in the third.

After both sides exchanges spells of possession to start the fourth quarter, Stanford earned a penalty corner with 7:20 left in regulation. The hosts capitalized, leveling the score with a strike from senior midfielder Ella Ganocy.

With only 2:02 remaining in regulation, Stanford produced another penalty corner chance, as the Crimson defense stood strong to send the contest into overtime. At the end of the first 60 minutes, the Crimson took 13 shots compared to the Cardinal's six shots.

Harvard controlled possession for the majority of the overtime period, as Piekarski took the first three shots of extra time. From there, neither offense found a winner, as the Crimson went to a shootout for the first time this season.

After Stanford scored on the opening attempt of the shootout, sophomore midfielder Martha le Huray drew the Crimson level, as a save from Burger allowed the Crimson to take a 2-1 advantage. After a miss and a Stanford make, Burger stepped up again with another key save. First-year midfielder Rosa Kooijmans put Harvard in pole position for a win with a make, as Burger shut the door with another save in the shootout.

The Crimson outshot the Cardinal, 17-8, across 80 minutes of action in Stanford. In just her second collegiate start, Burger stopped five shots.

HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS:

• Butterworth's goal in the third quarter is the first goal of her Crimson career.
• Burger logs multiple saves in a game for the first time in her career.
• Harvard has now won four straight matches against ACC foes.
• The Crimson extend its winning streak against unranked opponents to 87 matches.
• This is the Crimson's first win against Stanford since 1998.
• Harvard now owns five shootout wins during head coach Tjerk van Herwaarden's tenure.

UP NEXT:

Harvard returns to Cambridge on Friday, Sept. 12, as the Crimson host Ohio State at Berylson Field. The match is slated for a 5 p.m. start and all the action will air live on ESPN+.

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