CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Harvard women's soccer team battled to a draw this afternoon against its Boston-based rival, the Northeastern Huskies, at Jordan Field. The Crimson (0-3-2, 0-0-0 Ivy) struck first in the early stages of the game after
Jasmine Leshnick tipped in a corner kick from
Susie Long but the Huskies (1-3-2, 0-0-0 CAA) were able to equalize in the second half as the game would end in a 1-1 draw. Harvard outshot Northeastern 16-6 in the match but was unable to secure the winning result in its second draw of the year.
How it Happened
The Northeastern Huskies made the short trip across Boston to renew the regional rivalry with the Crimson on what was a rainy day on the banks of the Charles River. The Crimson were playing the third of seven consecutive home matches against the Huskies, looking to increase its lead in the all-time series against the cross-town foe.
Harvard got out to a quick start in the match, controlling possession for a majority of the opening minutes. The Crimson quickly worked through the Northeastern press and fired off two consecutive shots, both by Ólöf Kristinsdóttir, in the first seven minutes. In the eighth minute of play, the Crimson won a corner kick and
Susie Long stepped up to make the cross. Long threaded a low crossing pass through the middle of the box, where
Jasmine Leshnick was perfectly positioned. Leshnick was able to flick the ball into the back of the net with her back heel to put the Crimson up, 1-0, early in the match.
The Crimson did not slow down after the goal. Solid defense throughout the lineup helped the team play the ball to Kristinsdóttir at the top of the formation, as the striker recorded another pair of shots in the following sequences. The first attempt was blocked by a Husky defender and the second attempt deflected off the crossbar as the Huskies managed to hold off the pressure from Harvard. Leshnick and then Kristinsdóttir recorded another pair of shots that went wide before Northeastern fired off its first shot attempt of the game 33' into the action. Back-to-back shots by the Huskies did not find the target as the Crimson defense remained sharp. A pair of Crimson chances from
Audrey Francois and
Hannah Eftekhari fell off target as the half would end with the Crimson in the lead by a score of 1-0.
Harvard continued its onslaught in the second half with a pair of early shots from
Anna Rayhill and Jasmine Leshinck in the early going. Leshnick's attempt was on target but saved by the Huskies keeper.
Northeastern finally began to settle after the opening minutes of the second half and started to put a high press on the Crimson. The pressure gave the Huskies sustained possession in the Crimson's defensive third, which helped them capitalize in the 60
th minute of the match. The Huskies worked fast off a counterattack to free up a shot attempt from just outside the box. A low shot made its way through traffic and just under the outstretched arms of
Rhiannon Stewart as Northeastern found its equalizer.
Kristinsdóttir nearly responded with the go-ahead goal for the Crimson, but was once again denied by the Husky keeper. After the attempt by Harvard, Northeastern continued to press and control the pace for the following sequences. The Huskies would go on to record three shot attempts – all of which were off target – as the team began to make its move. Harvard relied on its defensive backline of
August Hunter,
Jasmine Leshnick and
Susie Long in the second half and the group was up to the task, holding off the Huskies for the remainder of the contest.
Once the final whistle blew, the teams were deadlocked as the game would end in a 1-1 draw. Harvard moved to 0-3-2 on the season after the result with the Huskies.
Harvard Highlights
- Jasmine Leshnick scored her first goal of the season.
- Susie Long recorded the assist on the Leshnick goal.
- Harvard outshot the Huskies, 16-6.
- The Crimson held a 7-3 advantage on corner kicks.
Up Next
Harvard will play its final two non-conference games this week against Boston University on Thursday (Sep. 11) and New Hampshire on Sunday (Sep. 14). Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+ and played at Jordan Field.
