BOSTON, Mass. – For the first time since 2022, Harvard women's hockey wins the Dunkin' Women's Beanpot, besting Boston University in an instant classic in overtime, 2-1. The win over the Terriers at TD Garden marks the 16
th Beanpot Championship in Harvard's illustrious history in the legendary tournament.
Just a minute and 30 seconds into the clash with the Terriers,
Gwyn Lapp opened the scoring, as the Terriers equalized moments later on the power play. Neither side found the winner in regulation, as
Carla McSweeney orchestrated Beanpot magic, netting the Beanpot championship clinching goal on a penalty shot in overtime.
Ainsley Tuffy was superb between the posts for the Crimson, stopping a Beanpot career-high 46 shots. Tuffy, a native of Duxbury, Massachusetts, earned Most Valuable Player honors.
How it Happened
Harvard wasted no time offensively, immediately jumping into the driver's seat just a minute and a half into the Beanpot Championship clash with the Terriers. With Boston College pinned back in its defensive zone, Emily Hammann picked a Terriers' pocket, fired a shot towards net that Lapp corralled and fired home for the opening goal of the goal, 1-0.
A native of Andover, Massachusetts playing in her sixth career Beanpot contest, this is Lapp's first goal of the season and seventh point of the season. Across 73 career appearances in her Crimson career, Lapp now has 15 goals and 27 points.
Moments later in the first period, Boston University equalized, 1-1, on the first power play of the evening for either side. Harvard and Boston University would both earn more power plays in the first plays, but the kills were effective as the 1-1 scoreline stood heading into the first intermission.
In the first period, Harvard registered six shots on target compared to Boston University's 13. Tuffy ended the first frame with 12 saves, as the Crimson's physical defensive play led to five blocked shots.
A stellar penalty kill strategy and execution from the Crimson defined the second period. Boston University earned four power play chances in the second period, as the Crimson turned each away with intelligent and stifling defensive play.
On the power play kill alone, Tuffy stopped 11 shots in the second period. With limited possession in the second period, Harvard fired off six shots on goal in the second period.
Both defensive units stepped up once again in the third period, as neither side found the winner in the final period of regulation. Heading into overtime, Harvard logged 14 shots on target compared to Boston University's 45.
Minutes into a tightly contested overtime period, McSweeney won the puck and started a fastbreak, winning a penalty shot off a Boston University foul. With the Beanpot Championship on the line, McSweeney buried the chance to send the Beanpot trophy back to Cambridge for the first time since 2022.
Harvard ended the contest with 15 shots on goal, as the Crimson defense turned away six Boston University power play chances. Tuffy, the Most Valuable Player, stopped 46 shots, a career-high in Beanpot competition.
Harvard Highlights
- Harvard wins its first Beanpot Championship since 2022 and the 16th title in school history.
- Laura Bellamy '13, The Landry Family Head Coach for Harvard Women's Ice Hockey, wins her first Beanpot title at the helm of the Crimson.
- Tuffy earns Most Valuable Player honors after recording 46 saves, a career-high in Beanpot action.
- Lapp registers her first goal of the 2025-26 season. Her strike in the first period is also her 15th career goal and 27th career point.
- Harvard's defense shined in the contest, blocking 18 shots and killing off six Terrier power plays.
- All four of Harvard's goal scorers in the 2026 Women's Beanpot are from Massachusetts.
Up Next
The Crimson return to Bright-Landry Hockey Center and ECAC action this weekend, kicking off the weekend with a 6:00 p.m. clash against St. Lawrence on Friday, Jan. 23, followed by a meeting with Clarkson on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 3:00 p.m. Both contests will air live on ESPN+.
