PRINCETON, N.J. – It was a defensive battle in game one of the ECAC Quarterfinals between the eighth-seeded Harvard Crimson and the second-seeded Princeton Tigers. The Crimson (15-14-3, 8-11-3 ECAC) recorded a number of dangerous scoring chances but could not get one across the line as the Tigers (22-8-0, 16-6 ECAC) took the first game of the series with a 1-0 victory. Princeton now leads 1-0 in the best-of-three series which is set to continue tomorrow afternoon with game two at 3:00 PM.
 
Ainsley Tuffy made 39 saves in the battle to anchor the Harvard defensive unit while Carla McSweeney and Zoe Boosamra shared the team lead with five shots on goal each.
 
 

How it Happened

The Crimson made the trip down to New Jersey this afternoon to take on the No. 10 and second-seeded Princeton Tigers in the ECAC Championship Quarterfinals. The Crimson's first appearance in the quarterfinal round since 2023, Harvard looked to take an early win in the best-of-three series at Hobey Baker Rink.
 
The Tigers made the first move, scoring the game's first goal just over two minutes into the contest. After the Tiger goal, the Crimson settled in defensively and withstood a barrage of chances from Princeton. Tuffy stepped up to make 21 saves in the period and the PK unit killed off two Crimson penalties to hold Princeton to just a single goal. Harvard counted with seven shots on goal in the period but could not convert as the team skated into the first intermission facing a 1-0 deficit.
 
Harvard fought back in the second period, coming out fast to create a run of scoring chances. The Crimson put nine shots on the board in the second period – matching the Tigers total in the frame – but could not get one across the line. Carla McSweeney and Morgan McGathey were close to putting a tally on the board, but the Princeton goalie swallowed up the loose puck in front of the net to preserve the Tiger lead. Ainsley Tuffy continued her strong stretch of play, making another nine saves in the period to increase her total to 30 in the contest.
 
Another successful penalty kill kicked off the third period for Harvard as it looked to make a comeback bid. Tuffy made saves on all nine shots she faced to hold the Tigers off the board and give the Crimson a shot at leveling the score. A late push from Harvard saw the team put seven shots on goal in the final four minutes without finding the equalizer. Princeton survived the barrage to skate away with a 1-0 victory in game one of the series.
 

Harvard Highlights

• Ainsley Tuffy made 39 saves in the contest.
• Tuffy's total featured 21 saves in the opening period.
• Harvard's penalty kill unit went 3-for-3 in game one.
• The Crimson defense blocked 13 shots.
• Kaley MacDonald's three blocked shots were a team-high.
• Zoe Boosamra and Carla McSweeney shared the team lead with five shots on goal.

 

Up Next

These Ivy rivals will be back on the ice tomorrow afternoon for game two of the quarterfinal series. Harvard will need to win tomorrow's matchup to stay alive and force game three on Sunday (Mar. 1). The puck is set to drop at 3:00 PM in game two at Hobey Baker Rink, with all the action set to air live on ESPN+.