Crimson explodes for 17-9 win in season opener, trouncing Holy Cross in 30-degree weather

The Harvard women’s lacrosse team toppled Holy Cross by a 17-9 count yesterday at Jordan Field in its first game of the season.

The offensive flurry represented the highest single-game goal total for the Crimson since 1997. Sophomore Natalie Curtis led the way with a game-high five goals and seven point, while freshman Kaitlin Martin contributed six points in the winning effort.

Harvard employed a 6-0 run early in the first half to break open a tied game and bury the Crusaders, who fell to 2-1 with the loss. Junior Kathryn Tylander starred in net for the Crimson, stopping 13 shots and preventing Holy Cross from getting closer than four goals the rest of the game.

The contest was played as scheduled, despite below-freezing temperatures for much of the afternoon.

Harvard continues its season in the frosty New England climate with a 3 p.m. clash on Saturday against UMass in Amherst.