Field Hockey Wins Second Straight Ivy League Tournament Championship, Clinches NCAA Tournament Bid

After a 1-0 overtime win against Brown (9-8, 4-4 Ivy) in the Ivy League Tournament semifinal match, the No. 11 Harvard team defended its title of Tournament Champions yesterday with another overtime victory against No. 13 Princeton (13-5, 7-1 Ivy). With the win, the Crimson guaranteed itself a spot in the NCAA tournament bracket, locking its eyes on the national title.

Harvard 1, Brown 0 (OT)

On Friday, Harvard faced off against the Bears for its first playoff game. Although the Crimson easily defeated Brown in a 4-0 game previously this season, the semifinal match proved to be more of a challenge for the defending tournament champions.

Despite outshooting the Bears 10 to six during the contest, Harvard struggled to get the ball past Brown’s goalkeeper, Kylee Del Monte. The game truly marked a defensive battle between the two teams, as the ball ricocheted back and forth between the two defensive units, with either team unable to capitalize offensively.

Brown’s Lucy Adams played a particularly fierce game, sprinting into the path of the ball and intercepting multiple of the Crimson’s passes as the team attempted to transition upfield. Thanks to Adams’ effort, the Bears were able to regain possession in critical moments and prevent Harvard from accelerating toward the goal. Brown’s aggressive style of play in the midfield stalled the Crimson from quickly getting the ball to its most dominant scorers like Lara Beekhuis, Sage Piekarski, and Lucy Leel, all of whom have tallied more than five goals this season.

That being said, Harvard’s defense, anchored by Bronte May-Brough and goalkeeper Tessa Shahbo, stood tall in the face of Brown’s advances. Only four of the Bears’ shots made it past the Crimson’s defensive line and through to Shahbo, who saved each shot with ease. When the final buzzer rang, signaling the end of regulation play, the score still read 0-0.

Harvard has had significant experience going into overtime this fall. In fact, this contest marked the Crimson’s fifth game that has extended into extra time so far this season. The team’s experience showed early in the additional period, as it outshot the Bears four to nil, earning two penalty corner opportunities in the process.

Brough, capitalizing on a penalty corner chance, secured the win in dramatic fashion for Harvard. After a beautiful insert by Kitty Chapple, captain Emily Guckian set the ball up for Brough to slam home. Jumping in cheers of celebration, the Crimson moved on to face Princeton in the championship game.

The squad now has its sights set on NCAA Tournament action, which begins next Friday. By Courtesy Harvard Athletics

Harvard 2, Princeton 1 (OT)

Entering the championship match, both teams had their sights set on the Ivy League Tournament trophy and the prize of a secure position in the NCAA playoff bracket. Princeton, having previously upset Harvard in Cambridge on its 50th Anniversary celebration, strove to continue its undefeated intra-league season. The Crimson, meanwhile, gunned for revenge, as its regular season loss to the Tigers cost it the honor of hosting the tournament.

Much like the game against Brown, neither team was able to score until the final minutes of the contest. The score remained locked in a 0-0 tie until the 57th minute of play. Finally, freshman Martha le Huray nailed the ball into the back of the net, putting Harvard ahead by one with two minutes and 30 seconds remaining on the clock.

In an admirable effort, the Princeton team refused to give up, pulling its goalie, Robyn Thompson, and adding an extra offensive player to the field. Ella Cashman, the Tigers’ sophomore, utilized the advantage, scoring a goal off of a penalty corner opportunity and evening the game with 59 seconds left to play. The Crimson, stunned by Princetons’ swift retaliation, was suddenly forced to play in its second overtime match of the tournament weekend.

Again, in extra play, Harvard’s experience prevailed merely four minutes into the additional time. Martha le Huray, the Teddington, UK native, made a brilliant run down the field, out-hustling the Tigers’ defenders and notching her second goal of the game. With le Huray’s golden goal, the Crimson claimed its second consecutive Ivy League Tournament Championship title, defeating the host Princeton. While the win was undoubtedly an impressive team effort, le Huray’s stellar performance earned her the recognition of the Ivy League Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Harvard now boasts a 4-0 record in Ivy Tournament play.

Having punched its ticket to the NCAA Tournament, the Crimson are set to face off against No. 12 Syracuse in Storrs, CT. Syracuse fell to the undefeated No. 2 University of North Carolina in the semifinals of the ACC tournament this weekend, despite having had a strong 13-6 (4-4 ACC) record this year, earning the team an at-large bid in the national bracket. Harvard, having advanced to the second round of the tournament last year after beating Rutgers, strives for a deeper run this fall.

Tune in to ESPN+ at 12:30 on Friday, Nov. 15 to watch the Harvard Crimson take on the Syracuse Orange in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

—Staff writer Isabel Smail can be reached at isabel.smail@thecrimson.com.