Harvard Women’s Lacrosse Suffers Shock Loss Against Columbia

Harvard women’s lacrosse (6-9, 1-6 Ivy) suffered a heartbreaking loss in overtime last weekend to Columbia (7-8, 1-6), finishing up a difficult season. Despite staying level with the Lions throughout the game, an overtime goal dashed the Crimson’s hope of ending on a high and rewarded Columbia with its first win against an Ivy League foe since 2019.

Starting the first quarter off strong, Harvard notched its first goal 39 seconds into the game. A feed into the zone from junior attacker Grace Mullahy allowed sophomore midfielder Tori Balser to find the back of the net.

A shooting space call against the Lions allowed freshman midfielder Cecelia Batchelder to rip a shot from the eight-meter, cementing an early 2-0 Crimson lead.

It didn’t take long, however, for Columbia to respond, though. Despite scrappy ball movement, sophomore attacker Maddie Brogan was able to wrestle her way through the Harvard defense to get the Lions on the scoreboard.

Mullahy added to the Crimson’s tally with a second goal off a free position in the game, putting her team up 3-1.

A key interception from captain Cordelia Flemming completely turned the momentum for the Lions. In the second half of the quarter, Columbia recorded three goals in quick succession, taking a 4-3 lead over Harvard.

At the opening of the second quarter, the Crimson team almost immediately went a player down due to a foul by captain Despina Giannakopoulos. Despite the advantage, the Lions were unable to convert a goal due to stellar goalkeeping by Harvard’s sophomore Emma Barkauskas, who swallowed up a strong shot to the top right corner.

Crimson senior Charlotte Hodgson, the Ivy League Midfielder of the Year, immediately capitalized on quick ball movement back upfield to take on two defenders, scoring from the goal line extended - clearly unfazed by the tight angle. The Wyndmoor, Pa., native was coming off a dominant game against the UConn Huskies, during which she scored a career high nine goals.

The Lions did not allow the score to stay tied up for long. A goal from captain Cecelia Messner, who was able to slide her way through Harvard’s defense, put the scoreboard at 5-4

Key saves from Columbia sophomore goalie Ava Kimche, denied Hodgson twice, and prevented a Harvard breakaway. Kimche’s efforts did not stop the Crimson for long. A strong defensive press allowed Mullahy to poach possession of the ball, giving her time and space to transition to the offensive end of the field. Once there, Mullahy found captain Kate Gilliam open in the eight meter to once again tie the knot.

Balser, eager to notch her second goal of the night, ran from coast-to-coast, reestablishing the lead for Harvard.

As the half dwindled, the Lions used their possession to try to level the score once again. With just two seconds left on the shot clock and a feed from behind the goal, Flemming’s quickstick shot found the back of the net, once again knotting up the game.

The second half opened fast and furiously, with both teams trading possession and shots on goal. It took over three minutes for a Columbia give-and-go from junior midfielder Anna Becker to freshman attacker Katie Row to hit its mark.

With momentum in their favor, the Lions broke down the Crimson defense. In the third quarter, Columbia achieved its biggest lead of the day, making the score 9-6 before Harvard was able to answer.

Clearly finding some renewed energy, Cecelia Batchelder drove hard through her defenders to tally the Crimson’s only goal of the quarter, leaving the score at 9-7.

The final five minutes of the quarter remained scoreless, despite strong chances from both sides.

Moving into the final quarter of the game, Harvard’s offense looked dangerous. Ducking and weaving through the Lions in blue, it didn’t take long for Gilliam to send a screamer bounce shot past Columbia’s defense. With the goal, the captain helped get the Crimson back in contention, bringing the team within one goal.

With renewed vigour following a successful challenge by junior defender Stella Shea, Harvard stormed the ball back down the field. A strong ride denied the goalie clear, allowing them to cut forty seconds from the Columbia shot clock.

Yet, the Crimson’s ride didn’t stop the Lions. Consistent cycling of the ball around the fan kept Harvard’s defense in motion, but Becker was again able to find her way through the noise to add to her tally.

Back in the draw circle, Harvard freshman draw specialist Lexie Koch was able to control the ball, sending it straight out to her fellow midfielders. A miscommunication between the Columbia defence left Kimche out of goal, giving space for Balser to spin and shoot, keeping Crimson’s hopes alive.

Cecelia Batchelder utilized another shooting space call to even the score again. Her rocket of a shot slipped right past the Columbia goalie, marking both a hat-trick and the 25th goal of her rookie campaign.

Since both teams were unable to find the back of the net in the final minutes of regulation play, Balser forced her defender to the sideline to take the game to overtime.

Despite controlling the draw into overtime, the Crimson was unable to nab the golden goal. This left the opportunity for Columbia to score in the final possession of the game, with Becker slamming the ball home.

The win against Harvard marks the first Ivy League victory of Columbia’s head coach Anne Murray’s career and the only in-league win for the Lions’ graduating seniors.

A much younger team, the Crimson is sure to continue to grow and improve in time for next season.

—Staff writer Matilda C. Genieser can be reached at [email protected].