No. 7 Field Hockey Sweeps Weekend With Wins Over Dartmouth and Northeastern

The No. 7 Harvard field hockey team (5-1, 1-0 Ivy League) continued its successful streak this weekend, beating both Dartmouth (1-4, 0-1) and Northeastern (2-5, 1-0 CAA). After taking down the Big Green 2-1 in Hanover, N.H., the Crimson hosted the Huskies for a dramatic overtime showdown. Eventually, junior captain Tilly Butterworth scored the golden goal in a shootout for the home team, securing the win and the weekend sweep.

The weekend was a triumph for the Crimson, which flexed its ability to maintain possession of the ball by outshooting its foes 49-3, earning 27 corners, and holding its opponents to two. Additionally, freshman defender Elin van Sante was named the Ivy League’s Defensive Player of the Week. The rookie has started all six of Harvard’s games this season, anchoring the team’s back line.

Now, a clash with the Crimson’s archrival, the No. 3 Princeton Tigers, looms on the horizon.

Harvard 2, Dartmouth 1

In its first Ivy League game of the season, Harvard took down Dartmouth. That said, a standout performance by the Big Green’s goalie, senior Kylie McKinley, made the game challenging for the Crimson, which easily beat Dartmouth 7-0 last year.

Harvard opened the game with momentum, immediately igniting an offensive onslaught that continued for most of the game.

A little over six minutes into the contest, Butterworth broke through and scored her first goal of the season. The Norwich, England, native capitalized on a penalty corner, securing the insert from junior midfielder Martha le Huray and blazing the ball into the back of the net.

Though the Crimson held the advantage, it refused to ease up on its pressure. Harvard fired off eight shots in just the first quarter, preventing the Big Green from launching any attacks of their own.

In fact, Dartmouth did not make a threatening attempt on net until the second quarter. While it initially appeared that junior Ruby Walsh had secured the equalizer, the referees quickly ruled the Big Green’s goal ineligible because of a back-stick violation.

The Crimson responded to the scare with vengeance, as le Huray charged upfield and surged into the circle, weaving around defenders to rip a shot of her own. Sophomore midfielder Rosa Kooijmans was perfectly positioned for the shot’s deflection, hammering the ball past McKinley to put Harvard up 2-0.

At the end of the first half, the Crimson had already outshot Dartmouth 14-0.

The Big Green shocked Harvard just a minute into the third quarter by scoring a goal. The Crimson quickly got back in stride, though, drawing three penalty corner opportunities and forcing McKinley to make seven saves in the 15-minute frame.

With a little over two minutes remaining in regulation, Dartmouth pulled McKinley, adding an extra offensive player to the field in hopes of evening the score.

However, Harvard held strong. The Crimson drew 12 penalty corners, outshot the hosts 29-2, and boasted a 19-1 advantage in shots on goal. While Harvard’s offensive prowess was displayed across the whole team, le Huray, Butterworth, and sophomore forward Lucy Barker led the team in shots, with seven, seven, and six, respectively.

It was truly McKinley’s 17-save showing that kept the Big Green in contention. Despite the senior goalkeeper’s effort, the Crimson successfully opened its Ancient Eight play with a win.

Harvard 1, Northeastern 0

On Sunday, Harvard hosted Northeastern. Last season, the Crimson headed into Boston to take down the Huskies 2-0 on their own pitch. This year, much like Harvard’s match on Friday, the game between the two local teams proved more dramatic.

Both teams struggled to find their groove in the opening quarter, trading possession in the midfield. Neither team could register a shot on net.

In the second quarter, Harvard began to show why it is ranked among the top-10 programs in the nation. The Crimson rapidly ramped up its offensive intensity, spurred by valiant runs by senior forward Sage Piekarski and le Huray.

Harvard had four penalty corners in the second frame, but had trouble capitalizing.

Northeastern, meanwhile, was able to force a few turnovers, but could not effectively wrangle control of the ball. The Huskies prevented the Crimson from utilizing its speed to forge fast breaks by holding a strong defensive line within their own circle.

The game remained deadlocked at halftime.

In a similar fashion to McKinley, the Huskies’ freshman goalie Aiko Price notched a notable showing against Harvard. In just her fifth collegiate start, the rookie tallied eight saves despite facing 15 penalty corners.

In the second half, the Crimson outshot Northeastern 13-1, continuing its offensive reign. Barker and captain Lara Beekhuis combined for a few stellar opportunities in the fourth quarter, but Price stood firm in net.

Harvard had seven penalty corners in the final quarter, but the contest remained tied 0-0 at the end of regulation.

After a few uncharacteristic Crimson turnovers in the midfield during overtime, sophomore goalkeeper Linde Burger and senior defender Smila Klas made a stellar defensive play, preventing the Huskies from securing the upset.

That said, Harvard’s possession dominance extended into overtime, allowing it to log two more corners and two shots on net. Although it was pummeled with shots, Northeastern’s defensive line stood firm, forcing penalty shots.

The Huskies capitalized on the first shot, but Beekhuis responded with a goal of her own, curling around the visitors’ goalie to even the score at 1-1.

On the next shot, Burger made a great save. However, Price then snagged one of her own as she blocked le Huray’s attempt.

Freshman forward Evie Smith converted, Burger prevented a goal, and then Kooijman’s shot was blocked. With the score locked at 2-2, the game’s fate rested in Butterworth’s trusty hands.

The Harvard team celebrated as the junior captain secured the win, blasting the ball past Price.

Now, the team sets its sights on its upcoming Ancient Eight contest against Princeton. The Crimson will host the Tigers on Berylson Field on Saturday, Sept. 26th, in the first match between the two rivals since Princeton defeated Harvard in the 2025 NCAA Tournament Final Four.

So far this season, the Tigers have only dropped one contest — to the No. 11 University of North Carolina — in a dramatic shootout. In front of a friendly Alumni Day crowd, Harvard will look to dish the team its second loss of the year.

—Isabel C. Smail is Sports Chair of the Harvard Crimson’s 153rd Guard. She can be reached at [email protected].