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Next Game:
at RPI
10/26/2024 | 3:00 PM
ESPN+
Oct. 26 (Sat) / 3:00 PM
at RPI
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – In an exhilarating opener for the ECAC season, the Harvard women’s ice hockey team journeyed to New York to face off against the Union Garnet Chargers. Despite a commendable effort from the Crimson (1-1-0, 0-1-0 ECAC), they encountered their first defeat of the season, with the Garnet Chargers (3-6-0, 1-0-0 ECAC) delivering a strong performance.
How it Happened
- The Crimson made its way to Messa Rink for the highly anticipated 41st meeting between these two storied programs.
- After the puck was dropped, the Crimson immediately applied pressure, capturing three on-target shots within the opening two minutes. Following Harvard’s aggressive start, Union returned with a counterattack; however, a series of remarkable saves from Emily Davidson, coupled with two crucial blocked shots, helped the Crimson stave off Union’s early attempts.
- After a fast start, both sides settled in on the defensive end, leading to a swift-paced back-and-forth game that saw only one faceoff during a 12-minute stretch.
- Maria Pape and Mia Biotti both had quality looks at the net turned aside in the first period, highlighting the Crimson’s offensive persistence as they totaled five shots on goal in the opening frame.
- Union managed to find the scoreboard late in the first period, taking a narrow 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
- Each team had a powerplay chance early in the second period with Union striking first on the skater advantage. Harvard’s staunch defense did not allow a single shot to reach Davidson during this penalty kill. On its own powerplay opportunity, the Crimson created two promising scoring chances but struggled to find the back of the net as they chased the equalizer.
- Davidson continued her stellar performance, making four saves to hold off Union in the following minutes. Unfortunately for Harvard, Union managed to sneak another shot past Davidson, extending their lead to 2-0 late in the second period.
- As the second period concluded, Union held a 2-0 advantage over the Crimson. Shots were evenly matched at 7-7 in the second period, showcasing a balanced matchup between the two teams.
- The Crimson stormed out of the gates in the third period, gaining an early powerplay chance as they sought to mount a comeback. Harvard registered two quality scoring chances during this skater advantage, with Lapp and Kaley MacDonald firing attempts, but Union’s defense held firm and successfully killed off the powerplay.
- Union held the Crimson off the scoreboard for the remainder of the action, ultimately sealing a 3-0 victory in their ECAC opener.
Harvard Highlights
Next Up
Harvard will be back out on the ice tomorrow afternoon as it will look to bounce back against RPI. The Crimson and the Engineers will drop the puck at 3:00 PM inside Houston Field House and will be available for streaming on ESPN+.
Interview with Harvard Women’s Ice Hockey Coach, Kate Leary
Editor: Thank you for joining us, Coach Leary. The season opener against Union was quite a spectacle. What are your initial thoughts on the game?
Coach Leary: Thank you for having me. It was definitely a thrilling match, and I’m proud of the effort our team put in. We started strong, applying pressure early on, but unfortunately, we couldn’t convert our chances into goals. The girls fought hard throughout the match, and that’s something to build on.
Editor: While the Crimson fell to the Garnet Chargers, there were some standout performances. Can you highlight any players who particularly impressed you?
Coach Leary: Emily Davidson in goal had a remarkable game; she made several crucial saves that kept us in the match. Our defense, especially with those blocked shots early on, showed resilience. Offensively, Maria Pape and Mia Biotti created some great opportunities, and we’re looking to capitalize on those looks as we move forward.
Editor: The game featured a fast-paced, back-and-forth style. How do you plan to adjust your strategy for future games, especially with the next one coming up against RPI?
Coach Leary: We need to focus on maintaining our offensive pressure and improving our execution in the final third. We also need to work on our communication and transition game. RPI is going to be another challenging opponent, so it’s crucial we learn from our mistakes quickly.
Editor: Looking ahead to the next match on October 26th, what will be the key areas of focus in practice leading up to that game?
Coach Leary: Our focus will be on fine-tuning our special teams, as well as reinforcing our defensive responsibilities. We want to make sure we’re ready to compete for all three periods. Limiting turnovers and making smart plays will also be essential.
Editor: Thanks for your insights, Coach Leary. We wish you and the team the best of luck against RPI.
Coach Leary: Thank you! We appreciate the support, and we’re excited to get back on the ice.
Esilience. I was also pleased with our forwards’ aggression in creating scoring opportunities, especially early in the game. It shows we have the right components; we just need to finish.
Editor: Looking ahead, you’re facing RPI next. What adjustments will the team be making for that matchup?
Coach Leary: We’ll definitely focus on capitalizing on our power play chances, as we had some good looks against Union that we need to convert. Additionally, we’ll work on tightening our defensive structure to prevent unnecessary goals. maintaining our aggressiveness while making smarter plays will be key.
Editor: It sounds like a plan. What are your expectations for tomorrow’s game against RPI?
Coach Leary: I expect a fierce competition as always. RPI is a solid team, and we’ll need to be at our best. I’m looking for the players to come out strong, show resilience, and most importantly, have fun out there. If we play our game, we can secure a win.
Editor: Thank you so much for your time, Coach Leary. Best of luck tomorrow against RPI!
Coach Leary: Thank you! We appreciate the support.
