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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – This weekend, the Harvard women’s ice hockey team is set to embark on an exciting road trip to Central New York, where they will face two formidable nationally ranked opponents. The Crimson, currently holding a record of 2-5-0 overall and 1-5-0 in ECAC competition, will first go head-to-head against the No. 10 Cornell Big Red (4-3-1, 3-1-0 ECAC) on Friday, November 15, before challenging the No. 5 Colgate Raiders (11-3-0, 4-0-0 ECAC) the following day, November 16.
What to Know
Last Time Out
Harvard women’s ice hockey enters this demanding weekend series following a pair of close losses at the Bright-Landry Hockey Center. In their last outing, the Crimson faced a tough opponent in Princeton, and despite a strong performance, fell short against the No. 7 Quinnipiac Bobcats, who narrowly claimed victory with a 1-0 scoreline.
In the match against Princeton, Gwyn Lapp, Gabi Davidson-Adams, and Kaley MacDonald showcased their offensive skills by scoring goals, while Ainsley Tuffy delivered an outstanding performance between the pipes, making 40 saves against the highly-ranked Bobcats.
Scouting Cornell
The Cornell Big Red enters this matchup buoyed by a three-game winning streak, having swept a series against Yale and Brown over the past weekend. Positioned at No. 10 in the USCHO poll, Cornell has started the season with a 4-3-1 overall record and a solid 3-1 in ECAC play. Their recent success is largely attributed to a formidable defensive unit that ranks in the top five nationally, boasting an impressive 1.63 goals-against average. Ashley Messier and Alyssa Regalado have emerged as key contributors, each recording six assists to lead the team in points.
Several active players from the Crimson have found success against Cornell throughout their careers. Notably, Gabi Davidson-Adams has accumulated three points, including one goal and two assists. Jenna MacDonald mirrors this with three points from three assists, while Kaley MacDonald has scored twice against Cornell. Gwyn Lapp and Paige Lester also have contributed, each tallying two points against the Big Red.
Scouting Colgate
Heading into the weekend, the Colgate Raiders boast an impressive 11-3 overall record, remaining undefeated in ECAC play at 4-0. Colgate has established itself as one of the most potent offensive teams in the nation, averaging an outstanding 4.29 goals per game while leading the nation with an impressive total of 19 power play goals this season. Kaia Malachino and Kristýna Kaltounkova are performing exceptionally well, ranking among the nation’s top 15 in goals per game with averages of 0.79 and 0.71, respectively. Additionally, Kaltounkova and Elyssa Biderman are making their mark nationally, each averaging 1.50 points per game. Hannah Murphy anchors Colgate’s goaltending, sporting a .915 save percentage and a 2.25 goals-against average across 12 games played.
Among the active Crimson skaters, five have previously scored against Colgate, with Brooke Manning and Zoe Boosamra each nursing one goal against the Raiders. Harvard is eager to secure its first victory over Colgate since the 2020 season, although it currently enjoys a historical advantage in the overall series with a record of 31 wins, 19 losses, and 3 ties against Colgate.
Gwyn Lapp Finds Her Stride
After enduring a goal drought in the initial three games of the season, junior forward Gwyn Lapp has emerged as a significant offensive force in recent weeks, seizing the team points lead with remarkable consistency. Lapp has lit the lamp in three consecutive games while also contributing two assists over that span, culminating in an impressive total of five points.
Last season, Lapp was Harvard’s leading scorer and currently ranks No. 15 in the ECAC in points per game, maintaining a rate of 0.43 ppg.
From the Blue Line
One of the defining characteristics of Harvard’s offensive strategy this season is the collaborative effort from all five skaters on the ice, with noteworthy contributions from the defense. In fact, three of the top six point scorers on the team hail from the blue line, further emphasizing the importance of defense in the overall game plan.
Kaley MacDonald and Maria Pape have each accumulated three points, while Mia Biotti has also made her mark with two points so far in the season.
Tuff Luck
First-year goaltender Ainsley Tuffy showcased her potential and skill against the formidable No. 7 Quinnipiac team in just her second career start, delivering a stellar performance with 40 saves and allowing only one goal. This accomplishment represents a notable milestone; Tuffy is the first Harvard first-year goalie to achieve 40 or more saves in a game since Lindsay Reed accomplished the feat during the 2017-18 season, also in her second career start.
Blocking Shots
A key strength of the Crimson’s defensive unit this season has been their ability to effectively block shots and disrupt opposing shooters. Harvard has already amassed a remarkable total of 131 blocked shots, averaging an impressive 18.7 per game, ranking as the second highest in the NCAA while leading the ECAC.
Sophomore Maria Pape stands out with a team-leading 15 blocked shots, ranking fourth in the ECAC with an average of 2.14 blocks per game. Jenna MacDonald follows closely behind, ranking sixth in the conference with 14 blocked shots and a 2.0 average per game. Additionally, first-year Scout Oudemool has made a significant impact with 12 blocked shots, identifying her as one of the top shot-blocking forwards in the nation.
The 100 Club
Senior captain Mia Biotti celebrated a major career milestone this past weekend by competing in her 100th career game against Princeton on Friday. Following in her footsteps, Jenna MacDonald and Gabi Davidson-Adams are on the cusp of achieving the same milestone, both currently standing at 96 games played each.
Up Next
Following this weekend’s ECAC matches, the Crimson will pause league action to participate in a home-and-home series against the Providence College Friars. The two teams will first clash at the Bright-Landry Hockey Center on Friday night, November 22, before finishing up the series with a matchup on Saturday afternoon, November 23, in Providence.
Just one goal. Her performance has been a bright spot for the Crimson, as she continues to acclimate to the rigors of collegiate hockey. Tuffy’s ability to handle pressure will be crucial as Harvard faces strong opponents this weekend.
### Interview with Gwyn Lapp, Junior Forward for Harvard Women’s Ice Hockey
**Editor:** Gwyn, as your team prepares for this weekend’s games against Cornell and Colgate, how does it feel to be heading into such a challenging set of matchups?
**Gwyn Lapp:** We’re all really excited! We know that both Cornell and Colgate are tough teams, but we’re ready to embrace the challenge. Our recent games have really helped us grow, and we believe we can compete with anyone if we stick to our game plan.
**Editor:** You’ve been on quite an offensive run lately, scoring in multiple games. What’s changed for you to find that scoring touch?
**Gwyn Lapp:** I think it’s just been about getting into a rhythm. At the start of the season, I struggled a bit, but I focused on my positioning and playing to my strengths. Having my teammates support me also makes a huge difference, and I feel like we’re building some great chemistry on the ice.
**Editor:** Looking at Cornell, they have a very strong defensive record. What will your strategy be to break through their defense?
**Gwyn Lapp:** We need to be patient and not force plays. Cornel’s defense is well-disciplined, so we’ll have to work together, moving the puck and creating open lanes. We have to capitalize on our opportunities, especially on the power play.
**Editor:** And what about Colgate, who has been scoring an impressive number of goals this season? How do you plan to combat their offensive strength?
**Gwyn Lapp:** That’s definitely something we need to pay attention to. We must be aggressive but smart with our defensive plays. Containing their top scorers will be crucial, and we need to make sure to play our game instead of getting caught up in their tempo.
**Editor:** Lastly, what do you want to accomplish personally and as a team in this upcoming road trip?
**Gwyn Lapp:** As a team, we want to come home with at least one win—ideally both. Personally, I hope to keep contributing offensively and help lead our team. Ultimately, it’s about building our confidence and learning from every game we play.
**Editor:** Thanks for your time, Gwyn. Best of luck this weekend against Cornell and Colgate!
**Gwyn Lapp:** Thank you! We appreciate the support!
