Dartmouth Gives No. 15 Harvard All It Can Handle in Slim 3-2 Defeat

Friday, October 14

Hanover, N.H.

3:00 PM

Dartmouth College

(3-9, 0-4Ivy)

Harvard

(10-3, 4-0Ivy)

Harvard

Dartmouth

Photo by: Justin Lafleur

Dartmouth Gives No. 15 Harvard All It Can Handle in Slim 3-2 Defeat

10/14/2022 7:30:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score Complete Highlights

For a second straight game, the Big Green fall by one to a nationally-ranked opponent in a closely-contested contest

By: Justin Lafleur

HANOVER, N.H. – The Dartmouth field hockey team was leading or tied for all but 5:20 of Friday's game against No. 15 Harvard, but two of the Crimson goals came in the span of 3:54 of the fourth quarter to help them down the Big Green, 3-2. Dartmouth had an answer after Harvard took its first lead (2-1) with 7:07 on the fourth-quarter clock, as freshman Zoe Schaffer scored her first-career goal in impressive fashion. However, the Crimson answered less than two minutes later for what proved to be the game-winner.

"Obviously, we're disappointed to come so close and not quite get it, but that was probably one of the best performances our program has put together during my time here," said Dartmouth head coach Mark Egner. "We had possession, we were dangerous, we were creative, we created opportunities and we defended well. I'm proud of the effort we put in, but what's really exciting is everyone on the sideline has the confidence and the belief – and the frustration – that we want more. That is a really exciting place to be at this point in the season."

A few 📸 from today's showdown with Harvard! pic.twitter.com/cWDwPC8zSA
— DartmouthFieldHockey (@DartmouthFH) October 14, 2022

The two Big Green goals marked their most against Harvard since scoring two at Harvard on Oct. 28, 2017. The margin of one was the closest Dartmouth has been against the Crimson since a 4-2 Big Green win on Nov. 2, 2013. Dartmouth's two goals marked its most at home against Harvard since a 2-0 win on Nov. 4, 1995.

Dartmouth's goal-scoring came against a Harvard team, which entered the day second nationally in goals against average (0.79). Last season, the Crimson led the nation at a miniscule 0.44 GAA on their way to a Final Four appearance, anchored by All-American goalkeeper Ellie Shahbo, who was No. 1 in the country in both GAA and save percentage. On Friday, the Big Green beat Shahbo multiple times for only the fifth time in her last two seasons (30 games). It was only the 10th time she's given up multiple goals in her career (in 61 contests). Prior to Friday, the last time Harvard had given up multiple goals was nine games prior, on Sept. 11 against American. The last time the Crimson had allowed multiple goals in an Ivy League game was Oct. 26, 2019 against Princeton; before Friday, they had gone 12 straight league games without allowing multiple goals.

It was a great start for Dartmouth, as an impressive sequence saw Lila Browne find Gabriella Braceras, who made a touch past Shahbo. Holley Comwell left no doubt, giving the Big Green a 1-0 lead at the 4:26 mark.

What a pretty goal to give Dartmouth a 1-0 lead over No. 15 Harvard! Cromwell goal, assisted by Braceras.

Watch on @ESPNPlus: https://t.co/SDeqjLZrkJ pic.twitter.com/yYCicKci74
— DartmouthFieldHockey (@DartmouthFH) October 14, 2022

Harvard quickly responded, pulling even at 6:59 via a direct shot off a corner.

The middle two quarters saw just seven total shots (all from the Crimson) and only one save – a dazzling third-quarter stop from Hatley Post.

Hatley Post finished today's game with nine saves. This was easily one of her best! pic.twitter.com/sfqEFywaH8
— DartmouthFieldHockey (@DartmouthFH) October 14, 2022

Both offenses picked up in the fourth. On their fourth consecutive corner, the Crimson took a 2-1 lead, finding the back of the cage on another direct shot at the 52:53 mark.

It took exactly two minutes for Dartmouth to create a corner of its own, which led to the equalizer. Bronwyn Bird's sweep towards cage was redirected by Meg Barnes and Schaffer batted the ball out of midair for the highlight-reel first-career goal, and a 2-2 tie at 55:00.

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However, Harvard came right back and put home a scramble in front of the cage for a 3-2 lead at the 56:47 mark, which marked the last shot of the game from either side.

Final shots were 22-5 in favor of Harvard while the Crimson held an 11-2 edge in penalty corners. One game after a career-high 19 saves at No. 8 Princeton, Post added nine more stops on Friday. Shahbo made one.

"I think this is probably the toughest chunk of our season, two ranked foes in conference back-to-back," said Egner. " It has been so exciting to see the way that we've risen to the challenge and put out some of our strongest performances. I'm just excited for us to get back at it. We play again Sunday and I think the energy in the group right now is determined.

"That is really, really fun."

The Big Green return to the field on Sunday when they host UMass-Lowell at 2 p.m. on ESPN+.

Hear from head coach Mark Egner following today's strong effort that fell just short vs. No. 15 Harvard pic.twitter.com/wZjlLpjUDC
— DartmouthFieldHockey (@DartmouthFH) October 14, 2022