After a tough regular season, the Harvard women's hockey team (5-23-2, 3-18-1 ECAC) traveled to Hamden, Conn., to take on the ninth-place Quinnipiac Bobcats (26-9). . 1, 13-9-0) Saturday. The Crimson was hoping for success in the first round of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament. Unfortunately for Harvard, the team fell short against the Bobcats, losing 9-0, ending the Crimson's 2023-2024 season.
Harvard entered the ECAC Tournament as the No. 12 seed, the lowest in the league, while the Bobcats were ranked as the No. 5 seed. The two teams have faced each other twice during the regular season, the first time being a 7-1 loss to Harvard, and the second time on January 12, when the Crimson lost 8-0. Harvard drove to Quinnipiac this weekend, desperate for redemption and hoping to continue its season and advance to the next round of the tournament.
However, Quinnipiac's offensive success started early in the game, with the Bobcats scoring two goals in the first period of play. The team's momentum continued into the second period and they kept it going, scoring three more goals. Quinnipiac scored three more points in the third period, including a shutout from goaltender Logan Angell, a graduate student from Winnipeg, Manitoba, clinching the victory. Throughout this important game, the Bobcats scored goals from seven different skaters. Graduate student Alexa Hoskin and sophomore Madison Chantler were both able to score two goals during the contest.
Defensively, the game was tough for the Crimson. Emily Davidson, Harvard's starting sophomore goalkeeper, allowed 5 goals on 27 shots through the first two periods, posting a save percentage of 84.4%. After a coaching call for a change in goaltending, junior Alex Persi allowed four points on six shots for a total save percentage of 60 percent. That being said, Harvard defenders had quite a few shots blocked, especially freshman defender Malia Pape, who was able to stop five Bobcat shots. Despite a valiant effort, the Crimson was unable to overwhelm Quinnipiac and continue the season.
Laura Bellamy, 13, Landry Family Head Coach of Harvard Women's Ice Hockey, finished her first season as Harvard's head coach with a 5-23-2 record. While the Crimson struggled among the ECAC's many powerhouse teams, Bellamy produced impressive wins over ranked opponents, including the No. 8 St. Lawrence, which the team upset in a game against Dunkin, and the No. 13 Boston College Eagles. Beanpot Tournament.
Much of Harvard's success this season has been fueled by sophomore forward Gwyn Rupp. The Andover, Mass., native led the Crimson in scoring this season, totaling 11 goals and four assists. With the entire team scoring a total of 101 points this year, Rupp made a significant contribution with 15 points. Senior captain Shannon Hollands also had a strong offensive season for the Crimson. The Uxbridge, Ont., native had six assists and three goals, securing Harvard's nine points.
The Crimson faced a tough schedule this year, as five of their ECAC opponents are currently ranked within the NCAA's top 10. That being said, it's very likely that Crimson fans will see more success from the Harvard team next season. Bellamy will rely on strong underclassmen players looking to make their mark on the program.
The only senior from Cambridge this year is Shannon Holland. The Crimson will certainly lose her strength and her energetic style of play, but the backbone of her current team will remain intact next season. Harvard's defense will be led by strong goaltenders Emily Davidson and Alex Perich, reinforced by the McDonald sisters (Jenna and Kaylee), and Maria Pape and Mia Viotti. Offensively, the Crimson will continue to be propelled by standouts Rupp, Gabi Davidson-Adams and Sophie Ensley. Their talent, in addition to that of the recruits, provides a solid starting base for the team to rely on next winter.
The future is bright for the Harvard women's hockey team. Check back next fall to see how the program progressed during the offseason under Bellamy's leadership.
– Staff writer Isabel Smail can be reached at isabel.smail@thecrimson.com.
