Cambridge, Massachusetts – The Harvard women's ice hockey team started the second half of the season with a win, winning a hard-fought match against the Sacred Heart Pioneers. Gwyn Rappcontinued his good form by scoring both of the Crimson's goals to lead the group to a 2-1 victory.
Both the offense and defense were on fire, putting 35 shots on net and only 17 on their own goal, a season high and season low. With the win, the Crimson improved to 3-12-1 on the season, marking their second successful season in their past three games.
How it happened
- Harvard University and the Sacred Heart Pioneers of the New England Women's Hockey Association (NEWHA) met tonight for just the second time in series history, marking the first time the two teams will meet at Bright Landry Hockey Center.
- The Crimson were looking to get revenge on a Pioneers team that had bludgeoned them to victory in overtime against Harvard a year earlier.
- The Crimson started the game strong, dominating possession for the first 10 minutes of the game, during which they outscored the Pioneers 9-5 and created several clear chances, but the first goal was denied.
- Sacred Heart scored its first goal with a shot past the goalkeeper. Alex Perich 9:47 into the first frame.
- The lead didn't last long. Gwyn Rapp He stole the puck, broke free and had a chance to break out, and Rupp drove it past the goalie and into the top right corner for his fourth goal in five games to give the Crimson the lead.
- The two teams traded offense and defense in the second period, trading blows at each other for the first 13 minutes.
- A penalty was taken late in the period and a skater fell. Gabi Davidson Adams After breaking free on the penalty kill, Davidson Adams nearly scored the winning goal. He protected the puck with his forehand and shielded it from a pursuing defender, then switched to his backhand and fired a shot at the net, but the shot hit the SHU goalie's right pad and prevented a shorthanded goal for GDA.
- Harvard withstood a relentless onslaught from SHU during the period, with the game tied 1-1 going into the second interval.
- The Crimson started the final frame on the offensive, hitting their first six shots on net, the last of which was the go-ahead goal by Rupp, his second of the game, who poked the loose puck in with a nice steal and drive to the net. Sophie Ensley.
- Harvard held a 2-1 lead for the final 13 minutes, thanks in part to Peric's outstanding play, as he made five saves in the final frame to secure the win for his team.
Harvard Highlights
- Gwyn Rapp She scored both of Harvard's goals, her sixth and seventh of the season.
- Rupp is the team's leading scorer with five goals in the past five games.
- Sophie Ensley and Ellie Bayard Each recorded an assist in the contest.
- Harvard defeated Sacred Heart, 35-17, giving up the most shots on goal and allowing the fewest in a game this season.
- Shannon Hollands They won 12 of 17 draws at the face-off dot to take the lead.
- Zoe Boothamra and Mia Biotti Each recorded three blocked shots.
- Harvard stopped all four of Sacred Heart's power plays.
- Alex Perich He supported the team's efforts with 16 saves.
next
Harvard will have the weekend off before preparing to return to ECAC play next weekend with series against Quinnipiac University and Princeton University. The two conference games are scheduled to take on the Bobcats on Friday, January 12 at 6 pm and the Tigers on Saturday, January 13. Both games will be played at the Brightland Hockey Center and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
