W. Soccer Solidifies No. 1 Standing in Ivies

In perhaps the most anticipated Ivy League match-up of the season, the Harvard women's soccer team battled perennial rival Princeton to a 1-0 over-time victory at Ohiri Field on Saturday.

Junior midfielder Meredith Stewart's rocket past Tigers' goaltender Catherine Glenn in the 99th minute of play shut down Princeton (10-3-1, 3-1-1 Ivy), bringing its ten-game unbeaten streak to a screeching halt.

With Stewart's goal, the No. 16 Crimson (11-1-0, 5-0 Ivy) moved even closer to snatching their fourth Ivy League Championship in five years.

After playing the first 90 minutes to a scoreless tie, Harvard turned up the heat during sudden-death, reversing the Tigers' attempts to claim the win.

Senior midfielder Ashley Berman played with the ball deep in the right corner, and dished to sophomore forward Colleen Moore at the touchline.

Moore fired a shot from the box, but a Princeton defender made the save, deflecting the ball from the mouth of the goal. Stewart, however claimed the rebound and put home the shot, sealing Harvard's 100th victory this decade.

"Beth Totman and Colleen Moore were fighting for a loose ball and they found a hole," Stewart said. "It was all their work and it was great."

Though it was probably the most important win on the season to date for the Crimson, it was certainly not pretty.

"We knew it was going to be a tough game. Princeton's very scrappy and they've had a very good season," freshman goaltender Cheryl Gunther said. "But we definitely dug deep and we were scrappier than them."

Players were forced to battle each other, as well as poor playing conditions, as strong winds kept the ball from carrying and a muddy field caused more than a few soiled uniforms.

Additionally, the poor field conditions led to a scary moments in the game.

At 30:45 of the first half, Totman drove in close to make a shot on goal but couldn't keep her footing, colliding with Tigers' goaltender Jordan Rettig.

An ambulance was called to remove Rettig from the field due to injury. Rettig did not appear to be in critical condition.

"It was just a nightmare for a game. Our field is just not in good shape from all the rainy games we've played in," senior midfielder Julia Blain said. "But I think [Rettig] is okay. I think she just got knocked out."

Scrappiness was the key element to Harvard's victory, as the Crimson played an extremely physical game in a successful attempt at intimidation.

"It was a pretty physical game, but I think that's what happens when the field is muddy like this," Harvard Coach Tim Wheaton said. "People tend to keep the ball a little longer which leads to physical contact and collisions."

Princeton emerged strong early in the first half, pressing the Harvard midfield and backfield with numerous attempts on goal.

Co-captain Jessica Larson and senior defenseman Gina Foster came up big in the backfield, holding the Tigers at bay.

Larson was instrumental in breaking up a number of key plays that could have cost the Crimson the win, including a number of Princeton drives early in the game.

"I think that our defense played really well today," Wheaton said. "Jess Larson in the back is a machine, and she's very difficult to beat."

And Berman was a force to reckon with in the midfield, using her dexterity and physical prowess to drive the ball up the field, while leveling those who crossed her path.

Princeton's offense looked superior to the Crimson's early in the second half of the game.

Facing the wind in the second half, Harvard had some difficulty making passes, hurting its offensive play. It was nearly impossible to launch the ball in the air due to the strength of the wind, severely limiting the Crimson's options.

Fifty-three minutes into the game, Tigers' forward Kelly Sosa launched a dangerous shot on goal. Gunther was ready, however, and tapped the ball over the back of the net, preventing a Princeton rebound.

"We have a great goaltender in Cheryl Gunther," Wheaton said. "The one time she was tested, she came up with a great save."

Besides this and a few other shots, Gunther barely had to break a sweat. She effortlessly stopped six shots on goal, notching her second consecutive shutout and her sixth this season. Gunther ranks first in the Ivy League in goal against average and in save percentage.

Moore, who stepped in at the front line with junior forward Ashley Mattison and sophomore forward Caitlin Costello, continued to make her presence felt on the field.

As regulation play wound down, Moore took a header from inside the box that barely went wide of the net.

The Crimson continued to smother Princeton during the final minutes of regulation play, as it barely allowed Princeton to leave it's defensive zone.

The Tigers were finally tamed only six minutes into overtime play, as Stewart's bullet hit the back of the net to clinch the win for Harvard.

Although the Crimson are safely in the driver's seat for both the Ivy League Championships and an NCAA berth after the victory, the season is far from over.

Harvard travels to UConn in non-Ivy League action on Wednesday to take on the No. 8 Huskies. The match-up boasts probably the best two teams in the Northeast.

After UConn the Crimson faces off against Dartmouth at home on Saturday, facing the same team that defeated the Crimson 2-1 last year ending its Ivy League championship hopes. With a win, Harvard can all but assure itself of the league crown.

"We gave have more games in the league," Wheaton said. "I believe if we win one more, we clinch it."