First-Half Run by Minutewomen Stalls Crimson

The Harvard women’s lacrosse team, fresh off a blowout victory on Thursday over Holy Cross, intended to carry that momentum on the road into Saturday’s game against Massachusetts.

At the end of both halves, the Crimson fell short against the Minutewomen, losing 12-8 at UMass’ Garber Field in Amherst.

Harvard (1-2) dominated the game early with three goals in four minutes. The Crimson, however, would see the lead slip as UMass (1-2) went on a devastating 9-0 run, which extended through the last fifteen minutes of the first half and the first five minutes after the break.

The disparity proved to be too great for Harvard to overcome as the Minutewomen held on to ensure the victory.

Sophomore Natalie Curtis provided the first goal of the game and her eighth goal of the short season. Soon after, teammate and sophomore Jacqueline Hehir scored on a free position shot, increasing the Crimson lead to two. Finally, sophomore Caroline Simmons added a goal of her own to complete Harvard’s 3-0 run.

Following the drive, the Crimson lost its edge.

“After we had the 3-0 lead we sort of sat back on our heels and lost our mental focus,” Simmons said. “We were too confident that the game was in our favor at that point.”

UMass used Harvard’s overconfidence to its advantage, scoring with six different players.

By the end of the first half, the Crimson found itself down, 7-3, and in need of resuscitation.

But at the beginning of the second frame, UMass only grasped tighter onto its lead. Three minutes in, Kerri Connerty added another tally, following an assist from Jeanette Villapiano. Lindsay Cassell, also assisted by Villapiano, extended the run for the Minutewomen to 9-0.

Down 9-3, Harvard needed to mount some sort of offensive drive to remain in the game.

With that in mind, the Crimson mustered a 4-0 run to bring the score to 9-7.

Two goals by Curtis and one apiece for sophomore Tara Schoen and Simmons brought Harvard within two.

The Crimson, however, would not come any closer.

The Minutewomen did not allow the game to slip away so easily, assembling another, although smaller, run. Sharing the offense, four different players scored, effectively driving the nail into the coffin.

Down 12-7, senior Allie Kaveney slipped in another goal for Harvard, but with two minutes left in the game, it was too little too late.

Saturday’s game could have been won, but Harvard proved to be its own enemy.

Inefficient and sloppy play after a quick start proved to be its downfall.

“We really had a mental lapse,” Simmons said. “I really think that we can be successful this season if we can work on eliminating the turnovers in future games.”