Women's Soccer Bests UPenn, Keeps Tournament Hopes Alive

Harvard women’s soccer (6-3-5, 2-3-1 Ivy) faced off against the UPenn Quakers (1-7-6, 0-4-2 Ivy) in a high-stakes, must-win Ivy League showdown that would help keep the squad’s Ivy Tournament dream alive. In a thrilling fashion, the Crimson scored a late goal in the final minutes of the match to prevail victorious, 1-0.

Following a challenging 3-1 loss to Princeton last week, Harvard traveled to Philadelphia with a “win and survive” mindset, fully aware that a victory against UPenn was crucial to preserving its shot at the Ivy League title. With just two regular season games left, the stakes were high: a win would keep Harvard in contention for the Ivy League crown, while a loss would seem like an inevitable culmination to a frenzied season. UPenn, winless in Ivy League play this season, had little to lose and plenty of motivation to spoil Harvard’s ambitions. Senior Day for the Quakers also added an extra layer of emotion and intensity to a matchup that could prove pivotal for both teams.

Harvard rushed out of the gates aggressively to set a commanding tone against UPenn, determined to break its recent scoring drought early in the first half. Within the opening minute of the game, the Crimson gained a window for a shot on goal. Junior forward Audrey Francois prided herself in initiating the Crimson’s offense, using her quickness and speed to navigate the Quakers’ defense. She skillfully drove the ball into the box before launching a shot that ricocheted off the pipe. Although she did not convert, Harvard was encouraged by the newfound approach to strike first – a refreshing change from its previous struggles to create early offensive momentum.

The following 10 minutes of the match were played at a mellow pace as each team advanced methodically, assessing each other's strategies and seeking vulnerabilities to exploit. The next shot in the game was another promising take from senior defender and Crimson Sports Editor Sydney Farnham. Unfortunately, for the Crimson, Farnham could not connect as the ball sailed wide of the goal. With two early shots from Harvard, the anticipation was rising among the team, fueling the belief that a breakthrough goal was right around the corner.

The Crimson’s persistence for the back of the net yielded more high-quality looks in the first half. At the 27 minute mark, sophomore forward Anna Rayhill sent a powerful shot on goal, but her attempt was blocked. Then, 39 minutes into the game, senior forward Nicola Golen produced yet another hopeful scoring opportunity for Harvard. Unfortunately, Golen’s shot was blocked as a Quaker defender cleared her ball from the line of the goal preserving the scoreless game. In the closing minutes of the first half, junior goalkeeper Rhiannon Stewart made her one goal stance, saving a ball for the Crimson, leaving the contest. 0-0.

Returning from the break, both teams were determined to defend the trenches– the defensive end. UPenn recognized that Harvard was one push, one cross, or one foul away from converting, given the missed opportunities from the first half. Meanwhile, Harvard maintained its lockdown mentality from the first, insistent upon preventing UPenn from gaining any momentum and igniting its home crowd. For the first 20 minutes of the second half, neither side managed a shot. Then, at the 65 minute mark, Stewart stepped up to intercept a Quaker shot, preserving the scoreless tie.

Inspired by her fellow junior’s defensive play, Francois was relentless in her pursuit to drive Harvard’s offense forward, tirelessly pressing UPenn’s defense to the breaking point in the final minutes of the game. At the 78-minute mark, she sparked a new wave of urgency, weaving past defenders to position herself for a critical shot. Francois could not convert, but she sent a clear message that Harvard was not done fighting. Then, at the 83-minute mark, her tenacity paid off as she drew a penalty kick in the box. Following a throw-in for Harvard, Francois gained advantage of the ball on the right side of the box and tried to fight past her defender as Harvard was in desparate need of a score. However, as she was attempting to drive through the box, a Quaker defender slid at her feet, tripping her inside of the box and leading the referee to signal a penalty kick.

The moment could not have been offered up any better to the Crimson. The anticipation soared as senior midfielder Áslaug Gunnlaugsdóttir was selected to shoot the penalty kick with Harvard’s Ivy League tournament hopes resting on this moment. With every teammate watching intently, the season in her hand, Gunnlaugsdóttir stepped up to the ball calm, cool and collected, prepared to perform as she had done plenty of times before. As the senior approached the ball, the Quaker goalkeeper anticipated the ball heading to her right, but Gunnlaugsdóttir struck the ball to her left, directly opposite and into the back of the net, giving the Crimson a 1-0 lead. Harvard erupted, understanding the meaning of the Gunnlaugsdóttir goal, the lifeline Harvard needed to keep its championship dreams alive.

With only a few minutes left in the game, determined to defend its narrow advantage, Harvard held strong against UPenn who could not respond to the heartbreaking goal just minutes before. The Crimson secured the victory and extended its championship hopes another week. This hard fought win keeps Harvard’s season alive, and the Cinderella story only gets better.

For Harvard women’s soccer, the final game will mean everything after undergoing a season marked by devastating injuries and tough losses. Trials and tribulations fade into the shadows with the season contingent upon one final matchup: the squad’s upcoming rivalry clash against Yale.

“I think being able to play Yale raises the stakes so much more, and makes the day that much sweeter. There’s a historic rivalry between both our schools and to have this game determine the post season makes me so grateful to this team and everything it's given me these past four years,” senior Defender Jade Rose said. “I can’t wait to have my family and friends there on Saturday to celebrate just that. We’ve had a tough year, but we keep showing up each and every day and the goal is put that all on display this weekend and come out with the win!

A victory against its Ancient Eight rival would secure a coveted spot in the Ivy League tournament, making the highs and lows of the season mere stepping stones to this defining moment. Sports do not always offer a chance at redemption, so the Crimson do not take the opportunity lightly. With a tournament bid on the line, Harvard will face Yale on Senior Day for its last game of the regular season on Saturday at 3PM. If you cannot make the trip to see the magic live, the game will also be broadcast on ESPN+ .

—Staff writer Chandler Pigge can be reached at chandler.pigge@thecrimson.com