CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard women's soccer (6-2-1) closed out its non-conference schedule with a 2-0 victory over UConn (2-2-3) on Sunday afternoon at Jordan Field. The Crimsons cored one in each half, with Írena Héðinsdóttir Gonzalez netting her first of the season before
Brooke Huleatt added her team-leading sixth.
Harvard extended its winning streak to five matches and it unbeaten run to seven as it has not lost since dropping the first two contests of the season. The Crimson defense also recorded its third consecutive clean sheet, with
Olivia Busby and
Nicole Bidun combining for the shutout.
How it Happened
- Harvard generated the first two shots on goal of the afternoon in quick succession, as Ólöf Kristinsdóttir and Huleatt both tested UConn goalkeeper Ava Yamas in the seventh minute. The Huskies answered with chances of their own, including a Tiana Righetti effort that Busby stopped in the 13th minute.
- The Crimson continued to create opportunities as the half progressed. Molly Vana forced another save from Yamas in the 31st minute before sending another attempt high moments later.
- Harvard finally broke through just before halftime. In the 44th minute, Héðinsdóttir Gonzalez found the back of the net for her first goal of the season, giving the Crimson a 1-0 advantage heading into the break.
- The first-half numbers reflected a competitive opening 45 minutes, with Harvard holding an 8-5 advantage in shots and putting four attempts on target to UConn's one. The teams each earned one corner, while the Crimson held 53 percent of the possession.
- Bidun replaced Busby in goal to begin the second half, while Phoebe Chadwick also entered the match for the Crimson. UConn came out aggressively after the break, earning a pair of early corners and forcing Bidun into a save on a Se-Hanna Mars effort in the 56th minute.
- Harvard doubled its advantage in the 63rd minute. Anna Rayhill set up Huleatt, who converted for her sixth goal of the season to put the Crimson ahead, 2-0.
- UConn pushed forward in search of a response, generating nine shots and six corner kicks in the second half. Bidun kept the Huskies off the board, making another save on Riley Prozzo in the 79th minute before the Crimson's defense saw out the clean sheet.
Harvard Highlights
- Huleatt scored her sixth goal of the season, giving her goals in back-to-back matches after scoring in Harvard's 6-0 win over New Hampshire. The first-year also has five assists this season for a team-leading 17 points in nine games.
- Héðinsdóttir Gonzalez opened the scoring with her first goal of the season, striking in the 44th minute.
- Rayhill recorded the assist on Huleatt's second-half goal, her third of the season.
- Busby and Bidun combined for Harvard's third straight shutout. Busby made one save in the opening 45 minutes, while Bidun stopped both shots she faced after halftime.
- Harvard put seven of its 11 shots on target, while UConn finished with 14 shots but only three on frame. UConn held a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks.
- Huleatt led Harvard with three shots, all three on target. Kristinsdóttir, Jasmine Leshnick, and Molly Vana each added two attempts with one on goal apiece.
- With the victory, Harvard improved to 6-2-1 and extended its winning streak to five matches as it wraps up non-conference play.
Next Up
Harvard begins Ivy League play on Saturday, September 26, traveling to Princeton for a 4:00 p.m. ET matchup.