Each time Harvard tried to extend the lead to more than three goals, Virginia treeled the Crimson back in its sights with a clutch score. The Cavaliers' methodical half-field offense relied on picks and quick cuts to give its forwards open shots on Williamson (eight saves on 31 shots).
And with 58 seconds left in the first period, Breen scored her first goal of the game to cut Harvard's lead to one. The Crimson went into halftime with a shaky 6-5 advantage, but Virginia went into halftime with the knowledge that it could handle the Crimson.
"I felt we had taken their heaviest hit and survived," Miller said. "[Harvard] is a fast, fit team and once we survived the first half, that's where we got our confidence."
Virginia immediately tied the game at six on Stewart's first goal of the game of the game. The Crimson and the Cavaliers tied each other three more times and traded the lead twice. Then, with 7:48 left in the game, Yates gave Virginia a two-goal lead that looked like it would hold until the end.
But the Crimson came back, only to see its hopes of sitting on the NCAA throne once again dashed in overtime. Then, finally, it was all over.
Over. First Half Har--Berkery, 28:26. Har--Downing (Colligan), 26:34. Har--Chellus, 25:48. Virg--Yates, 25:36. Har--Winters (Alissi), 20:18. Virg-Goshringer (Greer) 9:29. Har--Hall, 8:15. Virg--Yates (Cowan), 5:26. Read more in Sports
