Despite a frustrating scoreless first half and a 1-0 deficit early in the second, the Harvard field hockey team (6-2, 3-0 Ivy) caught fire midway through the second half to beat Penn (1-5, 0-3), 3-1 on Saturday.
The Crimson collected its fourth win in four games on the new synthetic turf of Jordan Field, and is now tied with five-time defending champion Princeton for first place in the Ivy.
The Crimson failed to score until 22:19 remained in the second half, after Penn had taken a 1-0 lead on a goal by midfielder Leah Bills at 33:17 of the second.
The Crimson went ahead 2-1 on the strength of two goals within two minutes of one another by junior forward Kate Nagle and tri-captain Dominique Kalil, who each netted her sixth of the season. Nagle has now scored in six consecutive games.
With 10:45 remaining in the game, sophomore forward Katie Turck sealed the game with her first career goal.
Although Harvard had many chances to score in the first half--both on breakaways and penalty corners--it was not able to capitalize on any of the opportunities.
"We were sluggish in the first half; we just weren't very hungry to win," said tri-captain Anya Cowan, who was named Ivy League Player of the Week last week.
"The team needed to make some adjustments," said Harvard Coach Sue Caples. "We needed to step up to the ball and be first to it, and to open up the field."
Read more in Sports
W. Volleyball Slams Holy Cross, 3-0Recommended Articles
-
Field Hockey Continues To Struggle on the RoadEntering the season, the Harvard field hockey team loomed as confident as Wyatt Earp with a pair of loaded six-shooters.
-
Field Hockey Stuns UNH in OT Thriller, Tops Columbia 4-1Better than 45 minutes into Friday's game against New Hampshire at Jordan Field, it looked like the Harvard field hockey
-
F. Hockey Returns to Winning Ways at YaleNEW HAVEN, Conn.--Playing on grass for only the second time this season, the No. 19 Harvard field hockey team beat
-
UMass Fells Field HockeyAfter jumping out to a 5-1 start--its best start in nine seasons--the No. 18 Harvard field hockey team stumbled yesterday
-
Field Hockey Faces Off Against BravesThe Harvard field hockey team looks to keep its perfect record on its home turf alive this afternoon as it
-
Field Hockey Looks to Stay Perfect in Ivy, Takes on CornellThe Harvard field hockey team is looking to remain atop the standings as it puts its perfect Ivy League record