In the 43rd minute, freshman Kevin Ara converted a Kelly cross, and Harvard was able to score the go-ahead goal and secure momentum going into halftime.

"I've been hurt since the beginning of the season, so I'm finally starting to get back into form," said Ara.

The second half started much like the first half, with an inspired Yale squad renewing the furious pace of the first half. Just 3:27 into the half, Gibbons headed in a cross from Jay Alberts that beat Mejias to his right, tying the score at 2-2.

But seconds later, Harvard had some golden opportunities of its own. Ara's point-blank shot was stopped by Moss, and Jon Oslowski's rebound shot was also denied.

As the game took on its most fevered pitch yet, Steffa was knocked down motionless after going up for a header. The crowd and players divided their attention between Steffa and the flow of play. In soccer, play does not stop until the ball is out of bounds, and amidst the distraction Kelly collected a loose ball just outside of the Yale box and released a rocket that beat Moss.

Steffa remained motionless as Kelly's shot found the back of the net, and the celebration that accompanied the winning goal was tempered by the seemingly serious nature of Steffa's injury.

As it turned out, Steffa was not seriously injured and would later return to play. But despite its best effort, Yale could make no such recovery of its own.