WEST HARTFORD, Conn.--Just one week after it thought its season was finished, the Harvard women's soccer team has advanced all the way to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
Making the most of its improbable selection to the tournament field, the Crimson (12-7, 4-3 Ivy) continued its remarkable postseason run on Saturday with a stunning 3-0 second-round upset over No. 19 Hartford at Al-Marzook Field.
With Harvard clinging to a 1-0 lead late in the second half, Hawks midfielder Sandra Kayulu was called for a hand-ball in the box, setting up a penalty kick for senior midfielder Meredith Stewart, who found the back of the net to give Harvard a two-goal advantage.
Sophomore forward Joey Yenne netted a breakaway goal three minutes later to seal the win for the Crimson.
"We knew we could come out there and play our best game and I think we did," Yenne said. "The score really reflects it."
The victory moves the Crimson into the third round of the tournament for a showdown this weekend with No. 1 Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. It will be the two teams' first-ever meeting.
Before Saturday, the Crimson had been winless in its previous five meetings with Hartford (17-3), including a 2-1 loss suffered during the regular season on Oct. 31.
"This was a team we wanted again," Harvard Coach Tim Wheaton said. "We were very excited with the opportunity to play them, and we made a few tactical adjustments which I think really paid off today."
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