The first 28 minutes of the game did not look promising for Harvard as Columbia opened up a two-point lead. But the Crimson scored 10 unanswered goals over an 18-minute stretch that began with 1:33 left in the first half.

This offensive explosion went hand-in-hand with a more effective second-half defense and the strong presence of Mancini that allowed just three goals in the last 31 minutes of play.

“The first and the second halves were two different games,” Kleinfelder said. “We weren’t there in the first half but in the second the team got the job done and executed the transition.”

Junior midfielder Katie Shaughnessy’s stand-out performance is what assured the Crimson victory.

Shaughnessy provided the Crimson with a much-needed spark as she led the team by firing seven goals into the back of the net.

“At the half we all knew we had no choice. We had to come out strong,” Shaughnessy said. “But this time we not only said it, we did it.”

Hoping to carry their momentum and improve on their .500 record, the women’s lacrosse team will next face a tough opponent in No. 20 New Hampshire on Wednesday.