The Big Green’s success came though the Crimson knew of Dartmouth’s penalty-corner strategy through scouting reports and had practiced defending it.
“We tried to adjust the way we defended corners by protecting the goal more than preventing the shot,” Ahn said. “Ultimately, I guess we didn’t find an effective way of defending it.”
Following the final goal, Harvard fans began to scream at the officials and the opposing players. One fan ran to the front of the bleachers and screamed, “Let’s give it up for the magic stick.”
The comment drew loud and sarcastic applause from the Crimson crowd.
Aside from the unfortunate controversy, the seniors proved their worth on Saturday as they led the team all afternoon during the back-and forth affair.
Harvard got on the board first when sophomore midfielder Jen McDavitt intercepted an attempted Dartmouth clear just outside the circle and calmly sent the ball past Big Green goaltender Laura Balukjian at 14:17.
Dartmouth countered with its infamous penalty corner 12 minutes later.
Senior forward Mina Pell put the Crimson back ahead less than three minutes later, deflecting a shot from senior back Liz Andrews into the goal.
The Big Green responded in its usual fashion to close out the first-half scoring.
Harvard had been dominating the second half when the Crimson converted a corner to take the lead at 41:07. Andrews scored on the textbook corner, with Pell and Ahn assisting on the goal.
Ahn was especially potent during the second frame, intercepting Dartmouth’s passes and anchoring Harvard’s defense.
In fact, in the middle of the second half, Big Green coach Amy Fowler shouted at her players, “Watch for the girl wearing number 14 [Ahn] and don’t hit it to her.”
Only minutes later, and 56:54 into the game, Dartmouth tied the score when Stucker sliced the ball upwards rather than lofting it, achieving the same result as the three other goals she scored on the day.
Andrews had a chance to avoid overtime with seven minutes remaining, but couldn’t slip the ball past Balukjian.