The Spiders, behind goalkeeper Michelle Swartz’s nine saves, were able to hold on despite the late rally.
Richmond’s two first-half goals, supplemented by another at 42:10, gave the Spiders all they needed to secure the win.
Missed opportunities, including a key shot by sophomore midfielder Jen McDavitt, plagued the Crimson all day.
In spite of clutch efforts here and there, Harvard sorely needed the complete game that eluded it early on.
“It was a hard-fought game, and we did not play well,” Caples said. “We underachieved.”
Advertisement
Harvard will face No. 11 Connecticut on Wednesday at 4 p.m.