While the rest of the world flocked to Cambridge for the Head of the Charles Regatta, Harvard field hockey (5-6, 1-3 Ivy) departed for a pair of games in New York this weekend against Ivy opponent Cornell (7-5, 2-2) and Colgate (3-12, 1-3 Patriot League).

HARVARD 5, COLGATE 2

The Harvard offense came alive against the Raiders on Sunday as the team scored more goals than it has in any game all season, defeating Colgate 5-2.

Freshman Marissa Balleza gave the Crimson an early lead that it would never give up as she scored twice in the first half. Her first goal came only ten minutes into the game, off of a pass from Catriona McDonald that shot past Raider goalkeeper Caitlin Zoelt.

Balleza then increased Harvard’s lead 20 minutes later off a hard shot from the top of the circle, after she stole the ball from a Colgate defender.

Senior forward Rachael Rosenfeld stole the show in the second half, scoring two goals in under two minutes to increase the Crimson lead. The first goal was a tip in from a pass dished by sophomore back Elizabeth Jacobson, and the second came from a pass Rosenfeld received from junior midfielder Caitlin Rea across the circle.

“We’re really focusing on scoring” junior forward Noel Painter said. “We’ve certainly improved in the past few games but it’s going to need to get even better for the next few games.”

Harvard junior forward Kaitlyn Boudah also scored in the second half off an assist from McDonald.

Seniors Kelsey Jensen and Halle Biggar scored the two Raider goals. Jensen’s goal in the first half came off of a corner in which Colgate set up a fake shot by Rebecca Libutti, while Eliana Brown dished a pass to Jensen who snuck it past Crimson senior goalie Jenn Hatfield’s pads. Biggar converted on a rebound following a tough stop by the goalkeeper.

Hatfield was a force in the net as a late Colgate attack sent more action her way. The senior had six saves in the game, her third highest total this season.

“We know we have the ability to step up and play our game,” Jacobson said. “I think we definitely proved that this weekend after coming back from the [Cornell] loss.”

CORNELL 3, HARVARD 2

It was a Balleza battle as sisters Hannah, a Big Red senior, and Marissa, a Crimson freshman, took the field to face off against one another in an Ancient Eight League matchup. In an offense-heavy game, both sisters were very involved in their team’s respective attacks.

Going into the game with a two game win streak, Harvard was prepared to face a tough conference opponent in Cornell, which was also coming off a three-game win streak of its own.

Hannah Balleza had all three assists in the Big Red’s 3-2 victory, with goals scored by Marisa Siergiej and Katy Weeks. All three came in the first half, putting the Crimson in an early hole.