Two-time 2016 WWPA Div I/II Defensive Player of the Week Harrington posted a career-high 20 saves to power the Crimson to a 10-8 win over the Cougars (7-16) in the backend of the LMU Invitational.
The sophomore standout, who bested her previous mark of 17 stops, received goal support from freshman attacker Kristen Hong, who scored thrice, and proficient scoring strikes from six different Harvard players.
HARVARD 7, LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY 4
The No. 14 host Lions (8-14) were unable to break through against Harrington and the Crimson defense despite an abundance of man-advantage opportunities, and Harvard pulled the upset, 7-4. Although LMU freshman goalie Sky Flores recorded 11 saves in the Lions loss, the offense was ineffectual, as the Crimson managed to shut out the hosts in the first half.
Junior attacker Melissa Balding matched the entire LMU team with four goals. Martinelli and senior attacker Charlotte Hendrix provided three more goals of offense to help Harvard to its first ever win over the Lions.
HARVARD 18, REDLANDS 3
The Crimson made short work of struggling Redlands (3-15) in the second game of its Northridge doubleheader. Nine different Harvard players scored, and although the Bulldogs netted two first-quarter goals, a 8-2 halftime lead was more than enough for the Crimson to hold on to.
“Just playing with a lot of heart, passion, being selfless in the water, allowed us to [carry over] the consistency from the defensive end to the offensive end,” Andersen said.
Freshman goalie Sam Acker made nine stops in goal, while the offense kept its foot on the gas with six goals in the third quarter.
HARVARD 15, CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY NORTHRIDGE 13
Just four days after playing in the Aztec Invitational to open the team’s annual California trip, Harvard headed north to take on No. 25 CSUN (8-14), where it defeated the host Matadors in a 15-13 shootout.
The Crimson led 11-5 at the half, but Harrington’s 12 saves in goal was instrumental in fending off CSUN’s comeback attempt in the second half. Harvard’s 14-11 lead heading into the final frame held steady as both teams tightened up their defenses, and the Crimson’s effective clock management prevented any realistic comeback attempt.
Hendrix tallied four goals and Andersen scored three more to lead Harvard. The senior duo was backed up by the trio of Balding, Martinelli, and Hong, who chipped in with two goals apiece.