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The Harvard Women’s Soccer team (5-4-3, 3-1-1 Ivy) tied Brown (8-2-4, 2-1-2 Ivy) this past Saturday at Jordan Field 2-2. The matchup between two of the league’s top programs was charged with energy and postseason implications as the teams vie for bids to the Ivy League Tournament. The Crimson entered the day in first place and, after the draw, remained tied with Columbia at the top.

Harvard entered the game confident after a win against Yale. The opening minutes showcased both teams’ confidence as they tested each other’s lines. Brown nearly scored in the first three minutes, but senior goalkeeper Rhiannon Stewart’s diving save prevented an early deficit for the Crimson. This started an impressive day for the senior, who recorded a career-high seven saves.

After the nearly disastrous start, Harvard began to find rhythm through junior midfielders Írena Héðinsdóttir Gonzalez and Anya Van Den Einde, linking with junior forwards Anna Rayhill and Ólöf Kristinsdóttir to stretch Brown’s defensive line. The Crimson tested but could not break through the Bears’ defense.

Pressure built on both sides throughout the half, but Harvard broke first. Brown finally got a shot past the stonewall of Stewart to take a 1-0 lead. However, the Crimson responded almost immediately. Rayhill, a captain of the team, scored her third goal of the season and sixth of her career. The junior threw a nice shoulder fake and stopped her momentum to dodge her defender before firing a low shot across the box to find the left corner.

The second half began with more even play from the top-tier foes. However, Brown reclaimed the lead with less than thirty minutes remaining in the contest off a long-distance shot.

To defend Jordan Field, the Harvard team needed an answer, and Jasmine Leshnick delivered. With 16 minutes left, the junior lined up for a free kick nearly halfway between the box and midfield on the right side. The Bears’ goalie appeared ready for Leshnick’s ball to curl down into the middle of the box for a pass, but it never did. Instead, it stayed straight and sneaked between the goalie’s outstretched hands and the crossbar to equalize the score, sending the Crimson sideline into boisterous celebrations.

Both teams pushed to break the tie late in the match, but neither defense wavered under the increased pressure. By stealing the tie off the long-distance goal, Harvard stayed ahead of Brown in the standings and maintained a tie with Columbia for first place in the Ivy League. Harvard returns to the pitch on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 1 p.m. to face Penn (4-4-5, 0-3-2) before facing Columbia (5-5-3, 3-1-1) in a heavyweight clash to end the regular season.