November 12, 2011

Harvard Falls to No. 12 Boston University 3-0 in NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament Game

Courtesy of Harvard Athletic Communications

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- The Harvard women's soccer season came to an end on Saturday afternoon, as the Crimson fell in the first round of the NCAA tournament to No. 12 Boston University by a score of 3-0. The 2011 Ivy League Champions finished its campaign with 12 wins, which marks the most since the 1999 season.

In the first half both squads traded chances early as the two teams felt each other out. As time wore on however, Boston University began to gain the upper hand creating most of the offensive pressure. The Terriers broke through in the 28th minute as Kylie Strom tipped in a free kick taken by Tiya Gallegos. Boston University extended their lead in the waning moments of the half as Anna Cuffia took a cross from Jessica Luscinski slipping a shot past goalkeeper Bethany Kanten. As the two teams headed into halftime the Terriers held the advantage in shots 7-5 and the squads were tied corners with two apiece.

Boston University continued its strong play early in the second stanza extending their lead to 3-0 in the 61st minute. Harvard fell victim to an own goal as Strom headed a ball into the box and it deflected off a Crimson defender. Harvard regrouped and gained some momentum as the half wore on, recording 10 shots in the second half but was unable to get one past goalkeeper Alice Binns as Harvard fell 3-0.

The Crimson outshot the Terriers 14-12 in the game and held the advantage in corners 7-6. Melanie Baskind, the 2011 Ivy League Player of the Year, led the Crimson charge recording four shots, two on goal. Kanten made four saves in the contest.

With the victory, Boston University now advances to the next round of the NCAA tournament next traveling to Winston-Salem, N.C., where it will face Wake Forest.