The Princeton Tigers fell in overtime against the Harvard Crimson this weekend in the Ivy League Tournament Championship, 0-1.
While Princeton (13-5, 7-0 Ivy League) maintained a perfect regular season conference record, they were unable to capitalize against many close offensive efforts against Harvard (15-3, 6-1 Ivy League).
During their regular season meeting, the Tigers were able to beat the Crimson 2-1 again in an overtime contest. Sophomore and first-team All-Ivy honoree Ella Cashman was able to find the back of the net twice to secure the victory. After beating Dartmouth 5-1, Princeton captured the regular season title, its 28th Ivy Title.
The matchup remained scoreless throughout the first three quarters or regulation. It was the final quarter that would finally yield successful scoring opportunities.
Moments into the fourth quarter, Harvard was awarded a penalty stroke after a collision with Princeton goalie, senior Robyn Thompson, and a Crimson forward. However, Thompson would deny this advantage for Harvard.
With just 2:35 remaining in regulation, Harvard managed to deflect a shot into the cage during a penalty corner, seemingly clinching the win. However, Princeton responded in dramatic fashion, scoring the equalizer in similar style with only 59 seconds left, forcing the game into overtime.
In a penalty corner, Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year and Paris ‘24 Olympian Beth Yeager would send a drag flick from the top of the circle. Cashman would deflect the ball past the defensive corner unit.
Despite promising efforts during the overtime period, Harvard freshman Martha le Huray would sneak the ball past Thompson to find the near side of the net.
For the second consecutive season, Harvard has clinched the Ivy League Tournament Championship and secured an automatic bid in the NCAA National Division I field hockey tournament.
Following Monday’s selection show, the No. 11 Crimson will take on Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opponent Syracuse University in Storrs, Connecticut, on Nov. 15.
However, the Tiger’s postseason run has not ended yet. During the selection show, the NCAA committee selected Princeton to receive one of the eight coveted at-large bids. This is the team’s first berth into the tournament since 2022.
No. 13 Princeton will face another at-large opponent, Boston College, on Nov.15 at Saint Joseph’s University. This will be the first meeting between the two teams since 1997, where Princeton won 3-2.
Princeton has a rich history of successful postseason runs. This will be the Tigers’ 26th appearance in the NCAA tournament, and the team has not gone consecutive years without reaching it since 1994.
Princeton has nine Final Four appearances, four appearances in the finals, and a 2012 national title. They have a tournament record of 29-25, which ranks seventh in all-time of any school in tournament history
