ANNAPOLIS, Md. – On Sunday afternoon, Lizzie Francioli shined with eight crucial saves in the second half as Harvard’s women’s lacrosse team pulled off an upset against No. 15 Navy, winning 11-9.
The game was tight, with both teams trading goals. Charlotte Hodgson scored the game-winning goal from a free position shot, breaking a 9-9 tie right at the start of the fourth quarter.
The Crimson took an early lead, thanks to goals from Grace and Caroline Mullahy. They made great cuts to get open and started the game strong. Callie Batchelder and Charley Meier then added two more goals for Harvard, putting them ahead 4-2. However, Navy responded, tying the game at four by the end of the first quarter.
Nicole Gianakopulos put the Crimson on the board first in the second quarter, but Batchelder answered back with an impressive individual goal, giving Harvard a 5-4 lead. The Crimson managed to stretch their lead to 8-4 after some slick passing set up Stella Shea for a goal. But Navy fought back, and the half ended with a close 8-7 lead for Harvard.
Francioli was a wall in goal after halftime, only allowing two goals in the final two quarters. With the score tied in the fourth, a goal from Hodgson followed by another from Grace Mullahy pushed Harvard ahead by two. In the closing minutes, Francioli made several key saves, sealing the win for the Crimson.
Game Highlights:
- Despina Giannakopoulos played a strong defensive game with six caused turnovers and five ground balls.
- Anna Andrews contributed four ground balls.
- Grace Mullahy scored three goals.
- Caroline Mullahy added a goal and three assists.
- Charlotte Hodgson finished with two goals and three assists, including the decisive score.
- This victory marks Harvard’s first win over a ranked opponent in over a decade.
Next, Harvard will host UConn on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.
