Harvard’s women’s lacrosse team is ready to take the field at Jordan Field this Saturday. They’ll face off against No. 14 Penn at noon, aiming to even their Ivy League record as they play four out of their last five games at home this season.
Recap of the Last Game
In their recent match, Harvard lost to Brown 12-10. The team started strong, leading 4-1, but the Bears came back with a strong second half. Not everything was gloomy, though! Caroline Mullahy set a new Ivy League record for career assists during the game, bringing her total to 127. She could be the first player in the league to reach 130 assists.
Looking Back at History
Last season, Harvard fell to Penn 18-8. The Quakers took charge early, going into halftime with a 10-4 lead. Harvard’s last victory against Penn came in 2020, and the rivalry has intensified since then.
Team Highlights
The Crimson is coached by Devon Wills, who has steadily improved the team’s performance over the past few seasons. Under her leadership, the team’s win total increased from seven in 2022 to ten in 2024. Last year marked the first time since 2011 that the program achieved ten wins. Currently, Harvard is coming off its third consecutive Ivy League Tournament appearance, a first since the mid-2010s.
Harvard has been strong in recent regular-season games, boasting a 24-10 record in their last 34 outings since a win over Holy Cross on March 11, 2023.
Standout Players
Several players are shining this season:
- Caroline Mullahy leads the team with 44 points in just 10 games and ranks fourth in the Ivy League.
- Charlotte Hodgson, with 21 goals, has improved her scoring substantially compared to previous seasons.
- Grace Mullahy is also showing promise with 22 points in her sophomore year.
In addition, Callie Batchelder has had remarkable games, including a seven-point effort against UConn and another five-goal game against Bryant.
Defense and Strategy
Defensively, Annabel Child has been instrumental, leading with 25 caused turnovers and playing a crucial role in a defense that ranks among the top in the nation for ground balls. Harvard’s defensive strategy, which emphasizes strong ground ball control, has been a key part of their game.
As a team, Harvard has excelled in several statistics, finishing in the top ten nationally in four major categories. The team’s average of 16 goals per game is their highest in years, showing that their offensive strategy is as strong as their defense.
As the Crimson gears up to face Penn, they are looking to build on their recent successes and keep the momentum going. It’s an exciting time for Harvard women’s lacrosse, and fans are eager to see how they perform against a tough opponent.
For more information on the Ivy League and women’s lacrosse, visit the NCAA Women’s Lacrosse page.
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