Liberty University
(7-2)
No. 19 Harvard
(7-2)
No. 19 Harvard Edges No. 13 Liberty 2-1 in Overtime
10/6/2019 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Harvard's Mimi Tarrant scored the game-winning goal just over six minutes into overtime to lift the 19th-ranked Crimson to a 2-1 victory over No. 13 Liberty, Sunday at Berylson Field.
In a highly competitive match between the two ranked teams, Tarrant's goal into the lower left corner of the cage at 66:09 lifted the hosts to the victory and sent the Lady Flames home with a loss in their first overtime game of 2019.
Harvard improves to 7-2 on the season. Liberty falls to 7-2 on the year and wraps up a 1-1 weekend in the Northeast.
Scoring Summary
9' – LIBERTY – Jill Bolton (unassisted)
38' – HARVARD – Bente van Vlimen (unassisted) | Penalty Corner
67' – HARVARD – Mimi Tarrant (Maddie Earle) | Overtime
Goalkeepers
W: Ellie Shahbo 7-1, four saves
L: Allison Schaefer 7-2, two saves
Turning Point
With the game tied at 1-1 in the fourth quarter, Liberty applied pressure on the Harvard defense and drew seven penalty corners in the frame. Five of those short corners came in the final 3:38 of regulation, but three of the four shots during that stretched were blocked while the other sailed wide.
In overtime, both teams drew a penalty corner but could not convert. Liberty's short corner effort in the 64th minute, a shot from sophomore forward Alivia Klopp, was saved by Crimson goalkeeper Ellie Shahbo. Just over two minutes later, Tarrant struck with the game-winning goal from the right side, her third goal of the season.
Key Stats & Notes
- Liberty took an early 1-0 lead in the ninth minute on junior forward Jill Bolton's sixth goal of the year. Bolton's goal was a blast that found the right side of the cage for the Lady Flames' only tally of the afternoon.
- The Lady Flames led 1-0 at intermission and continued to lead midway through the third period until Harvard's Bente van Vlimen ripped a backhand shot into the left side on a penalty corner to even the score at 1-1 at the 37:34 mark.
- Liberty outshot Harvard 12-11 and also held a narrow edge in penalty corners, 10-9.
- This was the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Liberty is now 2-2 in away contests this season and has yet to lose at home (5-0).
- The Lady Flames are now 0-2 against ranked opponents in 2019. Their last win over a ranked team came against No. 11 Boston College at home on Oct. 11, 2018. Liberty defeated four ranked teams a year ago.
- Despite today's setback, the Lady Flames have still matched their best start in program history through nine games. The 2018 Liberty squad also started the year with a 7-2 mark.
- Both of the Lady Flames' losses this year have come by one goal. Liberty fell 1-0 at No. 18 Wake Forest on Sept. 22. In their seven wins, the Lady Flames have outscored their counterparts 31-4.
Up Next
Liberty will return home to face the 22nd-ranked Old Dominion Monarchs (6-4, 2-1 BIG EAST) on Friday at the Liberty Field Hockey Field. Game time between the BIG EAST foes is set for 3 p.m. and can also be seen on ESPN+.
Team Stats
BOLTON, Jill (6)
GOAL by LIBERTY BOLTON, Jill (FIRST GOAL), goal number 6 for season.
8:20
van Vlijmen, Bente (6)
Assisted By: Allen, Kiley
GOAL by HARV van Vlijmen, Bente, Assist by Allen, Kiley, goal number 6 for season.
37:34
Tarrant, Mimi (3)
Assisted By: Earle, Maddie
Great shot, lower left corner
66:09
