Harvard Maintains 16-Year Streak

The Crimson women’s soccer team extended its winning streak to four over the weekend after toppling Cornell on the road, 2-0.

After its victory over the Big Red (1-9-1, 0-3 Ivy), Harvard (5-5-1, 2-0) is now one of only three teams undefeated in Ivy League play.

In the Crimson’s 3-0 home win against Cornell last season, then-sophomores Christina Hagner and Katherine Sheeleigh each scored a goal. Saturday, Sheeleigh added to her team-leading collection of five goals with a tally in the second half.

The junior forward, named to the Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week, was an offensive standout, taking three of the team’s five shots on goal in the first half.

But the Big Red’s keeper, Megan Bartlett, stopped each attempt to keep the game scoreless entering the intermission.

“Their goalie made an amazing save at the end of the half,” Harvard coach Ray Leone said.

Bartlett had a total of six saves—five in the first half and one in the second.

Although unsuccessful in getting on the scoreboard in the first half, the Crimson persisted in attacking the net. It outshot Cornell in each half, 7-4 and 9-6, respectively, and enjoyed a 12-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Eventually, Harvard would break through—not once, but twice.

Freshman Taryn Kurcz netted her first career goal on a header in the 53rd minute of play.

When sophomore Lindsey Kowal played the ball across the penalty area, junior co-captain Gina Wideroff headed the ball back toward the middle, and Kurcz would make the most of the opportunity.

Both Kowal and Wideroff earned assists on the play, helping their team take the lead, 1-0.

The score—which would turn out to be the game winner—helped Kurcz earn the honor of Ivy League Rookie of the Week.

Nearly two minutes after the first strike, freshman Alexandra Conigliaro maneuvered the ball past the Cornell defense and played a through-ball into the possession of Sheeleigh, who completed the play to double Harvard’s lead.

The Crimson’s defense took care of the rest, denying Big Red offensive standouts Maneesha Chitanvis and Sidra Bonner, who each have scored twice this season, from mounting a comeback.

The performance continued Harvard’s run of strong defensive play. The back line has allowed only three goals in its last five games, compiling a 3-1 record during that span.

In another solid showing, senior goalie Lauren Mann had two saves for her fifth victory of the season.

The veteran keeper boasts a 1.67 goals-against average, and the shutout of Cornell marked her third blank sheet of the year.

“The team knew what had to be done, so we kept into the half and were able to score,” Mann said.

The Big Red was unable to end its five-game losing streak, which dates back to September 18, nor its all-time losing streak to Harvard—which has lasted 16 years.

Mann believes that the Crimson will be able to build on its latest victory over its conference rival.

“We’re going to take the win into practice as motivation,” Mann said.

“We just have to go into every Ivy game with the right attitude and mentality.”

Looking to extend its unbeaten league record, the Crimson will stay home to take on Brown Saturday at 11 am.