Shutout Gives Harvard 500th Win

Just five games into the season and with a split conference record, Harvard women’s hockey has already reached a historic achievement. The No. 10 Crimson (2-2-0, 2-2-0 ECAC) secured the program’s 500th win against No. 7 St. Lawrence (4-4-3, 2-3-0 ECAC) in a 3-0 decision Saturday afternoon at Bright Hockey Center.

“It’s awesome, there’s been a great tradition in this program from the very beginning,” coach Katey Stone said of reaching the 500 mark. “We’ve got to get after it, and see if we can get to 600 pretty quickly, before I retire. That’d be nice.”

The Harvard program’s storied history is something Stone has become a key part of in her 16 years at the helm. In that time, Stone has become the Division I women’s coach ranked second all-time and first among active coaches in total wins.

This weekend’s milestone victory came after two straight losses in conference play that had hampered team morale, especially Friday’s 2-1 loss to Clarkson.

“Our players know they could have won the game [Friday],” said Stone, “and this just solidifies that.”

Junior forward Ashley Wheeler agreed that the team had made huge improvements over recent play.

“Overall I think we’re a completely different team, especially from last weekend,” Wheeler said. “Tonight was definitely a team effort. We have a really young team, and everyone stepped up.”

The rebound win came in a shutout defined by team play, strong defense, and personal versatility. Junior forward Kate Buesser led the Crimson with two goals and an assist, while Wheeler scored one of her own. Senior keeper Christina Kessler kept Harvard’s net empty with 14 saves.

In the first period, both the Crimson and the Saints went scoreless despite power play opportunities, but Harvard dominated possession, staying in St. Lawrence territory for the majority of the time. The Crimson had a few fast break opportunities, including one by junior forward Katherine Chute, who fired a slap shot heading towards goal but Saints defenseman Britni Smith slid in to get the block. Harvard also edged out St. Lawrence in shots and faceoffs during the period but it wasn’t enough to pick up a lead.

The Crimson continued to play hard in the second period, and this time it saw results. Following a successful penalty kill, Harvard took control of the puck and co-captain defenseman Cori Bassett moved it towards the opponent’s goal. She made a quick drop to Buesser who fired on goal.

“I’m pretty sure I hit the goalie right in the chest,” Buesser said, “which is usually not a great area for rebounds, but it somehow popped out.”

Wheeler was in perfect position on the opposite side of the net to capitalize on the rebound, and she slammed it home for her first goal of her college career.

“It was unbelievable,” Wheeler said. “I’ve never honestly felt anything like that. And having my roommate, basically my best friend on the team, Kate Buesser, get the assist was so cool.”

The goal was even more impressive considering Wheeler has been a defenseman for the Crimson until Friday night’s game. The transition, in place due to of Harvard’s relatively short bench, proved to be a success against the Saints.

“She has very good instincts, so she can play anywhere,” Stone said of the new forward. “She did a great job and it was awesome to see her get that goal.”

Wheeler is also fond of her new position on the team.

“It’s like seeing the ice in a completely different way. It’s so much more of a rush than on D” she said. “As a forward, honestly I don’t really know how to play the position all that well, but it’s more about just going as hard as you can.”

The Crimson continued the powerful offensive play and kept the puck on St. Lawrence’s side of the ice for over three minutes following the goal. In the final minute of the period the Saints got a good look at the goal, but the shot bounced of Harvard’s side post to preserve the 1-0 score.

In the final frame, the speed of play picked up and the Crimson and the Saints made it a more back-and-forth game. But Harvard still held the lead and seven minutes into the period the Crimson struck again. Sophomore forward Alisa Baumgartner made a pass to Buesser who put it past St. Lawrence’s goalie Maxie Weisz and into the top right corner of the goal to make it a 2-0 game.

With five minutes left to play, the Crimson found itself in risky territory. After a pair of penalties, Harvard was facing a dangerous powerplay opportunity for its opponent, and the Saints even pulled the goalie to make it a 6-on-3 situation. But the Crimson defense held strong and stopped St. Lawrence from getting even a single shot during the penalty kill.

The good defense paid off and when the puck popped out into open space, Buesser was there to take it in for an open-net goal with just 30 seconds left on the clock to finalize the 3-0 victory.