Jacobson Leads Crimson to Overtime Win

In the final game of the Harvard women’s field hockey team’s regular season play, sophomore Elizabeth Jacobson led the Crimson to its first victory against Columbia since 2007 with both of the team’s goals in the 2-1 win.

In the team’s 2012 finale against the Lions, Harvard ended its season with a 3-2 loss, in which Jacobson had an assist.

“[Last year] we were sad to lose in the last game of our season,” Jacobson said. “We thought we could have done a lot better. This year we definitely improved not just in the Columbia game but in the whole season,”

This year, after a first half goal by Lion Lauren Skudalski, the Crimson’s season again looked all but over. Columbia (6-11, 2-5 Ivy) was up 1-0 and had dominated play for the majority of the match. Harvard (8-9, 2-5) trailed in number of penalty corners 14-6 and shots 14-13.

“We were a little slow in the beginning, which seems to be a common theme of this year, but we picked it up in the second half.” Jacobson said. “We all wanted our seniors to end the season with a great game, so we played for them.”

Even with the slow start, the Crimson generated a few good scoring chances. As the game progressed, Jacobson capitalized on these opportunities.

“We did not finish on some good opportunities,” coach Tjerk van Herwaarden said. “Fortunately, our persistence paid off with a late goal while being a man down which took us into overtime.”

The sophomore received a well-placed pass from junior Catriona McDonald in the 64th minute of play. Jacobson found the back of the net using the familiar reverse chip shot that led the team to victory last weekend against Vermont.

“[Elizabeth] has a great reverse touch, which she demonstrated on the first goal,” van Herwaarden said. “She played a huge role for us in Sunday’s game.”

Jacobson’s late goal was the last of regulation time. The teams faced off in an overtime battle. Just two minutes into extra-time, Freshmen Marissa Belleza, faked a shot in a 3-on-1 advantage. Belleza made the easy pass to an open Jacobson., who deflected the ball home.

Jacobson’s two goals on the day tied her for second most of the season (six). She is tied with junior forward Noel Painter and trails only Belleza who tallied 12 total. Belleza and Jacobson are tied for assists on the season, passing for four each.

Jacobson, Belleza, and Painter have all been keys parts in a revamped Harvard attack. Last year, the Crimson finished the season with only 18 goals on the year and Painter, the leading scorer, had five goals on the season. Jacobson and Painter both increased their goal totals from last season, while the rookie Belleza paced the Crimson offense to a total of 37 goals on the year.

This successful season for Jacobson marks her first full collegiate season.

“Last season I had torn my hipflexer, so it was a rough year,” Jacobson said. “Coming back has been great. I think I have gained confidence, and the team is definitely more disciplined.”

Senior goalkeeper Jenn Hatfield was able to observe Jacobson’s transition from freshmen to sophomore year, and her role on the team for the 2013 season.

“[Eizabeth] has been great for us all year in the forward and midfield lines,” Hatfield said.“She’s a crucial part of our attack and all of the hard work she has put in during the summer and fall really showed [Sunday]…I couldn’t be prouder of her and the whole team.”

Her last score of the game marked Jacobson’s second overtime goal of the season. Her first came against Fairfield in the Crimson’s 4-3 win.

Thanks to Jacobson’s strong showing, Harvard finished off its season 8-9, its best record since 2011.

“Everyone has stepped up more this year,” Jacobson said. “We have realized that we have more potential, so we are pushing each other to play our best.”

The Crimson’s future looks bright, with strong players –Belleza, Jacobson, Painter, and Freshmen Sophie van Weede—returning to the field next year. Van Herwaarden was pleased with the team’s peRformance this year, but he still sees room for development in the upcoming season.

“I am very happy that the hard work that everyone has put in paid off with some wins this year,” van Herwaarden said. “We will continue to grow and work hard to have another improved season next year.”