Second Half Comeback Sends UMass Past Women’s Soccer

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard women's soccer (0-2-0, 0-0-0 Ivy) came out hot against in-state foe Massachusetts (3-0-0, 0-0-0 MAC), but ultimately fell, 4-3. In the contest, Ólöf Kristinsdóttir and Jasmine Leshnick combined for Harvard's three goals. How it Happened - Harvard gained momentum early, controlling the ball and getting on the board with Ólöf Kristinsdóttir's first goal of the season. Off a corner kick, Kristinsdóttir received a touch from Anna Rayhill and found the back of the net just five minutes into the contest. - The Crimson's attack continued as Kristinsdóttir and Jasmine Leshnick combined for four more shots on goal in the ensuing eight minutes. - Kristinsdóttir eventually extended Harvard's lead in the 13th minute. With possession in the middle of the field, Leshnick found a streaking Kristinsdóttir, who converted the rebound from her initial attempt. - The Crimson remained in control of the momentum with a slew of shots over the next 20-plus minutes. - Jasmine Leshnick added Harvard's third goal of the game in the 37th minute, capitalizing on a penalty kick. - UMass worked quickly to shift momentum in the second half, getting on the board in the 51st minute off a penalty kick. - Shortly after, the Minutewomen earned another penalty kick that missed wide left. The attempt continued to build UMass' offensive attack as they pulled within one two minutes later with Nia Hislop adding a goal. - The Crimson responded with a pair of attempts on goal in the next ten minutes, but the Minutewomen continued the rally and a goal in the 64th minute evened the contest for the first time. - Harvard had looks down the stretch, but the UMass defense continued to stand tall. Ultimately, the Minutewomen took its first lead of the game with less than five minutes off a goal from Amanda Schultz. Harvard Highlights - Ólöf Kristinsdóttir tallied four points in the game off two first-half goals. - The Iceland native became the fastest player to score two goals in a single game (13 minutes) since Midge Purce did so in 2015 against Yale. - Jasmine Leshnick recorded both her first goal and her first assist of the season this evening. - Írena Héðinsdóttir Gonzalez and Anna Rayhill each tallied an assist against the Minutewomen. - Olivia Busby made her collegiate debut in goal tonight, recording three saves. Next Up The Crimson will look to bounce back as it closes its three-match homestand against Fairfield on Thursday, August 27 at 4:00 p.m. ET.