CAMBRIDGE, MASS — Monmouth went up early against the No. 5 nationally ranked Harvard Crimson Sunday, but the hosts quickly answered with three-straight goals and the deficit was too big to overcome for the Hawks, resulting in a 3-1 loss.
No. 20 ranked Monmouth dropped its third-straight game, including five in its last six following Sunday's result with three of four losses coming from opponents in the national rankings. The Hawks (9-6 overall, 4-1 CAA) overcame a tough loss at home Friday against Fairfield and got ahead early over Harvard, a team that's given up the opening goal just one other time all season.
Éabha Curran was the catalyst, as she used her speed to counter down the right sideline and work her way into the circle before finding a foot and giving her team their first corner of the day.
Maja Schröder inserted to
Anna Moors who put a shot on goal, but the initial attempt was saved by Crimson goalie Linde Burger. Moors followed up on the loose ball and played the ball back into the circle for Curran who hit an attempt toward cage that was re-directed by
Ava Zerfass for the score.
The 1-0 lead didn't last the quarter though, as Harvard answered five minutes later as Evie Smith beat Monmouth goalie
Charlie Bowman to a ball played in by Sage Piekarski for the equalizing goal.
The Crimson then took the lead in the final minute of the first half, stemmed off a yellow card given to the Hawks. Harvard capitalized on the man-advantage, earning a corner. Although the hosts didn't immediately score off the set-play, the pressure allowed them to keep the ball in the circle and finally Marha le Huray put away the second attempt on Bowman for the go-ahead goal.
Gallery: (10-25-2026) Field Hockey at Harvard 10/25/26
Elin van Sante added the insurance goal in the 42nd minute of the third quarter, again stemming off a penalty corner. Tilly Butterworth swung for an attempt on goal off the insert, which was blocked but van Sante was there on the rebound to cushion their lead by two.
The Hawks were held without a shot in the final 15 minutes and as a result, the Crimson held onto the 3-1 win. Harvard out-shot Monmouth, 27-6, including 16-6 in shots on goal. Bowman had a valiant effort as she totaled a season-high 13 saves. Moors led the team offensively with two shots.
Monmouth concludes the regular season on the road Friday, visiting Northeastern for a CAA matchup with No. 1 seed hopes still on the line. The Hawks are set to face the Huskies at 3 p.m.
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