The Crimson entered the match with high hopes, having opened the season with a strong offensive display. Early pressure paid off when a penalty in the 37th minute was converted by Jasmine Leshnick, giving Harvard a 1‑0 lead.
Key Performances
Ólöf Kristinsdóttir, the Icelandic forward, answered with two goals in rapid succession, the second of which came just minutes after the first, marking the fastest two‑goal sequence for a Harvard player since Midge Purce in 2015.
Jasmine Leshnick added an assist on the third Harvard goal, marking her first contribution of the campaign, while Írena Héðinsdóttir Gonzalez and Anna Rayhill contributed the other two assists, underscoring a balanced attack.
A Late Surge
The second half saw a dramatic turnaround. UMass struck three times after the break, including a penalty in the 51st minute that leveled the score before Nia Hislop’s 62nd‑minute strike narrowed the gap to one.
A final blow came in the 68th minute when Amanda Schultz found the net, putting the Minutemen ahead for the first time. Harvard’s goalkeeper Olivia Busby made three saves, but the deficit proved insurmountable.
Looking Ahead
The loss drops Harvard to a .500 record in the early season, but the performances of Kristinsdóttir and Leshnick suggest that the offense will remain potent. The team will look to rebound when they host Fairfield on August 27 at 4:00 p.m. ET.