A Late Surge Secures the Point
On a crisp evening at SU Soccer Stadium, the Harvard Crimson women's soccer squad battled to a 0‑0 stalemate with the Syracuse Orange, a result that left both coaches satisfied but the Crimson with a sense of missed opportunities.
Harvard controlled the tempo for much of the contest, holding 60 percent of possession and outshooting Syracuse 18‑16. The Crimson's attacking rhythm was evident early, with Brooke Huleatt firing six attempts, three of them on target, and the team earning nine corner kicks compared with six for the Orange.
Between the posts, the tandem of Nicole Bidun and Olivia Busby proved decisive. Busby, a first‑year goalkeeper, made four second‑half stops, including a clutch penalty save in the 89th minute that preserved the clean sheet. Together they combined for six saves, underscoring the defensive resilience that defined the match.
Despite the draw, the performance lifted Harvard to 1‑2‑1 on the season. The Crimson will look to build on this momentum when they travel to face Boston University on Thursday, September 3 at 6:00 p.m. ET, a matchup that promises another test of their growing chemistry.
Coach’s post‑game comments highlighted the importance of composure under pressure, especially in the final minutes when Busby’s penalty stop shifted the narrative from a potential loss to a hard‑earned tie. The team’s blend of possession dominance and disciplined defending suggests a promising trajectory as the schedule unfolds.