Box Score Cambridge, Mass. – The Tigers took an early lead but couldn't eek out the second goal they needed, losing 2-1 to Harvard in double overtime Thursday. Pacific scored on their first shot on goal of the night but couldn't manage much else as overall shots favored Harvard 16-8. Laura Pujade made six saves but took the loss. Harvard is now 2-1 on the year.
Pacific scored with 9:40 left in the game off a corner but the goal was waved off. Savannah Burns' shot went wide and low into the back of the net past the goalie but a foul was called on the Tigers to keep it at 0-0.
Rylee Comeau put the Tigers up one when she stole the ball away at the top of the circle in the 27th minute. Comeau stole an outlet pass in the circle and immediately fired away as Alicia Muiños crashed toward the net and forced the goalie to commit wide. It was Comeau's second goal of the year.
The Tigers killed off a green card advantage for Harvard to start the second half, earning the penalty corner as soon as the sides were back to even. Marguerite van Wyk managed a shot off the corner but had it blocked. It was van Wyk's second shot of the day, as her first early in the game went just high of the net. She would end the night with five shots.
A penalty stroke was awarded to Harvard ten minutes into the second half, leading to the home team's first goal. Marissa Balleza stole the ball and had a one-on-one opportunity in the circle. Burns hustled back on defense and got a stick to the ball but also got enough of Balleza's foot to send her sprawling to the turf, earning the penalty stroke.
The score remained tight the rest of the half as neither team could create a strong scoring chance. Ali Campos had a shot go just wide of the goal with three minutes left but the Tigers headed to overtime with just one shot on goal.
The seven-on-seven overtime began with Harvard threatening as a Pacific turnover gave them a two-on-one in the circle. Muiños was able to get in front of the ball and get her stick down to intercept the pass and kill the attack.
That was all for the first overtime period as the Tigers shut down Harvard for 15 minutes but couldn't get the final push they needed to score. A cross with seven seconds left looked dangerous but the tip went wide of the net to end the period.
Harvard's winning goal came 2:38 into the second overtime. Balleza scored again, shooting high from a sharp angle over Pujade's shoulder for her second goal of the game.
The Tigers will head to New Hampshire next to play three games in four days all on the campus of Dartmouth. The Tigers will play Bryant on Saturday at 11:00 am, followed by a game with Dartmouth on Sunday at 11:00 am. Their road trip will end with a game against Vermont on Tuesday at 8:00 am.
Make sure to follow Pacific field hockey on Twitter with the username @PacificTigersFH and on Instagram at pacifictigersfh.
