Minutewomen Outmatch Harvard, 3-1

AMHERST, Massachusetts - The University of Massachusetts field hockey program secured a 3-1 victory over the Harvard Crimson on the strength of a second half push that included goals by Melanie Kreusch and Sarah Hawkshaw. The Minutewomen improve to 4-3 with the victory while Harvard falls to 2-4 on the year.

Kreusch scored twice in the win, including a penalty stroke conversion in the first half. Hailey Cockrum assisted on both second half goals while Izzie Delario also had one helper. Emily Hazard finished with four saves in net for the Maroon and White.

Tied at 1-1 with less than 19 minutes to play, Hawkshaw found space on the right side of the circle and drilled a shot off the outside of Harvard goalkeeper Olivia Startup's right leg padding. The shot ricocheted favorably for Massachusetts and rolled into the back of the cage for Hawkshaw's fourth goal of the year.

Kreusch added a security tally at the 55-minute, 39-second mark on a penalty corner. Delario inserted to Cockrum at the top of the circle, who redirected play to Kreusch shaded to the left. Kreusch sent her attempt into the right side for the 3-1 margin.

Kreusch also had the opening goal of the game in the 30th minute of play. Nicole Kuerzi drew a penalty stroke call when she was taken down inside the circle by the Harvard defense. Kreusch calmly stepped to the dot and converted for the one-goal lead.

Harvard rallied early in the second half for its lone goal of the afternoon. Marissa Balleza forced a turnover near the UMass circle, dribbled in and scored with a low shot to even play at 1-1 at the 39:26 mark.

The Minutewomen only led in shots, 11-10 but held an 8-5 advantage in on-target tries. UMass also led in penalty corners, 5-3. Startup finished with five saves in goal for the Crimson.

Massachusetts caps its four-game homestand with a Fri., Sept. 23 contest against Stanford at 4 p.m. Follow the Minutewomen throughout the season on social media via Twitter (@UMassFH), Instagram (umassfieldhockey) and Facebook (UMass Field Hockey).

Scoreboard

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Team Stats

Melanie Kreusch

Sarah Hawkshaw

Hailey Cockrum

Izzie Delario

Players Mentioned

Hailey Cockrum

Izzie Delario

Sarah Hawkshaw

Emily Hazard

Melanie Kreusch

Nicole Kuerzi

Players Mentioned

Hailey Cockrum

Izzie Delario

Sarah Hawkshaw

Emily Hazard

Melanie Kreusch

Nicole Kuerzi

Scoreboard

University of Massachusets Athletics