Box Score NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – The Harvard women’s soccer team (1-0, 0-0 Ivy) opened the 2022 season with a 3-0 win over the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils (1-2, 0-0 NEC). The result was powered by three goals Josefine Hasbowho netted the first hat-trick for the program since 2015.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Crimson controlled the pace for most of the first half, advancing and keeping possession in the attacking third for almost the entire period. Angela Caloia registered the first shot of the season, but her attempt was pushed wide off the cross Ava Lung.
Harvard continued to apply pressure in the attacking area, finally breaking onto the scoreboard in the 39′ minute. Hasbo scored the first goal of the season for the Crimson, booting home a loose ball in the box.
Just four minutes later, it was Hasbo again who snuck a rebound shot past the keeper to boost the Crimson lead to 2-0. The rebound was set up by first-year Audrey Francois, who put a shot on net and in turn notched her first collegiate point by assisting on Hasbo’s second goal of the contest. Hasbo’s two goals were the difference as Harvard carried a 2-0 lead into the halftime break.
CCSU countered with an attacking mindset to start the second half, but the Harvard backline stood strong, holding off the Blue Devils. The defense then turned into offense, as the Crimson attacked the CCSU, working the ball into the attacking third. Hannah Bebar led the charge, first firing a shot off the cross bar, before retaining possession and putting another shot on goal. The CCSU goalkeeper made the save but deflected the shot right onto the feet of Hasbo, who found the twine for her third goal of the game.
The three-goal lead would hold thanks to a save from Hannah Gardner in the 74th minute. Harvard would roll on to close out the match and take the first game of the season with a 3-0 result.
GAME NOTES
- Josefine Hasbo notched three goals in the contest, beating her 2021 goal total (two) after just one game
- The hat-trick was the first for the program since Midge Purce in 2015
- Audrey Francois notched her first collegiate point with an assist on Hasbo’s second goal
- Hannah Bebar also added an assist on the third Hasbo goal
- Hannah Gardner earned a shutout in the contest, the fourth of her career
- Gardner made one save to preserve the clean sheet
- Jade Rose stood tall on the backline to lead the defensive effort in front of Gardner
- Harvard outshot the Blue Devils 18-2 with eight shots finding the net
- Hasbo (four) and Angela Caloia (three) led the team in shot attempts
- The Crimson backline allowed no corner kicks to CCSU
UP NEXT
Harvard will now return to its home turf to face off against the Northeastern Huskies on Jordan Field this Monday, August 29. Kickoff is set for 3 PM for the Huskies and the Crimson.