Bulldogs Drop 2-1 Overtime Heartbreaker To Harvard

October 1, 2011

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Yale women’s soccer team had the start it was looking for in Saturday’s Ivy League showdown with Harvard. It was the finish that didn’t sit so well with the Bulldogs. Peyton Johnson scored on a penalty kick just 2:16 into overtime to lift the Crimson to a 2-1 victory before a big crowd on Alumni Day at Reese Stadium.

Harvard was awarded the kick when a cross inadvertently deflected off the hands of a Yale defender.

Bulldog goalkeeper Adele Jackson-Gibson guessed right on Johnson’s attempt, but it was just out of her reach and inside the post.

Yale (4-4-2, 1-1 Ivy) had taken the early lead on Meredith Speck’s third goal of the season at 17:00. It was set up thanks to beautiful long feed from Kristen Forster. Speck settled it and ripped a left-footed shot high into the net from nearly 20 yards out.

The Bulldogs had the better of the play for most of the first half.

The Crimson, though, picked up the play in the second half, and Melanie Baskind tied the score at 59:13 with a pretty goal. She one-timed a Patricia Lau cross with her left foot from right in front. It was Baskind’s fifth goal of the season.

Harvard (6-4, 2-0 Ivy) had the best chance during the remainder of regulation. Meg Casscells-Hamby broke free down the right side and got off a hard shot, but Jackson-Gibson got just enough of it to make the save and control the rebound.

Jackson-Gibson finished with five saves for the Bulldogs.

The Crimson had a 12-8 edge in shots and a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Yale is back in action next Saturday, hosting Dartmouth at 5:30 p.m.