With her team down 5-0 in the 67th minute, Collins finally broke through the Tigers' stingy defense. The play began with the second of two consecutive Harvard penalty corners. Sophomore Liz Sarles controlled the ball at the top of the circle and passed it immediately to her left, where Collins was waiting unguarded. She took a couple of steps and slipped a shot into the gap between DeJong and the left post.
"It was kind of a new play we've been working on," Collins said. "They pass it to me on the left off a corner, and I'm usually alone. I was alone and just shot it in."
The goal was somewhat historic in that it marked the first DeJong has allowed to an Ivy League team. She has recorded eight shutouts this season overall, including five in Ivy League play.
Harvard had little time to celebrate its goal, since freshman midfielder Eliza Dick appeared to badly twist her left ankle just 18 seconds after Collins' score. Dick hopped off the field on her right foot unassisted and the ankle was heavily iced after the game, but it appears she will be available for the team's next game Wednesday against Northeastern.
Harvard's loss means that only Princeton and Pennsylvania remain alive in the Ivy League title race. The Crimson's chances of postseason play are still alive, however, since a berth in the ECAC Tournament remains a possibility.
Only teams with .500 records are considered for the tournament, which means that the Crimson must win two of its next three games, all of which are at Cumnock Field. After Northeastern, Harvard closes its Ivy schedule with weekend matchups against Dartmouth and Brown. Both the Bears and the Big Green are also contending for ECAC berths.
Although the Crimson has now lost two straight since snapping a five-game win streak, the two defeats are to top-10 opponents and are a poor indicator of Harvard's overall postseason prospects.
"I didn't think we played badly against Princeton," Collins said. "A lot of people were nervous, so we just played safe and didn't take any risks. These last two games were tough, but I don't think it will affect us the rest of the season." Scoring Prin--Matson (unassisted) 6:47. Prin--Hunsicker (unassisted) 16:23. Prin--O'Malley (Dwyer) 32:33. Prin--Matson (unassisted) 39:11. Prin--Carroll (unassisted) 58:00. Har--Collins (Sarles) 66:12.