Harvard Stunned By BC In Three OTs, 3-2, In Women's Beanpot

Harvard Stunned By BC In Three OTs, 3-2, In Women's Beanpot

BOSTON, Mass. -- Anna McDonald's game-winner 14:13 into the third sudden-death overtime period lifted ninth-ranked Boston College to a thrilling 4-3 win against No. 6 Harvard Tuesday night in the first round of the 29th annual Women's Beanpot tournament at Conte Forum.

McDonald's goal, which came in the 115th minute of play, at 12:21 Wednesday morning, came when she took a centering pass from Kelli Stack, weaved through two Crimson defenders, and put the rebound of her own shot past Harvard goaltedner Brittany Martin. It ended a four-hour, 21-minute marathon that saw both teams turn aside excellent scoring chances in sudden-death.

It was the longest women's Beanpot game since Harvard and Northeastern went to five overtimes in 1982 (a 3-2 Harvard win). It was the first time the Crimson went to three overtime periods since a 5-4 win against Mercyhurst in the first round of the 2005 NCAA tournament.

Boston College advances to meet Boston University -- a 4-2 come-from-behind winner against Northeastern in Tuesday's other first-round game -- in the championship game next Tuesday at 8 p.m. Harvard will take on Northeastern in the consolation game next Tuesday at 5 p.m., with both games taking place at Conte Forum. It will be Harvard's first consolation game appearance since 1996.

Eagle goaltender Molly Schaus made 73 saves, including 24 in the three OT periods to preserve the win. Martin was sensational in her own right as she finished with a career-high 48 stops.

The Crimson's best chance to end it came early in the third overtime when the Eagles were whistled for a tripping penalty. Harvard kept pressure in the BC offensive zone through the entire power play, and Sarah Vaillancourt's bid for the winner went wide.

The Eagles appeared poised to win the game in the third period as Stack's second goal of the game -- with the Eagles on a power play -- gave the hosts a 3-2 advantage with 8:04 left in the third period.

But the lead lasted exactly 12 seconds as Harvard raced in to tie it at 3-3 on ensuing faceoff. Julie Chu won the draw to right wing Sarah Vaillancourt, who sent a centering pass to left win Jenny Brine. Brine one-timed the puck past Eagle goaltender Molly Schaus at 12:08 to give the Crimson a chance to win in the closing minutes of regulation.

Schaus made three terrific stops on Harvard possession in the last minute of regulation to keep the Eagles in the game.

Harvard had overcome a two-goal first-period thanks in large part to a 24-7 advantage in shots in a second period that saw the Crimson get both scores back.

Harvard had the better chances early in the first period, as Julie Chu drew an Eagle penalty two minutes into the game when she was dragged down before she could break in alone on BC goaltender Molly Schaus. Harvard was unable to score on the power play as Schaus denied a number of chances through traffic.

The Eagles got on the board first when freshman Allie Thunstrom scored on a rebound of Deb Spillane's shot from the slot midway through the period.

Boston College doubled its margin late in the first when McDonald fed Stack from the right wing, and Stack's second effort got past Martin with 1:02 left.

Harvard got one back at 3:47 of the second period when Lindsay Weaver's slap shot from the point was redirected past Schaus by Jennifer Sifers.

The Crimson got the equalizer on the power play at 9:41 after Caitlin Cahow's shot from the point went through the five-hole and rested on the goal line. Katie Johnston raced in from the right side to tuck it into the net after Schaus was unable to locate the puck.

Eight different players had one point each for Harvard, which fell to 17-5-2 with the loss. Stack had a goal and two assists for the Eagles, who improved to 19-7-2 on the year.