Harvard Suffers First Defeat

Boxscore

DURHAM, N.H. -- No. 2 New Hampshire scored two breakaway goals in the second period, as the Wildcats earned a 4-1 win over No. 1 Harvard Friday night at the Whittemore Center.

New Hampshire (17-3-0) took an early lead at 6:16 of the first period on a power-play goal by Courtney Birchard. Harvard defenseman Kati Vaughn was called for checking, and the Wildcats capitalized 17 seconds into the ensuing power play. Micaela Long fed Birchard with a pass at the top of the left circle, who fired the puck to give the Wildcats a 1-0 advantage.

Forward Liza Ryabkina had quality chances for Harvard (11-1-0, 9-0-0 ECAC Hockey) in the opening frame, including tries on a one-timer in the slot and a wrist shot in front, but could not find the back of the net. Ryabkina and forward Jenny Brine had five shots each to lead the Crimson.

Breakaway goals by Sam Faber and Micaela Long in the first five minutes of the second period increased the New Hampshire lead to 3-0. Faber's score came on a short-handed situation at 0:48, as she was assisted by Kacey Bellamy. Long scored an even-strength tally when she grabbed a pass from Julia Marty and ripped a shot past Harvard goaltender Christina Kessler at 5:22.

In the third period, Faber added another score on an odd-attacker rush to extend New Hampshire's lead to 4-0.

Jenny Brine got Harvard on the scoreboard at 9:17 of the third with a shot from the left side of the goalie. Sarah Vaillancourt and Caitlin Cahow added assists on the Crimson goal. The assist was the 149^th point in Vaillancourt's career at Harvard.

Kessler made eight saves in net for the Crimson, while Kayley Herman had 19 stops for the Wildcats. Harvard out shot New Hampshire 5-2 in the second period, and 23-12 for the game.

Harvard, the nation's leading power-play unit entering play on Friday night, was 0 for 6 on the power play, while New Hampshire was 1 for 4 with the extra attacker.

The Crimson is now 3-1 against top-10 teams this season, and is 2-1 vs. teams from Hockey East.

The loss ends the Crimson's nation-best 11 game-winning streak to start the season. The Crimson tied a school record by winning those first 11 contests. The 2003-04 team won its first 11 contests, and was undefeated (13-0-1) in its first 14 en route to a 30-4-1 record and an appearance in the NCAA Championship final.

Harvard will resume its season on Friday, January 4 when the team hosts Cornell at Bright Hockey Center at 7 p.m. The Crimson currently boasts a four-point lead in the ECAC.