Another Hat Trick for McCauley

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The members of the Yale Field Hockey Class of 2010 have already put their names in the school record book with their individual accomplishments. But what they all want most is the type of team accomplishment that they achieved Saturday against archrival Harvard in the Ivy League opener: wins. Led by the seniors -- including three goals by forward Ashley McCauley -- the Bulldogs put together a nearly flawless first half to take a 4-0 lead, then held on for a 4-3 victory.

"This senior class has decided that they're going out with a bang," Stuper said. "In the first half we just came out and went after it. We made the most of our opportunities -- nine shots, six shots on goal, four goals."

It was a 1-0 game after Yale converted its first penalty corner, as junior back Marissa Waldemore tipped in a shot by senior back Julia Weiser. After that McCauley went to work, scoring three goals in just over 19 minutes to get the lead to 4-0.

The run started with an assist by freshman forward Maddy Sharp, who got Harvard goalie Cynthia Tassopoulos out of position and sent the ball towards the goal, where McCauley finished it. McCauley's next two goals came with assists by senior midfielder Katie Cantore, who now has eight helpers for the season. This was McCauley's second hat trick of the year.

"The hat trick speaks for itself," Stuper said. "Ashley had a great game, and she also played very well defensively. Katie and [sophomore midfielder] Dinah Landshut were brilliant out of the midfield. And Julia Weiser's leadership as well as her play -- good tackles, good distribution and play up the right side -- were key."

The Crimson crept back in the game despite the lopsided shot totals. Harvard (3-1, 0-1 Ivy League) got six of Tassopoulos' eight saves in the second half, and goals by Elizabeth Goodman-Bacon and Chloe Keating made the score 4-2 with 6:11 left in the game.

"That's a tribute to Harvard - you give them an inch and they'll take it," Stuper said. "The few opportunities they had, they scored."

But after the second Harvard goal the Bulldogs kept the Crimson at bay until a penalty corner with time expired gave Harvard the chance to make the final 4-3. This was the sixth straight time the game between these two teams has been decided by one goal. Junior Katie Bolling and senior Charlotte Goins once again split time in goal to help Yale get the victory.

Adding to the atmosphere at Johnson Field was a large Alumnae Day crowd.

"The alumnae were fabulous," Stuper said. "It was a great crowd with them, the parents and our other supporters. They were a part of our win."

Cantore's two assists give her eight for the year, keeping her on pace to break the school record of 14. She is fifth on Yale's career assists list with 21. McCauley's three goals move her into a tie for second on Yale's career list (36, Lindsay Hobbs '99) in that category. She is also fourth all-time in points (81), and is within striking distance of the school records in both categories, set by Emily Montgomery '78 (46 goals, 98 points).

Yale (3-2, 1-0 Ivy League) visits Holy Cross Sunday for a 3 p.m. game.

Report by Sam Rubin '95 (sam.rubin@yale.edu), Yale Sports Publicity