Cambridge, Mass. — In a milestone afternoon at Jordan Field, No. 13 Harvard delivered a program-defining victory, knocking off No. 1 Syracuse, 13–12, for its first-ever win over the nation’s top-ranked team.
The Crimson (3–0) earned the statement victory with poise and persistence, closing the game on a decisive 3–0 surge in the final five minutes. Syracuse (3–1), a national semifinalist last season, had rallied late to seize the lead, but Harvard responded under pressure to secure the historic result.
Sophomore goalkeeper Graham Stevens anchored the effort with a season-best 14 saves, repeatedly turning aside Syracuse’s high-powered attack. Offensively, sophomore Nathan Cobery and senior John Aurandt IV each recorded the first hat tricks of their Harvard careers. Junior faceoff specialist Owen Umansky played a pivotal role in possession battles, winning 13 draws to match his season high.
A Program First
The win marked Harvard’s first victory over a No. 1 team in the USILA Coaches Poll and its second triumph over Syracuse in the past year. The Crimson also held the Orange scoreless in the second quarter — the first time Syracuse had been blanked in a period this season — and limited them to a season-low four first-half goals.
Nine different Harvard players registered points, showcasing balanced production throughout the lineup. Aurandt led the way with four points (three goals, one assist), while Cobery added three goals of his own.
Early Swings and Second-Quarter Surge
Harvard struck quickly, capitalizing on a forced turnover to grab an early lead. Syracuse answered with four straight goals to close the first quarter and carried momentum into the second.
The Crimson reversed course in dominant fashion. Aurandt ignited a five-goal run with back-to-back scores, and Harvard’s offense found rhythm in both settled and man-up situations. Crisp ball movement and aggressive defense fueled the turnaround, sending the Crimson into halftime ahead 6–4.
Umansky’s work at the faceoff X kept possessions even, and Stevens’ shot-stopping ensured Syracuse’s offense never found sustained momentum.
Trading Runs
The back-and-forth battle continued after halftime. Syracuse opened the third quarter with three consecutive goals to retake the lead. Harvard answered immediately with a 3–0 response of its own, reclaiming control through hustle plays and opportunistic scoring. By the end of the third, the Crimson had built a 10–8 edge.
The fourth quarter delivered the drama. Syracuse surged with five straight goals, turning a deficit into a 12–10 advantage with just over six minutes remaining.
A Historic Finish
Facing its toughest test of the afternoon, Harvard delivered. Aurandt completed his hat trick to cut the margin to one. Moments later, a determined individual effort tied the game, electrifying the home crowd.
With under a minute to play, Aurandt drew defensive attention and found Cobery alone near the crease for the decisive goal with 50 seconds remaining.
Syracuse had one final possession, but Stevens sealed the victory with a critical save in the closing seconds, preserving the 13–12 triumph.
Harvard finished with 26 shots on goal, combining balanced offense, timely faceoff wins, and standout defensive play to earn one of the biggest wins in program history.
Up Next:
The Crimson hit the road for the first time this season on Feb. 28, traveling to Mineola, N.Y., for a neutral-site matchup against Marquette.
