Terrier Comeback Falls Short Against Crimson in 2-1 Loss

Thursday, September 3

Boston, MA

6 PM

Boston University

2-4-0, 0-0-0

Harvard

2-2-1, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Harvard	2	0	2
Boston U.	0	1	1

Photo by: Sammy LaCorcia

Terrier Comeback Falls Short Against Crimson in 2-1 Loss

September 3, 2026 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score Highlights

BOSTON – Junior Olivia Avellar netted her second goal of the season, but the Boston University women's soccer program was unable to complete a second-half comeback against Harvard in a 2-1 loss on Thursday evening at Nickerson Field.

The Crimson (2-2-1) took advantage of two penalty kicks in the first half to build a 2-0 lead after 45 minutes. BU (2-4) outshot the Crimson 11-8 but were unable to find the equalizer after Avellar's tally in the 83rd minute.

Senior Helene Tyburczy assisted on Avellar's goal for her first point of the campaign. Sophomore goalkeeper Jill Humphreys made four saves.

Ólöf Kristinsdóttir and Molly Vana converted on Harvard's penalty kicks. Olivia Busby and Nicole Bidun combined for one save between the posts.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Each team registered a shot in the opening three minutes. Humphreys raced to the top of the box to snuff out Brooke Huleatt's try, then junior Jaiden Schultz's shot on the counter rolled wide left.
Harvard was awarded a free kick that was close to a corner in proximity in the 10th minute, but the Terriers headed the service out.
The Crimson generated a corner in the 19th minute when a Terrier marker was called for a handball in the box to award Harvard a penalty kick. Kristinsdóttir went right to beat Humphreys and put the visitors up 1-0.
Jasmine Leshnick sought an opportunity to increase Harvard's advantage with a bouncing shot 25 yards out down central, but Humphreys crouched to her left to redirect the chance to her left.
With 1:05 left in the first half, Vana drew a hard tackle inside the box to coerce the second Crimson penalty kick. She shot left and Humphreys lined up the attempt, but the ball trickled off her gloves and in.
In the 76th minute, Tyburczy blasted a free kick from near midfield into the box, where Avellar floated a header to Bidun for BU's first shot on goal of the night.
The pair reconnected seven minutes later when Tyburczy serviced a Harvard clear back into the box. On the second touch, Avellar headed an eight-yard shot past Bidun, who raced out of the net.
Senior Samantha Aronson was inches away from the equalizer in the 86th minute with a shot atop the box that pinged off the crossbar. The Terriers earned a corner, but the Crimson cleared the challenge away.
Sophomore Averie Hoff kept the deficit at one in the 88th minute, blocking Vana's chance at a brace after the Crimson player bolted down the right flank.

STATS

Though BU had the 11-8 shot edge, Harvard sent six shots on target compared to just two for the Terriers.
BU's 10 corner kicks marked a season high. Seven occurred in the second half.
No cards were assessed in the match.

NOTES

Avellar, now sporting eight career goals, is tied with senior Kat Slott for second on the team with two tallies in 2026.
Tyburczy recorded her third career assist and first since Oct. 26, 2024 against American.
Humphreys has started BU's last three matches, averaging four saves per game in that stretch.
Harvard improves to 12-10-6 all-time against the Terriers.

UP NEXT