The top-ranked Harvard women’s squash team experienced its first defeat of the season, losing to No. 3 Penn in Philadelphia. The Crimson, who now hold a 7-1 overall record and a 4-1 mark in Ivy League play, managed three match victories but ultimately fell short against the Quakers, who improved to 12-1 overall and matched Harvard’s conference record.
The contest featured two of the leading teams in the College Squash Association and carried significant implications for the Ivy League standings. Caroline Fouts competed at the top position but was unable to overcome her Penn opponent, losing in straight games.
Lucie Stefanoni secured a win for Harvard at the second spot after five sets, clinching the final game with an 11-4 score. Saran Nghiem also contributed a victory at third position by coming back from an initial loss to win three consecutive games.
Ocean Ma and Ona Blasco Puig were defeated at fourth and fifth positions respectively. Puig extended her match to five games before narrowly losing. Dixon Hill maintained her unbeaten individual record this season by winning her match at sixth position after dropping the first game.
Penn captured all matches from seventh through ninth positions, ensuring their 6-3 team victory. Jomana Ahmed pushed her match at seventh position to five sets but was edged out by her opponent.
Harvard will conclude its regular season on Sunday with an away match against second-ranked Princeton. The outcome will be important as both teams are still vying for a share of the Ivy League title. The fixture is scheduled for noon and will be available via live stream on the Ivy League platform.
Results:
No. 1 Harvard – 3
No. 3 Penn – 6
1 – Malak Khafagy (PENN) def. Caroline Fouts, 3-0 (15-13, 11-9, 11-7)
2 – Lucie Stefanoni def. Franka Vidovic (PENN), 3-2 (11-8, 7-11, 11-2, 8-11, 11-4)
3 – Saran Nghiem def. Malak Taha (PENN), 3-1 (9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 12-10)
4 – Sohaila Ismail (PENN) def. Ocean Ma, 3-0 (11-7, 11-2, 11-7)
5 – Alexandra Stoddard (PENN) def. Ona Blasco Puig ,3–2 (11–4,5–11 ,7–11 ,11–6 ,11–9 )
6 – Dixon Hill def . Anne Leakey(PENN ),3–1(10–12 ,11–5 ,12–10 ,11–5 )
7 – Hailey Shing – Fei Wong(PENN )def . Jomana Ahmed ,3–2(11–6 ,12–10 ,12–14 ,8–11 ,11–8 )
8 – Ashna Tumuluri(PENN )def . Sarita Popat ,3 –0(11 –5 ,111 –3 ,111 –5 )
9 – Savannah Margot Ingledew(PENN )def . Molly Stoltz ,31(19 –10 ,121 –13 –,113 –,115 )
### FACT N/A ###
