FAIRFIELD, Conn.—The Sacred Heart University women's rugby team came up short to Harvard, 25-20, in National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) play in a battle under the lights at Park Ave Field for the Pioneers home opener. SHU drops to 1-1 on the season, while the Crimson improve to 2-0-1. 

Alyssa Cunningham scored one try, a pair of penalty kicks and conversions to lead the Pioneers offense. Reece Woods also tallied a try for SHU. 

Harvard scored a quick try and had a good conversion in the opening five minutes of play to take a 7-0 lead early on. Cunningham got SHU on the board, 7-3, with the first penalty kick of the night. Harvard scored next off a penalty kick as well to extend their lead to 10-3. 

Midway through the opening half, Woods scored her try, and Cunningham had a good conversion to tie the game 10-10. 

The Crimson scored two more tries in the opening half to take a 20-10 lead at halftime. 

Sacred Heart dominated possession in the second half. Cunningham scored her lone try of the night 12 minutes into the second half and had a good conversion to pull the Pioneers within three, 20-17. Another good penalty kick for Cunningham allowed SHU to tie the game 20-20 midway through the second. 

Despite holding Harvard scoreless through the majority of the second frame, the Crimson were able to break through the SHU defense in the final two minutes to claim the 25-20 win over the Pioneers. 

"First, thank you to all the fans who came out for our home opener," said Head Coach Michelle Reed. "It was an electric environment and so fun for the team to play in front of."

"We knew this match was going to be intense competition, and it did not disappoint. We played with tenacity and grit and I'm proud of our performance. It was a team effort and set a great foundation for the rest of the season," Reed added. 

Sacred Heart is back in action on Saturday, September 21, at 11 am, on the road at Mount St. Mary's.