Harvard Triumphs Over BC in Women’s Beanpot Semifinals with Local Heroes

Tuesday night brought a wild showcase of local talent and fierce competition as Harvard’s women’s hockey team edged Boston College 2-1 in the semifinals of the 47th Women’s Beanpot. Driven by standout efforts from Duxbury native Ainsley Tuffy and Walpole native Kaley MacDonald, Harvard grabbed a coveted spot in the championship game at TD Garden.

The Crimson will face the winner of the Northeastern and Boston University match. Boston College will battle for third place.

Let’s dive into the highlights and moments that made this such a memorable night for women’s hockey.

The Local Heroes: Ainsley Tuffy and Kaley MacDonald

Ainsley Tuffy and Kaley MacDonald absolutely stole the show, each stepping up when Harvard needed them most. Tuffy’s sensational 40-save outing kept Boston College at bay in a game where every goal felt enormous.

She looked sharp all night, and honestly, her effort reminded fans of her record-setting 55 saves against No. 5 Minnesota Duluth just a few weeks ago. That kind of consistency? It’s rare.

Kaley MacDonald’s Game-Winning Goal

Kaley MacDonald broke a 1-1 tie with just 11:37 left, scoring her first goal of the season and sealing the win for Harvard. That’s got to feel good—she’s shown those offensive instincts and leadership in practice all year, and it finally paid off on the big stage.

Head coach Laura Bellamy wasn’t surprised. She’s seen MacDonald deliver in practice, but seeing it in this moment made it extra special.

Tuffy’s Stellar Performance in Net

Tuffy was nothing short of spectacular in net. Boston College kept the pressure on, especially in the third period, but she stood her ground and stopped 16 shots in that frame alone.

She said she felt good about her warmups and made sure to address anything that needed tweaking before the puck dropped. That focus really showed.

Game Highlights and Key Moments

This was classic Beanpot hockey—fast, tense, and loaded with back-and-forth action. Both goalies were locked in, with Boston College’s Grace Campbell making 32 saves to keep her team in it.

Early Goals Set the Stage

Braintree native Morgan McGathey put Harvard on the board early. Boston College’s Ava Thomas answered in the second period, tying things up and setting up a dramatic finish.

Thomas and Emma Conner kept firing, each racking up seven shots on goal. They just couldn’t quite solve Tuffy down the stretch.

Third Period Drama

The third period? Total nail-biter. Tuffy’s goaltending and MacDonald’s clutch goal made all the difference.

Boston College poured on the pressure, but Tuffy’s calm and skill kept Harvard ahead. MacDonald’s goal was a moment of brilliance—she saw her chance and didn’t hesitate.

Coaches’ Perspectives

Both head coaches had high praise for their squads. Boston College’s Katie Crowley said her team played one of their most complete games of the year, even in defeat.

Harvard’s Laura Bellamy pointed out how much local players like Tuffy and MacDonald meant in a game like this.

Bellamy’s Reflections

Bellamy talked about the impact of local talent in such a meaningful matchup. She sounded genuinely proud of her team’s effort and was clearly excited for the championship game ahead.

Crowley’s Acknowledgment

Crowley recognized her team’s effort and the tight, competitive nature of the game. She singled out the stellar play of goalie Grace Campbell and the relentless work from her forwards.

Looking Ahead: The Championship Game

With this win, Harvard gets to chase a title at TD Garden. For many players, it’ll be their first championship game at this iconic arena—how can that not be exciting?