Harvard Dominates California 3-1 with Andreas Savva's Brace

CAMBRIDGE, MA - September 10, 2025 - Harvard secured an impressive 3-1 victory over visiting California at Jordan Field, powered by a brilliant brace from Andreas Savva and a late strike from Dylan Tellado. The Crimson controlled the match from start to finish, with Savva opening the scoring in the first minute and adding a second goal in the 76th minute. California's consolation goal came from Luka Lukic in the 83rd minute, assisted by Wisdom Onuoma, but it was too little too late to mount a comeback.

First Half: Savva's Lightning Start

Harvard wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Andreas Savva stunning the California defense with a goal in the opening minute. Taking a shot from the left side of the goal mouth at just 15 seconds into the match, Savva's clinical finish set the tone for what would become a commanding performance by the home side. The early goal energized the Harvard crowd and immediately put California on the back foot.

California struggled to respond to the early setback, with Noe Morales and Cam Wilkerson both having shots blocked in the 3rd minute as they attempted to equalize. The Bears continued to press but found the Harvard defense well-organized and difficult to break down. Tyler Soto had California's best chance of the half with a shot in the 20th minute, but couldn't find the target.

Harvard maintained control throughout the first half, with Cooper Weiler and Benjamin Ndi creating additional chances. The Crimson went into halftime with a deserved 1-0 lead, having dominated possession and limited California to just a handful of opportunities.

Second Half: Harvard Pulls Away

The second half saw Harvard continue their dominance, with sustained pressure finally yielding results in the 76th minute. Andreas Savva completed his brace with another well-taken goal, doubling Harvard's advantage to 2-0. The striker's movement and finishing were exemplary throughout the match, constantly troubling the California backline.

Just two minutes later, Dylan Tellado put the game beyond doubt with Harvard's third goal in the 78th minute. Tellado's strike capped off a dominant spell for the Crimson, who had California pinned in their own half for much of the second period. The quick succession of goals effectively ended any hopes of a California comeback.

California finally found the net in the 83rd minute when Luka Lukic scored a consolation goal, finishing low to the left after receiving a perfect assist from Wisdom Onuoma. The goal was well-worked, but came too late to spark a meaningful revival. Despite late pressure from California, with shots from Kieran Bracken Serra and Malcolm Zalayet, Harvard goalkeeper Lucian Wood made crucial saves to preserve the victory.

Play-by-Play Highlights

Tactical Analysis

Harvard's tactical approach was built on high pressing and quick transitions, exemplified by Andreas Savva's opening goal just 15 seconds into the match. The Crimson's ability to win the ball high up the pitch and immediately threaten the California goal proved decisive. Savva's movement between the lines constantly troubled the California defense, while Dylan Tellado provided width and penetration from midfield.

California struggled to cope with Harvard's intensity in the opening stages but showed character in continuing to create chances. Noe Morales, Cam Wilkerson, and Tyler Soto all had opportunities in the first half, while Cesar Cordova and Allan Juarez tried to control the midfield battle. The introduction of fresh legs in the second half, including Luka Lukic who would eventually score, gave California more attacking impetus, but the damage had already been done.

Key Performers

Andreas Savva (Harvard) was undoubtedly the star of the match, scoring twice and constantly threatening the California defense with his movement and finishing. His early goal set the tone for Harvard's dominant performance, while his second strike effectively sealed the victory.

Dylan Tellado (Harvard) capped an excellent performance with a goal in the 78th minute, having been influential throughout in Harvard's attacking play. His energy and direct running caused problems for California all match.

Luka Lukic (California) provided a bright moment for the Bears with his well-taken goal in the 83rd minute, showing composure to finish after good work from Wisdom Onuoma. Onuoma himself was California's most dangerous player in the final stages, creating multiple chances and testing goalkeeper Lucian Wood.

Lucian Wood (Harvard) made crucial saves in the closing stages to preserve Harvard's two-goal margin, denying both Onuoma and Kieran Bracken Serra with important stops.

Statistical Overview

The statistics reflected Harvard's dominance, with the home side managing more shots on target and controlling possession for large periods. California's inability to convert their limited chances in the first half proved costly, as Harvard's clinical finishing made the difference. The Crimson's three goals came from their most clear-cut opportunities, demonstrating superior efficiency in front of goal.

Defensively, Harvard limited California to just one goal despite late pressure, with the backline well-marshaled throughout. The quick succession of goals in the 76th and 78th minutes broke California's resistance and highlighted the fitness and concentration differences between the teams in the crucial final quarter of the match.

Looking Ahead

This comprehensive victory will give Harvard significant confidence as they continue their season. The performance of Andreas Savva, with his clinical brace, suggests the Crimson have a genuine goal threat who can make the difference in tight matches. The team's ability to control games and score at crucial moments bodes well for their conference campaign.

For California, despite the defeat, there were positive signs in their persistence and the impact of their substitutes. Luka Lukic's goal and the creative play of Wisdom Onuoma in the final stages showed they have quality in their squad. The Bears will need to improve their defensive organization and clinical finishing to compete at the highest level of collegiate soccer.