Stickwomen Down Eagles, Even Season Mark at 3-3

Playing its best game of the season, the women's field hockey team overwhelmed Boston College, 2-0, last night under the lights at Alumni Stadium. The win puts the Crimson record at 3-3-1.

"I wish we were playing the best team in the nation, the way we played tonight, but we still have to score," coach Edie MacAusland said after the game.

The stickwomen completely controlled the game, not allowing the Eagles a shot during the last 50 minutes of play. Harvard outshot B.C. 21 to four and had nine short corners to the Eagle's two.

Kill

The stickwomen played as hard as they have all season, with players diving on the astroturf to save balls from going out of bounds and knocking opponents to the ground. In one spurt up the field junior Kate Martin and freshman Andrea Mainelli put on a passing clinic, leaving their opponents standing in bewilderment.

The opening minutes left no doubt that Harvard was the better team, with the Crimson scoring just six minutes into the first half. Tania Huber passed the ball from the right corner to Mainelli, who swatted the ball into the Eagle twine.

B.C. goalie Nancy Gonzalves played an exceptional game, turning away a dozen Crimson shots and keeping B.C. as close as it was. For much of the second half Gonzalves was the only Eagle to touch the ball. Huber and Jennifer White kept Gonzalves busy, unleashing four shots each, equal to the total for the entire Eagle team. White was also very effective in front of the net, setting up many scoring opportunities by crisp passing from the corner.

The Crimson performed even more impressively in the second half, putting pressure on the ball and playing inspired defense. Kate Martin continued on her scoring rampage, alertly pushing a Huber rebound past Gonzalves for the second Harvard tally of the game.

Cloud of Dust

Sweeper Beth Mullen had some impressive tackles as she kept the B.C. hordes from coming near the Crimson goal. Lucy Macmillan also did a fine defensive job, on one drive leaving Eagle Lynn Murray lying on the ground, groaning in despair.

Despite their impressive play, the stick-women still had difficulties putting the ball in the net. Many of the Crimson shots were off target and several passes went astray in front of the Eagle twines, stifling possible scoring opportunities. For the second straight game, though, stalwart defense compensated for the squad's offensive troubles.

THE NOTEBOOK: Captain Maureen Finn was unable to play in last ngiht's game because of a black eye she received in the contest against Cornell.