The Heirs Apparent

When five lax women traded in their sticks and balls for caps and gowns last year, that left the Harvard women's lacrosse squad with five gaping holes in its lineup.

Just who will make up for the loss of two All-Americans--Francesca DenHartog and Maureen Finn--and there All-Ivy stars--Kate Martin, Jeanne Piersiak and Jennifer White--could provide the answer to just how far the Crimson will go.

The defending Ivy League champion and NCAA quarterfinalist Crimson squad will look to senior Captain Maggle Hart, the team's and the league's top returning scorer, to provide the offense.

Only a two-year veteran of the sport, Hart will carry the weight until the young and inexperienced offense gels.

Joining her on offense will be freshmen Leelee Groome, juniors Claire Farley, Andy Mainell, Lisa Black, and Ellen Velie and sophomores Lucy Chubb and Blair Wardenburg.

At midfield or on the wing, second-team All-Ivy selection Trina Burnham will team with sophomore Bambi Taylor and freshman Stephanie Formica.

While the offense gains experience, it should be the defense that provides the stability at season's start. Junior Ellen O'Neill returns to anchor the group that includes junior Jennifer Greeley and senior Sarah Sewall, both of whom took last season off. Freshman Alyce Wright will also join the defensive corps.

In goal, second-learn All-Ivy netminder Krickett Johnson brings back a 4.6 goals-against-average and a 59.4 save percentage from a year ago. The junior will be backed up by senior Both Mullen, who spent last year in the field on defense. This year she's put on the goalie pads to close out her career.