Icewomen Capsize Catamounts

The Harvard women's ice hockey team hadn't scored in seven days.

But the Crimson (4-4) netted a goal for every day of the week Saturday, crushing the University of Vermont (2-4), 7-1, in front of 50 spectators at Bright Center.

"We played solidly," forward Karen Carney said. "It's a good way to end the year."

Harvard--coming off scoreless losses to Providence and the University of New Hampshire last week--first found the back of the Catamount twines at 7:05 of the first period.

Forward Lisi Bailliere shoved a pass to Carney behind the Cat net. Carney began skating around the cage but reversed and flicked the puck to center Johanna Neilson, who slammed it past UVM goalie Diane Bothfeld.

"It was a good game for us because we came off two tough loses," Neilson said. "It was good for our morale."

At times, the Crimson made the Catamounts look catatonic, gliding around and through a UVM squad that lost to Harvard by a single goal last Saturday.

But Harvard has learned much since its 4-3 victory in Burlington a week ago--even if that knowledge was gained during two games that the Crimson lost by a combined 11-0 score.

And while Vermont isn't the caliber of Providence or UNH, it did manage a late goal to spoil Harvard netminder Jennifer White's shutout.

With the third period just underway, Catamount defender Heather Kinley took a pass from Mary Siskin on the blue line and charged to within two-ft. of the Crimson net, where she plucked a shot past White.

"It's too bad Jennifer didn't get the shutout," said Harvard Assistant Coach Bill MacDonald. "But she'll get her share before it's over."

While White--with 10 saves on the afternoon--was impressive, the game really belonged to the Crimson offense:

Both Neilson and Carney scored twice and had an assist.

And Carney put the icing on the ice women's cake at 10:41 of the third stanza with a soft backhand that slunk under Bothfeld's legs for the game's final goal.

But if Neilson (team-leader in goals with eight) and Carney (second, with seven) had typically fine days, so did the rest of the Harvard squad.

Three other Crimson players--Bailliere, Christine Dooley and Genie Simmons--tallied.

"We're still not a scoring machine," MacDonald said. "But it's nice to see a little distribution in the scoring."

The Cantabs won't play another regular season game until the new year. But in the meantime, the Crimson travels to Aspen, Colo., for a series of exhibition games.

THE NOTEBOOK: Neilson and Bailliere won't be making the Aspen trip...Injured freshmen Brita Lind and Julie Trotman should be ready to play Jan. 5, when Harvard battles Dartmouth in Hanover, N.H. Crimson, 7-1 at Bright Center Vermont  0-0-1--1 Harvard  2-4-1--7

First Period--I, H, Johanna Neilson (Lisi Bailliere, Karen Carney) 7:05. 2, H, Bailliere (Julie Sasner, Carney) 14:40.

Second Period--3, H, Neilson (Sasner) 8:13. 4, H, Simmons (Christine Dooley, Pam DiRubio) 8:38. 5, H, Dooley (Simmons, Amy Hartung) 9:12. 6, H, Carney (Christine Burns) 17:15.

Third Period--7, V, Heather Kinley (Mary Siskin) 0:29. 8, H, Carney (Neilson).

Saves--V, Diane Bothfeld 12-16-11-39; H, Jennifer White 3-4-3-10.

A-50 and two golden retrievers

First Period--I, H, Johanna Neilson (Lisi Bailliere, Karen Carney) 7:05. 2, H, Bailliere (Julie Sasner, Carney) 14:40.

Second Period--3, H, Neilson (Sasner) 8:13. 4, H, Simmons (Christine Dooley, Pam DiRubio) 8:38. 5, H, Dooley (Simmons, Amy Hartung) 9:12. 6, H, Carney (Christine Burns) 17:15.

Third Period--7, V, Heather Kinley (Mary Siskin) 0:29. 8, H, Carney (Neilson).

Saves--V, Diane Bothfeld 12-16-11-39; H, Jennifer White 3-4-3-10.

A-50 and two golden retrievers