SHOWDOWN ! Laxwomen Prepare For Green

The first streak began five years ago.

In 1981, the Harvard women's lacrosse team won its first Ivy League championship.

And the Crimson has been on top of the league ever since.

The second streak began three years ago with Harvard's 14-6 victory over Brown in Providence, R.I.

Since then, the Crimson has not lost a single Ivy game--in nineteen trys.

When Harvard takes on Dartmouth at 3 p.m. today in Hanover, N.H., it will be looking to capture its sixth straight Ivy crown. And win its 20th straight Ivy contest.

Only the Big Green stands in the way.

Both teams enter today's contest with identical 5-0 Ivy records.

Both teams are nationally-ranked. And both teams are likely participants in the four-team NCAA Tournament.

And in its five-year dominance over the Ivy League, the Crimson has never faced as talented an opponent. Today could be the day both streaks come to an end.

"I'm not concerned with anything besides Dartmouth," Crimson Coach Carole Kleinfelder said. "They've improved a lot over the years. And they've been keying on winning the Ivies."

Last year, the Big Green finished in a tie for second place in the Ivies--the closest it had ever come to winning the title. But even with a solid 4-2 record, Dartmouth finished two games behind the high-flying Crimson.

Gone from that Harvard squad are four all-Ivy selections, including forward Lisa Black--who finished first in the league in goals-scored with 18--and goalie Krikett Johnson, who led the Ivies in goals-against average.

But the Crimson has found a top scorer in Kelly McBride--who has netted 48 goals on the year. And freshman goalie Kelly Dermondy--although a little tentative in the beginning of the season--has come on strong of late.

Today, this group of laxwomen hope to do exactly what the the past five have done.

Only Dartmouth stands in the way.