Icewomen Survive Scare by Brown, 5-2

After scoring two goals in the first two minutes against a bus-weary Brown team at Bright Arena last night, it looked as though the Harvard women's hockey would repeat its 8-1 blowout of Yale last Saturday.

But another easy win would simply not be, as the Bruins quickly tied the score, making the game a real contest. It was not until late into the third period that Harvard playmakers Char Joslin and Sandra Whyte finally tallied goals, breaking the game open and sealing a 5-2 victory for the Crimson.

"We were rough around the edges," sophomore defender Bev Stickles said. "They were very scrappy and hustled all game."

Sophomore wing Ginny Simmonds opened the scoring for Harvard (3-1, 2-0 Ivy) by jamming a Whyte pass by Brown goalie Kirsten Rendell 52 seconds into the game. Just 14 seconds later, freshman Kim Landry knocked one home to extend the lead to 2-0.

To its credit, the Brown (2-2, 1-1 Ivy) squad kept its head up and stayed in the game. After a flurry of shots, forward Jane Corcoran fed the puck to linemate Whitney Robbins, who slipped it by Harvard netminder Gillian D'Souza at 8:45. The Brown duo swapped roles two minutes later, as Corcoran knocked Robbins' centering pass by D'Souza.

"The game could have gone either way at this point, unfortunately it went to Harvard," first-year Bruin coach Margaret Degidio said.

Less than three minutes later, sophomore Ceci Clark put the Crimson ahead to stay. After taking Rendell to the left, the blue-liner cut back right and flipped the puck into an unguarded net. Harvard took a 3-2 lead into the first intermission.

God Help Us?

Despite three second period Brown penalties, two committed by forward Apple Lord, the Crimson could not capitalize. Strong Bruin defense, led by 22 Rendell saves, kept a sloppy Harvard attack at bay into the second intermission, and the score remained 3-2.

"We definitely need to work on our power-play," Stickles said. "We don't play another Ivy game until after the Switzerland trip [over Christmas], so we have plenty of time to sharpen it up."

The third period was scarred by penalties as well, but this time the offenders wore crimson as well as brown. Despite numerous power play and four-on-four situations, neither team was able to capitalize.

Joslin and Whyte finally were able to shake the Brown defenders off their jerseys, each scoring a goal in the last five minutes of the game. At 13:47 into the final period, Joslin took the puck out of the Crimson zone and carried it untouched all the way down the ice. The senior All-Ivy defender then faked out Rendell, giving Harvard room to breathe as she knocked the puck into the unattended net.

Whyte waited only 13 seconds to raise the score to 5-2. The sophomore standout converted a pass from Albright to finish off the scoring, icing the game for a very tired

Crimson, 5-2 at Bright Arena Brown  2-0-0--2 HARVARD  3-0-2--5

First Period--1, H, Ginny Simonds (Sandra Whyte) 0:52; 2, H, Kim Landry (Ceci Clark, Lauren Messmore) 1:06; 3, B, Whitney Robbins (Jane Corcoran) 8:41; 4, B, Corcoran (Robbins) 10:45; 5, H, Clark (unassisted). Penalties--B, Beth O'Donnell (tripping) 17:52.

Second Period--No scoring. Penalties--B, Apple Lord (holding) 6:32; B, Lord (holding) 15:16.

Third Period--6, H, Joslin (unassisted) 13:47; 7, H, Whyte (Martina Albright) 13:59. Penalties--H, Elizabeth Hansen (interference) 2:49; B, Robbins (tripping) 3:46; H, Whyte (high stick) 9:28; H, Lisa Bonner (high stick) 9:28; H, Simonds (interference) 16:11.

Saves--B, Kirsten Rendell 15-22-11--48; H, Gillian D'Souza 11-2-5--18.

Power Play Opps: B, 0-5; H, 0-3.

Attandance: 100. Harvard squad.

Despite pulling out the win, Harvard Coach JohnDooley was not all that happy with his squad'sperformance.

"We were lucky to win this game tonight. Brownbeat us to the puck and played more aggressivelythan we did," Dooley said.

However, strong Crimson defensive play, led byJoslin, sophomore Elizabeth Hansenm, Stickles andjunior Sue Cullinane was a high point in the game.

"We have four very solid defenders which isnice to have while we still are so rough aroundthe edges," Dooley said