W. Hockey Goes 1-1 For Weekend

Ten seconds is not a significant amount of time in an average day.

But, as the Harvard women's hockey team proved in last night's 6-5 victory over St. Lawrence, this short time span can make the difference between winning and losing.

With ten seconds left in regulation play, as the crowd loudly cheered and anxiety filled the air at Bright Hockey Center, sophomore standout A.J. Mleczko scored her fourth goal of the game, trying the contest at 5-5. The score put the game into overtime. Just 33 seconds into that period, junior Holly Leitzes scored the game-winning goal.

"We knew that if we kept our heads together that we could do it," senior co-captain Diana Clark said.

"The fact that we pulled out the game in overtime shows that we are willing to work hard," senior goal-tender Erin Villiotte said.

Coming into the dual against the Saints, the Crimson wanted a win bad. It was seeking to avenge last's season's grueling 7-4 defeat to the Saints. It was looking to rebound from a hard-luck 2-0 loss to Dartmouth the night before. And it was looking to take advantage of a home-rink advantage before its next two games, both on the road.

The squad's desire was apparent from the get-go as it took control immediately. Unlike its game against Dartmouth, the Crimson did not hesitate to take more shots and put more pressure on the Saints.

"Against Dartmouth, we had trouble generating shots," senior co-captain Winkie Mleczko said. "We did a nice job of setting up plays...we did everything well until the goal, where we had trouble putting it away."

Although the Crimson played a better overall game against Dartmouth, it succeeded in filling gaps--something it didn't do against the Big Green.

"The difference was that we took a lot more shots," Head Coach Katey Stone said. "We tested the goaltender more."

After the first period, the Crimson and the Saints were tied at 1-1. After continuing to trade goals back and fourth, the game became a question of who could captialize on the other's team's mistakes.

With the second and third periods dominated by penalties, the Crimson looked to score goals by effectively utilizing its power play and penalty killing.

"All three lines were working really hard and power play is starting to fall into shape," Stone said.

Goaltender Villiotte finished the game with a total of 28 saves. Also, A.J. Mleczko, led the squad with four goals, and her sister, Winkie led the team with four assists. Also scoring for the Crimson was sophomore Christa Calgione and Leitzes.

The overall contributions of each of the players allowed the Crimson to overcome adversity in defeating the Saints.

Putting the final score aside, the Crimson's 2-0 loss to the Big Green was a success for the Crimson. Showing signs of brilliance, the Crimson lost the game on an empty-net goal.

"It was the best we have played so far this year," Villiotte said.

"It was a great game," Stone said. "It was a battle. We were in it the whole way through...The game gave the kids the confidence that they can compete with anyone."

With a successful weekend behind it, the Crimson will use the past two games to generate momentum for the rest of the season.

And last night's game proves that regardless of what the clock says, never count the Crimson out of a game. Dartmouth  2 Harvard  0

Harvard  6 St. Lawrence  5

Harvard  6 St. Lawrence  5