Stickwomen Ready For Ivy Schedule

Following this week's two successful games against Providence College and Boston University, the Harvard field hockey team is heading to Cornell with high hopes for triumph in Saturday's Ivy League opener.

Harvard's week opened with a badly-needed 3-2 win over Providence. The Crimson clearly did not play to its potential, but it still performed well enough to end a two-game losing streak.

The victory, highlighted by senior goalkeeper Jessica Milhollin's establishment of a new Harvard record for career saves, was instrumental in helping Harvard gain confidence going into Tuesday's game against Boston University.

For at least a half, the Crimson did indeed look confident against the then-No. 15 Terriers. The two teams fought to a stalemate for 35 minutes before a twenty-minute Terrier offensive run culminated in the game's only score.

Although Harvard came out on the short end of a 1-0 tally, many positives were gleaned from Tuesday's game. Not only did the closely contested match demonstrate to the Crimson that it can play with the nation's top teams, but Harvard coach Sue Caples' decision to move junior midfielder Daphne Clark to sweeper proved rewarding as well. Clark's powerful stick provided much-needed help to the Crimson defensive corps.

"Daphne is great at clearing the ball," said freshman forward Judy Collins.

This improved defensive play must continue, however, if Harvard is to topple Cornell on Saturday. The Big Red has looked impressive so far this year, scoring as many goals in 'six games as they managed all last season.

Cornell's offensive surge has been led primarily by the one-two punch of sophomore Cari Hills and freshman Emily Robb. Both Hills and Robb scored five goals in three games for Cornell last week; Hills also assisted on four goals to earn Ivy League Player of the Week honors. The two underclassmen top the league's overall scoring list with 19 and 17 points, respectively.

Needless to say, Harvard must find a way to shut down this prolific duo if they are to emerge victorious on Saturday. The Crimson certainly seems up to the task--with a successfully revamped defense and an attitude that Collins describes as "pumped up," Cornell could be the first in a long line of Harvard's Ivy League victims.