Field Hockey Blitzes Brown

Coming off a double overtime victory last Saturday over Dartmouth, the Crimson field hockey team did not want to deal with another close game. So, with a possible ECAC playoff berth on the line, the Crimson completely and totally dominated the Brown Bears. In its final game of the regular season, the Crimson shut out the Bears 6-0 and made its case for the ECAC tournament committee.

The Crimson wasted no time pouncing on the Bear defense. Only a minute into the game, junior Katie Schoolwerth scored the first Crimson goal. After faking out one Brown defender, Schoolwerth received the ball from co-captain Judy Collins and slapped it into the net.

A second Crimson goal was scored only four minutes later by junior Dominique Kalil.

All week the team stressed the importance of scoring early.

"Our plan going was not to adjust to whatever Brown had set up for us," Collins said. "We just wanted to score in the first five minutes. I was really surprised about all the early goals."

After the quick Crimson outburst, a back-and-forth defensive struggle sent both teams into the half with the Crimson leading 2-0.

Ten minutes into the second half the Crimson struck again. Collins picked up the ball on the right side of the field and attempted a shot that was deflected into the air, several feet above all the players. Waiting on the ground, however, was sophomore Kate Nagle, who controlled the deflection and put it into the net, increasing the lead to 3-0.

For the next 15 minutes the ball never crossed the midfield line as the Crimson kept constant pressure on the Bears with numerous shots on goal. The onslaught delighted the several hundred Crimson fans in attendance with a barrage of goals in the final minutes of the game, two of which came within one minute of each other.

With 12:34 left in the game sophomore Jenn Crusius added to her season statistics, with the Crimson's fourth goal.

Just a minute later, Schoolwerth scored her second goal of the game, after a series of fakes to outmaneuver the Brown defense. With these goals the Crimson extended their lead to 5-0.

The final Crimson goal of the game went to senior Penny Fairbairn who scored on a crossing slapshot from about fifteen yards out.

Towards the end of the game Coach Sue Caples decided to give playing time to several of the younger players.

"It was really great that a bunch of the freshman got to play," Collins said. "They got into the game and played really well."

Another impressive showing was given by junior goalie Anya Cowan who pitched her third shutout of the season. Most unexpected was the suspension of the potent attack of Olympic gold medalist and two-time Ivy League Player of the Week, sophomore Tara Mounsey. The Crimson defense held her and the entire Bear offense to only six shots on goal in the entire game.

Now, the Crimson is in a waiting game. Today at 4 p.m. they will find out whether they are to receive an at-large ECAC bid. To be considered for eligibility, the Crimson needed a victory accompanied by a strong showing against Brown this weekend.

"No one knows for sure," Collins said. "We're hoping that with our performance on Saturday, we showed that we were the best of the teams that put in."

Before the action even started on Saturday, the Crimson players and fans were treated to a special ceremony honoring senior players Collins, Fairbairn and Tara LaSovage for their years of work on the Crimson squad. HARVARD, 6-0 at Ohiri Field Brown  0  0  --  0 Harvard  2  4  --  6

First Half

Har--Schoolwerth (Kalil, LaSovage) 27:47.

Har--Kalil (Collins) 27:47.

Second Half

Har--Nagle (Collins) 24:59.

Har--Crusius 17:34.

Har--Schoolwerth 11:09.

Har--Fairbaim (Luskin) 4:43.

Saves: Bro--Owens (35:00) 2, 2 GA, Friedman (35:00) 5, 4 GA;

First Half

Har--Schoolwerth (Kalil, LaSovage) 27:47.

Har--Kalil (Collins) 27:47.

Second Half

Har--Nagle (Collins) 24:59.

Har--Crusius 17:34.

Har--Schoolwerth 11:09.

Har--Fairbaim (Luskin) 4:43.

Saves: Bro--Owens (35:00) 2, 2 GA, Friedman (35:00) 5, 4 GA;