Laxwomen Rip Big Green, 27-5, Clinch Ivy Title

The women's lacrosse team checked all the switches and lights and found "all systems go" yesterday, as the laxwomen readied themselves for the National championships with a 27-5 thrashing of visiting Dartmouth.

The victory clinched the Ivy League championship for the Crimson and completed the team's first undefeated season under the direction of Coach Carole Kleinfelder.

The first item on the checklist was the offense, which was quickly found to be in working order. First home Francesca Den Hartog, second home Maureen Finn, and third home Cat Ferrante all scored in the first two minutes.

Finn opened things up only 36 seconds into the game off a pass from Den Hartog, who proceeded to feed Ferrante for another tally 11 seconds later.

Fabulous Fran, who ended the season with 103 points and the Ivy League scoring crown, then made it 3-0 with an unassisted goal at 23:21.

Den Hartog had her best offensive game of the year yesterday, notching 15 points on eight goals and seven assists. Finn had a stellar day as well, racking up seven tallies and two assists.

"Today's game was superb," Kleinfelder said after the game. "Our passing and catching were extraordinary. It was a nice way to win the Ivies."

Killer D

The second part of the checklist was the defense, and the Killer D showed that it too was ready to go. With sticks on every shot, and intercepting galore, the defense had an extremely solid game, limiting the Big Green to only ten shots.

"Overall we were playing really well," said goalie Charlotte Worsley. "The goals were just mental lapses. There won't be any lapses, though, against James Madison [Harvard's first round opponent in the National Tournament May 15]."

Mental lapses bring us to the third and final item on the list--attitude. If there had been any doubts beforehand, yesterday's 100 or so spectators can attest to the lax-women's enthusiasm. Cheers from the offense, defense and the bench met goals one through 27.

"Knowing we can do as well as we did today gives the team a lot of confidence," said junior Annie MacMillan after the game. "Everyone was helping one another. It was a big team effort."

Confidence without cockiness is the sign of a poised and prepared team, and when the laxwomen speak about the future, their self-assuredness is obvious.

"We have faith in our potential," said co-captain Sarah Sewall. "We just have to make sure that our potential happens. If it does, we'll win."

Liftoff is scheduled for next Thursday morning. See you at College Park.

THE NOTEBOOK--Backup goalie Lily Pew starred in her debut at left attack wing, shooting three times and finding the Big Green twine on each attempt...Francesca Den Hartog was named ECAC player of the week last week for her performance in the Eastern championships. > > > >