UConn Shuts Out Stickwomen, 2-0

STORRS, Conn.--Oddsmakers would have made the Harvard women's field hockey team 100-1 underdogs before yesterday's game at the University of Connecticut.

They might have changed their minds afterwards.

Because although the nationally-prominent Huskies (9-0) escaped Christian Field with a 2-0 victory in front of 150 shivering spectators, they were outplayed for much of the game by the Crimson (0-3-1).

And the momentum might have shifted Harvard's way had sophomore wing Cindi Ersek knocked in a tricky loose ball at 21:05 of the first period.

Her shot dribbled right of the net.

"If she had had her stick flat, it would have gone in," Crimson Coach Nita Lamborghini said. "It was a tough [shot]."

Ersek's near-goal came with Connecticut up 1-0--by virtue of an early Diane Madl goal--and seemingly in complete control of the game.

But while Harvard's offense sputtered, the Crimson defense, led by goalie Denise Katsias (18 saves), kept the Cantabs in the game.

"Our goalie played really well," Lamborghini said.

In fact, had Katsias not been caught out of position on a a Huskie penalty corner, the game might have ended 1-0.

But with nine minutes left in the half, Huskie midfielder Janet Ryan took the inbounds pass and blasted it on Katsias. Katsias blocked it but slipped and fell. Madl snuck around her and plucked the loose ball into the net for her second goal of the afternoon.

Lamborghini saw promise in the second half--in which the two teams played to a scoreless tie.

"We're a young team and we're continuing to improve," Lamborghini said, adding that she thought the stickwomen would do well against Ivy League opponents.

The Crimson will get its first chance Saturday when Penn comes to town.

THE NOTEBOOK: Referee William Haflin upbraded Lamborghini for criticizing his officiating. "I've heard enough" Haflin said at one point, "next time, that's it."