Stickwomen Shine, Beat #12 Springfield, 1-0

The sun finally shone on the Harvard field hockey team.

Under an azure sky and a gorgeous sun, the stick-women--who had labored without a win in the rain and cold of five previous games--capitalized on 18 penalty corners and an uncharacteristic offensive barrage and defeated 12th-ranked Springfield, 1-0, before 50 spectators at Soldier's Field yesterday.

The upset improved the Crimson's record to 1-4-1. The loss dropped Springfield to 6-3.

"This is the best we've played," Crimson Coach Nita Lamborghini said.

The decisive score--set up by Forward Linda Runyon's corner pass--came with 11:49 left in the game.

Midfielder Bambi Taylor took the pass outside the penalty stripe and shuffled it to Anne Kelly who swung and missed intentionally, causing the Maroon defense to draw back.

With the defense slack, Leelee Groome stepped up and smashed the ball on goal. Forward Kate Felsen deflected the shot past Springfield's diving goalie, Alanna Macdonald, and into the net.

"Leelee had a really strong shot and I just tipped it in," Felsen said. "If I can, I always try to deflect shots. The goalie has a tougher time getting to them."

Felsen's goal was only the third of the year for the Crimson. But with 21 shots on goal yesterday, the Cantabs could have left with twice that.

Harvard's offense was so persistent that at one point goalie Macdonald, whose outstanding 15-save effort kept the visitors in the game, threw down her stick in disgust.

Lamborghini saw the play of her freshmen and sophomores as the key to yesterday's victory.

"It helps when there are young people in there hustling and contributing," Lamborghini said. "They inspire everyone else."

Lamborghini praised the play of freshman midfielder Sharon Kosakowski, starting in her first game.

"It's really great when a freshman starts and comes through," Lamborghini said

Kosakowski and fellow defenders Jenny Pyle and Anne Kelly could share credit with the offense for yesterday's victory, limiting Springfield to three shots--all deftly blocked by Crimson goalie Denise Katsias--and clearing the ball expertly.

"There was no question the defense was going to get the ball back out to us when it came to them," Felsen said.

With the defense remaining solid and the offense showing marked improvement, Harvard prepares to take on Cornell in Ithaca, N.Y., Saturday

THE NOTEBOOK: Forwards Cindi Ersek and Michele Ippolito hung around after the game, practicing passing... The game was interupted briefly when a football, off the toe of Harvard football punter Rob Steinberg, sliced onto the field.