Terriers Trip Stickwomen, 1-0

During warmups before last night's field hockey game between Harvard and Boston University, Aretha Franklin's "Respect" blared over the loud speaker.

And after the contest, respect was precisely what the Crimson earned from its ninth-ranked, NCAA tournament-bound opponent.

Because; although falling to the Terriers (15-2-2), 1-0, in front of 150 vociferous and vitriolic spectators crowded into the first 10 rows of Nickerson Stadium, Harvard (3-8-3) turned in a sterling performance.

For 63 minutes, the Crimson defense shut down a B.U. offense that had crushed fifth-ranked UMass, 3-0, Tuesday.

"We came into the game defensive-minded," Crimson Co-Captain Anne Kelly said.

Leading the way for the Cantabs was goalie Denise Katsias, with 12 saves.

Katsias made several stops that turned roars from the partisan crowd into stunned murmers.

The freshman netminder blocked six Terrier shots in the first half, but her most remarkable save came on B.U. forward Alison Caito's blast at 34:30 that rocketed toward the right-hand corner of the Crimson net.

Katsias, getting the most out of her 5-ft., 6-in. frame, reached up and knocked the ball to the turf where her defense cleared it.

The B.U. goal--a Caito slap-shot--came with seven minutes left in the contest.

Terrier midfielder Helen Godfrey slapped a shot outside the penalty circle which bounded off a Crimson defender's shoe and toward the goal.

A charging Caito controlled the sliding ball and--one on one with Katsias--pumped it by the Harvard netminder for the game's only score.

Some Crimson players doubted the legality of Godfrey's pass.

"I think it [the pass] was lifted," Harvard forward Kate Felsen said. "I had my stick down and it flew over it."

The Godfrey pass that the referees allowed was not the only controversial officiating call of the evening.

Felsen--for apparently tripping a Terrier forward--and midfielder Kristen Fallon--for delay of game--were both issued green cards.

But the most questionable penalty was assessed to Crimson wing Gia Barresi with 15 minutes remaining in the contest.

Barresi, in a defensive scuffle with Terrier midfielder Laura Eliseo, let go of her stick which--from the force of the tangle--flew into the first row of seats.

The officials thought Barresi was the aggressor in the confrontation and nailed her with a five-minute penalty--leaving the Crimson a player short at a crucial juncture.

But the Harvard offense--which mustered only two shots on Terrier goalie Mary Linehan, both in the first half--was sparked by the Barresi penalty.

With one of its best offensive players out, the Cantabs pushed the ball past the midline for the first time in 10 minutes.

However, the stingy B.U. defense soon shut down the Harvard attack, just as it had done all evening.

Although, the offense has yet to rediscover the potency that lifted it over Dartmouth, 2-0, more than two weeks ago, the Crimson defense continues to sparkle.

Barresi and midfielder Bambi Taylor played particularly well yesterday.

With the game only five minutes old, B.U. midfielder Kim Swatck, charging from outside the penalty stripe, controlled a loose ball and pumped a shot toward the Harvard net.

Katsias--who had been pulled out of goal on the play--could not get to it.

But Taylor prevented a sure score by smacking the ball to the carpet.

Barresi, mean while, gave the Crimson what little field position it enjoyed with whalloping clearing passes.

"Our defense played a great game," Felsen said.

With its penultimate game behind it, Harvard prepares to battle Yale Saturday at New Haven, Conn., in the season finale for both teams.

The winner of field hockey's version of The Game will capture second place in the Ivy League.

"Beating Yale would make our season," Kelly said.