Icewomen 'Potted by Huskies, 9-0

The Beanpot gods may have been smiling on the Harvard men's hockey team Monday, but they deserted the women's team last night at Bright Center.

But even the beneficence of the gods might not have been enough to help Harvard. The Crimson fell to Northeastern, 9-0, in the finals of the women's Beanpot in front of 120 spectators.

"We lost," Harvard Tri-Captain Brita Lind said. "We just weren't up for the game, and we should have been."

Northeastern's standout freshman Vicky Sunohara, who scored two goals to spark the Huskies, was named tournament MVP.

"I was really surprised because there were a lot of people who deserved it," Sunohara said.

Northeastern gave an indication of what the Crimson could expect early in the game, scoring only 41 seconds into the first period.

"In the locker room before the game we were really pumped up to play because we knew they'd be really tough," freshman Sandra Whyte said. "I think when they scored so early in the period, it sort of crushed us."

Tri-Captain Jen White started in net for the Crimson, but was relieved by sophomore Gillian D'Souza at the beginning of the second period after giving up three goals in the first.

"[Northeastern] was really strong, so we couldn't get them out from in front of the net," D'Souza said. "Coach [John Dooley] always tells me I have to get stronger, and now I know why."

Sunohara and Co. kept up the scoring barrage, tallying two goals in the second period and four more in the final period. Six Northeastern goals came off long shots fired from the point.

"There were just so many [N.U. players] in front of the net, and the puck would deflect off them," D'Souza said.

"We've lost a couple of games this season, which really bummed us out," Sunohara said. "We knew Harvard wouldn't be easy, so we were really up for this game."

As well as Northeastern played, its reputation might have been as important a reason for its dominance during the game.

"They're definitely a better team, but we didn't play well at all," freshman Bev Stickles said. "I'd say intimidation might have been a factor, too."

When it comes to women's Beanpots, the Huskies have dominated the tournament since its inception in 1979. Northeastern has captured eight titles, including the last six in a row.

"It wasn't so much that they played well as much as that we played poorly," Dooley said. "When you play a superior team, everybody has to be ready to play, and we weren't. They're the best team in women's hockey, [but] that's no excuse for our not playing with intensity and desire."

THE NOTEBOOK: The Crimson faces Yale tonight in Bright at 7 p.m...White garnered Ivy Player of the Week honors after recording two shutouts against St. Lawrence and Cornell last weekend. White has allowed only one goal in five Ivy games for a 0.20 goals-against average...In the Beanpot consolation game, Boston College defeated Boston University, 2-1, in overtime to claim third place in the tournament.