Laxwomen Sitting on Top of the World

The Red Sox vs. the Yankees. The Celtics vs. the Lakers. Army vs. Navy. Harvard vs. Maryland.

Wait a minute--Maryland?

Yes. The Harvard women's lacrosse team defeated the Terrapins, 8-7, in the 1990 NCAA title game, and last year Maryland struck back with a 7-6 heartbreaker in College Park, Md.

But last Saturday, Harvard returned the favor, evening the 12-year series at seven games apiece with a 7-5 victory at Ohiri Field.

There was more to this game than revenge, though. With the victory, Harvard, the top-ranked team in the country, solidified its claim to being the best team in the country by knocking off its toughest competitor (Maryland entered the game ranked second).

And the Crimson is now one step closer to another national championship.

"We are just realizing how good we can be. We rose to the occasion today, but everyone is gunning for us now, and we can't let up," said senior co-captain Sarah Leary.

Downing on Fire

Sophomore Sarah Downing exploded for four goals to lead the Crimson.

Downing was virtually unstoppable, scoring four unassisted goals (three in the first half), including the game winner.

With 4:06 remaining in the game, Downing--moving from behind the goal--slid into the left post and slipped the ball past Maryland goalie Mandy Stevenson to put the Crimson up, 6-5, a lead it would never relinquish.

"I noticed that their goalie was weak going to her left, so I was trying to put it in right and low," Downing said.

Old Tactic

Maryland Coach Cindy Timchal wasn't letting this one slip away however. Using a tactic she had employed a year ago against Harvard, Timchal called for a stick-check on Downing.

In 1991, then-sophomore Liz Berkery's would-be game-winning goal near the end of regulation time was called back after the referees (acting at Timchal's request) ruled Berkery's stick illegal.

This time around, however, Downing passed the test and the goal stood.

Sophomore Francie Walton added the icing on the cake minutes later, scoring on a free-position goal with :14 left.

Harvard's victory over the tough, physical Terrapins came primarily from its stellar play in the midfield.

"Our offense really tackled-back well, and kept the ball on their end of the field," Co-Captain Ceci Clark said.

Harvard Coach Carole Kleinfelder said the offense is clicking because individual players are consistently rising to the occasion.

"Liz came up with a big check to get the ball back when we were ahead 6-5 to kill their chance to tie the game. Opposing teams are really keying on her, and its opening up people like Sarah Downing and Buffy Hansen," said Kleinfelder.

"Sarah has had two super games back to back," Kleinfelder said. "She is really developing as a threat to balance Liz Berkery."

HARVARD, 7-5 at Ohiri Field Maryland  2  3  --  10 Harvard  4  2  --  13

G: Maryland--Theresa Ingram 2; Tami Riley, Betsy Elder, Leigh Frendberg; Harvard--Sarah Downing 4, Liz Berkery 2, Francie Walton. A: Maryland--Frendberg; Harvard--None. S: Maryland--Mandy Stevenson 12; Harvard--Sarah Leary 11.

G: Maryland--Theresa Ingram 2; Tami Riley, Betsy Elder, Leigh Frendberg; Harvard--Sarah Downing 4, Liz Berkery 2, Francie Walton. A: Maryland--Frendberg; Harvard--None. S: Maryland--Mandy Stevenson 12; Harvard--Sarah Leary 11.