Against top 20 teams, it's 0-2-1. But the Harvard field hockey team continued its utter mastery of local opponents yesterday, whipping Northeastern, 4-1, at Soldiers Field.

Still pumped up from its 0-0 tie at 11th ranked New Hampshire Saturday, the Crimson raced to a 3-0, first half lead, while outshooting the visitors by a 20-2 count.

Kate Martin tallied her team-leading fifth goal of the season 10:25 into the game, putting a Maureen Finn cross past Husky netminder Michele Boutin. Martin later fed Sue Field, who converted for her second tally of the campaign at 25:40.

But the final two goals, though meaningless to the outcome, may have meant the most. Clicking for the first time this season, the Crimson penalty corner combination of Maureen Finn, Chris Sailer and Beth Mullen worked with assembly-line perfection, giving Harvard a 3-0 lead at 34:11, and upping it to 4-0 20 minutes into the second half.

Take Your Time

"They were slow getting out of the net, and that gave us that extra second," co-captain Sailer said after the game. "Our pushes were good, too. Everything just worked."

Mullen, whose markers were the first of her career, also thought the Northeastern defense slipshod. "They had nobody on the posts," the freshman back said. "That first shot was right on the post. If someone had been there, it probably wouldn't have gone in."

But the 1-2-3 efficiency impressed coach Edie MacAusland. "Our corners are getting better and better," she said. "Beth drives very well, and the combination seems to work."

The test will come Saturday, when the stickwomen jet south to play yet another nationally-ranked squad, Penn. Harvard has managed a total of only 19 shots in its games against national powers UNH, UConn and UMass, and increased output will be needed to topple the Quakers.

Blocking

At the other end, the Crimson has played as well as anyone. Goalies Betty Ippolito and Juliet Lamont have combined to limit the opposition to seven goals in five games, while Sailer, who may be the best halfback in the Ivies, anchors a young, aggressive defense.

Like the contest at Boston University two weekends ago, yesterday's game proved to be little more than a breather for the stickwomen. But if the rejuvenated offense also sparkles against the better teams, that local mastery may lead to something national.

THE NOTEBOOK: The junior varsity evened its record at 2-2 yesterday with a 2-0 triumph. Maggie Hart, who tallied once, has scored in three straight games and leads the squad with four goals.