STATE COLLEGE. Penn--"Experience is a tough teacher--it gives the test first and the lesson second," the saving goes.

Though they may ace academic exams in history, biochem and a host of other subjects, the women's lacrosse team blew the final in experience this weekend, returning from the NCAA tournament here with a disappointing fourth-place finish.

After defeating James Madison. 11-4, on Thursday, the laxwomen lost their first game of the season to the eventual champion. Maryland, 5-3. in the semis, before dropping an 8-6 decision to Temple in Saturday's consolation.

The Terps who qualified last for the tournament and were seeded eighth, edged Ursinus, 5-4. in the finals to cop the national crown.

Going into the Maryland game, the Crimson knew it was in for a fight, as the Lady Terps were hot off a 12-8 upset of host and number-one-seed Penn State, which had not lost a home game in four years

Maryland's Audrey Sehmuhl confirmed Harvard's fears at 22:26 when she received a free position ten yards in front of Crimson keeper Charlotte Worsley and proceeded to beat "Little Gump" with a blistering smash to the lower left corner.

Tough Terps

Sehmuhl and teammate Sandy Linchan then each hit the crossbar in the next eight minutes before Crimson left attack wing Jennifer White took a pass from Maureen Finn, broke across the goal mouth, and beat Maryland's freshman keeper Marylynne Morgan at 14:57 to tie the score at one.

That was the extent of the scoring in the first half, as Francesca Den Hartog, who was blanked against both Maryland and Temple, had a free position blocked. Annie MacMillan bounced a breakaway attempt over the goal, and Worsley denied Maryland twice on point-blank. "O-no-Harvard's down-to-one" attempts.

In the second half, after three missed free positions. Linchan put the Terps ahead at 17:53 before Finn evened things at two with an over-the-top backhand bounce shot at 14:09.

The game then become more physical as violations marred the rest of the contest.

"We were frustrated," said Kerry Bryan. "Everyone was trying so hard. When someone would make a deke, people went for the hatchet trick."

The teams then traded another pair of goals before Linchan gave Maryland the eventual gamewinner with only three-and-a-half minutes remaining. Laura Lemire set up Linchan after scooping a ground ball in front of the Maryland goal and streaking virtually unmolested by a tired Harvard defense down the length of the field.

Sharon Watson spread some icing on the turf with a tally at 1:31. Maryland had its second straight upset, and Harvard had its first loss of the year.

"A bummer," said a dejected Chris Sailer as she walked out of the stadium.

After a discussion of some offensive shortcomings, coach Carol Kleinfelder laid most of the blame on the team's inexperience.

"They've [Maryland] been in the semis the last three years. They know what it's like. They're seasoned team, and they're damn good," she said.

No Consolation

Against Temple, the Crimson never got steam, falling behind early and never coming closer. Finn notched four goals and Cat Ferrante added two more in a losing cause.

The loss was tough for seniors Sailer, Bryan and Annie Velie to end their lacrosse careers at Harvard. There will, however, be a next year for Kleinfelder and the other 15 returning members of the varsity.

"The experience should help us," Kleinfelder said. "Under pressure we'll know we have to play as a team--that's what we didn't do here."