Alicia Clifton wanted to go home.

She'd been sitting on the bench for almost two hours in what felt like the middle of a deep freeze.

So when she re-entered yesterday's Harvard-University of Rhode Island field hockey showdown, the Crimson star quickly put any thoughts of overtime to rest, scoring a game winning goal with just 1:06 left.

"I just wanted to get out of there," shivered Clifton, who had been pulled just 10 minutes into the game. "I was fired up, first because I'd played so poorly at the beginning and second because I was too cold to stick around for overtime."

The forward's goal eliminated any thoughts of an extra period, though, giving a bone-chilled Crimson squad a come-from-behind 2-1 victory on soldiers Field. The Cantabs' second one-goal win in a row now gives them a 7-5 overall record and marks the first time this year that they are two game above 500. But less than 20 minutes into yesterday's showdown., it looked as if the visiting Rams were on their way to a mild upset.

Thanks to some shoddy play from the Crimson, in particular Clifton, the Rams quickly took it to the young Harvard squad, tallying their only goal of the day at the 18:44 mark on the first. Exit Clifton.

As the second half opened, the Crimson kept Ram goalie Deborah Robson as busy as the U.S. Marines, shelling her with a constant barrage of shots on goal. A stellar defensive effort kept the Crimson off the scoreboard, though, until junior Trina Burnham smacked one home with 23 minutes left.

Not even 10 penalty corners in the next 10 minutes were enough, though, for Harvard to find its way back on to the Board. Enter Clifton.

But even with the sophomore sensation adding some fire to the freezing Harvard squad, overtime appeared imminent.

Only stellar teamwork--fired up mostly by the impressive stickwork of newly inserted link Michelle Ippolito--allowed the Crimson to drive down the field with just over a minute left. In front of the Ram goal stood a wide-open Clifton, who timed her shot perfectly with Ippolito's crossing pass to sew up the Crimson victory.

"I thought it was really good for us to have to work for this win," Crimson Coach Edie Mabrey said. "They were a gutsy team and they forced us to make a few changes. I'm just glad we got the victory."

And the right to go home.

THE NOTEBOOK: Crimson goalie Juliet Lamont turned in another fine performance while recording just two saves...The squad travels to Brown Saturday for a key Ivy show-down...For the record, Harvard finished with 15 corners, URI with two...Clifton's is now tied for second as the Crimson's leading goal scorer with three goals. She is tied with Bambi Taylor. Linda Runyon is first with five...If Harvard defeats Brown Saturday, it will clinch at least a tie for the Ivy title... The Cantabs have now won five straight games at home. At Soldiers Field   Harvard  0  2-2  URI  1  0-1

Scoring

1st Half: URI.Rosseane Primavera (Linda Herron) 18:44. 2nd Half: H. Trina Burnham (unassisted) 23:00. H. Alicia Clifron (Michelle Ippolito)33:54

Saves

H. Juliet Lamont 2. URI. Deb Robson. II