"I think that's because we know we've done so much since we've been here."

Regardless of their past accomplishments, both admit the losing season has affected them.

"I always wonder haven't I done a good job?" says Mainelli. "Did I not show enough leadership?"

Team members dismiss those thoughts, pointing out that if not for the constant prodding of Mainelli and O'Neill things might have fallen even farther apart.

Both Mainelli and O'Neill admit they won't dwell on the fact that this just wasn't their year.

"What we'll remember is that we were good and that we had fun," says O'Neill, who like Mainelli is also a standout on Harvard's talented lacrosse team.

And Mainelli says a win this afternoon against Yale on Soldiers Field could change a lot of things.

"It's a big one for us," Mainelli says for everyone even remotely connected with Harvard field hockey.

"It could make up for a lot of things."