Shot after shot from the sticks of the New Hampshire field hockey team rocketed toward the Harvard net.

And for 46 minutes, Crimson goalie Denise Katsias blocked, deflected or sent those shots skidding across the grass and out of the penalty circle.

But even Katsias--the freshman wonder who has kept the stickwomen close in so many games this season with her brilliant defense--couldn't prevent the seventh-ranked Wildcats from escaping with a 1-0 victory over the Crimson yesterday before 30 spectators at Soldier's Field.

With just 14 minutes left, Wildcat forward Karen Geromini took a pass inside the penalty stripe, drove to within eight feet of the Harvard goal and blasted a shot on Katsias.

Katsias blocked it but lost her footing.

Geromini trapped the loose ball and flicked it toward the net. Again, Katsias knocked it down but Geromoni was on top of it. So was Crimson midfielder Bambi Taylor who--in desperation to prevent a sure goal--reached for the ball with her hand and stopped it illegally.

Geromoni converted the ensuing penalty shot for the game-winner.

The victory raised the Wildcats' record to 9-2-3.

The non-conference loss dropped the Crimson's record to 3-6-1, but did not hurt its drive for the Ivy League title. With a 2-1 League mark, the stickwomen are only a half-game behind league-leading Penn.

"We're looking to the Ivies now," Crimson forward Kate Felsen said. "We think we can win all our league games."

The Crimson would have needed a miraculous defensive performance and a goal to win yesterday's contest.

The defense almost came through. Katsias and fellow defenders Anne Kelly, Kristen Fallon, Gia Barresi and Taylor turned back 23 Wildcat shots and 13 penalty corners and frustrated the polished and aggressive New Hampshire offense with shoestring steals and long clearing passes.

"They [the defense] played really well," Crimson Coach Nita Lamborghini said.

But the Harvard offense--save sophomore wing Cindi Ersek--did not come close to scoring a goal. In fact, Wildcat goalie Michele Flannell could have taken the day off--she made no saves.

Katsias, on the other hand, had 14 saves and came close to recording her fourth shutout of the year.