Although she plays defense in lacrosse, Simmons says she was made a center in hockey because "I can't skate backwards."

Improvement

Over the course of a career, "my game has definitely improved, and there was a lot of room for improvement when I came freshman year," she says. "My skating, my game sense have both improved."

She also predicts future success for the team: "They're going to have a great year [next year], but with so many sophomores on the team, their senior year will be the best."

Dooley came to Harvard with even less hockey experience than Simmons--none--and pointed to the changes she's seen in women's hockey over her career. "The level of the women's game has gone up so much. We're better, the competition is better, the individual skill level is better.

"I came in [to Harvard] without having played before, and you can't do that anymore," she adds. "There are so many girls playing the game."

In addition to four years of hockey, Dooley played two years each of field hockey and lacrosse. She called her final season on the ice satisfying, "especially because of the Dartmouth game. That's what I'll remember, our comeback."

And as for the future of the team she's leaving? "They're going to be great. I wish I could stick around and see."

Bruins, 8-2 at Meehan Auditorium Harvard  1-0-1--2 Brown  3-2-3--8

First Period--1, B, Mardie Corcoran (Kim Les) 1:41; 2, B, Corcoran (Leslie Holcombe, Les) 9:24; 3, B, Les (Corcoran) 11:54; 1, H, Julie Sasner (Johanna Neilson, Lisi Bailliere) 14:11. Penalties--Georgie Stanley, B (interference).

Second Period--4, B, Lisa Bishop (Sarah Burrow) 4:25; 5, B, Phoebe Williamson (Bonnie Welch). Penalties--Burrow, B (slashing) 1:44; Brita Lind, H (hooking) 7:21; Christine Burns, H, (cross checking) 14:37.

Third Period--6, B, Bishop (Corcoran, Burrow) 1:44; 2, H, Sasner (Neilson, Genie Simmons) 4:20; 7, B, Margaret Faule (Les, Holcombe) 12:17; 8, B, Bishop (Liz McLarney) 15:15. Penalties--Debbie Allen, B (cross checking) 3:31; Burrow, B, (holding) 7:02.

Saves--H, Jennifer White 15-17-10--42; B, Mara Spaulder 7-7-7--21.