The Harvard women's soccer team kicked off its season with a pair of 1-0 victories over Columbia and Stanford this weekend at Ohiri Field.

"Both games were excellent defensive performances," Crimson Coach Bob Scalise said, "and we had excellent goalkeeping from Tracee Whitley."

Whitley, a junior returning for her third year in net, had a successful if not very busy weekend. While a relentless Crimson offense forced Lion and Cardinal goalies to make a total of 32 saves, Whitley had to repel only 12 shots over two games--and all three of Columbia's came on free kicks.

In Saturday's season-opener, the Crimson provided Columbia's first-year varsity women's soccer squad with its first taste of Ivy League action.

Harvard edged the Lions on a second-half tally by freshman Jen Gifford. The Yardling shot into a virtually empty net with 31:30 remaining after a shot by Co-Captain Karen Garibaldi caromed off the post, drawing Columbia goalie Lauren Nisonsen out of position.

Scalise explained that the Lions' strategy of congesting their zone made it difficult for his booters to score. "I'm just glad we got the one goal," he said.

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The booters got the one goal they needed to squeak past Stanford yesterday, as well. Julie Sasner and Electa Sevier combined for the score against the Cardinal, with Sasner tallying on a pass from Sevier 18 minutes into the contest.

"We moved the ball around better than Stanford," Scalise said. "They were trying to hit long shots, and we were more precise."

Yesterday's contest marked the first-ever meeting of the two squads and was the first of a three-game swing through New England for Stanford.

Harvard (2-0 overall, 1-0 Ivy) has two home games this week, with the University of New Hampshire visiting Wednesday and Vermont arriving at Ohiri Field Saturday.

The Crimson will have to play without sophomore standout Amy Winston, a forward who will be sidelined for a week to 10 days with a sprained ankle which she suffered at the beginning of Saturday's game.