The problem at this point is inexperience. The team is going to have to go through some growing pains.

"Right now, we're still working on continuity, on playing together," Wambach said. "Kathy is using different combinations. and I'm sure we'll mesh soon."

Senior forward Jody Fink added, "It's hard to develop any kind of rhythm right now, but I know that will come."

Swallowing a Bitter Pill

Harvard has bitter memories of the final two weeks of last season. Losing four of five games down the stretch, the Crimson had to settle for a third place tie in the Ivy League. This year, Harvard has been picked to finish fourth in the Ivies, behind Dartmouth the overwhelming favorite to nab the title, Yale and Brown.

But don't count the Crimson out yet.

"We're definitely the dark horse," Mazanec said. "But the work ethic and attitude is good. I think we're going to surprise a lot of people."