You can ask the members of the Harvard field hockey team anything but one question.

Don't even consider it, don't even try.

"Where's Denise Katsias?"

You can mutter it under your breath, but if you're anywhere near the Crimson, keep it to yourself.

Coach: Sue Caples

Captains: Char Joslin and Erin O'Brien

1988 Records: 6-8-1 overall,

2-3-1 Ivy League

1988 Ivy Finish: 4th (tie)

Katsias, the Harvard recordholder for saves in a game (25), seasor (175) and career (577), graduated after serving as a brilliant last line on an otherwise less-than-sparkling defense. No matter how optimistic the Crimson is after the loss of only three players to graduation, a solid replacement for Katsias is a prerequisite for any kind of Harvard success in 1989.

Harvard Coach Sue Caples emphasizes the importance of a goalie estalishing herself as the next Katsias early in the season.

"Solid goaltending will be crucial for team confidence," Caples said.

The top candidates to mind the nets include sophomores Ginny Simonds, Rebecca Trepow and Lisa Yadao. Yadao is the only one with playing experience, but she never faced a shot in 28 minutes of action last year.

But if you ignore the search to replace Katsias, the Crimson has plenty reason to feel confident. With its top eight scorers returning from last year, Harvard will be looking to Co-Captain and second team All-Ivy selection Char Joslin (9 goals, 4 assists, 13 points) and seniors Lisa Cutone (3-7--10) and Sharon Landau (5-4--9) to lead an experienced attack.

However, don't be fooled by the impressive scoring statistics--12 of the Crimson's 27 goals in 1988 were scored in its two wins over weak Fairfield and Holy Cross squads.

Defensively, first team All-Ivy Erin O'Brien returns for her fourth varsity season in the Crimson backfield. The Harvard co-captain will usually draw opponent's top scorers with support from Ivy League Rookie of the Year Ceci Clark and seniors Julie Clifford and Lynn Frangione. Of course, the pressure on Harvard's defense will be intensified by the inexperience at the goalie position.

With home games against the three top teams in the Ivy League, Dartmouth, Pennsylvania and Princeton, the Crimson has the opportunity to parlay home-field advantage into an Ivy League title, but any talk of the 1989 season is mere speculation until a solid replacement for Katsias emerges.

The Crimson will also face some tough non-league opponents this season, including the Connecticut Huskies.