Harvard and Brown are two teams with something to prove.

The Harvard women's soccer team (2-1-0 overall, 1-0-0 Ivy) wants to legitimize its quest for the Ancient Eight title with a victory over an Ivy power (Columbia doesn't count).

Brown, off to a disastrous 0-3-1 start (0-1-0 Ivy) after nine consecutive championships, is rabid for a win.

"We're looking for some redemption," warned John Fischer, Brown sports information director.

"We have to play like we know we can," said Crimson Coach Tim Wheaton.

There can only be one winner in today's contest. No moral victories here.

The outcome hinges on which team establishes the tempo of the game.

"Brown favors a fast, end-to-end game with quick plays up the wing," Wheaton said. "A control game would favor us."

"We're going to take away their strengths and play to ours," he said.

Much of the Crimson's strength lies in the ability of its front line to create scoring opportunities and the skill of its midfield play.

This matches up nicely with the Bears principal weakness; inexperience in goal.

Brown's freshman goalie Kristen Stevens has an atrocious 2.73 goals against average, with a .633 save percentage.

If the Crimson can exploit this weakness, the killer attack trio of Co-Captain Robin Johnson Jen Minkus and Laurie Uustal should have a field day.

Harvard's defense, however, will have to shut down Brown's high octane attack.

Brown returns scoring assassin Nicki-Barber and last year's team point leader, Jennifer Drake.