They were oh so close.

The Harvard field hockey team let a 3-1 lead against Cornell slip away this weekend in its game at Cumnock Field, eventually settling for a 3-3 tie.

Harvard (1-4-2 overall, 0-1-2 Ivy) was looking for its first Ivy League win of the season, but it fell just short.

"We had a really good opportunity to win the game, but we couldn't hold on in the second half." said junior back Emily Buxton.

Despite breaking out of a mysterious season-long scoring slump, Harvard could not put away pesky Cornell (4-3-2, 0-1-2), Which relied on stellar goalkeeping and a determined attack in the second half.

Because of standing water on the field on Saturday, the second half of the game was postponed until Sunday afternoon, with the score knotted at 1-1.

As soon as play began on the second day, the Crimson struck for two quick goals. Freshman forward Maureen O'Brien and junior back Francie Walton scored to give the Crimson its two goal lead, and it looked for a while as if Harvard would win its first game since its season opener against Rhode Island.

Unfortunately, the victory was not to be. Cornell's comeback sent the game into two sudden death overtime periods, and when neither team scored, the contest ended in the ignominious tie.

This year has been a particularly trying one for Coach Sue Caples and her young squad. After the Ivy League and ECAC championships of last year's squad, the 1992 team has had to cope with the infusion of six freshmen. After an encouraging tie against 18th-ranked Pennsylvania last weekend, the team has faltered in the last week, losing 5-1 to Boston University and then tying Cornell.

Having already lost more games this season than it did all of last year, Harvard hopes to use the rest of the year to rebuild the team.

The effort continues this afternoon in New Haven against Yale.

"Hopefully, we should be able to beat them," said Buxton. "With the offense back, we're in a lot better shape."

Harvard fans can only keep their fingers crossed.

TIE, 3-3 at Cumnock Field Cornell  1  2  0  0  --  3 Harvard  2  2  0  0  --  3

G: Cornell--Collins, Morrissey, Rine; Harvard--downing, O'Brien, Walton. A: Cornell--Rine, Robertson; Harvard--Shumway, Downing S: Cornell--Wright 22; Harvard--Milhollin 12.