It'll be a battle of the best this afternoon when the nation's top two women's lacrosse teams square off at Ohiri Field.

The first place Crimson (7-0 overall, 2-0 Ivy) plays host to the second place Maryland Terrapins (6-0 overall) in what could be a preview of NCAA championship.

Two years ago, Harvard edged the Terrapins 8-7 for the national title at Princeton's Palmer Stadium. Last year, Maryland took the regular season contest between the two clubs, 6-5, in double overtime.

It'll be a grudge match-to say the least.

"I think it should be a very good game," Coach Carole Kleinfelder said. "I predict a close game. Our goalies are about the same-but I think we have a little more speed."

Maryland began this year's campaign having lost several strong players to graduation. Accordingly, Kleinfelder expects to find a different brand of Maryland lacrosse this time around.

"They usually play a passing game." Kleinfelder said, "but I do expect a different style."

Up to now, the Terrapins have been sparked by the youth on their squad. Freshman Laura Harmon and sophomore Betsy Elder lead the team in points scored with 17 and 16, respectively.

But Kleinfelder is still undecided as to which player, if any, defensive specialist Ceci Clark will mark.

Strong Defense

If the crimson defense continues to turn in stellar performances--such as the previous one against Yale--shutting down the Terrapin attack will be no problem.

The Yale game "was the best I've seen [the defense] play," Kleinfelder said. "They played well against what they had coming against them"

Better Offense?

Offensively, Crimson prospects are only getting brighter.

While junior Liz Berkery continues to lead the nation in scoring, she no longer garners her usual six goals per game.

Instead, the points have been more evenly distributed throughout the attack with senior Becky Gaffney, senior Buffy Hansen, and sophomore Sarah Downing all jumping into the scoring column with a vengeance.

"Sarah is coming along well, Buffy just keeps chipping away--and we need more of what Becky Garrffney gives us."

Freshmen Solid

As Harvard heads into the second half of its season, the positive development of the team's freshman bodes well. Sarah Winters and Megan Colligan have both played well when given the opportunityorce of Adelphi.

The Crimson has been playing with much more confidence lately. (Remember a four-goal explosion in the fourth quarter against Dartmouth?)

"We've definitely been playing with a lot more poise and confidence," Harvard Assistant coach Scott Hiller said.

The Crimson will need all the confidence it can muster if it is to defeat a Panther team with many serious scoring threats.

Lots of Guns

Adelphi is led by sophomore John Calabira who has tallied 25 goals and six assists against powerhouses like Maryland, Syracuse and Brown.

Calabira isn't alone on the field, though.

More important to the Panthers, however, is the playmaking abilities and leadership skills of senior Tom Aiello, who has seven goals and a team high 21 assists.

Last year Aiello scorched the Crimson with three goals and five assists.

"We're going to try to shut down Aiello and see what happens from there." Hiller said.

Keep Up the `D'

Harvard has gotten extremely solid play from its experienced defense all season, the latest example against Dartmouth, where the Crimson held the Big Green to just four goals.

Led by senior goalie Chris Miller, who was named to the Ivy League Honor Roll this week, Harvard must keep the Pathers' offense under control.

On the other end, the Crimson must get the same kind of offensive participation as it did against the Big Green.

Senior Co-Captain Paul Faust, who leads the team with 13 goals and two assists, must also anchor an attack that takes its cues from him.

Although the Crimson is still recovering from injuries (freshman Steve Gaffney is questionable), its quick offense may be able to take advantage of an Adelphi defense that has had a tendency to fall behind early.

In the Panther's last game, Adelphi spotted Duke four quick goals.

Granted, Duke is ranked fifteenth in the country, but Adelphi lost the game 9-8.

While the team came alive in the second half, the opening margin was too much to overcome.

Yet Adelphi was satisfied with its performance there.

The Panthers come in today with some confidence, too.