The outlook for the Harvard women's soccer team resembles the Chicago Bears.'

A great defense, a great midfield and a suspect offense. Very suspect.

With the graduation of Robin Johnston and Jenn Minkus, the team's two top scorers last year, the Crimson will have trouble running up the score.

The challenge for Coach Tim Wheaton's sixth year will be to find the personnel to surround senior Laurie Uustal, last's year third leading scorer. For a team that struggled to put the ball in the net last year, that could be tough.

"We're really looking for more production from the midfield," Wheaton said. "It's going to have to be a change in attitude, from relying on others to do the scoring to taking it upon yourself."

Eaton cited senior Kristy Gaschler and sophomores Libby Eynon and Sarah Simmons as leading candidates to replace Johnston and Minkus.

"They'll pick up some of the slack, but the midfield will still be the key," Whaton said.

Fortunately, the midfield returns intact. Co-Captain Sharon Olken, who led the team in assists, has recovered from a knee injury that hindered her play last year. Junior Laura Flynn will start with Olken as an inside midfielder, while juniors Martha Schneider and Patty Kornfeld and sophomore Beth Morgan will compete for spots on the wings. All three saw playing time last year.

Olken said the team will have to adopt a "wait-and-see" position on offensive production.

"We have a lot of people who can step up and produce," the Co-Captain said. "We'll be stretched to our potential, but that's a good thing."

The defense, perhaps the strongest part of the team despite the loss of two players to graduation, will be led by the Crimson's defensive star, first-team All-Ivy sweeper and Co-Captain Erin Matias.

Junior Meg Berte will start for the second year on the defensive wing. Sophomores Genevieve Chelius, Caroline Schreiber and Liz McNamee will battle for the other two openings.

In goal, junior Brooke Donahoe will start for the second year.

"Our defense is really the core of our team. From there, we have to build forward and click on offense," Uustal said.

Another problem the team must overcome is injuries. Currently, much of the team is sidelined with petty injuries but expects to return by the start of the season.