The beginning of the season is often the best part

Especially if you are undefeated.

The Harvard field hockey team (1-0 overall, 0-0 Ivy) won its season opener Sunday and will try to prolong perfection when it hosts Connecticut (1-3-1) today at Cumnock Field. But today's match will not be as easy as the Crimson's 3-0 victory over Rhode Island.

Despite their losing record, the Huskies were ranked 20th in the nation by a recent NCAA poll.

Connecticut returns its solid defensive line exhibited in 1991 along with sophomore goalie Yolanda Muntz, who played every minute in 1991.

Muntz has already gathered 64 saves and boasts a 1.32 goals against average.

The Huskies have been unimpressive on the offensive end so far but they have been without their main weapon: Captain Heidi Papoosha. Papoosha, UConn's leading scorer last season, returns to the Huskies today after playing with the U.S. Junior Olympic Team.

In order to win, the Crimson will have to contain Papoosha and junior forward Melissa McDonnell, who has 3 goals for the season.

And then there's the revenge factor. Harvard defeated the Huskies on their home turf last year in a 2-1 overtime battle. There is little chance that the UConn players will forget this embarrassment when they take the field today.

But Cumnock Field has been kind to the team so far, and the Crimson's mixture of youth and experience came up with effective and well-balanced play in its first effort.

And, hey, the team is undefeated.

That's the beauty of beginnings.