The Harvard men's lacrosse team has spent all winter waiting for this.

The 1995 campaign is special for the Crimson. It is a season the squad hopes to launch itself into the national lacrosse elite.

"This is the most talent I've seen since I've been here," junior Tim Browne said. "There is a confidence among the team."

And for good reason. The team is returning all but one of last season's starters (Mike Porter '94), so it has a reserve of experience and tight-game seasoning essential to any championship contender.

On offense, Harvard has a slew of attackmen that will give goaltenders nightmares.

Junior Mike Eckert, last season's point leader for the Crimson with 56, will return to anchor the offense.

Senior Jamie Ames will also be an integral cog in the Crimson offensive machine, bringing his 34 points from last season--good enough for third on the Crimson scoring chart--into this one.

The freshman class will be represented on the offense by Mike Ferrucci.

Last weekend at Cornell, Ferrucci notched his first collegiate goal--eight seconds into regulation.

Not to be outdone, Ames and Eckert posted five goals apiece to pace Harvard's 14-11 victory over the Big Red last weekend.

"Our offensive unit is one of the best in the Ivy League," Browne said. "I think they can average 14 goals a game."

Sophomore goalie Rob Lyng noted a change in the Crimson's offensive strategy in last weekend's Cornell contest.

"There was a better ball control offense, a more patient offense," he said. "This year, guys are making smart passes and don't try to force things."

The midfield, lacking in depth last season, will feature two full lines rather than the lone line they played last year.

The added line will relieve co-captain Steve Gaffney, junior Chris Wojcik, and senior Spencer Rice of the 60 minute duties they faced last season.