The loss of Pepper Brill '95--the Crimson's only first-team All Ivy selection besides Kohler--leaves a void that other players will certainly have to fill on the defensive lines.

However, the Crimson does return to its defense juniors Mark Holley and Tariq lawad and sophomore Tom McLaughlin, who could also see some time at forward. Freshman Lee Williams, who hails from Kent, England, will also see playing time, although he is currently nursing a hamstring injury.

In goal, Harvard has four netminders, all of whom could start. Junior Peter Albers is the favorite to see the most playing time, as he excelled towards the end of the season.

Carlson, sophomore Ben Weeden and freshman Jordan Dupuis will be ready to step in when called upon.

The Schedule

One thing you can't say about Harvard's schedule is that it is filled with a certain variety of pastry--the cream pull.

After a home match against Fairfield on Wednesday, September 13, Harvard faces three top-20 teams in its next four games. Number-five North Carolina, which scored 11 goals in its first weekend of action, hosts Harvard in its own tournament this Friday, while number-five Boston University and Columbia invade Ohiri Field next week.

"We try to schedule the toughest competition we can get nationally," Locker said.

For the Crimson, the game against the Lions opens its Ivy League season and should set the tone for the remainder of the campaign. Last year, Harvard to Columbia in its first league contest a loss that set a negative tone for the first half of the season before the team regrouped to win the Ancient Eight crown.

"The last two years we haven't started as well as we would like, and we want to jump start the season right away," Wojcik said. "Columbia has been our nemesis the last couple of years."

As there is no post-season Ivy League tournament, every league match carries an extra importance. However, a few non-league wins would bolster Harvard's national status.

Last-minute losses count as much as blow-outs in the standings, and the team's grueling preseason workouts are geared towards making the Crimson ready for late-game situations.

"Our fitness will help us in those last 10 minutes," Kohler said. "The training is really something we need to succeed."

And with success comes respect.

Most of the time, that is.