Ranked number 18 in Soccer America's preseason poll, Harvard returns its top four scorers, including the 1994 Ivy League Rookie of the Year in Stauffer. Last year's squad allowed a stingy 1.15 goals per game, and the core of that defensive unit remains intact.

Of the class of 1995, only Genevieve Chelius and Beth Morgan were regular starters, but both missed several games to injury--games that Harvard won anyway. With the exception of goaltender, Harvard has experience and desire all over the field.

"If last year had gone totally smoothly, I would have been worried about getting a little complacent," Harvard's ninth-year head coach Tim Wheaton said. "We are already further ahead than we were at this point last year."

Offense

A young, but well-seasoned team, Harvard has numerous strengths and one of them is its attack.

First there is Stauffer, who is the Wayne Gretzky of this squad. Perhaps the top player in the league and one who competed in this past summer's U.S. Olympic Festival, Stauffer's deft footwork leaves most opponents in the lurch.

Sophomores Keren Gudeman and Kristen Bowes were the second-and third-leading scorers last season, respectively. Gudeman already has a pair of fantastic finishes to her credit--scoring the game-winner in a 1-0 at Princeton with one minute left and setting up current co-captain Noonan's game winner against Top 20 Dartmouth the following week, also with 60 ticks left.

Juniors Dana Tenser, who made a successful return last year following a knee injury her freshman season and Rachel Chernikoff add to the punch, as does co-captain Susie DeLellis.

"The team looks great, and a strong freshman class raises our level of play," Stauffer said.

Defense

Noonan and junior Meg Kassakian headline Harvard's defensive corps. Both are rugged players, rarely beaten by the opposition.

Many eyes will also focus on freshman Jaime Chu, who was selected the Sonny Carter Scholar/Athlete award winner--given to the top male and female high school scholar-athletes for soccer.

Sophomores Rebe Glass and Jessica Henderson both saw extended amounts of playing time last year and should be major contributors to the defense this year as well. In addition, freshman Ashley Meredith--a midfielder who has been converted to a fullback--will see a lot of action.

Playing time might be hard to accumulate because there are just too many talented players at each position, but that "problem" doesn't faze Wheaton.

"There are definitely more players that deserve to start that there are positions," Wheaton said, "but all will have significant playing time."

Goaltending

Few teams get away without any injuries, and the Crimson is no exception. Sophomore Dana Krein, who played every game last season, is taking the season off to recuperate from shoulder surgery.