And then there was the passing.

McLaughlin started at least two fast breaks with a mere flick of the ankle.

He'd get the pass on the sideline at midfield, and with his back turned to the field, would quickly flip the ball just behind him.

And there was always someone there to get the pass.

Off that player--Silva, Kohler, or someone--would go, leaving the Brown defender as perplexed as if he just came from a Physics 15b lecture.

In fact, without the stellar goalkeeping of Brown junior Patrick Rea, Harvard would be scoring goals whenever they felt like it.

So to counter Harvard's superior skills, Brown rolled out its version of the Hanson Brothers from "Slap Shot". For the uninitiated, they were the goon squad of the Charlestown Chiefs hockey club, the movie's subject.

For Brown, the thug was senior Aaron Fernandes, who ran around the field, mauling whoever was handling the ball.

Real nice of Brown to try and injure some players before Harvard goes to the NCAA tournament.

But Harvard, clearly the superior team talent-wise, also proved itself to be the tougher squad.

Senior back Jon Vrionis personally saw to Fernandes' demise.

If Fernandes got the ball, his next stop was the turf.

No passing Go.

No $200.

Down he went.

It was like watching a bully fighter getting his come-uppance from a superior boxer. (Funny how these things happen in pairs.)

After five minutes Fernandes was cooling his heels (and the welts on his shins) on the bench as Harvard cruised to a safe (literally) victory.

So through a combination of skill, smarts and toughness, Harvard has earned a berth to the NCAA Tournament.

And Harvard, seventh-ranked in the nation, is in prime position to make a run deep into the tournament.