The verdict is in, and it's exciting.

After three days of anxious anticipation and nervous excitement, the Harvard women's soccer team learned its post-season fate yesterday evening.

The Crimson learned it will face UMass for the third straight year in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The game takes place at Ohiri Field Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.

Crowded tightly around a television monitor in the Crimson Sports Grille, all eyes were focused on the screen as tournament brackets were announced live.

The news produced only smiles and happiness in the teammates, who were obviously pleased with the placement.

"We are so excited--there is no way to explain it," said sophomore Gina Foster. "So many factors make it amazing. We just couldn't stop smiling."

The announcement comes in the wake of Harvard's hard earned Ivy title clinched last weekend.

In Providence Saturday, Harvard took the title outright with a 2-1 win against Brown, capturing the Bessie H. Rudd Cup, bestowed upon the Ivy winner.

The championship translated, however, to much more than a mere accolade, a reward for a job well done; it also gave the Crimson an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament.

For a team that has demonstrated increased strength and cohesion with every match, it is a just reward for a season that started off sour but finished sweet.

"We're all very excited," said senior captain Rebe Glass. "We've been focusing on winning the Ivy League all season, and having won that, it's great to be able to shift our focus towards the next level."

"We've already had the opportunity to avenge and make up for past errors," said Coach Tim Wheaton. "This first round is another opportunity for us."

Indeed, it appears that the team couldn't be happier.

"Out of all the possible scenarios of how we could have ended up in terms of seedings and everything this is by far the best we could have had," said freshman Brooke McCarthy. "We have the home field advantage, so hopefully we'll have a big crowd to support us. We're all eager to revenge last year's loss."

For Harvard and UMass are by no means strangers in the NCAA.