Last year, Harvard was eliminated by the Minutemen in the first round of the tournament.

This year's pairing, therefore, affords the Crimson the eagerly anticipated opportunity to avenge that loss.

"It's awesome to be playing UMass because we fell like last year's game didn't end the way it was supposed to," Foster said. "Also, when our team first made it to NCAAs two years ago we also lost to UMass, so going into it having lost to them twice will really pump us up."

"UMass and Harvard have a long tradition in women's soccer," Wheaton said, "and we've been neck and neck this year in various polls. It was a good draw for us--we know what we're up against, and the general feeling is that the matching was as good as it could be. We are definitely looking forward to playing them Sunday."

The contest, therefore, promises a powerful showdown between the rival teams.

"In a must-win situation," Wheaton said. "Anything can happen. We're going to go out there and do our best."

Predictably, the team approaches Sunday's contest with confidence.

"We started out a bit rough in the beginning of the season but we've definitely picked up momentum," McCarthy said. "I think we're playing pretty well right now."

"We're definitely going with an 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' approach to our game," Glass said. "We've been improving all season, so we're going to maintain our current level of play and just try to pick it up a little in each game we play. In the NCAA, if you lose one game you're out, so we're going to put all we have into each game and just take it one step at a time."

Facing his team, one full of grins and smiles, Coach Wheaton left the Crimson with the words of the UConn women's basketball coach:

All through the season and the playoffs you just have to be yourself. There's no need to rise above the self--that time will come, but it isn't here yet. Go out there and do what you do day to day. Nothing different or exceptional or dramatic. Don't think that you have to go out there and do something amazing. Just keep up the current standards, and do what you know how to do.