To be able to call itself Ivy League champions is an honor every team desires.

For the Harvard women's soccer team (10-3-2, 5-1-0 Ivy), this dream is now only one small step away from being realized.

At Dartmouth yesterday, the Crimson captured a crucial 1-0 victory over the Big Green, virtually assuring the team of the Ivy title.

If Harvard wins, it would be its third straight title in as many years.

The match promised to be closely fought, as both teams carried identical 4-1-0 Ivy records into the match.

The winning team, therefore, would emerge to stand alone at the top of the Ivies.

"It was a really big victory for us because Dartmouth was the only other school with our Ivy record," said sophomore Beth Zotter "All the other teams had lost two games already, so it was vital that we win."

As yesterday's result proved, Harvard was more than ready to take on its opposition.

Thirty-seven minutes into the first half, the Crimson exploded with the first and what would prove to be the only goal of the match.

Junior Naomi Miller took a free kick from 25 yards out and drilled the ball towards the net.

Dartmouth's goalie made a move to catch the ball, but was unable to hold on as the ball popped out of her hands.

The Big Green then watched helplessly as senior Keren Gudeman picked up the loose ball and knocked home the winning goal.

Amazingly, this play was no fortunate coincidence for the Crimson. It was a carefully planned and rehearsed strategy.

"Coach [Tim Wheaton] knew the goalie and knew that she dropped balls frequently," said sophomore Ashley Berman. "Last week we practiced positioning ourselves so that if she dropped the ball, we'd be ready for it and could get the score."

Indeed this tactic was carried out perfectly against the Big Green as the Crimson capitalized on its opponents only, yet fatal, mistake of the game.

The shutout was earned by sophomore goaltender Anne Browning, whose six saves solidified the victory.

"Anne played amazingly," Zotter said. "She had a couple of really incredible saves. Dartmouth is really good in the air when they are in the box, and she snagged some balls that could have been very dangerous for us."

Now, with this critical win behind them, Harvard has only one hurdle left to clear: Brown.

"We're really pumped up to play Brown," Zotter said. "If we win, we'll win the Ivies. For the past few years, Brown has been one of our bigger rivals. They haven't been doing quite so well this season, but it's a big game nonetheless."

"It'll be exciting to play them," Berman added. "We should win--we're playing really well right now, and it's our last Ivy match."

With the confidence, desire and winning momentum Harvard has proved itself capable of, it is likely the team will soon see its dreams come true. HARVARD  1 DARTMOUTH  0

HARVARD, 1-0 at Hanover, N.H. Harvard  1  0  --  1 Dartmouth  0  0  --  0

Scoring

Har--K. Gudeman (N. Miller) 36:53.

Saves: Har--A. Browning 6; Dar--K. Luckenbill 5.

Shots: Har--7; Dar--9.