Harvard boasts extensive technical ability in its outside players, who can beat almost any defender in the league one-on-one. The Crimson will look for big games from Ashley Berman, Beth Zotter, Meredith Stewart, Stauffer, Naomi Miller, Colleen Moore and Gina Foster.

To Harvard's backs will fall the task of containing Central Connecticut State's well-stocked stable of international players. The chief threat is Scottish forward Jane McFarlane.

McFarlane is last year's NEC Newcomer and Player of the Year, was named the NEC Tournament MVP and was the seventh-leading goal scorer in the country after finishing the 1997 season with 23 goals.

Behind McFarlane on defense are captains Julie Twaddle of Newcastle, England and Jackie Hadden of Sydney, Australia, each with six goals this year. Between the posts is junior goalkeeper Sarah Reginio who earned a 2.70 goals against average in the 1998 season.

Led by these imports, the Blue Devils have amassed a 10-7-1 record this season, but they have dropped games to Yale and B.C., both teams Harvard defeated in the regular season.

However, both games were close matches, and Central Connecticut State ended up out shooting Yale 19-5, although they lost the contest by a score of 1-0.

Of course Stauffer knows that regular-season records aren't always the best indicators of postseason play.

"They probably look at us, and think we're weak and that they're going to come in and upset a better team," Stauffer said. "But I think we just need to go out there and seize the day. I think we feel like we have another great chance to prove ourselves."