Season highlights included solid, back-to-back, three-goal wins over traditional ECAC powers Providence and Cornell. And after advancing to the Beanpot Championship with a sound defeat of Boston College, Harvard took second-ranked Northeastern to the brink, erasing a three-goal deficit in the third period before finally losing the `Pot to the Huskies by a slim 5-4 margin.

Record: 14-16, 6-14 ECAC, 2-6 Ivy

Coach: Katey Stone

Highlights: Reaches ECAC playoffs; forces overtime against national champion UNH; Suurkask named ECAC Rookie of the Year

Seniors: Jen Bowdoin, Kate Schutt (expired eligibility)

"We were gritty, and we outworked [Northeastern]," Stone said. "Even though they won, we outworked them. Taking nothing away from them, down to the wire it was our game to win."

But with its playoff hopes on the line as the regular season drew to a close, Harvard swept 6-4, 3-1 and 2-0 victories from ECAC opponents Boston College, Princeton and Yale, respectively, to clinch the eighth and final playoff spot in the ECAC Tournament.

For two and a half periods in that quarterfinal matchup, the Crimson held UNH scoreless thanks in large part to sophomore goaltender Crystal Springer's best performance of the season.

Springer, a transfer from Division III Middlebury, stopped 37 UNH shots, including several breakaways by the Wildcats. Despite the final result of the playoff contest--a 2-1 overtime loss--it, like the loss to Northeastern in the Beanpot Final, was a clear indication that Harvard could compete with the strongest teams in the nation.

"When you play against the No. 1 team, it's about being physical and getting in their faces," Asano said. "Our intensity level, especially in the big games, was huge."

"There was a time last year when we were intimidated by teams like Northeastern, but we pushed them around this year," she continued. "We let them know that, `Hey, we're just as good as you.'"

In addition to the offensive leadership provided by Francisco and Suurkask and the anchoring of the defense by Springer, other players turned in fine seasons as well. Asano played extended minutes while splitting time on offense and defense, and she is poised, along with fellow co-captain-elect Mleczko, to lead Harvard to the national prominence it has long sought.

Junior forward Jen Gerometta, the Crimson's third leading scorer, continued to display the quickness that has made her an offensive threat for the past two seasons. Gerometta's toughness and physical style of play are also unmatched by any member of the Crimson.

Defensemen sophomore Christie MacKinnon and junior Melissa Milbert both improved significantly as the season progressed and should be ready to frustrate ECAC scorers in 1999. Junior co-captain Kyle Walsh also made tremendous strides from her sophomore season and should be a major contributor to Harvard's run for the national crown next season.

"Everyone stepped up their level of play this year," Asano said. "When someone like Angie Francisco, who can score at any time, steps on the ice, you know you have to be your best. When someone is playing well--and it wasn't just Angie--it makes you look at yourself and say, `They need more from me.'"