Every contest must have a champion, and every champion must have those intangible qualities that turn potential into results. On the frozen tundra that was Ohiri Field on Nov. 23, 1997, the Harvard women's soccer team showed what it takes to be a champion.

Battling frigid temperatures made more bitter by an unyielding wind and playing against the backdrop of snow piles along the sidelines, No. 17 Harvard (13-4-2, 6-1 Ivy) battled No. 25 George Mason (14-6-4, 7-1 CAA) for over 141 minutes in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Before a home crowd of nearly 800 shivering fans, the Crimson played the Patriots to a 1-1 tie through 90 minutes of regulation and 30 minutes of two overtime periods.

Tension was high and the weather conditions were abominable, but Harvard played with the will that a team needs in order to contend for a national championship. A national title, merely an afterthought at the start of Harvard's season, was what Harvard was pursuing now. And in the 142nd minute of play, the Crimson took one more step toward attaining that goal.

Twelve minutes into the third sudden death overtime, sophomore midfielder Ashley Berman raced the ball down the right flank and dumped it to freshman Erin Aeschliman, who spun around and fired a shot at the George Mason goaltender. The keeper was able to dive and deflect the blast, but the ball came to junior forward and Ivy League Player of the Year Naomi Miller, who knew just what to do with it. Miller calmly deposited the ball into the back of the George Mason net and sent her Harvard teammates, coaches and fans into a hysterical frenzy.

The Final score: Harvard 2, George Mason 1 in three overtimes.

"They played with a lot of heart and a lot of spirit," said Harvard Coach Tim Wheaton about his players. "The kids were inspired. We can give anybody a game on any given day."

Miller's timely tap earned Harvard a trip to the Elite Eight and a date with the women's soccer dynasty known as the North Carolina Tar Heels (27-0-1, 7-0 ACC) in Chapel Hill. That is where, one week later, Harvard's run at a national title came to an end just two steps shy of the national championship game with a hard-fought, 1-0, loss to UNC. But the title of `champion' is one the Crimson most assuredly earned with its performance in that contest and throughout its memorable 1997 campaign.

In the end, it took what is arguably the most dominant team, male or female, in college athletics to derail the Harvard express. To call UNC a women's soccer powerhouse is an understatement. The Tar Heels have captured 15 of the 17 national championships that have been awarded in the history of women's soccer, including this year's crown. In their program's history, they have compiled a record of 417-16-11 and outscored their opponents by a modest tally of 2,005 to 196.

And they only beat Harvard 1-0. Point made.

"I thought Harvard played an absolutely outstanding match," said UNC Coach Anson Dorrance following his team's defeat of Harvard. "I want to compliment a tremendous Harvard team. Everyone, from their players to their coaching staff, had a good game plan. They played with character...and made a tremendous game of this quarterfinal."

Record: 13-4-2, 6-1 Ivy

Coach: Tim Wheaton

Highlights: Wins third straight Ivy title; reaches quarterfinals of NCAA Tournament; Naomi Miller named Ivy Player of the Year.

Seniors: Kristen Bowes, Rebe Glass, Keren Gudeman, Lindsay Minkus, Becky Vieira

No one could have guessed when the Crimson kicked off its 1997 campaign that, at year's end, it would take the best team in the history of women's college soccer to the limit in the NCAA Quarterfinals. Yes, Harvard came into the season as the two-time defending Ivy League champions--having only graduated two players--but two-time First Team All-American and Ivy Player of the Year Emily Stauffer was taking the fall semester off after donating bone marrow to her brother, who was suffering from leukemia.