The sophomore netted a hat trick and had two assists in the team's 5-3 win against Brown in the ECAC semifinals, and she had two assists and the game-winning goal in sudden-death overtime against UNH.

Ruggiero, who grew up in California but now lives in Michigan, established herself as one of the premiere defensemen in the ECAC last year. She made opponents pay with punishing play in the defensive zone and with equally impressive play on offense, tallying 21 goals and 40 assists.

Ruggiero also knew when to turn it on. She had Harvard's first goal and one assist in the championship game.

But to hear the two talk about last season, you would think they rode the bench for most of the team's run.

When reflecting on the championship-winning shot, the unassuming Botterill takes the moment in stride.

"Getting the goal was definitely one of my fondest memories," she said. "But it wasn't that I scored the goal, it was just that winning that championship game was our ultimate goal for the season, and that was what everyone wanted to achieve. The fact that we made it their together, that's what made it so thrilling."

The two talk about everything else--the great Harvard crowd, their teammates, their coaching, their defensive and offensive set-ups--before mentioning their own role on and off the ice.