When an athlete consistently performs at his or her peak level, good things are bound to happen.

Co-captain Beth Zotter's streak of near misses ended at the best possible moment on Saturday afternoon. Her game-winning goal in sudden-death overtime propelled the Harvard women's soccer team (5-1-1, 3-0 Ivy) to a 2-1 victory over up-and-coming Ivy League rival Penn (5-2-1, 2-1).

Eight minutes into the extra period, Zotter took a pass in transition from freshman forward Joey Yenne. Penn's goalie, Katherine Hunt, came too far out of the net, allowing Zotter to pop the ball over her head off of the crossbar and into the back of the net.

"I didn't even think it was going in," Zotter said. "I thought it was going to hit off the crossbar. And then I saw it bounce up and hit off the net. It was an awesome feeling because I just feel like I've sort of been on a dry spell lately."

In the early going, Harvard was clearly the more aggressive team, putting constant pressure on the Quaker defense and creating many scoring opportunities.

In the 10th minute of the contest Yenne received a pass from Zotter, who had penetrated into the Penn box, and boomed a shot just right of the goal.

Then in the 18th minute, senior midfielder Ashley Berman directed a beautiful cross-pass to Zotter from the right corner, who just sailed the shot wide right.

Berman was instrumental throughout the contest, creating many chances for Harvard with her exceptional ball-handling skills. She also succeeded in stopping one of the Quakers' better players, freshman midfielder Heidi Nichols.

"Ashley Berman owned [Nichols]," co-captain Jess Larson said.

Despite controlling the game with its aggressive play, the strategy backfired, as Penn was able to create opportunities--and eventually a goal--in transition.

In the 35th minute--with the majority of the Harvard team in the Quaker zone--Penn was able to clear the ball out to its quick forwards to mount a fast-break.

Harvard scrambled back on defense as the Quakers pressed forward. Larson forced Penn forward Jill Callaghan into the right corner, but Callaghan managed to cross the ball. Freshman goalkeeper Cheryl Gunther got a hand on the ball, but junior midfielder Kellianne Toland gathered the ball unmarked just left of the net and knocked in the deflection for the game's first goal.

"The Ivy League means everything to us," Larsen said. "I almost cried when they scored because we're clearly a better team."

The Crimson stayed composed despite the disheartening goal, as it continued to put the pressure on the Quakers. At the half, however, Harvard still found itself down 1-0.

Harvard's string of close calls extended well into the second half, and it seemed as if it was not meant to be.

Then in the 67th minute Harvard finally broke through, when freshman midfielder Bryce Weed netted an incredible goal from about 40 yards out.

Weed took control of the ball in the middle of the Quaker zone and found herself open with a clear line to the net. She boomed a shot that curved left past the outstretched arms of Hunt.

"[Weed] has the ability to hit from [the outside]," Harvard Coach Tim Wheaton said. "We've been talking to her about looking for offensive chances. And even beyond the goal I thought that this was one of her better days."

Weed's goal was fitting for a Crimson team that has relied heavily on the play of its freshmen, with the graduation of several seniors last year. Weed, Yenne, and freshman forward Beth Totman have been vital to the Crimson attack, creating many scoring chances both in Saturday's game and throughout the season.

Weed's goal served as somewhat of a wake-up call for Harvard, as the Crimson came out re-energized after the score. Harvard continued to be the more aggressive team, and it created several chances to score in the final minutes of regulation.

Penn, however, was able to weather the storm, forcing the Crimson into the sudden-death period and setting up Zotter's heroics.

Defensively, the Crimson remained strong throughout. Penn managed several chances in transition during the game but Harvard--led by Larson's sensational man-to-man defense--was able to squash all of the Quaker opportunities.

"One of the reasons we can play the way we do is that Jess Larson is so difficult to beat one-on-one," Wheaton said. "I don't know how many times she just stood up one of [Penn's] players and took the ball."

With the victory Harvard moved a step closer to its main objective of this and every season: to win the Ivy League Championship.

The Crimson moved to the top of the Ivy standings as the only undefeated and untied team in league play. Princeton remains unbeaten in three games with a single tie, and poses Harvard's main threat, but with last season's champion Dartmouth struggling, Harvard is the favorite for the crown.

Harvard will face No. 12 BYU (11-1) today at Ohiri field to complete the Harvard Invitational, before continuing in Ivy competition at Cornell next Saturday.

Notes

In the first game of the 1999 Harvard Invitational, No. 12 BYU defeated Boston University (6-4) by the final of 2-1. Kim Lowe and Sarah Hingham each netted goals for the Cougars. Allison Merkle scored for the Terriers.

Yesterday Penn rebounded from its tough loss to Harvard by defeating B.U. by the score of 3-2. Kellianne Toland netted two goals for the Quakers, giving her three for the tournament, and Jennifer Valentine scored one of her own. Nicole Soules and Deidre Enos scored for B.U.