At the head of every great team there is a great leader. The Harvard women's soccer team is no exception.

Co-captain Jess Larson has anchored a solid Crimson defense all season as Harvard finds itself atop the Ivy League standings and in position to reclaim the coveted league crown.

Larson has continued to showcase the form that has made her an All-Ivy selection in each of her first three years.

This weekend at the annual Harvard Invitational at Ohiri Field, the senior sweeper led a Harvard defense that allowed only one goal in two wins, a 2-1 ovetime win over Ivy rival Penn and a 1-0 defeat of No. 9 BYU. Her play on the weekend earned her team MVP honors for the invitational.

"[Larson] was wonderful," Wheaton said. "She just played so hard and great. She really leads everything for us back there."

"She totally handled [Maren Hendershot, BYU's] best player," freshman forward Beth Totman said. "And she totally shut down Penn's forwards on Saturday."

As a sweeper, Larson does not pile up the offensive statistics. This season, though, she has scored a goal and added two assists--the first points of her Harvard career.

Her importance to the Crimson offensive attack, however, cannot be measured in statistics. Larson is looked upon to start many of Harvard's advances up the field.

"Her position is such a key because the direction and shape of the offense starts with her," co-captain Beth Zotter said. "She has great vision and has been the anchor for us."

Additionally, Larson's sensational defensive play has thwarted numerous goal-scoring opportunities for the Crimson's opposition. Her consistency has given Harvard the confidence to attack at will on offense.

"One of the reasons we can play [so aggressively] is that Jess Larson is so difficult to beat one-on-one," Coach Tim Wheaton said.

"She's so strong, so intense and so consistent," Zotter said. "She gives us the confidence to go forward on offense."

But perhaps Larson's main contribution has been her leadership on a young Crimson team. Along with Zotter, Larson has led the squad--which frequently plays up to six freshmen at a time--by example, playing to her maximum each and every day.

"She is truly amazing," Totman said. "She is such a great leader. She is the core of our team."

For her excellent play, leadership and dedication, The Crimson is pleased to honor Jess Larson as its Athlete of the Week.