The Harvard women's soccer team clinched at least a share of the Ivy League title--its third in four years--when it defeated the Dartmouth Big Green on Saturday.

The No. 9 Crimson (13-1-0, 6-0-0 Ivy) came close to scoring three times in the first ten minutes of the game, as only the outstanding goalkeeping of Ivy League saves leader and defending Player of the Year junior Kristen Luckenbill kept the game close through the first half.

Harvard finally broke through in the game's 31st minute, after freshman forward Beth Totman found freshman midfielder Bryce Weed on a free kick. Weed launched a shot that trickled through the hands of Luckenbill, giving the Crimson a 1-0 lead. Harvard would go on to beat the No. 24 Big Green (8-7-1, 2-3-1), 2-1.

The victory came just three days after the Crimson, playing for the No. 1 ranking in New England, stunned then-No. 7 Connecticut 1-0 with a goal in the 82nd minute.

The game's lone goal was scored by co-captain Beth Zotter, who put the ball in the net after a corner kick by junior midfielder Meredith Stewart ricocheted off Huskies goalkeeper Maria Yatrakis's hands.

Freshman goalkeeper Cheryl Gunther, who leads the Ivy League in save percentage and goals against average, received Ivy Rookie of the Week honors for the second consecutive week. Gunther has allowed just seven goals all season and has shutouts in six of her last eight games.

The loss to Harvard was especially tough on the Big Green, which remained in the nation's top 25 with a strong performance last Wednesday against Boston University. Senior midfielder Melissa Roth led the way with two goals and an assist as Dartmouth won 3-1. The Big Green faces Columbia this Saturday in a game Dartmouth must win to keep its hopes of making the NCAA tournament alive.

The Crimson, meanwhile, travels to Providence this Saturday to face the Brown Bears. Harvard will try to clinch sole possession the Ivy title and make a forceful statement before entering the 48-team NCAA Tournament.