BOSTON--In yet another opportunity to establish dominance in the ECAC, the Harvard women's hockey team shone brilliantly on the ice at Northeastern University last night.

The 9-0 pounding of Boston College will certainly send a shockwave through the region as Harvard heads into a contest with No. 2-ranked Brown. Against B.C., a generous balance of experience, youth and toughness swept any doubts from Matthews Arena.

Blast from the Past

Riding a 16-game winning streak, the Harvard women matched up for the second time this season against Boston College. This time, Harvard left the bridesmaid mentality at home, bringing the `Pot back to Cambridge for the first time since 1995 after second place finishes the past two seasons.

Captain A.J. Mleczko's play garnered her an MVP trophy to go along with the Mleczko family's second Beanpot Tournament Championship. Mleczko's sister Winkie '95, captained the 1995 team.

Breathless with Anticipation

On a night that witnessed a nine-goal performance by the women's hockey team, the Crimson really lit up the scoreboard--even when they didn't.

After a four-goal, second period deluge by the Crimson women, the goal judge developed an itchy trigger finger. During a third-period power play, sophomore right wing Tammy Shewchuk fired a shot on goal that startled a goal judge into lighting the lamp just as it left her stick. The shot never actually went in. Shewchuk finished with one goal and four assists. The erroneous signal proved only to be a grim reminder of the Crimson's dominance in the final round of the Beanpot.

Eagle Killer

Sophomore defender Jamie Notman planted her second goal of the season early in the second period to start the landslide of goals on Boston College. The shot, assisted by senior Jen Gerometta and sophomore Angie Francisco, seemed to put Harvard at ease.

"The goal was just a reality check for us," said Notman. "It made us realize that we can score on this goalie."

Who was her other goal against this season? Boston College, naturally. Of course, it didn't hurt that Notman once again brought her good luck charm along.

"My sister was here," said Notman, smiling. "This was my second goal of the season, and my second against B.C. She was there for both."

The Young and the Restless

Undaunted by the pressure of a Beanpot finals game, freshman wing Christa Brown responded with her first career goal for the Crimson with 10:55 remaining in the final period. Her quick shot brought the tally to 6-0.

After yielding six goals in the 7-6 over-time win against Northeastern in the first round of the Beanpot, freshman goalie Alison Kuusisto rebounded with a stellar performance. Kuusisto shutout B.C. and its prolific scorer, captain Erin MaGee. Kuusisto staved off all 19 shots on goal.

"Alison did a great job," said Coach Katey Stone. "She just gets better every game. She's stopping better shots and harder shots and getting great experience."

Let's Get Physical

:Senior forward Jen Gerometta made sure that she brought her physical game with her to Northeastern last night. Known for her tough, aggressive style of play, Gerometta sent one Eagle defender crashing into the boards with a resounding thud. The Boston College player exited the game hurt in the second period.

Gerometta's hit certainly did not go unnoticed by the B.C. women, who began to target Gerometta as the third period wore on.

"We basically wore them down physically by the end of the game," said Gerometta. "They started getting cheap at the end there, taking some shots."

Slammed

Earlier in the evening, Northeastern cruised to a 15-0 consolation game victory against Boston University. Husky goalie Jennifer Buckley had to save just one shot on net over three periods of play.