After a season filled with intense games ending in last minute-losses, the Harvard women's lacrosse team is ready to plow through its competition in 1999, starting with UMass on Sunday at Amherst, in the season opener for both teams.

"This year, we are going to have a presence," said junior tri-captain Becca Brown, " No matter who we are playing or what part in the game it is, we will maintain our game."

And what a game they could have.

Along with a talented freshman class loaded with five 1998 high school All-Americans, the Crimson has returning upperclassmen with the experience to set the pace.

Returning to the lineup are junior forwards Kimberly Weeks and Ashley Birch, both of whom were in the top five in scoring for Harvard last year.

Along with the junior tandem, Meg Austin, Jennifer Lee, and sophomore Alli Harper, who led the Crimson in scoring in 1998, will help show the ropes to their speedy freshman forwards.

Freshmen Heather Hussey, Heather Gotha, Katherine Burrage, and Lizzy Frisbie (who currently is out due to a broken wrist) are expected to make an impact on the scoreboard.

The midfield will be directed by tri-captain Laura Dahmen, who will be in charge of whatever rotation Harvard Coach Carole Kleinfelder decides to put in. Kleinfelder has been testing the versatility of sophomores Lauren Corkery, Susie Fiore, Liz Sarles, and Melissa Crandall--all of who are capable of scoring as well as playing defense.

The defense is going to be powered by Brown and classmate Jeanne Ficociello. However, freshmen Hilary Walton and Erin Cutner are counted on to contribute to the backfield.