Sometimes you have to learn the hard way.

And for the Harvard women's lacrosse team the lesson couldn't have been much harder, as the Crimson (3-5, 1-2 Ivy) dropped a 21-3 decision to No. 1 Maryland yesterday at Ohiri Field. The Terrapins are the four-time defending NCAA champions and improved to a flawless 12-0 with the win. PENN  5 HARVARD  11 MARYLAND  21> HARVARD  3

Living up to its reputation, Maryland fired five goals past Harvard in the first ten minutes. In the wake of this explosive start, things didn't look good for the Crimson.

"You could tell how nervous we were for the first half of the game. We kept bobbling the ball and just couldn't get a hold of passing or throwing," said Harvard Coach Carole Kleinfelder.

Facing little opposition, the Terrapins mercilessly assaulted the stunned Crimson. Sophomore Kristin Sommar and junior Kristie Jenkins netted three goals apiece for the Terrapins in the first half alone.

Jenkins was also the top scorer overall, tallying a career high of seven goal as well as two assists.

After 14 minutes, Harvard freshman Hilary Walton finally put the Crimson on the scoreboard. But there was little time for congratulations.

Ten seconds later Sommar broke away from the field and scored her second goal of the day before most of the Crimson even crossed midfield.

Maryland found the back of the cage eight more times before the first 30 minutes were up.

"We didn't go out hard enough," said junior tri-captain Becca Brown. "We were just intimidated and played really tentatively."

With most of the action on the Crimson's side of the field, the Harvard defenders were under constant pressure. Stepping up to the challenge with solid defense, freshman Erin Kutner held Maryland's top scorer, sophomore Jen Adams, to only two goals.

Kutner's tight coverage wasn't enough to stop the rest of Maryland's offensive machine. Sophomore attackers Quinn Carney and Allison Comito finished with three goals each.

Under the furious storm of shots from the unstoppable Maryland offense, sophomore goalkeeper Keltie Donelan held her own, making nine saves overall.

By the end of the half, Maryland led 16-1 and Harvard had barely touched the ball.

"We're just young. It's all about a sense ofconfidence and we don't have that yet," saidKleinfelder. "We need to play harder but it'sgoing to come."

And in the second half the Crimson proved thatthe potential is definitely there.