"We are capable of beating anyone in the country, but so is Cornell," Buttles said. "We can give them a run for their money but we can't come out flat. The team that plays with the most desire will win this game, and I think we will have the right mental attitude because winning the Ivy League is our goal and this is our biggest game of the year so far."

The Big Red offense is led by a trio of attackers in seniors Josh Morgan (11 goals, 3 assists), Sean Steinwald (5, 7) and sophomore Andrew Schardt (12, 1). The Crimson will counter with a pair of its own attackers in junior Lawson DeVries (7, 7), sophomore Dana Sprong (10, 3) and Buttles (8, 3).

As the midpoint of its 13-game schedule, the Cornell game is a must-win for Harvard if the Crimson wants a shot at the 12-team NCAA Tournament.

After dropping its first two games to unranked Fairfield and Hobart, Harvard climbed into the polls for the first time this season after beating Penn.

But with tough games coming up in the next few weeks--including a trip to No. 9 Princeton--the Crimson needs to beat the Big Red, the other top threat to challenge the Tigers for the Ancient Eight title.