The loss was yet another heartbreaker for this young Crimson team. Having lost many of its leaders to graduation last year, the team has had to learn on the fly this season.

"We've played really tough against some real good teams this year", Buttles said. "We just haven't been able to pull out the wins, and that's a sign of inexperience. But the good news is that next year we will return all of our players, so we should really improve".

As has been the problem several times this season, Harvard's lack of offense at inopportune times plagued it in the loss. For the game, the Irish outshot the Crimson 44-28.

But despite the disappointment, the players said they take away many positives from the narrow defeat at the hands of the nationally-ranked Irish.

In addition to outplaying Notre Dame for three quarters, the Crimson received some outstanding play in goal from Cynar. The junior tallied 18 saves on the afternoon.

The Crimson will now set its sights on Ivy League rival Dartmouth as it heads to New Hampshire next Saturday for its season finale. Despite its recent woes, Buttles said Harvard can close out the season on a high note against the Big Green.

"We're just going to go out there and play our hardest", Buttles said. "We have nothing to lose, and are confident that we can go out with a win".

NOTRE DAME,9-8 at Moose Krause Stadium, Notre Dame,Ind. Harvard  3  2  3  0  -  8 Notre Dam  2  2  2  3  -  9 G:Harvard-DeVries 3, Buttles 2, Baly,Watson Sporng:Notre Dame--Bishko 3, Dusseau 2. Flandian, Glatzel, D. Ulrich, T. Ulrish.A: Harvard--DeVries, Meagher; Notre Dame--D. Ulrich 3, Glatzel 2.S: Harvard--Cynar 18; Notre Dame--Howell 8.