"We're disappointed, but this loss is not the end of the world," Caples said. "We're going to get another chance. If we want to get a position in the main draw, we've got to win our matches."

The Crimson's remaining games are at turfless Providence (6-12), defending ECAC champion Dartmouth (7-5, 3-2 Ivy), No. 17 Boston University (12-6), and at home against fifth-place Columbia (10-4, 2-3 Ivy).

Even though none of Harvard's remaining opponents are at the level of Princeton or No. 8 Connecticut, winning out will be no small task. B.U. and Dartmouth both beat the Crimson last season, although Dartmouth, having lost to Columbia this weekend, does not appear to be as strong this season.

A win at Providence on Wednesday won't come easily either. The Friars have upset nationally-ranked Syracuse and New Hampshire in the past week, and Harvard struggled in its only other grass game at New Hampshire this season.

The Crimson's success in securing its second NCAA bid in school history will depend on how much it improves throughout the rest of the season.

"It's going to get harder for us," Caples said. "But we have a very talented team out there, and playing these kind of matches--where you have to learn to make split-second decisions and execute under pressure--is going to continue to make us a better team."