But unexpectedly, U.S.A. Hockey drained the talent pool for the coming season. Last March, the word was out that the U.S. National Team was plucking the top players from the college ranks. Providence goalkeeper Sarah DeCosta, Brown defenseman Tara Mounsey, Minnesota's Winny Brodt and Princeton's Annamarie Holmes were the first to go.

It seemed natural that Ruggiero would ultimately follow suit, but she initially remained committed to Harvard hockey. She was elected tri-captain of the 2000-01 team along with Botterill and senior forward Angie Francisco.

Ruggiero continued to brood over the decision through the coming months, frequently discussing the decision with her Harvard teammates.

"I had been talking to her all summer," Botterill said. "She was still trying to decide in August."

Towards the end of August, Ruggiero played in a three-game series against Canada with the U.S. Women's Under-22 Select Team. Her roommate during this time was Harvard sophomore defenseman Jaime Hagerman.

"I had been talking to her throughout the summer, and while we were on the U-22 national team, we were roommates, and we were always talking, weighing the pros and cons of leaving," Hagerman said.

Harvard Coach Katey Stone was also at the national camp with Ruggiero.

"When I was at the national camp, I pretty much figured she would come back," Stone said. "But she got a bit of pressure to go play with the national team, and that made the difference. It was a very tough decision for her, but to get one thing you have to give up another. It was a very difficult, stressful time. We obviously were in support of whatever she decided to do."