Perhaps the greatest sign for this year's Crimson was the efficiency in clears out of the backfield. Sloppy transition out of the defensive end plagued Harvard all of last year, especially towards the end of the season when the team dropped seven straight to finish at 3-10.

In Saturday's game the Crimson completed 24 clears of 26 attempts, aided in part by a winded B.C. midfield and a strong defensive effort.

The back line facilitated the transition with a combination of cross-field passing and strong runs past--and sometimes through--the B.C. middies.

The play in the back is especially positive since Harvard lost last year's New England Rookie of the Year, sophomore defenseman Mike Meagher, to a hip injury for the season.

"I think there is more confidence and more experience back there," senior goalie Keith Cynar said. "We have pretty much the same defensive unit coming back, and that helps a lot."

Cynar, who is returning for his third season between the posts, allowed both goals and had 12 saves on the day before junior Ely Kahn took to the cage with 9:30 left in the fourth period.

Cynar was named a pre-season All-American candidate earlier this year.

The clearing and fluid play around the net are a good sign for a Crimson team with high expectations. Harvard lost no contributor from last season's campaign: they are returning every person who scored every goal, got every assist and made every save.