Ferguson struggled yesterday in the championship game, when Brown scored on six of its 25 shots. On Saturday, however, she simply had Harvard's number. When sophomore defenseman Angela Ruggiero wound up for an uncontested slapper in the high slot that could have won the game in overtime, the reigning ECAC Goaltender of the Week came out of the splits and swiped the puck out of the air to keep the Big Green alive.

Ferguson was so successful against Harvard because the Crimson kept firing wide of the goal's mouth. The Big Green narrowly outshot the Crimson, 38-37, but Harvard attempted 81 shots to Dartmouth's 66.

The Big Green frustrated the Crimson by packing five defenders in the slot and challenging Harvard to score from the point. Harvard's blueliners wound up and put good wood on the puck, but there was usually a Dartmouth skater in position to prevent the shot from reaching the net.

Offensively, Dartmouth cashed in on odd-man rushes. Winger Kim McCullough was cherry-picking along the blueline all night, looking for a quick shot after her teammates cleared the zone. Kristina Guarino scored the overtime goal after receiving a quick pass from linemate Jen Wiehn and racing down the right wing to throw the puck on net before Harvard could set up on defense.

Should the Crimson receive an at-large bid, it must find a way to break down that formula.

The top line must penetrate collapsing defenses. Centering passes from the point is one way, but the Crimson should also take advantage of centers Angie Francisco and Jen Botterill, who can dish from behind the net. In addition, Harvard can look to wingers Tammy Shewchuk and Kalen Ingram, the two players who scored on Saturday. Both wingers showed their explosiveness as well as their abilities to cycle out of the corner.

Defensively, aggressive forechecking should prevent shots in transition, and Harvard cannot afford to make mistakes with the puck in its own zone.