“Our offensive has really been connecting the past couple of games, but if it’s a tight game we can get it done defensively,” Ingram said.

Sophomore forward Lauren McAuliffe got the Crimson on the board in the first period last Sunday with her third goal of the season.

Harvard took the 1-0 lead into the locker room at the end of the frame but lost focus early in the second. The Crimson allowed a Niagara goal just 18 seconds into the period.

Harvard regrouped however, and scored three unanswered goals midway through the frame to take a 4-1 lead.

Sophomore goalie Jessica Ruddock and the Crimson defense made the goals stand as the teams played to a scoreless third period.

Harvard will need to play tight defensively again on Sunday, as Niagara junior forward Valerie Hall and freshman forward Theresa Marchese-Del Monte are ranked second and sixth in ECAC Eastern point totals respectively. Each recorded points against the Crimson last Sunday.

Niagara all-time leading scorer Brooke Bradburn has also re-entered the Purple Eagle lineup after missing time due to injury. She netted an overtime game-winner against BC last week.

“We’ve focused in practice on how we need to play so that teams are forced to react to us rather than us reacting to them,” Hagerman said.

Face-off for tonight’s game is a 7 p.m. and the puck will drop at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Both games are at the Bright Hockey Center.