"Everyone understands that she's a freshman and we can't too much pressure on her," Stone said. "We are trying to build some consistency. Everyone of these big games is the first for her."

The Harvard team hopes that Ruddock has more big games left in her as the Crimson enters the stretch run and prepares for the playoffs.

Harvard could still finish first, but it would need some help. Harvard trails Dartmouth by just one point, but the Big Green has lost only twice all season and has a relatively easy finish to the season.

"Brown and Harvard have the toughest roads till the end of the season," Stone said. "We understand that every game is going to be a dogfight, and if we lose our edge, we are going to be vulnerable."

With victories last night and Saturday, however, Harvard has almost guaranteed itself of a showdown with St. Lawrence in the ECAC semi-finals.

While only the ECAC and WCHA conference playoff champions receive automatic bids to the Final Four, the winner of a Harvard-St. Lawrence semifinal game would be assured of an at-large bid regardless of its performance in the final. The loser would most likely be done for the season.

Harvard is currently four points ahead of No. 5 St. Lawrence, who sits third in the conference, with four games remaining.