Despite blustery conditions and plowed snow at Jordan Field on Saturday, the Harvard women's lacrosse team had to worry about weathering a storm of another variety.

After a back-and-forth battle which featured six ties and three lead changes, Harvard (1-0) narrowly edged No. 20 UMass, 9-8, to start its season with a victory.

A three-goal, two-assist effort from Crimson co-captain Alli Harper and a respectable showing in goal from sophomore Nora Guyer sent the Minutewomen (0-1) back to Amherst cold and empty-handed.

"UMass is always one of the first games we play, and it's usually a challenge because [UMass] is such a tough and physical team," said Harper said. "Both teams were fighting goal for goal."

Although Harvard fell behind 2-0 in the early going, free possession goals from Harper and junior Erin Kutner equalized the score halfway through the first frame.

The Crimson gave up another two-goal lead to the Minutewomen, but junior Heather Hussey pulled Harvard to within one with her goal in the 30th minute. UMasss led at the half, 4-3.

Two minutes into the second half, Crimson sophomore Katie Shaughnessy scored to tie the game at 4-4. Thirty-six seconds later, Fay Naber answered with a goal to put UMass back on top. And eight seconds after that, senior Lauren Corkery took converted on a Harper pass to pull the Crimson even.

Harvard had a brief 6-5 lead when Corkery returned the favor and assisted on a goal for classmate Harper. However, UMass yet again knotted the score on a goal from attacker Hope Zelinger. Crimson freshman Jen Brooks took a pass from Hussey and beat Cyndi Doyle to give Harvard a 7-6 lead at 17:53 in the second half.