Even if the weather forecasters predict that players will have to struggle with freezing temperatures and snow flurries this afternoon, the Harvard women's lacrosse team is preparing to turn its season around today with a road win against No. 10 Dartmouth.

Harvard (5-5, 0-4 Ivy) enters the game this afternoon looking for its first league win after dropping a difficult 14-9 loss to No. 3 Princeton last Saturday.

In spite of the Big Green's national ranking, the Crimson has all the tools necessary to win its first Ivy game today. What has hurt Harvard this season is not a lack of skill but a lack of concentration against teams it could easily defeat.

"We've played well against good teams, but when we're not there mentally and physically for the full 60 minutes, we end up losing to teams we could have beaten," said co-captain Megan Austin. "If we go at [Dartmouth] and play our game, we'll stop them."

Currently riding a seven-game win streak after beating Penn and Penn State on the road last weekend, the No. 10 Big Green will pose formidable offensive and defensive challenges to the Crimson this afternoon.

Harvard will have a difficult time breaking down a tough Dartmouth defense. Senior goalkeeper Sarah Hughes was named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week after making 14 saves and causing two turnovers and two interceptions in the Big Green's 14-4 win over league rival Penn.

"Their goalkeeper is their strength," Austin said. "She is definitely their best defensive player."

The Big Green can also depend on several players to make key offensive contributions. Senior Suzy Gibbons, who leads the Ivies in scoring with 43 points (33 goals, 10 assists), chipped in three goals and added three assists in Dartmouth's 12-11 victory over Penn State Sunday afternoon. Gibbons earned Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week honors this week for scoring 11 points and five assists over a three-game span.