Browns everyday tandem in net of Gervais and Jo Markle had never given up more than two goals in one game before running into the current line of Crimson strikers. Gervais had never faced Totman, as the Crimsons leading scorer as a freshman had lost her sophomore season to injury.
Its so nice to have everyone back, Costello said. Joey and Totty together are such a force. And we have such depth on the forward line too. I dont think it gets much better than the talent we have.
On the other side of the field, junior Crimson goalkeeper Cheryl Gunther was looking for redemption against Brown, having given up a soft goal in the opening minutes of the game last season. Other than a few scary moments early in the first half, she was rarely tested, but she held on to the few hard shots Brown drilled straight at her.
Its a huge win personally because I made a couple mistakes last year, Gunther said. It was huge to come back and beat them.
The Crimson has now produced two straight shutouts after giving up five goals in its opener.
It wasnt really any dramatic changes, it was just kind of tweaking it and getting the confidence back, Wheaton said. Its not just the defendersand theyve done an amazing jobits also the midfielders and forwards tracking back to defend.
Early in the first half, Brown twice had success getting the ball through the defense to senior forward Allison Schwerdt. But the defense quickly made up for its mistakes. On one sequence where Schwerdt had everyone beaten by a step, Barber caught up, took the ball out from under her, and sent her tumbling.
One of the best defenders Ive played with is the freshman Liza Barber, Gunther said.
On another break from Schwerdt, sophomore fullback Lauren Cozzolino managed to distract her just enough to force an uninspired shot high into Gunthers hands. Gunther had heavy praise for her defense, elevating it above the Crimson defense of two years ago that gave up just three goals in all of Ivy play.
We just need to get used to playing with each other, our chemistry, Gunther said. Its the best defense Ive played with in my three years here.
For the afternoon, Harvard outshot Brown, 19-4, and took 13 corners to Browns one. The Crimson earned no yellow cards to Browns two, one coming from junior fullback Kim Insalaco, who is also a Bear ice hockey forward.
Insalaco earned her card when she took down Westfall from behind with a display of recklessness that would have been worthy of a five-minute major in her winter sport.
The Crimson will have a full week to reflect on its dominating performance as it resumes its Ivy schedule at Yale next Saturday. Harvard has claimed a share of the Ivy title in every odd-numbered year since 1995.
We always want to make it as far as possible, but our first priority is the Ivy League, Costello said. Today I think we proved to everyone that that is our goal. We do want to wear that Ivy crown and win those rings.