Although treating opponents with respect has long been an NCAA sportsmanship ideal, it has often been lost on Harvard opponents when commenting on Crimson junior goaltender Jessica Ruddock this year.

As Harvard’s starting netminder this season, Ruddock has posted the top record in the nation at 25-2-1, the nation’s second-best goals against average at 1.49, and the ECAC regular season’s second-best save percentage at .922. She is also far and away the team leader in the ignoble category of drawing public criticism.

Comments made by Dartmouth captain Carly Haggard during a first intermission interview with NESN reporter A.J. Mleczko’97-’99 were typical of the criticism Ruddock has endured this season. At the time, Dartmouth was ahead 3-0—the first time Ruddock had surrendered three goals in a period all season.

“It looks like their goalie’s pretty shaky, so we want to keep getting shots on her,” Haggard said. Her words were broadcast across the Boston area.

Ruddock did not escape unscathed from Saturday’s press conference following the Crimson’s 10-3 win over Brown either.

“I felt like we were in [the game] because it seemed like everything we were throwing at the net was getting bobbled or might have gone in.” said Brown coach Digit Murphy, referring to a point in the game when the score was 5-3.

Following a 4-1 win over Princeton in February, Harvard coach Katey Stone said Ruddock’s 21-save effort on 22 shots was solid. Princeton captain Nikola Holmes did not concur.

“Their goalie is their weak link,” Holmes said to the Daily Princetonian. “We just didn’t capitalize on our opportunities.”

Ruddock has had plenty of opportunity to earn respect from opposing coaches. Two years ago, she stopped 27 of 30 shots to help Harvard to a 4-3 overtime Beanpot win over a Northeastern team with All-American Erik Silva in net. Prior to Northeastern’s 4-0 defeat in December, Woog made her opinion of Ruddock clear.

“We feel we have the stronger goaltending than Harvard—by far,” Woog said.

Ruddock is naturally the Crimson’s easiest target for criticism, given its Olympians at the defensive and forward positions. While Ruddock is not an Olympian, no one else in U.S. college hockey has a goaltender with Olympic experience either.

Ruddock has always taken the heat in stride.

“I think it’s a huge advantage for us when opposing teams see [me] as a weak spot,” Ruddock said following the Northeastern shutout. “It distracts their focus.”

Ruddock’s confidence shows in her ability to speak humorously about her own mistakes.

In a 3-2 win over Dartmouth her freshman year, Ruddock once let a puck slip behind her when she was out of the crease. Defenseman Pamela Van Reesema saved the day by racing back and knocking the puck into Ruddock’s pads.