If the future of the Harvard women’s lacrosse team lies with its freshman class, the Crimson may be in good hands.

Since taking over as head coach at the beginning of the 2004 season, Coach Sarah Nelson has sculpted a class of strong, speedy players that hope to help turn the tides after last year’s 6-9 campaign.

With a large freshmen class of eight girls hustling to break into the starting lineup, the team’s intensity has risen, and it is hopeful the numbers in the win column will continue to follow.

Although she began helping with the recruiting process as an assistant coach under former head coach Carole Kleinfelder, this is the first year that Nelson has compiled a team on her own. Both players and coach believe that this group is a special one, with enormous potential and great skill.

“We’ve melded really well and have a great team dynamic,” captain Catherine Sproul said. “Sarah picked people that fit in well. I couldn’t be happier.”

The players recognize the opportunity it is to play for a coach like Nelson. A World Cup player, she brings skill and experience playing the modern game to the sidelines.

“I think I can speak for all eight of us when I say that Sarah is a huge reason that we’re here,” freshman midfielder Ali Hines said. “We just couldn’t pass that up. She just blows us away—we learn so much from her every day.”

The feeling is reciprocated by Nelson, who can say nothing but good things about the Class of 2008.

“This is a terrific class, top to bottom,” Nelson said. “Most of them turned down other Ivies or highly-ranked schools. They could have gone anywhere in the country, but by coming here they showed that they are committed to building a program.”

Among a pack of talented freshmen, attacker Tara Schoen and midfielder Natalie Curtis have taken the lead in laying the groundwork for seasons to come. Both All-Americans in high school, the two have not only started in each of the team’s games but have wasted no time in making an impact. In the second game of the season, versus Quinnipiac, Schoen and Curtis each tallied a hat trick in the first half to lead Harvard to its second victory in as many games.

Schoen, who led Darien (Conn.) High to two state championships, can be seen weaving among defenders to unleash an exceptional shot. Once released, her shot often finds the back of the net—in 12 shots in the first three games of the season, Schoen has tallied five goals.

“Tara has one of the hardest shots I’ve ever seen,” said Nelson. “It’s a beautiful thing.”

Curtis, who first played with Schoen while in high school, heaped praise upon her aggressive teammate as well.

“Tara probably has the sickest shot I’ve ever seen,” said Curtis. “She is so strong that she can shoot from as far back as the guys. She has a knack for finding the goal like no one I’ve ever seen.”

Schoen’s passion for the game shows both in practice and games and helps to raise the level of her teammates’ play.