“[Jay’s] really consistent,” Burmeister said, “he makes all the blocks he should be making and a few more.”

Despite trailing throughout, the Crimson was constantly able to put pressure on the Johns Hopkins lead. But as soon as Harvard got close, the sense of urgency vanished and the Crimson was unable to continue to chip away at the lead.

“We definitely had our chances to win,” said Garcia, who notched two goals in the contest.

Freshman David Tune also propelled the Crimson offense, but the team ultimately came up short.

“Even if we’re winning we don’t really put a team away,” Garcia said. “Everything is coming together, we have the skill, we just have to learn to do that better.”

BUCKNELL 10, HARVARD 3

The Crimson’s first game of the ECACs against fifth seed Bucknell was its least competitive contest of the tournament. Harvard came out lacking energy and playing flat, something a high-caliber team like Bucknell could capitalize upon.

“It was the first game and we just let them come out really strong,” Garcia said. “We let them get four quick goals on us.”

Harvard needed solid, consistent, and smart play throughout the game to compete, but lacked the ability to stop Bucknell’s starters.

“We hadn’t seen a team play like them,” Garcia said. “They are definitely one of the best teams we’ve played this year.”

The Crimson was unable to adjust its play or solidify its defense enough to slow its opponent, starting off the tournament on an ominous note.

Harvard will need to improve and play a more consistent game in order to defeat Brown in its next contest.

Garcia was confident the team has the potential to win close games like these in the future.

“Our mindset is there and we know it’s an important game,” Garcia said. “If we’re in a situation like we were today, we know we’ll be able to get past that point of letting them get back in it.”

—Staff writer Megha Parekh can be reached at parekh@fas.harvard.edu.