They say offense sells tickets and defense wins games. Co-captain Kathryn Farni has always helped the Harvard women’s ice hockey team win games, but judging by her performance against McGill on Saturday, she’ll sell some tickets this season too.

Farni scored the Crimson’s first goal before assisting on its final three in the team’s 4-1 defeat of the Martlets in an exhibition game at Bright Hockey Center.

Five minutes into the game, Farni took advantage of a shorthanded opportunity.

A McGill player was going for a long pass, but Farni read the play and intercepted the puck in the neutral zone, scoring on a breakaway.

“She has great anticipation and timing,” Harvard coach Katey Stone said. “She can be a strong threat offensively.”

Farni found the back of the net just that once, but was the catalyst for the Crimson’s remaining goals.

“The way she contributed to the following three goals was by creating and developing,” senior goaltender Christina Kessler said. “She was there in times where we needed her.”

Had the game been official, it would have been Farni’s career high in points, but those who have known the defenseman throughout her playing career say she has always had these abilities.

“She was always good,” remembered junior forward Katharine Chute, who had played on spring league teams with Farni.

“She always had really good hands, always had a really good stick.”

It’s not surprising that Farni was drawn to hockey. In Minnesota, the land of 10,000 frozen lakes, it’s a way of life.

“[Playing in Minnesota] is definitely a lot of fun,” Farni reminisced. “There are so many good players that come out of the state.”

Earning two all-state team selections, the Crimson’s co-captain was one of the best.

But she earned her reputation in high school mainly as a forward. The Minnetonka native graduated from the Hopkins School as its all-time career leading scorer, though that mark was passed last year. But Hopkins coach Vin Paolucci anticipated Farni’s move to defense in college, and made the switch her senior year.

“She has a lot of skills on the blue line,” Paolucci said.