For the Crimson, winning its ninth Ancient Eight title solidified its place as the premier team in the Ivy League, despite a rough pre-season where Harvard only won one game out of eight.
“I think the key for our team was that we never panicked and turned against each other,” Leone said.
“When it wasn’t going well for us, the not scoring goals the not winning, [we were] just sticking together and trying to improve every day with the big picture in mind. The big picture for us has always been the Ivy League.”
With the Ivy League championship trophy now in its locker room, Harvard looks forward to the NCAA tournament where experience from last year’s first round loss should help the Crimson improve.
“We experienced last year what it was like to be in the tournament,” Leone said. “You can’t buy it. There is nothing like the NCAA tournament, and now that we have this experience, hopefully we will be better this time around.”
Harvard will find out its seeding and first round opponent tonight at 8pm on ESPN.
“Just being consistent, working hard, taking it game-by-game,” Baskind said. “We know that we are a great team, we have the potential to do well in this tournament.”
—Staff writer Alex Sopko can be reached at sopko@fas.harvard.edu.