Unlike the past two years, where Penn beat the Crimson by one and two goals respectively, the Quakers could not convert another goal to force overtime, letting Harvard win with a final score of 3-2.

Not only did Saturday’s game provide the Crimson with a measure of retribution against Penn, but it was also a relief after a tough preseason saw the team only win one game against New Hampshire earlier in the month.

“We played tough games in preseason, and that was all to lead up and get us ready for these Ivy League games,” Mann said. “We took everything we learned from these games and just applied it on Saturday.”

Using the past games as building blocks, Sheeleigh claimed the team had finally learned to play together, play efficiently, and play with strong effort.

“We played to the ability that we knew we could, and we really came together as a team this game,” she said. “It was crucial for us because it showed everyone that we can do this, we can have a successful season, and we are good enough to be competing and winning games.”

Going into next week, the Crimson will face Holy Cross on Tuesday as another tune-up before confronting the Bulldogs of Yale next Saturday and Fairfield on Sunday.

“Now we have to do that all over again every single Ivy League game to be as successful as we were last year,” Sheeleigh said.

Mann put it in basic terms.

“We just have got to keep it rolling.”

—Staff writer Alex Sopko can be reached at sopko@fas.harvard.edu.