Junior midfielder Sophie Legros, who had also never put one in the net for Harvard, struck gold with her first shot since her sophomore season, giving her team a one-goal edge over their visitors which would prove the difference.

Legros, who played for Henin-Beaumont of the France Feminine Division I League, was no stranger to the European style of play, and as one of the squad’s only two international players, it just seemed to fit.

“Before the game, I let her know that this was her game to play and her game to win,” Leone said. “We were very happy to see her be the one to score the winning goal.”

Proving its mettle without the senior class that took part in back-to-back Ivy League titles in 2008 and 2009 and NCAA tournament berths in both those years, Harvard has high hopes for the fall season.

“It’s been a little tough filling their shoes, but we’ve been working really hard this spring doing a lot more than we usually do,” junior defender Patricia Yau said. “I think that all that hard work has paid off, and it’s shown in our later games [this spring].”

The team will be returning junior co-captain Melanie Baskind, who was tied for first as the top goalscorer with nine strikes on the season.

Sophomore standout Alexandra Conigliaro, who was good for four goals and four assists this past season, will give the Crimson the attacking punch it’ll need to go deep in the Ancient Eight.

“I’m excited,” Yau said. “We’ve learned a lot more about each other playing this spring, and our chemistry is great. I think we’ll have a very strong core returning next season, and if the recruiting class can come and fill in [our gaps], it will be a great season.”