“Jenn always steps up.” Tetreault said. “This weekend, though, she stepped up when we really needed it.  We had quite a few injuries this weekend and not all of our starters were out there but Jenn really stepped up and led the team.”

Harvard’s opponents are certainly aware of VanderMeulen’s offensive talent.  Last year, the attacker earned the Ivy League Rookie of the Year award and led both the Crimson and the Ivy League in goals and points with 56 and 64, respectively.

But her past success has brought VanderMeulen even more attention as a sophomore.

“It’s difficult returning as the Rookie of the Year because you’re constantly grabbing the other team’s best defenders and getting double-teamed,” said Baskind, who earned the 2009 Ivy League Rookie of the Year award in women’s soccer. “Jenn has handled it very well and has just continued to get better.”

For most players, increased defensive pressure might hinder their goal-scoring ability, but VanderMeulen has embraced the challenge.

“Usually when teams man mark me, it makes me work harder, and I kind of see it as a challenge,” VanderMeulen said. “I try not to use the face guard as a crutch, but I see it more as a competition.”

The way VanderMeulen has overcome the added defense attention has impressed her teammates, who have grown to look to the sophomore in pressure situations.

“She’s doing a lot more than just scoring; she’s taking draws and is a key part of our transition defense as well,” Baskind said. “She’s becoming a real leader out there.”