Freshman Haley Skarupa (23 goals, 27 assists) and sophomore Emily Field (15 goals, 29 assists) give the Eagles three of the nation’s top 20 leading scorers, making them the only team in the nation besides No. 1 Minnesota to boast that distinction.

Things could get especially interesting on the power-play. The Crimson features the nation’s best penalty kill, but the Eagles are second in the country in power-play percentage.

Leading the Harvard attack will be Dempsey, who was a unanimous first-team All-Ivy selection following a season in which she ranked 11th in the country with 24 goals.

The senior was one of ten standouts initially named a finalist for the Patty Kazmaier award, given to the nation’s best player. But that list was recently narrowed to three members of the Gophers, who have not lost or tied any of their 33 contests this season.

Assuming Minnesota can get past Mercyhurst, whom it faces in its NCAA first round contest, the Crimson would have the chance to hand the Gophers their first loss of the season in the semifinals, which take place on Minnesota’s home ice.

But to get there, Harvard must take down its local rival first.

Though the Crimson holds a 36-13-0 edge in the all-time series against Boston College, it is just 6-8 in the NCAA tournament all-time.

The two squads have never met in the postseason, but with a Frozen Four bid on the line, the Crimson is ready to give the Eagles its best shot.

“We have a lot to look forward to,” Maschmeyer said. “We just have to stick to what we know.”

—Staff writer Scott A. Sherman can be reached at ssherman13@college.harvard.edu. Follow him on Twitter @ScottASherm.