Despite being just across the river, BU’s absence at the Crimson 7s resulted in some mystery as to how the matchup would turn out. The Crimson held seed in a tough and even contest, scoring a converted try with three minutes left in the first half to put the Cambridge squad up, 7-0, after a slow start to the game.

Indicative of the match, however, the Terriers did not go down without a fight and scored a try with around five minutes remaining. But a missed conversion by Regine Jacques, who initially scored the try, left Harvard with a narrow two-point lead. Harkavy played hero by responding with a try with a try two minutes later to give the Crimson more breathing room, which the team would use to seal out the game.

HARVARD 15, NORWICH A 0

Facing an unfamiliar opponent to start the day, the Crimson got off to a tenuous start. But Harkavy scored her first of five tries on the day exactly halfway through the first half. A missed conversion meant the game was up for grabs going into the second period.

Getting its engine going early in the morning, Harvard relied on its youth to jumpstart the team to an opening victory to prevent an upset. Freshmen Delia Hellander and Becky Soilson scored a try each to wake up the Crimson as it angled for another deep tournament run.

As the season progresses, the team cannot just rely on individual offensive contributions in order to be successful.

“There’s always room to improve,” senior Claire Collins alluded last Saturday. “We are going to work on improving our defense and improving our passing width.”

The team must gather together as unit, focusing not just on scoring but defense pressure and takeaways, as well.

—Staff writer William Quan can be reached at william.quan@thecrimson.com.