Let the Games Begin - After a strong start on the road, Crimson stumbles, only to rise again

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November 18, 1999

SEARCH THE GAZETTE

HARVARD GAZETTE ARCHIVES

Harvard's Angie Francisco splits the Dartmouth defense as she skates toward the net in the season's home opener. Dartmouth won 5-4 in overtime. Photos by Justin Ide.

After completing the most successful season in the history of women's college hockey, the Harvard Crimson looks to make a run at its second straight American Women’s College Hockey Alliance (AWCHA) National Championship. In last year's run to the title, the Crimson scored an unprecedented 33-1 record and notched its first Beanpot title in four years, its first Ivy League crown in 10 years, and its first-ever ECAC Regular Season and Tournament Championship.

This season started off with two wins on the road. Opening game (Nov. 5) was a squeaker against Wisconsin, with Harvard coming up with three third period goals to beat the Badgers 3-1. Game number two on Nov. 7 was an easy-breather with the Crimson scoring four goals in the first period and eventually beating Minnesota 8-3.

Prior to the first face-off of the next contest, a home game against Dartmouth on Friday, Nov. 12, the team raised a banner at Bright Hockey Center commemorating last season’s AWCHA national championship. Following the ceremony, Dartmouth spoiled the party as the No. 7 ranked Big Green fought past the Crimson 5-4 in overtime. It was the first loss since Nov. 15 of last year for the Crimson, who had posted 32 consecutive victories. Dartmouth jumped on the board quickly, as junior Kristina Guarino scored her first goal of the year just 1:23 into the opening period. The Big Green would add another midway through the first to take a 2-0 lead. Harvard sophomore defender Angela Ruggiero cut the lead in half by scoring her first of the year on a breakaway. Dartmouth would add a late goal to post a comfortable 3-1 lead after 20 minutes of play.

The Crimson answered right away in the second, as junior Angie Francisco scored just 25 seconds in to make it a 3-2 game. Even though the Big Green was penalized five times in the second, Harvard couldn't capitalize on the opportunity. Dartmouth scored with fewer than five minutes remaining in the period to take a 4-2 lead.

The Crimson made a valiant comeback in the third period. Ruggiero tallied her second of the game, a short-handed goal just 1:41 into the final period. Francisco's second goal of the game with 9:19 remaining in the third evened the contest at 4-4. Despite a flurry of activity at both ends of the ice, the teams finished regulation and moved onto sudden death overtime.

The Big Green snapped Harvard's streak just two minutes into the extra session, when junior Jennifer Wiehn picked off a rebound and fired the puck past Harvard netminder Alison Kuusisto. Wiehn finished the night with a goal and two assists.

Kuusisto, playing in place of injured senior goalie Crystal Springer, made 27 saves in her first start of the season.

One day later Harvard bounced back with a convincing 7-2 victory over Boston College at Bright Hockey Center. The win improved Harvard's record to 3-1-0, while BC fell to 0-4-0.

The Crimson had control throughout the game, outshooting the Eagles, 59-14. Junior sharpshooter Tammy Shewchuk led Harvard with four goals and two assists on the night, while sophomore Jennifer Botterill added a goal and three assists.

Harvard sophomore goalie Kuusisto needed to make only 12 saves on the night to record her first victory of the season. BC's Christy Nentwig made 52 saves in the losing effort.