Eagles Scratch Out 3-1 Win Over Field Hockey

There was no cheer in Cambridge, but there was Joy in Chestnut Hill.

That's Joy Ramsbotham, Boston College's tri-captain, who proved a formidable nemesis to the Harvard field hockey team (7-6, 3-1 Ivy) yesterday. Ramsbotham assisted on the game-winning goal and scored an insurance tally as the Eagles breezed by the Crimson, 3-1, at Alumni Stadium.

"B.C. played an excellent game," said co-captain Tara LaSovage. "We needed to make adjustments, and we didn't do it. They were beating us to some balls, and they were a little faster and smarter."

Harvard, which saw its five-game winning streak snapped, fell behind early when B.C. sophomore Jennifer Hall knocked home a pass from senior Nicki Novocin. The Eagles maintained their slim advantage into the half. HARVARD  1 B.C.  3

Co-captain Judy Collins erased this deficit by tallying her 14th goal of the season, breaking her own school record for points scored in a single season with 30.

"Judy's incredible," LaSovage said. "She's the kind of player who can completely take over a game. She's a good leader, and she means a lot to the team."

But after Collins goal, the Eagles (13-2) surged past the Crimson with help from its own senior leaders.

All three captains helped create the game-winner. Gabrielle Beig gave the Eagles a lead they would not relinquish on a double-assist from Anne Marie Ambrose and Ramsbotham with 12:38 remaining in the game.

Ramsbotham capped the win by scoring with 1:50 l

"They were a very experienced team," LaSovage said. "They made good decisions with the ball. They did a good job reading things, and their positioning was excellent."

Things just don't get any easier for Harvard, which travels to Princeton to face the fourth-ranked Tigers (11-1, 4-0) on Saturday. To win, the Crimson must revitalize its offense. If not, the team could wind up staring at a new, unpleasant streak.

B.C., 3-1 at Alumni Stadium Harvard  0  1  --  1 B.C.  1  2  --  3

Scoring

B.C.--Hall (Novocin) 5:00.

Har--Collins 10:00.

B.C.--Beig (Ramsbotham, Ambrose) 27:22.

B.C.--Ramsbotham (Ambrose) 43:10.

Saves: Har--Cowan 5; B.C.--Dedman 5.