W is not a hard letter to find. It's right after V and right before X in the alphabet.

Unfortunately, it is just not that easy in the world of sports. Ask the Harvard field hockey team.

Harvard began its 1992 season with a solid 3-0 win over Rhode Island. But ever since then, the Crimson has been searching for that elusive W. It couldn't find one against Brown or Springfield, and Penn was no help either.

So Harvard (1-3-1 overall, 0-1-1 Ivy) will continue its quest tonight when it crosses the river to face Boston University (7-2) at Nickerson Field.

The 12th-ranked Terriers, however, might not be very cooperative, and have proved very adept this season at collecting wins of their own.

BU has won its last four games and has not dropped a match since it lost to 2nd-ranked Iowa, 5-2.

The Terriers are also defending a 16-match home winning streak, outscoring opponents 45-3.

Despite BU's record and ranking, Harvard Coach Sue Caples is optimistic about the Crimson's chances tonight.

"I'm pleased with how we've been practicing and putting the pieces together," Caples said.

Caples said that the team has been working on some special formations for the BU game.

"We'll mix things up, and we're going to do some things to take care of their strengths," Caples said.

Namely, assigning specific Harvard players to cover the Terriers' big guns.

Junior Francie Walton will be responsible for BU's leading scorer, junior Jen Nixon. Nixon has accumulated 11 points in nine games, scoring seven goals and dishing out four assists. Last week, she was named the North Atlantic Association's Player of the Week.

Nixon finds her support in junior back Chris LaPointe who has tallied four scores and five assists.

"They have good solid athletes," Caples said. "And this will have to be our best game so far. We have to be in the game so far as long as it takes."