On the last corner, the Braves tested the Crimson's patience, passing the ball between four people, before finally taking a shot. Crusius made the clutch play, stopping the shot and securing the loose ball in front to preserve the 1-0 victory for the Crimson.
"It's the mental side of the game," Caples said. "[Field hockey] is a game where you have to stay alert for 70 minutes and keep your head in the present. You can be dominant, but the other team can make one run, and take the game away from you."
Harvard, however, was able to maintain its focus in stopping the final Quinnipiac run, and that was crucial.
"We played with poise and composure, and that's good," Caples said.
Harvard travels to Ithaca, N.Y. on Saturday, resuming its Ivy schedule against Cornell. The Big Red (5-3, 2-1) notched its third straight win Tuesday, beating Albany 2-1.
Harvard is tied with five-time defending champion Princeton for first place in the league at 3-0.