The No. 16 Harvard field hockey team refused to go down silently at No. 4 Wake Forest on Saturday morning, the Crimson's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1991.

The resilient Crimson squad overcame deficits of 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 in the game's first 40 minutes, but Harvard (12-6, 6-1 Ivy) could not stop Wake Forest (17-3) down the stretch. The Demon Deacons scored three unanswered goals and advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals with a 6-3 win.

"I'm proud of our team," co-captain Liz Sarles said. "It was one of our best games all season. Everyone thought we had a chance if we played well, but we hadn't played anyone of [Wake Forest's] caliber in four years."

The turning point of the game came soon after the third Harvard comeback. Wake Forest called a timeout and drastically switched around its players in the forward and midfield positions.

"The fact that one of the best teams in the country had to completely change its game in order to beat us was really flattering," Sarles said.

Play had been relatively even up until that point, but after the timeout, the Harvard defense was caught off-guard by the Demon Deacon's new attack.

"They switched people around on offense, and it really confused our defense," Sarles said. "They were trying more long passes, and we were leaving people unmarked. It was just a lack of communication on our part."

Wake Forest forward Kelly Doton, who drew first blood against the Crimson six minutes into the match, netted the game-winner with 23 minutes left.