Michigan is led by Allison Mantel, who boasts 39 goals and 23 assists on the year. To come out on top, Harvard will need a solid showing from junior co-captain Devan Kennifer, who leads the team with 53 goals and 63 steals on the season.

“Devan is Devan, she’s an All-American, and she’s played that way all year,” Minnis said. “We all know what to expect from her, but Michigan does too. I can guarantee that they are going to be trying to stop her.”

Defense will also be a key factor this weekend. The Crimson is 12-1 when holding opponents below nine goals, and such a strong defensive effort will be necessary to escape Pennsylvania with a winning record. Junior goalie Laurel McCarthy has 122 saves on the season, and freshman Shayna Price was recently named CPWA Defensive Player of the Week.

“Michigan is a really quick counter-attacking team and our experience in California is going to be critical,” Zdrojewski said. “In order to have a shot, we need to shut them down defensively. Hopefully, we can do that.”

With just seven games left on the schedule before the Eastern Championships in Bloomington, Indiana at the end of April, this weekend’s games could prove pivotal in Harvard’s season.

The Crimson has received votes in the CWPA top-20 poll three times this season. In order to progress further in the poll, they will need to leave Pennsylvania with at least two, preferably three, wins.

“This is a big weekend,” Minnis said. “It’s going to require a team effort and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m really excited to see what we can do up there.”