[jonnyss]

Stanford probably still had the talent to beat Harvard, but just hadn't processed the loss of two of their best players.  But it was a pretty deep team, especially in the post.  In addition to Folkl, Stanford had Olympia Scott and Naomi Mulitauaopele, both of them seniors.  And, as mentioned, on top of Nygaard at Guard, Milena Flores was the PG, one of the more underrated Stanford guards (she still stands third all-time in career assists behind Henning and Azzi).

BC

A day late, but maybe worth it....  I dug up these articles on that time:
Stanford Daily 3/11/98, reporting the injuries.
Harvard Crimson  3/12/98, before the game, on the injuries.  I had forgotten that Folkl wasn't allowed to start but Nygaard's injury was going to give her the start.
Stanford Daily 3/30/98, talking about the game.  If the article leaves you depressed, go to page 1B for MBB's run to the Final Four;  WSwim's 8th national title;  MSwim's national title.

It surprised me then that the #5 team got a #1 seed with Nygaard out (Folkl's injury came after the seedings IIRC).

It was clear at the time, that despite losing 40% of the offense, the real problem was that the team wasn't used to playing with neither of them on the court.  If the team had a chance to practice for a week with the resulting line up, I'm sure they would have beaten Harvard and possibly won the next game.

I forgot, and BC didn't mention, the name of Stanford's high point leader of that game.  When you give up trying to remember, check out the 3rd article above.

thanks for posting. looking at our line-up, i don't see dominance in a line-up of sophomore guards milena flores, christina batastini, and melody peterson plus regan freuen, heather owen and olympia scott (the players with over 20 minutes). reading your articles - thanks! - harvard doubled whichever of heather or olympia was near the basket and dared the rest of the team to beat them. milena was a fabulous passer, but to whom do you pass with that line-up and that defense? regan freuen, as it turns out.

[jonnyss]

Stanford probably still had the talent to beat Harvard, but just hadn't processed the loss of two of their best players.  But it was a pretty deep team, especially in the post.  In addition to Folkl, Stanford had Olympia Scott and Naomi Mulitauaopele, both of them seniors.  And, as mentioned, on top of Nygaard at Guard, Milena Flores was the PG, one of the more underrated Stanford guards (she still stands third all-time in career assists behind Henning and Azzi).

BC

A day late, but maybe worth it....  I dug up these articles on that time:
Stanford Daily 3/11/98, reporting the injuries.
Harvard Crimson  3/12/98, before the game, on the injuries.  I had forgotten that Folkl wasn't allowed to start but Nygaard's injury was going to give her the start.
Stanford Daily 3/30/98, talking about the game.  If the article leaves you depressed, go to page 1B for MBB's run to the Final Four;  WSwim's 8th national title;  MSwim's national title.

It surprised me then that the #5 team got a #1 seed with Nygaard out (Folkl's injury came after the seedings IIRC).

It was clear at the time, that despite losing 40% of the offense, the real problem was that the team wasn't used to playing with neither of them on the court.  If the team had a chance to practice for a week with the resulting line up, I'm sure they would have beaten Harvard and possibly won the next game.

I forgot, and BC didn't mention, the name of Stanford's high point leader of that game.  When you give up trying to remember, check out the 3rd article above.

thanks for posting. looking at our line-up, i don't see dominance in a line-up of sophomore guards milena flores, christina batastini, and melody peterson plus regan freuen, heather owen and olympia scott (the players with over 20 minutes). reading your articles - thanks! - harvard doubled whichever of heather or olympia was near the basket and dared the rest of the team to beat them. milena was a fabulous passer, but to whom do you pass with that line-up and that defense? regan freuen, as it turns out.