The women’s hockey team is set to take the ice once again this weekend against familiar rivals.

On Friday night, Yale (9-13-0, 5-10-0 ECAC) will take on Harvard (11-7-3, 10-4-2) in Boston before staying on the road to battle No. 8 Dartmouth (14-6-2, 11-3-2) on Saturday afternoon.

The Bulldogs played both teams earlier this season when they hosted the Crimson and Big Green before winter break.

Although the Elis lost both games, they are anything but discouraged about their chances for success this time around.

“We played well in our previous games against Harvard and Dartmouth but couldn’t come out on the winning side,” forward Crysti Howser ’09 said. “So hopefully this weekend we’ll be able to bring the same effort but just get a different result.”

But the Bulldogs will have a tough time against the Crimson. Harvard is currently on a five-game winning streak, including their previous win against the Elis. In addition, the Cantabs are celebrating the 30th anniversary of women’s hockey at Harvard.

The Crimson has the momentum, but the Elis keep the faith.

“We’re looking to move our way up in the standings this weekend,” captain and forward Sarah Tittman ’09 said. “If we come out with a lot of intensity and finish our chances we will be successful.”

Tittman added that the team has been working on the finer details of the game, which could have an impact on the Bulldogs play this weekend.

Dartmouth, a national powerhouse, has won six of its last seven matches and is second in the ECAC. A win over the Big Green would help the Elis’ chances of grabbing a playoff berth.

With only seven games left in ECAC play, the Elis could cut their six-point deficit to two with a pair of victories this weekend.

“There is certainly a sense of urgency,” Tittman said. “But we also know that we must remain disciplined on the ice and take one game at a time.”