Crimson Soccer Team Faces Williams Without High-Scoring Forward Ohiri

Can the soccer team win without Ohiri? This afternoon they'll have to when they take on a strong Williams team without their record-setting center-forward here at 2 p.m.

Ohiri's pulled groin has had him limping since Saturday's Amherst game. Definitely not a starter today, he will probably sit out the game altogether in order to be ready for the weekend contest with Columbia.

Davies Injured

If this isn't enough, Crimson half-back Tony Davies has done something to his foot (no one is quite sure exactly what) and, if he starts, is bound to be at less than full strength. X-rays reveal a bone-chip, but it may be a former injury, it may be aggravation of a former injury, or it may be new. In any event, it is painful enough to prevent the powerful halfback from unleashing his full kick.

Coach Bruce Munro may not be able to replace Ohiri, but he has what should be a satisfactory combination on his line. Right inside Seamus Malin will shift to center-forward, his last year's position, captain and left inside Ted Wendell will move over to right inside, and sophomore John Thorndike will start his first game at left inside.

As for finding a replacement for Davies, Munro plans to make full use of the unlimited substitution rule of the New England League and juggle Ken Rand, Dave Clapp, and possibly fullback Sandy Cortesi in Davies' right-half slot.

Under even the best conditions, though, Williams would still be a challenge. The Ephmen have played only one game, a 6-0 victory over UMass, but they boast an aggressive, skilled, and experienced team and, in Ben Kofi, a highly-touted African center-forward of their own. Kofi and co-captain Skip Rutherford each scored three goals against UMass.

Besides personnel, Williams has an undoubted psychological advantage, as will every team that plays Harvard for as long as the Crimson is undefeated.

Williams Up for Game

To non-Ivy-League Williams the Harvard game is always a big one, but this year the urge to knock off an undefeated team will also count.

Almost the entire Williams team made the trip to Amherst Saturday and they were not encouraged by the performance of even an injured Ohiri. But this afternoon there is no Ohiri, and victory will be up for grabs.