Booters Should Defeat Punchless Indian Team

After a convincing second half in last week's contest with Columbia, the varsity soccer team looks ready to blossom today against Dartmouth.

The only two things likely to prevent a third consecutive Ivy victory for the Crimson are the traditional rough-house tactics used by the Indians and injuries to Crimson starters Bobby Knapp and John Thorndike. Coach Bruce Munro has not yet decided whether these two will see action against the Big Green.

Munro is quick to emphasize that the Dartmouth squad has hidden talents--but they seem so hidden that they're hard to find. The Indians sport a 1-4 record and have been impressive in only one of their games, a 2-1 loss to Ivy League leader Princeton. But, said Munro, "They're progressing by leaps and bounds, and will be out to get us."

In last year's game, played at Hanover, the Indians upset the Crimson 2-0 with football tactics and some brilliant saves by All-American goalie Dave Smoyer. But Smoyer is gone now, and Harvard promises to be ready for rough stuff.

"They'll be big and fast, but they don't measure up to us in skill," said senior John Thorndike. "We should win, but we should have beaten M.I.T. too. The main thing we'll have to look for is getting beat to the ball."

Practice Encouraging

Practice this week was encouraging. The team looked sharp in a scrimmage Wednesday against a squad from the Graduate School.

The Dartmouth game will be the Crimson's last chance to work out any kinks in their play. After today's game the Ivy League schedule starts in earnest, with the team facing Penn, Princeton, and Brown in the next three weeks. Penn was the pre-season Ivy favorite, but has been upset by both Princeton and Brown. The Tigers and the Bruins share the league lead with 3-0 marks.

The freshman soccer team plays the Dartmouth yearlings in another 3 p.m. game today. In three outings this year, the freshmen have beaten Tufts, Exeter, and M.I.T.