Booters Brace For Showdown

Harvard coach Bruce Munro calls it "the game of the week in America;" Penn coach Bob Seddon labels it, "the biggest game of the year for us;" experts call it, "the definite Game of the Year in the Ivy League;" and down in Philadelphia they just talk about "The Big One."

And so, the stage is set for the 8 p.m. showdown at Penn's Franklin Field. The Crimson, rated third in the nation, has a streak of 17 consecutive Ivy League victories, and is presently tied with the Quakers for first place in the league with a 3-0 mark. Penn is ranked sixth in the nation and goes into the game with a 8-1 record compared to Harvard's 6-0 mark.

The Quakers' lone loss came two weeks ago at Annapolis. Outshooting Navy 32-17, Penn lost in the fourth quarter to the Middies, 2-1. Last Saturday, Harvard disposed of Dartmouth at Hanover, 5-0, while the Quakers, who beat the Indians, 3-1, earlier in the season, blanked Princeton, 3-0. The Crimson and the Quakers outshot their victims 32-6 and 37-5 respectively.

As the pressure and publicity surrounding the game rises, two questions have been repeatedly asked of coaches and players, both of which should have a definite effect on the outcome. The availability of Harvard's numerous injured players and the extent to which the Crimson attack may be hampered by Penn's poly-turf and the night conditions are still two big question marks surrounding the game.

Captain Charlie Thomas is still recuperating from an injury suffered against Wesleyan. He has not been used, since the injury, except for a brief appearance in the Cornell game. "I feel stronger each day and by the game I feel I should be able to run," Thomas said. "But I'll be playing at less than 100 per cent."

Ivy scoring leader Felix Adedeji's X-rays of his injured knee proved negative and he will be starting against the Quakers. Chris Wilmot and Russ Bell, both of whom were injured against Cornell, are expected to be ready.

"The poly-turf certainly won't help your injuries." Seddon said last night. "It's a harder surface than regular grass and for soccer it's a lot easier to get hurt on."

But Munro has been worrying about the artificial surface for other reasons. The ball moves faster and bounces higher off the carpet and the tempo of most matches is strikingly increased.

"Penn goes into this game with at least a one goal advantage playing on 'Astro-Turf' and at night," Munro explained. "There is no question in my mind about this."

In order to try and cut down the advantage. Munro put his squad through an hour practice session yesterday evening on B.U.'s perma-turf. They will fly down to Philadelphia this morning in time for a short workout on the Franklin Field surface.

"We definitely have a turf disadvantage but I've always said that a team of Harvard's ability should not have any problem adjusting to it," Seddon admitted.

The Quakers are led by last year's three top scorers, in tri-captains Stan Startzell (All-American). Tom Liebermann (All-Ivy) and Bob Watkins. Sophomores have also played a major part in Penn's success this season. particularly Larry Houston and Steve Baumann. The one weak spot for the Quakers may be at goal where John Miller moves up from the J.V. team to play in the nets. "We're very ready for the game, as far as injuries are concerned."