Women Booters Notch 100th Victory

Perhaps it was only fitting that the Harvard women's soccer team yesterday celebrated the biggest milestone in its eight year history, with one of its biggest victories of all time.

The Crimson's dramatic 1-0 upset of the nation's second ranked University of Massachusetts squad in Amherst marked the 100th victory for both the Harvard women's soccer program and Coach Bob Scalier.

"We've had a great tradition of fine teams and fine games," said Scalise, who didn't let his squad in on the secret until after the momentous victory.

"But this is one of our greatest moments,"

What made it so special was that the milestone triumph-on the strength of an Ann Baker header-came over one of the nations finest teams and once for all established the nation fifth-ranked Crimson squad (now10-2-1) as a legitimate contender for the 1984 national title.

"We would have gotten the 100th win this year any way," said senior Deb Field, who in her four years has been a part of 45Crimson victories.

"But[getting it against Umass] is nice."

Certainly the biggest triumph of the year and at least the biggest since Harvard defeated Brown, 3-1, in overtime in 1982 to advance to the NCAA Final Four, the Crimson's upset victory before a particularly partisan crowd in Amherst has virtually assured the Cantabs of a berth in this year's 14 team NCAA tourney.

Not that there was ever much doubt that the Crimson would receive an NCAA bid, but yesterday's Miracle over the Minuteman took care of any lingering doubts.

"I think we showed we've got some talented people and that we're capable of beating any team on any given day," Scalise said.

What's more, the impressive shutout win which set a Harvard record for most in one season (nine)--came on the heels of what the Crimson coach admitted was "not a stellar week" for his club.

Last week, the booters dropped a mild 2-0 upset loss to the nation's sixth-ranked University of Connecticut club in Storrs, Conn and then barely edged out a lowly regarded Dartmouth team, 1-0, in Hanover, N.H.

And although the Cantabs could, as a result, fall slightly in the national rankings due out today, they're bound to climb back into the Top Live in next week's all-important final regular season rankings as a result of yesterday's shocker.

"Next week's the week that counts," a jubilant Scalise said last night. "And this helps."

The only coach in the Crimson's illustrious eight-year history one that has included two Eastern collegiate crowns and three Ivy titles--Scalise last night attributed yesterday's triumph to an out-standing defensive performance from his entire squad.

"The defense was very strong and very organized," said Scalise, whose overall record at Harvard is now 100- 31-4.

"All 11 players were playing solid defense," Field added.

Most impressive was freshman goalie Trace Whitley, who has given up just five goals in 13 games on route to recording the record breaking nine shutouts.

The Raleigh, N.C. native remained impeccable in the face of a whopping 37 Minuteman shots on goal, which came flying from everywhere on the field.

But the hosts never really got close enough to penetrate the Crimson goal, and Scalise said," "I race's too good a goalie to let in a heap from way out."

When Whitley did get caught in a heap of traffic midway through the second half though freshman defender I ori Barry moved in to save the day. The freshman phenom headed out what otherwise would have been a tying UMass goal late in the game.

Harvard, which was outshot, 3-1, grabbed the only goal it would need with just five minutes left in the first half. After an Ingal larson cornet kick was sent right back out to the senior stopper. Larson took the ball on the hope and found an open Baker standing in front of the UMass net.

Baker quickly headed the ball past a diving Minuteman goalie for the contest's only score.

That set off a wild Crimson celebration and so too, did the final gun. Which marked the biggest milestone in the Crimson's history.

"I don't think anyone knew that it was going to be the 100th win." Whitley said. "Now, though, we're just looking for many, many more."

THE NOTEBOOK: The high flying Crimson travels to Boston University Wednesday... After that only a date at Princeton and a regular season finale against Yale on stopped left before the NCAA. A year ago, the Crimson stopped the Minutemen.3-2.