M. Booters' Offense Chases Terriers, 3-1

The Harvard men's soccer team started yesterday's Boston University matchup with its recently successful lineup of three midfielders and three forwards. Halfway through the first period, Harvard Coach Mike Getman switched back to the standard 4-2 distribution.

But it really didn't matter how he played them--the Crimson offense could do no wrong.

Harvard (6-0-2 overall, 2-0 Ivy League) netted three goals, tying its second-highest output this season, en route to a 3-1 triumph over the Terriers at Ohiri Field.

"The offense was clicking," junior back Robert Bonnie said. "They were making decisions early and playing the ball early."

Split-second thinking resulted in the Crimson's first goal of the afternoon. Bonnie sent a pass up the left center, and midfielder Ramy Rajbaille, anticipating an opening up front, allowed the ball to go through to sophomore forward David Kramer.

Kramer didn't waste any time nailing an unexpected outside shot into the top of the goal. With the lateafternoon sun in his eyes, B.U. goalie Jeff Hooper couldn't see it coming until it was too late.

Harvard carried its 1-0 lead into the second half, but the Crimson didn't breathe easy for long. For most of the second half, Crimson netminder Stephen Hall chased down balls outside the penalty box as often as he trapped them inside it.

Hall successfully fended off the Terrier attack until his leaping save of a Barry Dugan shot deflected off the crossbar and Mike Bertos headed it in.

With the score knotted at 1-1, the Crimson offense went into overdrive.

Junior Richard Knight headed a beautiful cross pass right to the waiting feet of Paul Baverstock, who bumped it in to put Harvard up 2-1. Ten minutes and several close shots later, sophomore Derek Mills bounced a shot off Hooper and senior midfielder Nick Hotchkin responded with a score into the center of the net.

"We worked on making decisions quickly," Getman said. "We're not waiting or hesitating like we did at B.C. and Cornell."

The loose checking by the B.U. defense didn't hurt the Crimson either.

"They gave us some space to play, which is their style," Getman said. "Our guys just took what they gave us."

And while the Crimson offense capitalized on the open field, the defense made sure B.U. wouldn't find any space of its own.

Nearly all of Harvard's midfielders and backs could be credited with defusing potentially dangerous B.U. attacks. Hotchkin drew the day's worst assignment: containing Hermann Trophy candidate Ben Okaroh.

"[B.U.'s] not really organized on defense," Bonnie said, "but they have several good backs--like Okaroh. They can rely on guys like that."

But Hotchkin proved equal to the task, playing tight defense and putting heavy pressure on the 1986 first-team All America.

THE NOTEBOOK: The last time Harvard met B.U., the Crimson claimed a 2-1 victory in the second round of the NCAA playoffs...Captain Mark Pepper and junior Gian D'Ornellas were back in the lineup after being sidelined with injuries for the majority of the season...Hall was credited with three saves on the afternoon...B.U.'s loss ended a seven-game win streak for Hooper...Harvard outshot the Terriers, 13-10...Kramer's goal increases his hold on the top scoring position, with six goals and one assist for 13 points this season.