Men's Soccer Faces No. 4 Brown

For the 1995 season, the name of the game for the Harvard men's soccer team has been skepticism. The players and coaches came into the campaign on a wave of lofty expectations after having won the Ivy League title last year--expectations that they have yet to fulfill.

Now, the name of the game is redemption. Tomorrow, Harvard (5-6-3, 3-3-0 Ivy) faces its staunchest challenge of the year playing on the road at Brown (12-1-0, 5-0-0), who is ranked No. 4 in the ISAA Polls and hopes to cruise into the NCAA Tourney. Expected to win by no one except itself, Harvard finds itself in the role of David trying to slay Goliath. However, it has been done before.

"We want to go into this match and show that we can play with the best of them," freshman Armando Petruccelli said. "Brown is an incredible team, but they are also beatable."

First, the Crimson must shake off the demons that have haunted its season. Injuries to players like juniors John Vrionis and Kevin Silva--who scored the game-winner against Brown in last year's dramatic Ivy League finale--have plagued the Crimson's play so far this season.

"The loss of key guys have really had a big effect on team chemistry," sophomore Toure McCluskey said.

Adding insult to injury, Harvard lost 4-2 to a Dartmouth squad (4-10-0, 2-3-0 Ivy), which it outmatched on paper.

"We played well against Dartmouth and dominated them but couldn't finish them off," Petruccelli said.

Despite the loss to the Big Green, the Crimson feels it has stepped up its play over the last week.

"We have had some really good training sessions," Petruccelli said. "Intensity at practice is up 100 percent."

Stepping up the intensity alone will not be enough against such a domineering force as Brown. While the game is more of a pride factor for the Crimson, it probably represents the only way of easing the pain of what has been a tough season.

"It is an opportunity for us to earn respect against a good team" McCluskey said.

Playing its game will require the Crimson players to position themselves well and convert on scoring opportunities.

Harvard needs to score early and hold off Brown through its defense, which has been the strongest component of its game this season.

History is also working in the Crimson's favor.

Last year, it defeated the Bears in overtime to win the Ivy League title. However, last year's victory still burns deep for Brown and even the powers of David may not be enough to triumph over Goliath's angry wrath.

Then again, it has happened before.