Toughest Ivy Test on Tap

After an impressive 4-1 win over Cornell in its Ivy League opener last Saturday, the No. 7 Crimson is gearing up to take on No. 20 Brown University tomorrow at noon at Ohiri Field.

This weekend’s match-up is slated to be Harvard’s most crucial game of the regular season. Not only are both teams ranked nationally, but the pre-existing Harvard-Brown soccer rivalry is being fueled by the necessity of a victory for a chance at the Ancient Eight title. With only seven conference games and a single chance to play each team, it is no wonder that the stakes of this game are exceptionally high.

“It’s a big game for us,” Crimson coach John Kerr said. “[There are] a lot of implications for the Ivy League title.”

“Every Ivy League game for us is a must-win game for us to get where we want,” added co-captain and goalie Adam Hahn.

This high-pressure scenario is intensified by the formidability of the Bears as an opponent. Brown (8-1-1, 1-0 Ivy) has a strikingly similar record to Harvard’s (8-1-1, 1-0)—both teams began the season with a bang and a six game winning streak, then registered a tie and a loss—in reverse order—before continuing to improve their record again.

The Bears will also enter the game after recording two key wins—the first over Princeton, 2-1—to start off their Ivy League season with a much-needed victory. Brown’s second triumph occurred this past Wednesday, when the squad registered a confidence-boosting overtime defeat of the No. 5 Eagles of Boston College.

“We know it’s going to be a tough game,” co-captain Matt Hoff said. “Brown is doing very well this year. It’s going to be a fight.”

The physicality of the game and unwavering determination of the Bears could also prove to be a challenge for Harvard, as both are new obstacles for the Crimson.

“They fight and they fight,” Hahn said. “They’re very physical.”

“We haven’t really seen a physical team or been dominated in a physical way,” Hoff added. “They’re going to be tough to break down.”

Harvard will also have to deal with the Bears’ substantial offensive arsenal, especially in the form of set-pieces and crosses, which have proved to be an Achilles heel for the Crimson’s defense.

“Brown’s going to be working at that space,” said Hoff of his team’s main defensive weakness. “That’s the way they’re probably going to get goals if they get them.”

Luckily for Harvard, that flaw is counterbalanced by a reliable Hahn in goal, as well as many key performers in the Crimson’s back field.

Another great asset for Harvard is its offensive lineup, with stars junior Michael Fucito and sophomore Andre Akpan. Akpan leads Harvard in scoring with eight goals and six assists over the last 10 games. Fucito—who closely follows Akpan—has scored seven times and earned four assists in that same time period. Also emerging as a legitimate offensive threat is freshman Alex Chi, who has registered goals in both of the Crimson’s last two games.

“We bring a lot of speed up front,” Hahn said. “That’s difficult for any team to handle.”

Harvard will not only be relying on its multitude of skilled players, but will also be looking towards the Crimson fans to boost them to a win over Brown.

“If we get fans behind us, it’ll make it a lot easier for us,” Hoff said. “That extra feeling of support might just put us over the top.”

Tomorrow afternoon Harvard will step out onto Ohiri Field—hopefully with a large crowd to support it—to begin what could prove to be the biggest, most exciting game of its entire season.

—Staff writer Alexandra J. Mihalek can be reached at ajmihalek@fas.harvard.edu.