AOTW: Rookie Leaves Mark In Opening Weekend

Once again, Harvard has its rookie playmaker.

Following in the footsteps of senior Erin Wylie and sophomore Katherine Sheeleigh before her, freshman forward Melanie Baskind seems ready to provide a serious scoring threat for the Harvard women’s soccer team in her first year of collegiate play.

In the Crimson’s three games last week, Baskind notched two goals and an assist for her first points in a Harvard uniform.

They were just the beginning of what should be a star-studded collegiate career.

Friday’s game over Davidson served not only as the team’s first victory and a potential momentum-builder for a packed slate of non-conference matchups, but also as Baskind’s coming-out party at Ohiri Field.

She assisted on Wylie’s goal just 10 minutes into the game, but was just getting started. With a burst of speed that left Wildcat defenders in the dust, she set up a beautiful shot from the left side that found net and gave the Crimson a 2-0 first-half advantage.

Just like that, Harvard’s newest star was born.

“She has such tenacity and she works hard all game,” Sheeleigh said. “She doesn’t give up.”

On Sunday, Baskind continued her scoring streak by putting in the team’s only goal in a tight one against Big Ten opponent Wisconsin.

Sheeleigh lofted a pass over the head of the Badgers’ back line, and Baskind used her speed to streak past the defense, stay onside, and beat the Wisconsin keeper one-on-one. Harvard couldn’t keep the Badgers off the scoreboard and the game ended in a 1-1 tie after two overtimes, but Baskind had made her mark.

With All-Ivy goalkeeper Lauren Mann and an experienced back four holding down the Crimson zone—Mann recorded nine shutouts last season to lead the league—Harvard’s struggles for wins have been struggles for points.

“We want to win—we want goals,” Sheeleigh said. “[Baskind] came out of nowhere to put it in.”

Both Wylie and Sheeleigh led their teams in scoring during their freshman seasons.

Baskind might be well on her way to the same bragging right, but coach Ray Leone’s 2008 roster has more scoring depth than the program has seen in the past few years. If the Crimson challenges for the Ivy League title in Leone’s second year in Cambridge, it will be because these three forwards—and others—are sharing the ball and the scoring load.

Look no further than last week for a glimpse of the potential that Harvard’s front line has for a great year. Even when goals eluded them last weekend, Baskind and her new teammates looked comfortable moving the ball to each other in enemy territory.

“The conditions were really difficult, but [Baskind and Sheeleigh] were tough,” Leone said after Sunday’s game. “I’m really pleased with their combination.”

“I love playing up top with her,” Sheeleigh said.” “She’s a great shooter, finisher—she’s a great playmaker.”

—Staff writer Emily W. Cunningham can be reached at ecunning@fas.harvard.edu.