Harvard Prepares for Close Match Against Rams

Losing to their former coach in the opening game of the season was not how the Harvard men’s soccer team envisioned starting the year.

But after back-to-back wins, the Crimson will be feeling much better going into this afternoon’s match-up against Rhode Island.

Harvard (2-1-0, 0-0 Ivy) takes on the Rams (2-2-0) at 5 p.m. in Kingston, R.I., hoping to continue building momentum before Ivy League play begins.

The last two meetings between the teams have been close, with last year’s game providing riveting action for all in attendance.

In 2007 both teams came into the match-up ranked in the top 25. The Crimson took the lead twice in the first half but went into the break level in what was a goal-filled opening period. But then co-captain Matt Hoff scored the second-half winner to give Harvard a 3-2 win in its first game of the season.

“It’s been close the last two years so I’m sure it’s going to be a tight contest,” junior star forward Andre Akpan said.

Sunday, Rhode Island was soundly beaten 4-0 at Boston University. On the other hand, the Crimson comes into the contest on a bit of a roll having won two straight.

After losing to Duke, led by former coach John Kerr, Harvard was able to bounce back with a 3-1 win at North Carolina State.

Last Sunday, the Crimson put in a dominant second-half performance to beat Vermont.

Senior co-captain Mike Fucito, junior Adam Rousmaniere, and senior John Stamatis all scored beautiful goals in the 3-0 win.

“It’s been a good start,” Akpan said. “The first game was a little rough, especially with emotions being high, but we’ve got two wins under our belt, and we’re heading in the right direction. Injuries are starting to clear up, and the team is starting to take shape.”

Despite having off-season surgery, Fucito has started the year with four goals in three games.

“I’m feeling a lot better,” Fucito said. “The first week I struggled a bit, but I’m feeling better now.”

However, junior Kwaku Nyamekye continues to be hampered by an ankle injury.

Nyamekye, who sat out most of the Vermont game, was a rock at the back last year for Harvard but may be moved to striker or midfield.

“It depends on where he can affect the game most,” coach Jamie Clark said of where he might play Nyamekye once he returns to full fitness.

Senior co-captain Luke Sager appreciates how much having players like Nyamekye can open up options for the team.

“We have a lot of guys here who are pretty versatile,” Sager said.

That flexibility, as well as a great deal of talent, has the coaching staff and players all anticipating a very successful season.

“If we can stay healthy and if we can continue to work and keep the right attitude, we can do special things,” Clark said.

And the manner of their early performances has the players already thinking of another trip to the NCAA tournament.

“The last two years we’ve felt that we’ve underachieved a bit,” Akpan said. “So while our immediate goal is to win the next game, ultimately we’d like to get back to the tournament and actually make a run this year.”

Sager echoed his teammates sentiment, stating his desire for victory in the matches in September in order to build up an impressive record ahead of the start of league play.

The importance of the non-conference games was proven last season, when, despite finishing behind Brown in the Ancient Eight, Harvard gained an at-large bid to the tournament on the back of its 6-0 start.

Whether the Crimson’s ambitions become reality remains to be seen, but this afternoon’s match-up against Rhode Island will be one of many tests along the way.

—Staff writer Jay M. Cohen can be reached at jaycohen@fas.harvard.edu.