Shuffled Lineup Bests Holy Cross

With fierce crossfield winds and soggy turf, there was no place for much finesse yesterday at Ohiri Field. That was fine with the No. 8 Harvard men’s soccer team (8-1, 1-0 Ivy) as it grinded to a 2-0 victory over Patriot League opponent Holy Cross (3-7, 1-1 Patriot).

“It was good to get that result,” Crimson coach Jamie Clark said. “The wind played a big factor. It wasn’t the prettiest game we’ve had, but we got two scores and didn’t give up any chances.”

Freshman goalkeeper Brett Conrad—in his first collegiate start—and the Crimson defense certainly didn’t give the Crusaders many chances to make a play, allowing only four shots on goal in the shutout effort.

This was nothing new to the Harvard defense: it’s allowed just three goals through the first nine games of the season.

But it was sophomore Ben Tsuda and co-captain Andre Akpan who managed to put the Crimson on the scoreboard in the first half.

Tsuda struck first, taking a pass from freshman Scott Prozeller on the left side and speeding just far enough past a Holy Cross defender to squeeze a bouncing shot into the back of the net.

Ten minutes later, sophomore defender Tim Lyndon, meeting a pass from freshman Zack Wolfenson, was pulled down in the box, resulting in a penalty. Akpan lined up the ensuing kick, only to see his shot blocked away by Crusader keeper Thomas Booth.

But the rebound bounced straight back to the All-Ivy striker who chipped in his seventh goal of the season. The 2-0 lead was all the Crimson would need on a day when both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm.

“[Wolfenson] and [Lyndon] did a good job in the box to draw the [penalty kick],” Akpan said. “I didn’t hit it too well, but luckily it came back and I could put it in.”

In an experimental role as center midfielder, junior Alex Chi seemed to be all over the field, disrupting the Holy Cross offense and creating chances for the Crimson.

“Chi’s very scrappy—he wins a lot of matchups and comes up with the ball close to the goal a lot,” Akpan said.

The setup was in part a chance to put Chi in a position to make more plays around the ball despite the push of the wind.

“I think Chi does really well in that position, he picks up the ball and can do a lot of things there,” Clark said. “We use these games as an opportunity to see what works—I don’t know if it’s a line we are going to use a lot.”

Chi’s toughness was necessary in a game defined by a gritty tempo. Fouls and injuries piled up throughout the match, and both Tsuda and sophomore Baba Omosegbon were helped off the field in the first half.

Neither player returned to action, yet Clark dispelled any serious concerns after the game.

“Everyone took a few knocks, but I don’t think any of them are serious enough to keep us out,” Clark said.

But the Crimson players were less than thrilled with some fouls committed by the Crusaders.

The referees took notice 15 minutes into the second half, when they sent off Holy Cross defender James Imbriani for a second yellow card.

“It was kind of a chippy game,” Akpan said. “[Holy Cross] was getting in late on a few tackles and a couple guys had to come off with some injuries, but hopefully they will be back for this weekend.”

Harvard resumes Ivy League play Saturday at Cornell, hoping to remain unbeaten in the Ancient Eight.

As for yesterday’s non-conference victory?

“It was one of those tough mid-week games,” Akpan said. “But it’s just a game you have to win, and we were able to do that.”