Crimson Prepares to Battle Quakers

Unlike most students on campus, players on the Harvard men’s lacrosse team are not anxiously awaiting some rest and relaxation on the warm sand over spring recess. Try metal, sweat, and churned up grass.

While the team will be flying south to warmer climates and staying in hotels like most of America’s college population, there will be no tanning oils or beach balls in sight—only rubber balls.

Tomorrow, the Crimson (3-1, 0-0 Ivy) faces rival Penn (1-3, 0-1), an offensive powerhouse that defeated Harvard 12-10 last season. The Crimson heads to Washington D.C. to face Georgetown on Wednesday and flocks further southward next Friday to butt heads with Presbyterian in sunny Atlanta. Harvard has played neither the Hoyas nor the Blue Hose, since before members of the squads were in high school. While the Crimson is shooting for wins on the road trip, its eyes are wide with vengeance as it focuses on the Quakers.

“To be honest, we really haven’t looked past Saturday,” Harvard coach John Tillman said. “We are focusing on Penn. [The loss] was a tough way to start spring break [last year].”

Crimson junior midfielder Jason Duboe, who led the team with 26 goals last season, insists that Harvard must stick to its inclusive, collaborative style in order to beat the Quakers.

“We’re going to focus on being as selfless as possible and distributing the ball,” Duboe said. “Continuing to do what we do. The pressure isn’t on any one guy. If we move the ball enough, everyone’s going to get a look.”

The Crimson players have matured since a season ago, and it shows. In addition to successful practices all week, the playershave been doing their due diligence on tomorrow’s matchup.

“Watching the film from last year, any player could tell some of the mistakes we made,” co-captain midfielder Nick Smith said.

This kind of thorough preparation brought Harvard its impressive season-opening upset win against Duke on February 22nd, when the Crimson traveled to Durham and earned a commanding 9-6 victory over the Blue Devils. Harvard is hopeful that this win is indicative of growth, setting the tone for the games remaining.

“It seems a long time ago at this point, but it’s definitely something that we can look back on as we’re preparing for other teams in view,” Smith said.

The Crimson’s veterans will be key to continued success.

“We’ll find out how good we are in the next few weeks,” Tillman said. “But regardless of how things work out this season, our senior leadership has been great this year. We’ve asked for more and they’ve responded well.”

While Harvard has prolific scorers in Duboe, freshman attackman Jeff Cohen, sophomore attackman Dean Gibbons, and junior attackman/midfielder Travis Burr, among others, the Crimson is equally confident in the ability of its experienced players to protect the goal.

“With three of our team captains playing on that end of the field, it certainly helps to have a lot of leadership down there,” Duboe said.

As for Georgetown and Presbyterian, Harvard plans to stick to the script. Given that they have no past games against either team to analyze, the Crimson must focus on familiarizing itself with the opponents’ strengths and sticking to its own recipe for success.

“We’ll break down film like we break down any team, and play our own game,” Duboe said.

While a win against Penn would be a great way to start off spring break, Harvard is optimistic about this season regardless of the outcome.

“We’re excited about the attitude the kids have,” Tillman said.

“We can beat anyone,” Smith said. “But at the same time, we have to remember that we put our pants on one leg at a time like everyone else. Going into spring break, it’s about preparation.”