Women's Soccer Looks to Bounce Back at Home

The Harvard women’s soccer team returns home from California to duke it out against New Hampshire in its first home game Wednesday night. The Crimson is coming off of a weekend tournament during which the squad dropped two games against California and San Francisco. The two losses, however, have not dampened Harvard players’ confidence.

“In California we learned that we are a really strong team, and when we come out on the field we are ready to play to win,” co-captain Lizzy F. Weisman said. “I think that will give us what we need coming into this first game.”

The Crimson has dominated the Wildcats in the past, with an overall record of 20-2-3. While Harvard has yet to tally a win thus far, the Crimson has not dropped a game to New Hampshire (1-4-1) in its past eight matchups.

Roster depth ranks among Harvard’s strengths heading into its opening home game at Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium.

“We have depth in every position, so when we’re subbing we aren’t losing any skill,” Weisman said. “We’re really not losing anything by subbing. We’re just kind of switching people out and giving people a break. We’re just strong all around throughout the team.”

The team’s depth can be attributed in part to the nine new freshmen on the squad.

“The freshmen are doing really well,” said sophomore forward Lauren Varela who netted the Crimson’s lone goal this past weekend. “I think we are really coming together and will be a great team this year… I’m obviously excited for everyone to see our new team.”

So far five freshmen have played in the Crimson lineup, with defender Bailey Gary, forward Midge Purce, and forward Karly Zlatic earning starting spots.

Freshmen talent is not exclusive to Harvard’s roster, however—Wildcats freshman Kirsten O’Neil has tallied three points for New Hampshire, with one goal and two assists.

“New Hampshire is a great team,” Varela said. “I think we’re just trying to get better… We’re just trying to connect as a team.”

Part of making that connection as a team is finding set formations for future games. Roster depth and versatility, though great assets, can make decisions on playing positions difficult.

“We’re really trying to nail down our formation,” Weisman said. “So, we’ve been trying out a few different things—that’s pretty much what we’ve been working on—figuring out where to put people and how everyone combines to play with each other… We have strength everywhere, but we’re still just trying to figure out really what formation we work well in and our strengths play into. I think the formation challenge is something we are working on.”

The Crimson also possesses a more seasoned coaching staff, with Head Coach Ray Leone beginning his seventh season, with his six previous all ending in winning records. The Wildcats recently hired new Head Coach Sam Lopes earlier this year.

Returning several key offensive and defensive players this season, Harvard’s roster is filled with familiar faces from previous years. Last year’s high-scorer, junior midfielder Meg Casscells-Camby, was named to the all-conference first team last season. Co-captains Weisman and senior midfielder Peyton Johnson also tallied an impressive 20 points combined for the 2012 season, including five goals from Weisman and five assists from Johnson.

The Crimson goalies include juniors Cheta Emba and Bethany Kanten as well as freshman recruit Lizzie Durack who was selected to the U20 England National Team. Emba and Kanten have registered three and five saves respectively, while Durack also saw playing time this past weekend.

After going 4-1-3 in home openers over the past eight years, Harvard players prefer to play on their own turf.

“We’re really excited to play at home in front of our home crowd,” Weisman said. “I think we’re all just really excited to show what we’ve been working on throughout preseason.”

The Crimson will play three games over the span of five days, hosting all three matches at home this week. Harvard will compete in its first Ivy League conference game of the season against UPenn at home on Sept 27th.

“We’re trying to get better every game,” Varela said. “Obviously we wanted two wins this weekend, but we improved from Friday to Sunday, and I think that’s what Coach [Leone] really wants us to do—keep getting better until Ivy League play.”

—Staff writer Kelley Guinn McArtor can be reached at kelley.mcartor@thecrimson.com. Follow her on Twitter @KGMCrimson.