Weekend Preview: Saturday Night Soccer

The first weekend of Crimson action is full of big games, but the marquee event takes place in just a matter of hours, when No. 10 men’s soccer (0-0) takes on No. 13 Stanford (0-1) at Soldier Field Soccer Stadium in a battle of NCAA tournament hopefuls. Even the UC has gotten on the bandwagon, promoting free T-shirts and other items at the big 7 pm game under the lights.

With Hurricane Earl politely skirting the Boston area, Crimson fans have no excuse to skip a contest that features intrigue up and down the pitch. Can sophomore Brian Rogers and a crew of young forwards carry the offensive load following the departure of standout Andre Akpan ’10? Will junior goaltender Austin Harms withstand the pressure of a diminished defense in the absence of MLS draftee Kwaku Nyamekye ’10?

The national media seems to think so, given Harvard’s solid ranking, but the Cardinal will provide quite a test.

Even though Stanford returns just four starters, the 13th-ranked squad features senior Bobby Warshaw, an NSCAA All-American and the team’s leading scorer last season—from the central defense position. The Cardinal suffered a 2-1 upset defeat at the hands of lowly Vermont earlier this week, so look for the visitors to be out for blood against the Crimson. If Harvard can contain Warshaw early, it has a very good chance of sending Stanford home with a winless road trip.

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Women’s volleyball and men’s water polo opened their respective seasons with grueling tournaments. The Crimson women are hosting the Harvard Invitational with matches against Bryant and Boston College today after dropping an opening contest against Eastern Illinois, 3-1, last night. Water polo is also enjoying its opener close to home, as the team competes in the MIT Invitational with three matches in the next two days.

Field hockey looks to start strong in 2010 just as it did a year ago. The Crimson takes on Holy Cross and Bryant this weekend in rematches of games that went Harvard’s way last season. The Crimson defeated the Crusaders, 4-1, in 2009, and topped the Bulldogs, 4-2, so the contests today and Monday will be a good indicator of Harvard’s progress.

Finally, women’s soccer will try to improve upon last night’s season-opening 2-2 tie against Long Island as it takes on New Hampshire on the road tomorrow. Unlike the field hockey team, Harvard soccer must strive to avoid a lackluster start that dogged the Crimson in 2009.