Booters Burned by the 'Wick

ONEONTA, N.Y.--No offensive pressure.

No midfield control.

No cohesion on defense.

No attack.

No excuses.

The Hartwick men's soccer team rolled over Harvard, 3-1, in front of 3500 fans at Elmore Field here Saturday.

Unlike in other games Harvard failed to win in the last two seasons, this time the Crimson (3-2-1 overall, 1-0 Ivy League) didn't outplay its opponents. It wasn't a question of luck or near-misses or fluke goals. The Warriors (5-5 overall) were the better team on the field.

"This is the first game we deserved to lose," junior forward Nick D'Onofrio said.

In the last two weeks, Harvard's record is 1-2-1. The Crimson has gone from being a team touted as number one in the Soccer America pre-season rankings to a team not receiving votes in any polls.

What's happening?

Problems finishing chances up front.

Problems maintaining possession.

Problems being consistent on defense.

Problems with injured and less-than-fit players.

And while all of Harvard's line-up didn't show up to meet the 'Wick--three starters stayed home with injuries or illness--all its problems did.

"There was disorganization in the back and a lack of intelligence throughout the field," Harvard Coach Mike Getman said. "[The Warriors] took the ball pretty much anywhere they wanted to go."

In the first half the 'Wick chose its right side, and freshman midfielder Mike Burns roared up the field with the ball time after time. Burns found freshman forward Paul Conway open in front of net and set up a header that gave Hartwick its first goal 10:05 into the game.

"We got a lot of penetration down [Harvard's] left flank, particularly in the first half," Hartwick Coach Jim Lennox said.

Junior Paul Boin scored the first of his two goals at 47:12, breaking away to challenge Crimson senior goaltender Stephen Hall one-on-one and winning big with an unassisted tally into the left side of net. Less than three minutes later, Boin capitalized on a free kick to put the Warriors up, 3-0, with 40:03 remaining.

But the 'Wick didn't settle back and enjoy its three-goal lead. The Warriors continued to attack, and Harvard continued to have problems maintaining possession.

"[Hartwick] was outhustling us today," Captain Robert Bonnie said. "They were winning the 50-50 balls."

It was the brand of soccer the Crimson is known for.

Speed up the wings.

Smooth, well-placed passes.

A dominating attack.

Finesse rather than force.

The 'Wick outclassed Harvard at its own game.

"We got outplayed in every aspect," Getman said. "I don't think we had anybody who stood out and played well."

Getman benched his starting forwards for 15 minutes of the second half, opting to play freshmen--two of whom had never seen varsity action.

And though the rookies didn't fare any better, Getman was pleased with their efforts.

"The younger guys played a better game, they were hungry," Getman said.

Hartwick was hungrier.

"We were agressive and forceful, with an attacking mentality," Lennox said. "The team played a solid game all the way."

Starting forwards D'Onofrio, junior Dave Kramer and senior Ken Ruoff and first-string midfielder junior Paul Baverstock returned to the contest in time for Harvard's only tally.

Freshman Lenny Ilkhanoff headed a Ramy Rajballie corner kick in front of the right side of net and senior sweeper F.J. Gould headed the ball off the crossbar. D'Onofrio finished it off with a short shot to close out the scoring at 80:44.

Harvard hosts Boston College Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m. at Ohiri Field.