The Match: Harvard vs. Princeton

It's that time of the year again.

The first Saturday in February may seem to be nothing more than another day in the month. But for squash fans, its the day of "The Match."

Tomorrow afternoon at Jadwin Gym in Princeton, N.J., the Harvard men's squash team and Princeton will square off in "The Match" for the 53rd time. Harvard leads the series, 39-13, but the advantage cannot capture the bitter closeness of the rivalry.

Harvard has ruled the national squash circuit since its inception as a varsity team in 1922. Princeton did not join the national powerhouse scene until the 1960s.

Last year, Harvard successfully defended its national title with a 6-3 victory at Hemenway Gymnasium. However, in order to defend its 72-match winning streak, the Crimson will have to overcome a strong and experienced Princeton team on its home court and in front of an expected crowd of 800. Some have described the Princeton fans as convicts out on parole.

Any one of Harvard's nine players is capable of beating their particular opponent, Harvard assistant coach Jon Anz said. "The middle of the line-up will probably decide the match. I think we need to take some wins out of the top four. On paper Princeton has the edge, especially with our debilitated line-up."

"It's certainly not out of reach," Anz added. "We've got a real shot to come out of there with a win.

Saturday will be one of the two toughest tests (along with Yale on February 22) in the Crimson's attempt to win its seventh straight national and Ivy League titles.

In the pre-season Ivy Round Robin Tournament in November, Harvard captured a 5-4 decision over Princeton. But both teams will tell you, that was then and this is now.

"Well, as [Harvard women's assistant coach and former Harvard men's] Coach Jack Barnaby once said, `We're going to throw everything at them except the kitchen sink, and then we're going to pick that up and throw it at them too,' Harvard Co-Captain Frank Huerta said. "We're going to give it our best shot. They're solid from one to three, but ours are too. From four to seven is where we can make a break."

A Long, Long Time Ago...

Ironically, Princeton was the last team to defeat the Crimson, capturing a 5-4 decision on February 6, 1982 at Hemenway Gymnasium. Princeton has broken several other Crimson winning streaks over the years.

In 1966, Princeton recorded one of its biggest victories ever. The Tigers captured a 5-4 decision to break Harvard's 47-match winning streak.

Princeton would do it again. Its next win over Harvard, in 1974, ended a 49-match winning streak. The Tigers walked out with a 5-4 victory.

But Harvard returned the favor by capturing a 5-4 decision over the Tigers in 1980, breaking the Tigers' 43-match winning streak.

1989 offers Princeton an opportunity to keep the tradition of spoilers in "The Match" ***.

"I like to think of our road trip as a safari as it were, and I ain't coming home unless I get me some Tiger Pelt," sophomore George Polsky said. "Fishy's been lecturing us on the art of the kill and I've been taking notes. In a nutshell we're armed to kill."

It isn't known whether or not junior Jim Masland or freshman Jeremy Fraiberg will be able to play against Princeton. Masland's hamstring injury and Fraiberg's groin injury have kept them out of action all season.

"Well we're injured and we'll be going down there with possibily two of our top five players," Anz said. "It's going to take a superhuman effort on the part of our guys, but it's definitely not out of reach."

"I don't know who's going to win," Princeton's Roy Rubin said. "It's like any other squash match. I don't know what to expect. We're not going into the match thinking we're favored."

In past years, Harvard has overcome Princeton with more depth up and down the ladder. This year, Princeton has three strong players at the top of the line-up in last year's Ivy Player of the Year Jeff Stanley, Roy Rubin and Chris Stevens.

But the Crimson is capable of taking any of the three at the top. The number-one match will be between junior Jon Bernheimer and Stanley. The rest of the Crimson line-up is up in the air because of injuries and challenge matches.

"Berney's going to win," Jon Masland said. "I would put my money on it. It's going to be a close match. I think Jeremy [Fraiberg], Farokh [Pandole], or my bro [Jim Masland] will help turn the match in our favor."

Princeton may be favored on paper, but with a 72-match winning streak on the line, the Crimson can assure squash fans that tomorrow will not be just another February day.

It's the day of "The Match." What the Pundits Say:

Men's Match

"It could go either way. I would give a slight edge to Princeton. Harvard lost five of its top six players. Home-court advantage will also play a big part in the match." Princeton, 5-4. --Fesail Naqvi, The Daily Princetonian.

"Princeton is very strong, and Harvard lost five of its top six players. Because it's at Princeton, I think Princeton will win." Princeton, 6-3.   --Rob MaCrae, Yale Daily News

Women's Match

"Princeton is the stronger team. But I would say that Harvard has a chance of bearing them." Princeton, 6-3.   --Buddy Semploe, Yale Daily News

"Princeton has five great freshmen. It's just an awesome team. Harvard lost several top players. Some would consider it an upset if Harvard won." Princeton, 7-2.   --Fesail Naqvi, The Daily Princetonian