It's Showtime! M. and W. Soccer Gun for Ivy League Titles

Tim Wheaton, the Harvard women's soccer Head Coach, has a habit of getting his hair cut when his team loses.

Before Wednesday's 1-0 loss against Providence, his hair was getting pretty long.

Now that Wheaton has gotten his visit to the barber shop out of the way, he doesn't need to go back for a while. And if it is up to the team, his hair is on its way to growing long again.

This is it--the big time. Today as Harvard (7-3-2, 4-0-1 Ivy) faces Dartmouth, the defending Ivy League champions, it begins the quest for the Ivy League title.

If the Crimson prevails today, it will set up in effect a one-game championship next weekend against Brown.

"This is a great opportunity," sophomore Rachel Chernikoff says. "We lost to them last year in a close game. For those of us returning, this game is a bit of revenge. If we win, we set up an ideal situation next weekend."

But the Crimson is not looking too far ahead. Dartmouth (9-2-1, 4-1 Ivy) currently holds the 16th spot in the national rankings and the third-place spot in the Ivy League standings.

The Crimson, coming off of the 1-0 upset loss to the Friars on Wednesday, is ready to play ball. Last week's game is now behind them. The Big Green is the only thing on the players' minds.

"Since we know how important this game is, we are still confident," freshman Kristen Bowes says. "The loss to Providence is over with and it is out of the way."

Dartmouth, unlike the other teams that the Crimson has faced this season, plays with a zone defense. The Crimson, which has showcased a strong defense throughout the season, is ready for the Big Green's defensive strategy.

In order for the Crimson to break down the Big Green, the players feel that they need to take control offensively by looking to score early. The team also needs to play as a cohesive unit.

"We have nothing to lose," senior co-captain Beth Morgan said. "We play better against better teams. We rise to the challenge."

As the players of both teams take to the field today, the Ivy League title remains at stake.

And let us not forget Tim Wheaton's hair.