Men's Soccer Awaits Boston U. in First Round of NCAAs

For the Harvard men's soccer team, today isn't Yale Saturday.

It's 24 hours before D-Day.

The ninth-ranked squad is set to open its NCAA Tournament run tomorrow at 1 p.m. against Boston University at Ohiri Field.

It won't be the first time these cross-town rivals have squared off. Harvard met B.U. earlier this season on September 25, and the Crimson nipped the Terriers 2-1 on a last minute goal by senior forward Rich Wilmot.

Nevertheless, the Crimson has been loose and relaxed in practice this week, just trying to stay in shape for the game.

"We're not too focused on B.U.," captain Will Kohler said. "We're making sure we have fun in practice. We're treating this game as if we're the higher-ranked team. It feels good for once."

Nevertheless, ranking can mean very little in soccer. Witness the Harvard women's booters, who, despite entering their NCAA Tournament ranked 10th and dominating much of the play during its first-round matchup with UMass, still fell 2-1 in overtime.

This fact is not lost on their men's counterparts, who recognize the importance of controlling the play early.

"If we can score in the first 15 minutes, we can control the game," Kohler said.

Harvard will also need to contain B.U.'s speedy wings and keep them from being able to center the ball to B.U.'s Nick Bone, their top scoring threat.

On offense, the Crimson will rely on its talented midfield and durable, tough forwards to wear down the Terrier backs.

"Rich [Wilmot] is such a big kid and Tom [McLaughlin] is strong on the ball, they'll just break down the defense," Kohler said.

The good news for the Crimson is that, after two weeks of relying on its bench to plug holes caused by injuries, the team is now back at full strength.

Sophomore midfielder Armando Petruccelli is back after a two-week recovery from a sprain. Wilmot played a full practice yesterday after two weeks of rehab for a leg injury and will likely return tomorrow after missing part of the Brown contest and all of the Hartwick tilt.

Both players are key for the Crimson. Petruccelli's ball-handling skills befuddle opposing defenders and often lead opponents to double-team him, opening up the wings and the middle of the field for the Harvard attack. Wilmot's size and strength allow him to win an overwhelming majority of headballs and outmuscle opposing defenders for loose balls.

The goalkeeping situation remains unsettled, with both sophomore and First Team All-Ivy goalie Jordan Dupuis and senior Peter Albers equally likely possibilities. Albers may have the edge because of his senior status.

"Both goalies have been playing awesome," Kohler said. "It's a big decision for Coach [Harvard coach Steve Locker] to make."

Despite Harvard's home-field advantage, B.U. can be counted to bring a gaggle of deep-throated supporters to split the crowd evenly between Harvard and B.U. fans.

The possibility of being upset by the Terriers is not lost on the Crimson, and the seniors are aware that from this point in the season on, each game could be their last.

But taking the lead from Locker, the team is relaxed going into the game, confident in its abilities and ready to extend its Harvard-record winning streak to 16.