M. Soccer, Kerr, Get Fresh Start in Ivy Race

This season ushers in a new era in Harvard men's soccer thanks to the arrival of coach John Kerr. Resting on Kerr's shoulders are the hopes of a

powerful team, full of confidence that it can have a breakthrough year for the program.

Kerr, who won the national championship once as a player at Duke, has put big dreams into the minds of his Crimson players. They look to build upon last year's mediocre season under the questionable leadership of Coach Steve Locker.

This year, Kerr has put together an extremely challenging schedule to test his Crimson. With games against national powerhouses like Creighton and Stanford, Harvard will have its chance to prove that it can play with the best

"There are going to be a lot of tests this year," Kerr said.

The Harvard players do not lack confidence.

"There's an incredible sense of optimism on this team," sophomore goalkeeper Mike Meagher said. "We're excited about playing because we believe we have a great chance of going really deep into the [NCAA] tournament."

Last year, Harvard started slow but went 8-2-1 in its last 11 games to finish a respectable 8-6-2 overall. This year, the Crimson wants to get going on the right foot and maintain its success throughout the season.

Harvard is a team full of standouts at every position, but nowhere is the sense of professionalism and commitment greater than at the helm of the club. Kerr is looking to turn the program around. He is off to a good start, having instilled a sense of confidence and excitement in his young team.

"I think the team is playing well right now," he said. "We have the ability to control games if we keep possession of the ball."

The emotional leader of the Crimson is its junior captain Ryan Kelly. Kelly, who leads the talented Harvard defense alongside two new starters, provides leadership to a young team with only eight juniors and seniors compared to 18 freshmen and sophomores.

After scoring five goals last season and playing alongside two extremely talented senior defenders, Kelly is looking to make his mark this year as the leader of a national power.

"I really enjoy being captain of a such a great team," Kelly said. "I try to set a good example, and I get a lot of help from the seniors." Kelly said he feels that the strength of the team rests in its attitude, togetherness, and new coach.

"Coach is a great guy," Kelly said. "It's definitely a change. We respect where he's been and played. He knows the game, and we listen to him."

Behind Kelly on the field stands the man with perhaps the heaviest burden of all. Sophomore goalkeeper Mike Meagher must fill the gaping hole left by Jordan Dupuis '99. Dupuis was stellar last season and set the school record for career saves.

This year, the Crimson is relying on the talented athletic skills of Meagher, who is also a decorated player on the men's lacrosse team. Despite playing only six minutes all last season, Meagher said he is ready to step up.

"I haven't had much time in the net so far," Meagher said. "But I learned a lot from [Dupuis]. I learned how to have the attitude of a successful college goalkeeper. I learned how to train and work hard so that I can succeed."

The midfield is led by senior Armando Petruccelli. Perhaps the team's strongest force on the field, Petruccelli is a legitimate All-America candidate whose tenacity and knowledge form a deadly combination for opponents. He is looking to improve further upon a stellar season last year that saw him tally seven goals and three assists, leading the Crimson with 17 points.

At center midfield, Petruccelli can lend assistance to both the backs and the forwards. Alongside Petruccelli stands the somewhat less physically intimidating but just as deadly Nick Lenicheck. With nine points last season in his freshman campaign, Lenicheck will look to be a key factor in Harvard's attack this season.

With strong support from the midfield, Harvard's forwards, a collection of young talent, will look to keep the scoreboard operator busy.

Harvard's attack is led by senior Will Hench and sophomore Jon Oslowski. Hench is an All-Ivy veteran who was second on the team last year with 11 points. Oslowski is a young talent who is coming into is own after a successful freshman campaign.

"My job is to be as productive as possible when I'm in there," Oslowski said. "I define productivity as goals and assists."

Hench and Oslowski have a fabulous supporting cast. Sophomores Mike Peller, Joey Smolen and Marko Soldo are all lethal scoring threats and should provide the Crimson with the extra kick it needs late in a game.

Harvard needs to prove itself on the field, but the team doesn't appear to be lacking in confidence.

"Expect big things from us this year," Oslowski said.