M. Soccer Suffers Disappointing Year

Hobbled by injuries, the Harvard men's soccer team was unable to perform up to preseason expectations, ending up with a disappointing 7-9 (1-5 Ivy) record that did not reflect the team's talent.

Senior Ryan Kelly was the team's leading scorer this season, netting five goals and five assists for 15 points. Rookie Ladd Fritz finished second, racking up four goals and an assist for the year, and classmate Spencer George ended up as the team's third most potent offensive force, with three goals and an assist.

The Crimson ended the year on a six-game losing streak, suffering both from injuries to key players as well as an inability to maintain momentum until the end of games.

Indeed, early on in the season, the Crimson had a difficult time scoring and had to rely on the efforts of junior goalkeeper Dan Mejias to keep Harvard in contention against even mediocre teams.

Even though the team's main goal throughout the season had been to qualify for the NCAA Tournament, a 2-1 loss to No. 15 Fairfield five games before the year's end rendered Harvard's chances of qualifying virtually impossible.

The Crimson will sorely miss the presence of seniors Kelly, Wells Mangrum and Matt Edwards next year. Kelly and Mangrum were two of the team's offensive leaders on the field, helping the younger players to find their niche on the team.

Despite the seniors' graduation, the team still holds much promise for next season. Mejias will continue to mind the net, and junior Nick Lenicheck will be depended upon to guide the team to success.

In addition to Fritz and George's first-year feats the rest of the freshman-heavy team turned in solid performances this season will have a better chance of earning an NCAA berth if the team stays healthy next year, for injuries affected all members of the team during the most critical parts of the season.

For example, shortly after freshman Grayson Sugarman was named Ivy League Player of the Week in late October, he sustained an injury the next weekend against Princeton and was forced to miss time. The Crimson could have used Sugarman at that critical juncture in the season, when it was making its final run for the NCAA berth.

The Crimson will hope to rebuild its ranks next season with an equally strong incoming class to replace the loss of Kelly, Mangrum and Edwards. If the team can avoid injuries next season, it will be well on its way to playing for the national championship and bidding a just salute to this year's graduating seniors.