Wylie, Despite Youth, Provides Much Needed Spark

Sometimes talent takes time to mature. Other times it’s obvious right from the start.

From the beginning of preseason training to her current dominance as the leader of the Harvard women’s soccer team’s offense, freshman forward Erin Wylie has shined for the Crimson.

The talent, ball control, and tenacity is evident in her play this past week, tallying two goals in a 3-0 victory over Holy Cross on Tuesday and an assist in Harvard’s gut-wrenching 2-1 overtime defeat to Princeton on Saturday.

What is an obvious spark now her teammates could see from the first day of training.

“I was really impressed with her right from the start,” said Crimson co-captain Laura Odorczyk, “She passed both of the fitness tests [in preseason]—it was more than I’ve seen of any freshmen.”

Her fitness coming to the Crimson (7-4-3, 1-2-2 Ivy) and natural speed on the field has translated into big-time success for this freshman, with Harvard reaping the benefits. Wylie has tallied five out of the 13 goals scored by Harvard this season.

Although Harvard’s offense has struggled at times this season, Wylie has been there as a constant to ensure victory. Three of her five goals on the season have been game winners, an amazing stat for any player but unprecedented for a freshman so new to the offense.

“[The team] really looks to her as a spark plug,” Odorczyk said, “Even if she’s alone, she can go one-on-one with a defender, get a shot off—[be] a big part of our offense.”

This past week, Wylie was just that. Coming off a tough-fought 0-0 tie against Ivy rival Brown, the offense was seeking an offensive jolt, and Wylie provided it. Wylie netted two goals—one on a 30-yard shot and the other coming after darting through multiple defenders before sliding the ball past the Crusaders’ keeper. It was just what the doctor ordered for the Crimson offense.

“[Not scoring] has been one of the most frustrating things,” said Wylie following Tuesday’s victory, “Coming off a game like this, we feel better—it gives us more confidence we can put the ball in the net.”

This confidence carried on to Saturday’s game against Princeton, when Harvard notched its first comeback of the season, although not with the desired end result. Behind Wylie’s multiple jukes of Tiger defenders and then her pass to sophomore midfielder Megan Merritt, the Crimson notched its first equalizer of the season. Although Harvard met a heart-breaking defeat with a 2-1 overtime loss, this was a big step for the Crimson offense. It was Wylie’s first assist on the season.

“Erin went through three or four players, and I just kept running and called for the ball,” Merritt said after Saturday’s game. “She got it to me and I one-timed it.”

Following this tough Ivy loss, Harvard will need to mount an offensive charge to capture victories in their next two Ivy games against Dartmouth and Columbia. Without these victories, the Crimson’s chances at another trip to the NCAA Division I-A soccer playoffs will be finished. Wylie, as seen by her recent tear, will be a big part of this run to the tournament.

“The thing is with her is that every game she goes out and works harder and harder,” Odorczyk said. “She knows she can put in a game-winner for us [at any time] now.”

Game-winning goals—no big deal. Wylie is ready to lead the Harvard offense. It’s been obvious from the start.