With Win, Crimson Takes Driver’s Seat

Yesterday at Dartmouth, the No. 19 Harvard men’s soccer team won more than just a game when it defeated the Big Green 3-1. The Crimson (12-4-0, 5-1-0 Ivy) took control of its destiny in the race for its first Ivy League title since 1996, which it will win outright with one more victory.

Because Saturday’s Brown-Penn game ended in a 0-0 tie after double overtime, a Harvard win or a tie against Columbia on Saturday would assure the team a share of the league championship. Ranked No. 19 in the nation in the most recent Adidas/NSCAA Division I poll, the Crimson brought the nation’s fifth-best offense to the Ivy League’s stingiest defense. The Big Green (6-7-3, 3-2-1) had only allowed 11 goals in 15 games prior to yesterday.

“In training this week, coach [John Kerr] harped on us being patient,” sophomore forward John Stamatis said. “We were confident that the goals would eventually come if we just stuck to our game plan.”

In the first half, the traditional strong offense versus strong defense scenario played itself out as the teams traded possessions frequently.

Despite seven Crimson shots, the score remained tied at 0-0.

On a gusty afternoon, the Crimson could not capitalize on tailwinds in the first half, as balls sailed over the heads of midfielders and out of bounds.

Despite uneventful play in that frame, the Crimson finally found the net 5:42 into the second half, as sophomore midfielder Michael Fucito’s crossing pass found the head of captain Charles Altchek at the far post, good for the forward’s team-leading tenth goal of the season.

“Our first goal was definitely the biggest,” Altchek said. “We had really opened the game up and it allowed us to play our natural style.”

The Crimson’s ability to assume control of the game in the second half stemmed from the strong play of Harvard’s defenders and midfielders. By spreading out to the flanks, outside defenders sophomore Mike Giammanco and sophomore Marcel Perl, were able to distribute passes to the midfield.

“When our outside defenders started attacking, that gave us a new option,” Altchek said.

Despite its reputation for offensive fireworks, the Crimson’s biggest play of the game proved to be on defense. With Harvard up 1-0 not five minutes later, junior goalkeeper Adam Hahn foiled what would be the Big Green’s best scoring opportunity, as he dove with arms fully outstretched and just tipped a Dartmouth shot wide of the net.

“He made one of the best, if not the best, save[s] I’ve seen in my career,” Altchek said.

In addition to that save, the Harvard defense also successfully stopped 13 second half shots and repulsed two Big Green corner kicks as well as several free kicks. It was no small feat, as Dartmouth has relied on corners and set plays to drive its offense this year.

After the moment passed, the Crimson took control. Between the 78th and 81st minute, Harvard struck twice, putting the game safely out of reach.

After a Dartmouth corner kick, freshman defensive midfielder Kwaku Nyamekye booted a long pass to freshman forward André Akpan. After Akpan crossed to Stamatis, the sophomore needed only a few dribbles near the 18-yard line to find the net.

Harvard struck again at 81:57 when Akpan scored his 10th goal of the year after midfielder Brian Gimm hustled to save a ball going out of bounds and managed to cross the ball back into the box. With the goal, the Crimson became the first team this season to score more than twice against the Big Green.

“A big part of our game plan was individual accountability for getting your job done. Today everyone trusted each other,” Stamatis said.