Crimson Begins Its Defense of Ivy Title

The No. 8 men’s soccer team is poised for greatness as it heads into its first game of the Ivy League season this weekend.

Harvard (7-1-1), who holds last year’s Ivy League title, is set to face off against Cornell (5-3) on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Ithaca, N.Y.

Even though the Crimson is coming off of a huge win, the Big Red will prove to be a challenge.

“We haven’t seen [Cornell] play yet, but last year they had a really talented striker,” co-captain Matt Hoff said. “They are probably going to try to get us on counter-attacks.”

The Big Red also possesses the talents of senior Brian Kuritsky—who leads the team in scoring with five goals.

Right behind him is sophomore Matt Bouraee, who has found the back of the net four times this year.

The two have combined for 22 points on the season. In addition, the team also has the ability to come together and secure victory.

“They play very well together,” Crimson coach John Kerr said. “They are quick and aggressive. They find a way to win.”

Harvard’s offensive arsenal is headed by junior Mike Fucito, who stood out in last Saturday’s 5-0 victory over Fairfield, scoring two goals.

Fucito is tied for the team-lead in goals with the Crimson’s second major weapon, sophomore Andre Akpan.

Last season’s Ivy rookie of the year has continued his offensive prowess, netting a goal in each of his last six games.

He and Fucito are also tied for the team-lead in game-winning goals, as each has secured two.

Yet, even as two members of the dominating squad has accounted for four wins on the year, the team still focuses on the play of the whole.

“We have so many good players on our team and Andre continues to be consistent,” Kerr said.

Another hurdle that Harvard will have to overcome is that the Big Red has not lost at home all season.

The only loss the Crimson suffered on the season was on the road against Loyola Marymount two weeks ago.

To overcome these obstacles, Harvard will have to focus on its man-to-man pressure.

“It just comes down to winning the individual battle,” Hoff said. “We just want to keep the ball out of the back of our net.”

The Crimson is coming into this weekend’s game after two great weeks of play. Before shutting out Fairfield, the Crimson tied the defending national champions, the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, 1-1, in double overtime.

Looking ahead to the upcoming game and the rest of the Ivy League season, the Crimson will have to play strong and be focused.

Harvard will need to play well in preparation for the toughest test of its young Ivy season, when it faces Brown Oct. 13.

“We are just taking one game at a time,” Kerr said. “All these games are going to be difficult. We are just focusing on the Cornell game.”