Men's Soccer On The Cusp of First Ivy Title Since 2009

­Entering its penultimate regular season matchup with a three-point lead in the Ivy League table, the Harvard men’s soccer team (10-3-2, 4-0-1 Ivy) has the opportunity to clinch its first Ancient Eight title since 2009 with a win at Jordan Field on Saturday against visiting Columbia (11-3-1, 3-1-1). A result would give Harvard its 14th Ivy League title and 17th bid to the NCAA College Cup Tournament.

Last weekend, junior midfielder Sam Brown fired home a 25-yard laser to give Harvard a 1-0 victory against Ivy stalwart Dartmouth (6-4-5, 3-1-1 Ivy) and sole possession of first place in the table. Harvard is undefeated since falling to the Cal Bears on Sep. 18. The Crimson recorded four shutouts and outscored its opponents 21-8 en route to an 8-0-1 record in that span.

“As a senior winning the Ivy League title would mean everything,” said senior center-back Alex Leondis. “Coming in second the past three years leaves the worst feeling in you as a competitor, and finally capturing a ring would be an unforgettable moment; for all the work we have put in as a program over the course of four years. A ring is what I’ve wanted my whole career and I’m happy we put ourselves in a position to compete for one again this year.”

In his fourth season at the helm, Harvard coach Pieter Lehrer is seeking his first Ivy title and birth to the NCAA tournament. The UCLA alum has been plagued by “seconditis,” finishing runner-up in each of his three prior campaigns through the Ivy League.

“From day one my freshman year to now,” said senior center-back Dan Smith, “our mantra has been ‘focus on the process of what makes you great.’ We’re staying true to that this week, as we always do, by only thinking about how we prepare as well as possible for Saturday.”

Senior forward Jake Freeman has seven goals and five assists, leading Harvard with 19 points ahead of junior midfielder Christian Sady and freshman midfielder Matthew Glass with 11 points apiece. On the other side of the ball, Columbia’s junior forward Arthur Bosua has carried the Lions’ offense with three goals and three assists, while freshman forward John Denis and junior defender Alex Bangerl have both netted three goals on the season.

“It is obviously extremely critical to stay focused,” said senior forward Jake Freeman. “We talk every week as a team and remind ourselves that we need to concentrate on our preparation and stay consistent on doing the things that make us successful. The magnitude of the game doesn’t change that and we are just preparing like it’s any other game where our focus is to come out, take care of the things we can control and battle for 90 minutes.”

Harvard is riding a three-game win streak against the Lions, and lead the overall series 38-23-5. To clinch the Ivy League championship on senior day would be a fitting farewell for the five Crimson veterans—co-captains Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu and Mark Ashby, Dan Smith, Alex Leondis, Jake Freeman, and Pieter Zenner.

“Winning the Ivy League title in my last year here as a senior would mean the world to me. Obviously coming so close the last few years, our senior class is that much hungrier for it. At the same time, I truly want this for every guy in our locker room.” Freeman said. “To see the commitment and attention to detail we have put in this year result in an Ivy League championship would be special.”

If the Crimson were to draw Columbia on Saturday, Harvard would need a combined four points in its final two games to secure the title, essentially making the Nov. 12 game against Penn (5-5-5, 3-2-0) a must win contest on the horizon.