Harvard's soccer team emerged from its 3-1 victory over Cornell on Saturday as the only unbeaten squad in the Ivy League. Playing some of its finest ball of the season, the Crimson dominated convincingly on offense, while shutting off a potentially explosive Redmen attack on defense.
Key to Harvard's latest win was a 4-2-4 offense which Coach Bruce Munro used for the first time in 21 years. Led by "link" men Jaime Vargas and Richie Hardy, the Crimson controlled the play at mid field, opening up numerous scoring opportunities and taking the pressure off an injury-riddled defense.
The Crimson came out of the game without any serious new injuries. Outside Gerry Montero, who played only half a game due to a persistently aggravated groin muscle, will continue to do so at Dartmouth on Friday. Fullback Bill Brock suffers from a swollen ankle, but the fullback situation has brightened with the improved play of Hilary Worthen who has been filling in for the injured Bob Gray.
Juggernaut
Taking 29 shots against a team that had blanked the powerful Penn squad the previous week, the Crimson's attack again looked like the juggernaut that rolled up 26 goals in its first five games before being shut out by Columbia.
Harvard's new formation gave its speedy line room to operate in. This extra space more effectively utilized the quickness of inside Solomon Gomez, center forward Peter Bogovich, and Captain Scott Robertson, who continually penetrated the Redmen defense to take short-range shots.
In other action around the Ivy League this weekend, Brown blasted Dartmouth 6-3 and Columbia edged punchless Yale, 1-0.
Dartmouth, who had whipped Princeton 3-1 in its opener, blew a 2-0 first quarter lead. Three goals by Brown co-captain Ben Brewster led the Bruins' comeback, as they gained their second win against one loss.
Yale, which dropped a 2-0 decision to Brown last week, again failed to score in Ivy play. This week Columbia, notching its second consecutive whitewash, squeaked by the Elis on a first period goal.
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