When the Harvard men's soccer team opened its 1987 season, the defense was Crimson Coach Mike Getman's biggest worry.

"Defense will be our weak point," Getman said. "Our strength will be our ability to score goals."

Eight games into the season, Getman's predictions have failed to come true. Discounting an 8-0 triumph over Division-III Brandeis, the offense is averaging barely over a goal per game--a big drop for a team with four players scoring in double figures last season.

Despite the absence of two top returning starters--injured Captain Mark Pepper and junior Gian D'Ornellas--from the early-season lineup, the Crimson defense has allowed a mere five goals this season. Harvard goalies Stephen Hall and Chad Reilly, supported by skilled backs, have combined for five shutouts on the year.

"We focused early on making sure our defense is solid," Getman said. "Now we're not scoring a lot of goals, but we're shutting out teams."

The mainstay of the Harvard backfield is the "Mutt-and-Jeff" combination of senior Andy Dale and junior Robert Bonnie. Dale, listed as the shortest player on the Crimson squad (5-ft., 7-in.), has taken advantage of his size and speed to manuever his way into and out of key defensive positions. An aggressive player, Dale can often be credited with igniting Crimson counter-attacks.

Bonnie, standing 6-ft., 2-in., dominates his opponents in the air. Despite playing in the back position, Bonnie (two goals, one assist) sits in a third-place tie for team scoring leader. His first tally of the season came off a headshot in the Brandeis game.

The biggest surprise has been junior Louis Lyons. Listed as a forward/midfielder, Lyons has started at back in the last three contests.

"Louie has not played back ever before," Getman said. "He's done a beautiful job playing there. He's really adapted well."

Also figuring into the Harvard defensive lineup have been lone freshman Nick Gates, who has started in the sweeper position, and junior Roger Chapman.

The National Scene: Following a pair of wins over B.U. and Cornell this past week, Harvard moved up to fifth place in the Soccer America poll, and sixth in the Intercollegiate Soccer Association rankings--its highest rating all season. The Crimson's closest Ivy competitor is Columbia, ranked sixth and tenth, respectively.

Sophomore Sensations: The Class of '90 currently claims the top three spots on the Crimson scoring list, with forward David Kramer leading the pack. Kramer, who tallied against both Cornell and B.U., has six goals and one assist for 13 points. Kramer is followed by midfielder Paul Baverstock (2-2--6) and forward Derek Mills (2-1--5).

Injury Report: Saturday's contest at Dartmouth will mark the first game this season in which "everybody is in a condition to play," according to Getman. Pepper had his first start against B.U. Tuesday. Other injured Crimson players--D'Ornellas, Mills, and Chapman--have been slowly filtering back into the regular lineup.

Fashion Statement: Several Crimson booters broke out their longsleeve jerseys Saturday night in Ithaca, N.Y., as the brisk winds dropped the temperature below 40 degrees. Bonnie, meanwhile, sported a peculiar one-shoe style--he lost one of his cleats on a pass in the opening minutes of the game.