1996

Sports Statistics

Record: 13-7

Coach: Don Benson

Key Players: Juniors Ed Chen, Andy Davis and Marty Edlund; Sophomore Mike Zimmerman

1997

It was expected to be a rebuilding year for the Harvard men's water polo team, and to some extent that prediction held true.

With only two seniors adorning the roster, the Crimson definitely felt the pangs of inexperience and inconsistency throughout its 23-game season. Not only did the team carry only 12 players, most of its reserves were either freshmen or sophomores. As a result, the bench was desperately needed, but sorely depleted.

"[Fatigue] was a factor this year," said senior Dan Arbalaez, the lone left-handed player on the team. "And we were smaller and had to rely on our speed and quickness instead of our size."

It became more and more difficult to outpace the other team as the physical exertion and lack of reserves kept the heroic last-second comebacks few and far between.

This youth and lack of depth was ever-present against Brown at the Northern Division Championships in mid-October.

The Crimson had only beaten the Bears twice in the team's 16 years as a varsity sport. In addition, Brown had dispatched Harvard by a four-goal margin earlier in the season. The stage was set for a classic Ivy battle.

"Brown's really been a thorn in our side," said head coach Don Benson '88 before the Eastern matchup. "They seem to find a way to win against us."

And once again, the Bears displayed their magic.

Brown broke out to an early 6-3 lead, but had its hands full with a delayed attack by the Crimson.