Upperclassmen usually carry a team during its season opener as freshmen have bigger butterflies to battle.

But while the older guys maddeningly kept sending golden scoring opportunities wide, rookie forward Spencer George coolly found the back of the net to give the Harvard men's soccer team a 1-0 victory over West Virginia at Ohiri Field yesterday in a game Harvard otherwise dominated.

"We just weren't able to finish our chances," said Harvard Coach Steve Kerr. "It was a little first game jitters. I wish we could've gotten a goal in early because then I think we would've scored, two, three, four, five goals."

The goal, however, didn't come until 78:32 despite Harvard (1-0-0 ) outshooting the Mountaineers, 20-6. Freshmen midfielder Ladd Fritz found an unmarked George on the left side of the six-yard box and George punched it inside the far post.

The freshmen connection capitalized on a West Virginia defense that was visibly tiring under the weight of Harvard's attack. The Mountaineers (1-3-0), who had also suffered a grueling 2-1 overtime defeat at Providence on Saturday, collapsed on Fritz in the center of the field, allowing George to roam free on the left.

"[Fritz] held the ball just long enough to set me up perfectly," George said. "They nearly closed me off at the end, but I got it in."

The Crimson mounted the scoring chances early, as junior midfielder Michael Peller especially had a couple good shots, including one he sent just past the far left post from deep inside the box during the 38th minute. Ten minutes later, senior back Matt Ewards drilled a shot from 20 yards out that deflected past the right corner.

Sophomore midfielder Marc Buan, senior midfielder Wells Mangrum, and captain Ryan Kelly all contributed to the pressure on West Virginia keeper Kyle Swarts. Kelly led all Harvard players with five shots.