The players on Harvard’s men’s soccer team don’t hate Princeton. At least they say they don’t.

“They’re just like any other Ivy League School,” said senior midfielder Jon Napper.

Still, the Crimson players will have a hard time denying the two teams’ recent history of ugly fouls, nail-biting matches and heartbreaking finishes.

The rivalry—which has seen Harvard and Princeton deal crushing blows to one another’s title hopes in consecutive seasons—continues this Saturday

when the Tigers (4-4-3, 1-1-1 Ivy) face off against the Crimson (5-3-4, 0-2-1) on Ohiri Field at 1:30 p.m.

Last year, a scoreless tie persisted till the final 10 minutes when Princeton striker Matt Douglas sent the game-winning goal that into the back of the net, and left then sophomore goalkeeper Jamie Roth watching the shot.

The loss was Harvard’s first in Ivy League play, crippling its title chances. Penn ended up tying for the league crown with Dartmouth.

“That game,” captain Andrew Old said, “was a turning point in our season.”

Last year’s game was also characterized by intense, and sometimes dirty, play. Seven yellow cards were flashed in the first 62 minutes.

Old said he does not foresee any similar problems this year. However, he does acknowledge that passion tends to take over in some of the biggest league games.

“Tempers flare, and cards do get thrown out,” he said.

 The 2001 version of the Harvard-Princeton soccer rivalry saw its fair share of spoiling heroics too—and fouls.

During a cold, 10-minute downpour on an otherwise sunny day, then sophomore Ladd Fritz scored the game’s only goal in the 23rd minute.

Amidst slippery conditions on a muddy field, Princeton committed 16 fouls and Harvard added 10. The game ruined Princeton’s undefeated Ivy season, forcing them to share the conference title with Brown—a team the Tigers beat 3-0 the following week.

This year, the Crimson again hopes to defeat Princeton at Ohiri Field. So far, the Crimson has had a tough year in the Ancient Eights as it continues to look for its first win in league play.