Charles Dickens wrote that “it was the best of times, it the worst of times”—and yesterday’s game against Holy Cross was truly “a tale of two halves,” according to senior defender Sam Wiggin.

The Harvard men’s soccer team (6-5-0, 1-1-0 Ivy) not only had to face a regionally fourth ranked Crusaders (5-3-1) team, but 20 mile per hour winds as well.

Each half had to be handled completely independently. The Crimson had the upper hand in the first half—playing with the wind at their backs—but after switching sides for the second half of play Holy Cross gained the advantage.

“The wind was just blustery,” Wiggin said.

But nothing could stop Harvard from stomping the Crusaders into the ground with a 3-1 win in Worcester.

“It was a good result,” said junior captain and defender Will Craig. “But it wasn’t a pretty game.”

Not pretty might be an understatement as the Crimson had to navigate a considerably more compact field riddled with holes and bumps.

And although the poor field conditions—that Harvard said are a staple of the Holy Cross turf—didn’t cause any major tactical changes in the Crimson’s play, it definitely forced them to play a much more careful game—literally having to watch their every step.

The rough field conditions and wind forced both teams to play a more controlled game.

Both teams were forced to keep the ball on the ground and make short quick passes. The team had to strictly avoid over the top passing and putting the ball too high in the air for fear that the ball might soar away.

The Crimson kept its composure though—feeling confident in the knowledge that keeping the ball on the ground is one of this team’s key strengths.

“That is where we have always succeeded,” Wiggin said.

But the true success story of yesterday’s game was freshman Michael Fucito’s second key goal for Harvard in their last two games.

Fucito has been an offensive force on the team all season whose attacking mindset has proved a crucial asset, but only lately has he really stepped up his play and started really putting balls in the net.

“[Mike] has really adapted to the college game now,” Craig said. “He knows when to take the shots and when to get the goal.”