After 90 minutes of scoreless soccer during regulation, and another 10 minutes in an uneventful first overtime period, the game went into double-OT.
“We didn’t punish them in the first half when we had the wind, so we had to battle against the wind in the second half and in the first OT,” Clark said. “It was an uphill battle but we were able to hold on.”
It was the ability Harvard to brave the conditions that set up the thrilling finish. Grimm, who played both as a holding player in midfield and also at the back, put in a particularly note-worthy performance.
The game finally ended in the 103rd minute. Akpan’s goal was his 10th of the season, and certainly the most important of his collection.
“We want to be a generation of players that changes what Harvard soccer is all about,” Akpan said. “This is a big win.”
But while the team recognizes the significance of the win, its celebrations will be muted as the focus turns to Tuesday’s second-round game against No. 8 South Florida.
“Reality is that we haven’t accomplished anything substantial yet,” Sager said.
His coach could not agree more. “No one’s content yet,” Clark said. “We think we can play for a few more weeks.”