Along with guiding their team to a 10-2-1 record thus far, several Crimson players have placed themselves into the discussion for postseason honors. Defenders Kwaku Nyamekye and Baba Omosegbon, along with goalkeeper Austin Harms, have led the Harvard backline to a league-leading 0.67 GAA. All three should receive serious considerations for All-Ivy first team honors.

Rookies Brian Rogers and Scott Prozeller have also made valuable contributions to the team, combining for six goals and six assists. Rogers in particular should be considered the front runner for Ivy Rookie of the Year, although he will be challenged by Princeton’s Sanner and Dartmouth keeper Sean Donovan (10 starts, 1.16 GAA).

Akpan, the pre-season favorite for Ivy Player of the Year and legitimate contender for the Hermann trophy, has put in an impressive season thus far but will need to keep producing (and more importantly, keep winning) to secure any trophies. On the Ivy front, Dartmouth’s Keat (7 goals, 5 assists) looks to be Akpan’s chief competitor. The success of their teams will play a large factor in determining who wins this year.

On the national level, Akpan’s points-per-game average of 1.75 is amongst the highest in Division I but he will likely have to lead Harvard far into the NCAA tournament if he hopes to be the league’s first Hermann trophy winner since 1984.

Akpan will face stiff competition, though, particularly from members of top-ranked University of Akron. Sophomore forward Teal Banbury (11 goals, 3 assists) has led an attack that has outscored its opponents by 41 goals. Freshman keeper David Meves has largely contributed to that +/- margin, allowing three goals in 14 games for an outstanding GAA of 0.22. Despite being underclassmen, the success of their team has elevated both competitors to the forefront of the Hermann trophy discussion. Akpan will need to continue raining goals on his opposition to merit consideration.

Overall, the League has experienced a few hiccups and minor bouts of indigestion, but the focus on Ivy action from here on out will allow teams to forget about past results. Success for teams across the League will be inextricably linked with the form of their top players. Only the crème de la crème will taste the sweetness of victory.

—Staff writer Mauricio A. Cruz can be reached at cruz2@fas.harvard.edu.