Injuries, Close Losses Send Men's Soccer to Middle of Ivies

Nobody needs to teach the 1995 men's soccer team (6-8-3, 3-4 Ivy) about doing things the hard way. Nothing seemed to come easily for this year's squad, which was plagued by injuries and tough overtime defeats and finished its season tied for a disappointing fourth place in the Ivy League.

The Crimson's bad luck started early when the injuries began. Over the course of the season, juniors Kevin Silva, Richard Wilmot, John Vrionis, and Jim Quagliaroli were all forced to the sidelines. In fact, Harvard never started the same lineup twice.

Nevertheless, Harvard still opened the season strongly with wins over nationally ranked Columbia, 3-0, and Boston University, 2-1.

But while the wins were giving the team confidence, it couldn't develop as a unit without a consistent lineup. And when the Crimson travelled to Ithaca its fortunes changed for the worse.

"Cornell was a big negative turning point in our season," junior Will Kohler said. "It was a key Ivy League game, and we went up there and then lost 1-0 in overtime. It could have single-handedly been the turning point of our season."

The Crimson followed up its loss to Cornell with another at Central Connecticut by a score of 3-0. The squad rebounded against Penn 3-2 only to fall to Maine, 2-1.

After beating Yale 3-1, Harvard began a string of overtime frustrations. The Crimson were forced into three successive overtime contests and never emerged with a victory.

After double overtime games against both Lafayette, 2-2, and Boston College, 0-0, were called draws, Princeton downed Harvard 2-1 in their overtime encounter. It all added to the mounting difficulties which were increasingly beginning to characterize the season.

Rather than preparing for post-season play in November, the Crimson saw its luck turn for the worse. Harvard lost its final two Ivy League contests, falling first to Dartmouth, 4-2, and then four days later to Brown, 2-1. The Bears went on to capture the league crown.

Harvard could only muster one victory in November when it put away Providence 2-1. The Crimson's season ended almost fittingly when Harvard fell to Hartwick 2-3 in overtime. It was just another frustration to add to the list.

But among the bright spots for the Crimson was the squad's two seniors--goalkeeper Ned Carlson and captain Chris Wojcik.

"They showed an unbelievable amount of leadership," junior Peter Albers said. "The two of them did the job of six or seven seniors."

Members of the team cited the two seniors' different leadership styles, but praised both equally.

"Ned was great to work with," Albers said. "He would push you no matter what. Whether he was playing or not, he was such a positive influence on the team. Our entire team looked up to him for wisdom."

And Wojcik was held in no less regard.

"He [Wojcik] is not the cheerleader type," Kohler said. "He leads by example, and that's the kind of captain I respect the most."

So after a disappointing 1995 season, the team hopes in 1996 it will see better luck, fewer injuries, fewer overtimes, and new class of leadership like the seniors it lost.

Harvard Sports Stats 1995-96

Men's Soccer

Record: 16-8-3, 3-4 Ivy

Ivy Finish: Fourth (tie)

Head Coach: Stephen Locker

Captain: Chris Wojcik '96

Other Key Players: Will Kohler '97, Richard Wilmot '97, T.J. Carella '97, John Vronis '97, Ricky Le '98