An End to Endless Losing Streak

The emotion was tangible in Blodgett Pool this weekend, as co-captains David Tune and Jay Connolly played their very last home game at Harvard.

“I don’t even know what to say,” Tune said as he gazed up at the rafters. “There are just so many mixed feelings.”

Tune and the Crimson ended their home season over the weekend, taking on Queens College on Saturday and St. Francis University yesterday.

The team returned to Blodgett for the first time since Oct. 1, looking to put a winless streak on the road behind it.

Harvard (3-10, 2-4 ECAC) came into this weekend parched for a win, and it was able to quench this thirst immediately, earning a victory against the formidable Knights, 14-6.

“It’s just good to finally have a W,” Connolly said.

Indeed, while overcoming Queens had little implication for the playoffs, the Crimson desperately needed a shift in momentum as the regular season draws to a close.

“It was really important that we won this weekend heading into the playoffs. We needed it to put us in a good position to succeed at Northerns,” Tune said.

By extending its unbeaten streak to six straight against the Knights, Harvard was able to show its potential against ECAC foes as it prepares for the clean slate of the Northern Championships.

Although the Crimson could not build on Saturday’s success to break its own nine-game losing streak against the No. 14 Terriers, the weekend split still marked an improvement over recent struggles.

With the celebratory mood of Senior Day intact, the Crimson will look to use this enthusiasm to reverse its fortunes in the postseason.

ST. FRANCIS 11, HARVARD 3

Harvard’s offense proved ineffective in yesterday’s loss to the Terriers.

The Crimson held its own against the ranked foe in the first and second quarters, pulling to within 2-1 late in the first half with a goal from sophomore Bret Voith. Tune added the equalizer at the start of the third, but it wasn’t enough as St. Francis went on a 4-0 run entering the fourth.

Although the fourth-quarter run put the game out of reach, Harvard’s defense kept the team in the contest by holding the potent Terrier offense in check.

“I thought we played really well,” Tune said. “We were strong in the first, second, and third quarters, but our offense was weak in the fourth.”

Connolly made 15 saves to lead the stellar defensive effort, but with only one more second-half score from rookie Luka Babic, the Crimson found the deficit insurmountable.

Although the loss was tough, both Tune and Connolly continued to lead by example with excellent performances on Senior Day. Tune and Connolly finished their careers at Blodgett as undeniable leaders of a team that has gone through many trials and tribulations this season.

“It’s been really fun, looking back on it,” Tune says. “It’s kind of unbelievable that it’s all gone by so fast.”

This Thursday’s game at Connecticut College will mark the end of an era, as the two senior captains wrap up their careers and don the Crimson speedo for the final time in a regular season game.

HARVARD 14, QUEENS 6

In stark contrast to yesterday’s effort, the Crimson enjoyed an offensive onslaught to open the weekend and end its eight-game losing streak. Tune led the attack with three goals, while freshmen Evan Zepfel and Mike Katzer each contributed two.

“I think we met or exceeded our expectations,” Tune said. “I was just really pumped up going into this game.”

Connolly and rookie Alexandre Popp split time in net, with the co-captain posting four saves and only allowing a pair of goals. Popp demonstrated his own prowess in the second half, preserving Harvard’s first victory since Sept. 18th.

Even with such a dominating performance on its record, the team will look to continue improving as it heads into the playoffs.

“We played good polo, but it definitely wasn’t perfect,” Tune explained. “We need to come out hard-pressed right away and maintain the press defense for the whole game.”

“We need more ball control and we have to put together a whole game of defense,” Connolly added. “We just need to tighten up.”

With two weeks until the Northern championships, it remains to be seen how far this squad can rise.