Harvard Looks To Rebound in Key Contests

If ever there was a week to watch Harvard women’s soccer, this is it. Not only is the team capping off a three-game road trip and then playing in a nationally-televised match, but the Crimson is playing two local competitors.

Harvard will try to recover from two straight losses as it takes on No. 4 Boston College this Friday in Newton, Mass., at 7 p.m. and Boston University at Nickerson Field this Sunday at 5 p.m.

These contests are especially crucial for the Crimson as it tries to improve on its 1-3-1 record. The team fell at Hofstra 3-2 last Sunday, but players were encouraged by an increasing team effort that saw a number of players make an impact.

“Over the past couple of games, a lot of different people have contributed,” said senior goalkeeper Lauren Mann.

The goalkeeper and other veteran members of the team will be vital in the game against the Eagles, who have outshot their opponents, 152-25. Mann has notched one shutout and a .654 save percentage already this season.

Co-captain and fellow senior Lizzy Nichols and junior Katherine Sheeleigh have also contributed one goal and an assist each.

But Harvard will also draw on its youth, as freshman forward Caroline Albanese is leading the team in scoring with two goals.

Coach Ray Leone recognized the contributions of some of the team’s newest members.

“Caroline and Taryn [Kurcz] have done well and will definitely play this weekend,” he said. “Alexandra Conigliaro has been improving steadily as well.”

Mann echoed her coach’s sentiments.

“It’s exciting to see what some of our newer players can bring to the table,” she said. “This weekend’s going to be a great opportunity for that.”

Friday’s game against Boston College will also give the Crimson a chance to prove itself among the college soccer elite. The Eagles have steadily climbed up the rankings to No. 4 in the country with recent wins over Marist and Long Beach State, to whom Harvard lost last Friday.

Boston College has started its season with a perfect 6-0 record, and its defense is proving to be nearly impenetrable. It is one of only five teams in the nation to have not allowed a single goal, and among those five has the highest number of goals scored with 24.

When asked about the Eagles’ accomplishments, Leone responded, “It’s great for BC. It gives us a better focus, but rankings don’t matter to me. They deserve it, they’re a great team.”

The Crimson women have been outshooting their opponents 88-74 this season and will have to keep it up in order to win Friday. Mann assured that the team plans to stick to its guns and not be affected by the BC hype.

“It’s business as usual,” she said. “We’re getting a good week of practice in and then taking it to the field.”

Last year Harvard fought to an unexpected 1-1 tie against the Eagles, and this Friday it is hoping to pull out the win. If the Crimson succeeds, it will give the team great momentum going into the weekend’s second match against Boston University, which will be televised live on the Fox Soccer Channel.

The Terriers (2-3-2) are also coming off consecutive losses, the most recent to No. 23 Penn State at the UConn Classic last Sunday. But they are not to be taken lightly.

The team has battled it out with opponents to force three overtime decisions in seven games this season.

Harvard has some overtime experience of its own, having tied San Diego State in double overtime in its season opener.

These games are also the last before the Crimson makes its Ivy debut against Penn on September 26. If Harvard wants to repeat as league champion, this would be the opportune time to prove itself.

With two challenging opponents and a potential turning point for the Crimson women’s soccer season, it will be a crucial weekend for the team—and the local rivalries will make it just as exciting for the fans.