UConn Downs Women Booters

Suffice it to say that it wasn't one of the 1986 Harvard women's soccer team's shining moments.

The University of Connecticut inhospitably shut out the Crimson, 2-0, in Storrs, Conn., yesterday, dropping Harvard's record to 6-2-1.

"It was a very one-sided 2-0 victory for UConn," Harvard Coach Bob Scalise said.

"It was one of our worst days this year," goalie Tracee Whitley said. "We just didn't play as a unit."

Upon the Crimson's return to Cambridge last night, Scalise convened a 40-minute team meeting to discuss the loss.

"[The meeting] got us psyched to turn over a new leaf," freshman midfielder Jen Gifford said. "We're going to try to be a more high-paced team."

Yesterday Harvard tried to adapt to the Huskies' slow style of play and got burned, Whitley said. "I think we learned a lot from our mistakes and hesitation," the junior goalie said.

Scalise said injuries played a part in his team's defensive lapses. Usual starting back Lori Barry was sidelined with a sprained ankle, and Cari Lyn Beck, bothered by a pulled hamstring, could only play at "75 to 80 percent."

And with an organized UConn attack pressuring a hobbled defense, the Crimson had trouble generating any offense itself. Harvard's midfielders had to drop back, and the strikers were left to fend for themselves against UConn double coverage.

Entering yesterday's contest with an excellent 0.38 goals-against average, Whitley gave up the first of the Huskies' pair of tallies 28:30 into the first half.

UConn's Linda Jackson dribbled on Whitley's left, drawing the Crimson defense. With the middle vacated, Jackson crossed to teammate Kerri Koziell in front of the goal. Koziell drilled a shot past Whitley into the upper left corner of the Crimson net.

"Normally she wouldn't get a chance on it," Whitley said. "She had a little time to set it and hit it."

At 3:20 of the second half, the Crimson went down for the count. Huskie Margaret Jarvis fed Jackson, who was open only eight yards in front of Whitley and booted a low shot inside the far left post.

Demoralized, Harvard was flat for the rest of the game. Instead of pressing forward, the Crimson played defensively, Scalise said. Harvard took only five shots all game.

"We were on our heels in reacting to what UConn was doing," Scalise said. "We're going to have to rekindle that aggressive, attacking attitude."

Harvard will have to regain that attitude by tomorrow afternoon, when it travels north to take on Dartmouth.