Sophomore Quartet Brings Attack Back

The 1986 Harvard men's soccer team was known for its speed, attack and goal-scoring ability.

The attacking skills of forward John Catliff and midfielder Paul Nicholas--both first-team All-Ivy--helped build a Crimson reputation for outstanding offense.

But when Catliff and Nicholas left after graduation last spring, the scoring legacy they built didn't go with them.

There's a new crop of offensive leaders showing their skills on the Crimson attack: the sophomore quartet of Paul Baverstock, Nick D'Onofrio, David Kramer and Derek Mills.

Of the foursome, only Mills was a major part of last year's Crimson scoring barrage. Going into Sunday's NCAA first-round playoff at UConn, the four sophomores have accounted for an overwhelming 55 percent of the Crimson offense.

Kramer leads the Crimson attack with 10 goals and two assists (22 points). Baverstock, D'Onofrio, and Mills are all tied for second place with 13 points a piece.

Kramer played an injury-shortened JV season last year, but his lack of college soccer experience hasn't been evident on the field. The varsity rookie came aboard Getman's ship this year and immediately established himself on the front line.

"As forwards, Nick and I play off each other," Kramer said in reference to his mirror role with D'Onofrio. "With Nick and I playing this way, Derek has more freedom to roam between us and the midfielders."

D'Onofrio, who hails from Vancouver, B.C., has an increased role in this year's squad because of the graduation of key scorers such as fellow Canadian John Catliff.

"Last year, I came off the bench and tried to provide some type of 'sparkplug' for the team offensively," D'Onofrio said, stressing his change from an instant-offense player to his role as a starter. "This year, as a starter, I play a more steady role as a full-time scorer."

"Nick and Dave both play the role of our target man," fellow sophomore Paul Baverstock said. "They try to get in position to set up people with touch passes and create scoring oppurtunities."

Baverstock, a native of Great Britain, has managed to establish himself among his teammates as an on-the-field leader with his constant chatter and gutsy defensive play.

"Paul has a lot of responsibility at center midfield," Kramer noted. "He has established himself as a hard tackler and has come up with some big scores lately."

After a spectacular finish in 1986--he topped the Crimson scoring list--Mills missed the first part of this season because of a knee injury suffered last spring. Then he came back, and had to adjust to a new offensive scheme.

"Derek is playing more of a 'removed forward' this year," Baverstock said. "Now, he plays between the forwards and the midfielders and plays off Nick and Dave up front."

The move allows Mills more freedom to roam, but last year's national Rookie of the Year isn't taking over the field. Mills has given his fellow forward teammates the opportunity to score more often while he acts as a decoy to opposing defenders.

"Derek draws attention because of what a great player he is," Kramer said. "This opens up a lot of other things for other people and makes us a better team."

Despite a mid-season scoring slump, the foursome has found more than enough opportunities to shoot--and score. In fact, the only time the Crimson attack has remained goalless was when Harvard battled to 0-0 tie at UConn in late September.