M. Booters Upset Eleventh-Ranked Terriers, 3-2

After Sunday's overtime loss to Hartwick, Harvard Men's Soccer Coach Mike Getman swore that his team was playing well. It just wasn't getting the lucky breaks.

Yesterday, his team got those breaks, as Harvard (4-5-0, 0-2-0 Ivy) upset Boston University, 3-2, in a come from behind victory at Ohiri Field.

The victory not only provided a shot in the arm to Harvard--which had lost four of its last five games--but it also dealt a major blow to the Terriers (7-3) who were ranked number one in New England and 11th in the country going into the game.

BU dominated the first 25 minutes of the contest, taking a 1-0 lead and controlling the ball almost the entire time.

Harvard bounced back, however, scoring three goals over the next 45 minutes, two from senior Don Daigle, to secure the win.

"Today, we displayed the maturity and composure that this team has had all year," Getman said. "When we were down 1-0, we didn't panic and kept our cool."

"We just were not in the game emotionally or physically," BU Coach Neil Roberts said. "We didn't really start playing until it was 3-1."

The Terriers grabbed the early lead when senior Phil Dunn hit a blast from the left corner of the goalie's box that landed in the right corner of the net just under 15 minutes into the game.

Early on, BU managed to shut down the Crimson offense, which was playing against a strong wind.

"It took our guys a couple of minutes to get used to [the BU defense], but we adjusted," Getman said.

With just over 13 minutes remaining in the first half, the Crimson got on the board when Captain Brian Enge hammered a ball over BU goalie Brad Rubin from ten feet out, after Rubin had lost control of the ball.

In the middle of the second half, Harvard got one of those lucky breaks that Getman wanted so badly. Officials awarded a direct penalty to Harvard after a Terrier defender was called with choking defender was called with choking Jason Luzak inside the goalie's box.

With 23:34 remaining in the game, Daigle bounced a kick off the left post and into the goal for the 2-1 lead.

Daigle collected his second goal eight minutes later when he received an assist from Luzak that left him one-on-one against Rubin.

As Rubin came out from the pipes, Daigle managed to push the ball past him on the right to give the Crimson a two goal advantage.

With 11 minutes and change remaining, BU cut Harvard's lead in half. Senior Jeff Schultz drilled a shot from 30 yards in front to the right side of the goal, after receiving an indirect kick from teammate Steve Walker.

Is Harvard 'Smarter'?

BU and Harvard may each have excellent men's soccer programs, but Harvard has an overwhelming advantage head-to-head.

With yesterday's win, the Crimson is 16-6-6 against the foes across the Charles.

How does BU coach Nei Roberts explain this lopsided number?

"They're smarter, I guess," said Roberts.

The Ivy Picture

After beating a team the caliber of BU, Harvard coach Mike Getman has to wonder whether his team can climb back into the Ivy race.

Since the Crimson has already suffered two defeats, the team would almost certainly have to win all five of its remaining Ivy matchups and then hope that the rest of the league beats up on each other.

The chances are slim. Harvard is the only team without a league win or a tie.

"Nobody's come out and beat us," Getman said. "Each win is a confidence boost. We just have to take one game at the time.