M. Soccer Cruises

The brilliant play of senior forward Will Kohler ignited the Harvard men's soccer team yesterday, resulting in a 4-1 thrashing of Boston College.

Continuing a pattern it has followed in its last three games, the Crimson blasted off to a rocket-fast start on its home field. By the end of the first half, Harvard was up 2-0, and Kohler was well on his way to his first career hat trick.

The game's final score, which added yet another victory to the Crimson's formidable record (7-1-0, 3-1-0 Ivy), was a bit misleading. The contest was never seriously out of reach of the Eagles' outstretched claws until late in the second half.

Harvard's first goal was the product of the type of team play coaches dream about. Senior midfielder Kevin Silva flew down the right flank, leaving more than one B.C. defender in his wake, before sending a nice cross to open teammate junior Tom McLaughlin.

McLaughlin sent an errant missile at the B.C. goalie, but Kohler was able to capitalize off the missed shot and put his team up, 1-0.

The triumvirate of Silva, McLaughlin and Kohler proved too formidable for B.C. all day. McLaughlin selflessly feinted at what turned out to be Silva's second assist and let it soar by to an open Kohler, who sent a one-timer flashing by the diving Eagle goalie.

Not to be overshadowed by the Brazilian play of Kohler, who had one assist to go along with his three goals, was the fine play of Harvard's starting goalie, sophomore Jordan Dupuis, and senior Peter Albers, who played the second half.

"It's great that we can go with either goalie and still know that if we do our jobs there is no way we are losing," Kohler said.

Especially in the second half, the B.C. team pressed Harvard's defense, dominating play in the midfield.

However, no matter how tenaciously the Eagles fought in an attempt to cut the Crimson lead, the amazing play of the goalies barred B.C.'s advance. In its most harrowing moments, Harvard's defense never ceased to come up with the necessary counter.

Asked to explain the relative impotence of the Eagles' offense, Silva shrugged and said, "they just couldn't finish."

At one tense moment in the game, a B.C. forward broke free from the Harvard defense and had an open shot on Albers.

Acting solely on instinct, the athletic goalie was somehow able to stop a sure goal and maintain the shutout.

Sparked by such defensive play, the Crimson would not relinquish its lead. The tandem of Silva, Kohler and McLaughlin continued to hound the Eagles.

McLaughlin, this time on the receiving end, took a pass from Kohler and sent into the right lower corner of the goal to give Harvard an insurmountable lead 59:17 into the game.

Kohler's third goal, off a rebound from his own deflected penalty kick, sealed the bargain.

The Eagles managed one goal 75 minutes into the game to avoid the humiliation of the shutout.

Despite his incredible individual play, which led to two assists, Silva was aware that his team's performance left much room for improvement.

"We didn't play as well as I know we can. But that's a good sign of a good team--we still won," Silva said.

Next Sunday, the Crimson seeks to continue its seven-game winning streak when it faces Loyola at Ohiri Field. B.C.  1 Harvard  4