W. Soccer Hosts Yale in Big Ivy Match

It's only an early-season game, but the Harvard women's soccer team's home game against Yale tomorrow might be the biggest game of the year. And the prospect of revenge makes it that much bigger.

"Emotionally, Yale is the toughest," said junior forward Gina Foster, whose goal sealed Wednesday's 2-0 victory against B.C. "We want to win this game. The level and intensity has picked up as well as the level of excitement."

Such excitement isn't over just the Harvard-Yale rivalry, it is also over the chance at revenge. Yale (4-1, 1-0 Ivy) handed the Crimson (3-2 1-0 Ivy) its only league loss last season, 3-2 in overtime. It is still the only loss this year's seniors have suffered in 24 Ivy League confrontations.

"We all feel we should not have lost last year," Foster said.

Having won two consecutive shutouts this week against Columbia and B.C., the Crimson has started to gel on both sides of the ball and build momentum in its hunt for a fourth straight Ivy title.

"Especially against B.C., we came together as a team and played the kind of soccer we aim to play," said junior forward Beth Zotter, who scored the winning overtimes goal against the Lions.

"We settled back down," senior goalie Jennifer Burney said. "The back line is incredible and the offense [can] work its magic.

The game against the Eagles marked an important turnaround for the offense, which did not score against Hartford and did so only in the 109th minute against Columbia. Solid ball control and possession were key factors in the offensive resurgence.

"We are learning the rhythm and finally pulling together [with] one strategy, one style," Foster said.

In goal, Burney and senior Meredith Bagley have been spectacular, and Burney has not allowed a goal in her last 196 minutes.

Yale also has its sights set on the Ivy title, a goal seemingly attainable after last year's second place finish. It had been undefeated until a 3-1 loss to Hartford on Wednesday.

"Yale is one of the top teams. They are solid all around," said Burney. "[The game] holds a lot of weight."

The Bulldogs come in with a strong midfield, led by captain Annie Kwon, who has two goals and one assist, and junior Theryn Gibbons, who has two goals and two assists. Senior forward Jill Rubinstein leads the team with three goals.

Although graduation hurt Yale's defense, it still has experienced juniors Lorelei Wall, the Ivy Rookie of the Year in 1996, and Danica Liberman.

As for preparation, it has been practice as usual for the Harvard women, although there has definitely been an enthusiasm in the air that only the Elis could bring.

"We are really psyched to play Yale and are looking to even the score," Zotter said. "We are capable of beating them. [it will be] a lot about heart and intensity on Saturday."