Ohiri Field, October 22
Harvard 3, Northeastern 0

Team records:
Harvard:  4-4-3
Northeastern: 2-11-1

Game Report

I don't know if today's result was due to Harvard's solid all-around play, or because Northeastern is so, well, not good.  After literally minutes of contemplation, I believe both weighted heavily.

Harvard's play consisted of winning balls, making the right passes, defending aggressively and cleanly, talking to each other, and using the full width of the field.  Harvard's first two goals came when Northeastern's defense sort of messed things up (Tommy McLaughlin picking a defender's pocket, and Will Hench--his best game of the season--shooting into an open net from about 15 yards out), each in the first half.  The third, though, came when Ryan Kelly ran down the left, eluding at least three defenders, and flicking it back to McLaughlin, who punched it in.

I had heard that Northeastern was still playing a nasty, physical game, in spite of the coaching change that took place there two years ago.   Not today.  Maybe it was because Harvard kept the ball moving, mostly on the ground (the wind was extremely gusty), and NU didn't ever catch up.

The shutout goes to Jordan, his third.  Drew Lundquist and Tim Wyant each had goal-saving plays on balls that came from the corners.   Ricky Le left the game with a bruise, and Tommy left with a hip pointer, but you can bet they won't be watching the game from the bench on Saturday.

I probably shouldn't say this, but Harvard hasn't allowed a goal at Ohiri since the Penn game (who, by the way, have since renamed their 1997 season "El Foldo").  Now comes what will be a war with Princeton on Saturday.   This defensive record will be tested again then.

Speaking of nothing, our main man Roger Taylor reffed the game.  He told me he did the Indiana-Duke game, and that Indiana is the best college team he has seen...ever!   They go at it with Stanford on Halloween, a game that ought to be exciting.

Scoring
Harvard:  McLaughlin; Hench (Keeton); McLaughlin (Kelly)

Season stats  I am getting to them, really.