Home | 2000 Season

Ohiri Field-Boston, MA
September 10, 2000

1 2 F
West Virginia (1-3-0) 0 0 0
Harvard (1-0-0) 0 1 1

Scoring: H, Spencer George (Ladd Fritz) 78:32.

Saves: H, Dan Mejias 4; WV, Kyle Swarts, 5.

BOSTON, MA - Freshman Spencer George (Mission Viejo, CA/Santa Margarita High) made his first collegiate contest a memorable one as he tallied the game-winning goal in the 79th minute to lift host Harvard over West Virginia, 1-0, in the Crimson's season opener at Ohiri Field.

The midfielder collected a pass on the left side of the Mountaineers' six-yard box from fellow freshman Ladd Fritz (Tulsa, OK/Cascia Hall Prep) and calmly tucked a shot just inside the far post, underneath the arm of charging goalkeeper Kyle Swarts. Harvard outshot West Virginia, 20-6, in the contest but had come up short on a number of quality scoring opportunities before George was able to break through.

Crimson junior goalie Dan Mejias (Garnerville, NY/Don Bosco Prep) recorded his first career shutout while making four saves. The meeting was the first-ever between the schools. West Virginia, a 2-1 overtime loser at Providence yesterday, has now lost three straight and falls to 1-3-0.

Today marks Harvard's first victory in a season-opener since 1995, as the Crimson fell in overtime in each of the past two debuts. Next weekend, coach John Kerr's squad will face Stanford and Boston University in the Dartmouth Invitational.

Shots: Harvard 20, West Virginia 6
Fouls: Harvard 18, West Virginia 16
Corner Kicks: Harvard 7, West Virginia 1
Offside: Harvard 5, West Virginia 6
Attendance: 300

Paul McNeeley
Assistant Director of Sports Media Relations
Harvard University
Murr Center
65 North Harvard Street
Boston, MA 02163
PH: (617) 495-2206
FAX: (617) 495-2130
http://www.athletics.harvard.edu