With the score tied 1-1 against Harvard, there was a symbolic passing of the torch by the men's soccer team yesterday.
On a centering pass by freshman Brendan Reidy, senior offensive leader Hunter Paschall made a run at the ball, as a decoy. The ball was meant for freshman midfielder Bobby Meyer, who promptly knocked home the pass into the back of the net, sending the Big Green on their way to victory. Freshman passing to freshman, as a senior, playing in his last home game, could only watch. The torch had been passed.
"I can say that I don't think we would have won this game six weeks ago," team co-captain John Bosacco '96 said. "That's how far I think the freshman have come."
The progress that the freshman may have made accounted for only five wins in what could be called a rebuliding year. But hopefully, it will account for many more wins and hopefully a few titles in the coming three years.
"I think this year we had a shot at winning the Ivy League, but we had a few mistakes which cost us close games," goalkeeper Matt Nyman '99 said. "We'll learn from these mistakes and it will make us a better team in the years to come.
Fortunately for the Big Green, they have a lot of rebuilding tools, 12 of them to be exact. Half of the 24-man squad are freshman who saw their first collegiate soccer action this year, many of them earning starting positions.
Midfielder Gareth Jones has played internationally for Canada, forward Chris Pedrick played in England, and goalkeeper Nyman is a member of the United States 20-and-under squad. Add to that group current freshman players Tui'one Faleafa from New Zealand, Meyer, Reidy, Alan Lemley and Andy Warner, all of whom received significant playing time, and there is the nucleus for a very strong team.
"Next year, we have a real good shot at not only winning the Ivy League, which is our goal, but of advancing into the NCAA tournament," Nyman said. "We're losing two great players in Hunter [Paschall '96] and Johnnie [Bosacco '96], but I think with all the returning freshman and upperclassmen, we should be really competitive."
The greatest advantage the freshman have gained this year is the opportunity to play in game situations and gain confidence.
"The freshman have really gained confidence throughout the year, and the difference is really noticeable now," Bosacco said. "They are a lot more confident with the ball and that is the result of experience and getting used to playing with each other."
Meyer, who plays midfield said, "We know that when we play our best and we give a 100% effort, we can beat any opponent that we face. That is the confidence I think all the freshman have gained from playing this year."
Along with confidence, the freshman gained a lot from the senior leadership of Bosacco and Paschall.
"Hunter's work ethic really sets an example for us because he just goes all out during games," Lemley said.
While hopes of an Ivy League title may be gone this year, the team, especially the freshman, have their eyes focused on another goal.
"If we beat Columbia and Penn, then we will have won seven of our last 11," Lemley said. "We don't want the seniors to think that just because we have three more years left that we will tolerate losing. Not only do we want to win this year, to win our last five in a row and seven of our last 11 would give us momentum going into next year's season."
While the freshman may have three more years left, many think that next year could be a big year for the Big Green.
"The freshman have come a long way and along with the returning upperclassmen, this is a team that I think can accomplish a lot starting next year," Bosacco said.
Of course, that may not be enough for those sticking around longer than next year.
"There is a lot of talent in this class, and we can be one of the top teams in the country for at least the next three years," Nyman said.