Working OT without the pay

In the realm of sports, you win some and you lose some. That's the nature of the beast. So people on the sidelines preach about giving 100 percent and claim that, regardless of the score, it's enough to be able to walk off the field and say that you gave it all you had. Even men's soccer head coach Brian Thompkins admits, "Any season is a collection of all types of experiences--wins, losses, and ties. You have to be prepared to encounter different things."

The team in action

Everyone is told at one point or another that, supposedly, "it's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game." But after 90 minutes, or more, of blood, sweat, and tears, that old proverb is much easier to say than it is to believe or accept.

Nobody likes to lose. And the men's soccer team knows this better than most. Though they have every right to hold their heads high, they also have every right to the disappointment that comes with a tough loss. Fighting the stigma of last year's unimpressive record, the 'Dogs'--Bulldogs or underdogs, both names apply--enthusiastically took on the challenge of re-establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with this fall.

However, what started off as a picture-perfect season seems to have recently taken a turn for the worse. The men's soccer team, which started its fall schedule with a three-game winning streak, must look back on the past two contests and wonder what went wrong.

Yale had hoped that their embarrassment of the Ivy favorite, nationally-ranked Brown,--a 5-1 defeat on the Bears' home field--would set the tone for the season. Unfortunately, their illusion of grandeur and their undefeated status were shattered with last week's unlucky overtime loss to Providence College and this past weekend's hard-fought and heartbreaking 4-3 loss to Harvard.

At first glance, their 3-3 record seems mediocre, but an accurate assessment requires a much closer look. The most telling sign--two of their losses ended regulation in a tie. In each case, the opponent emerged victorious, after 120 minutes of play and with only a one goal distinction--hardly a decisive defeat.

Men's soccer

The tenacious Yale offense, bolstered by Julio Guzman, ES '97, Steve Colamarino, BK '97, and Neil Gilbert, SY '00, has averaged three goals a game. This is quite an improvement considering that last year's squad had only netted nine goals by this point in the season. In fact, the '95 season total was 19 goals in 17 games. This year, five games into the season, the Bulldogs have already put the ball in the net 14 times.

The defense has also proven itself worthy of great respect, allowing only one goal in the first four games of the season. Rookie goalkeeper David Boehmer, SM '00, has played an important part in that feat, and had not been scored upon until he let up three goals in a loss to the Crimson.

Overall, Thompkins said that he was pleased with Boehmer's performance. "Mentally, Dave has a great approach to the game. He's a confident and capable young man," Thompkins said. When asked how last Saturday's lapse will affect the young keeper, Thompkins said, "How he responds will give an indication of what he's really made of."

Injuries may be a part of the Bulldogs' recent problems. "Anytime you lose key players or they're slowed down, it has a huge effect on the team," Thompkins said. Four would-be starters--Guzman, who leads the Bulldogs in scoring with six goals, captain Dwight Angelini, PC '97, Gregg Bassmann, DC '99, and Jac Gould, CC '00--have all been sidelined for various health reasons. This is especially significant, considering that both losses ended in overtime. In such long and trying contests, talented substitutes replacing tired players can often decide the outcome of the game. Added depth might have helped the Bulldog cause in the waning minutes.

The prospect of working these players back into the line-up is a promising one but, win or lose, Thompkins continues to credit and emphasize the team, not the individuals. "It hasn't been an individual effort," he said. "The real strength of the team is our unity of purpose."

Undoubtedly, a lack of stability could be the nemesis of any team. Not only are the Bulldogs still facing the challenge of adjusting to a new coaching staff with a new style and perspective, but they have yet to establish a solid, healthy line-up. Thompkins says he feels that the team has done well, "given the injuries we've had, and the fact that we are still trying to become familiar with each other." Even in light of the circumstances, they have proven that they have the goods to be Ivy League contenders.

Nevertheless, this unfortunate turn of events could mean disaster for the Bulldogs. On the other hand, it could be an opportunity for Yale to rise to the occasion. The players insist that the recent losses have not taken the wind out of their sails and that they remain confident and focused about the task at hand--making the most of the '96 season.

"We've been competitive in every game, even the losses," Ryan Berry, MC '99, said. "We can play with anyone, that's the kind of team we are. With a little time and adjustment, those close games will start ending in our favor. The wins will come."

Even disregarding scores, stats, and records, it is clear that Yale is a team transformed, characterized by the fearless, fire-in-the-eyes play that was lacking last fall. Call it coaching, call it cohesion, or call it karma, something has clicked with the men's soccer team. With five Ivy league games and a host of other contests in their near-future, the Bulldogs, equipped with well-earned victories and some hard learned lessons, have plenty of chance to put Providence and Harvard behind them.

"The key is to maintain our focus to work on our game and improving ourselves, and to stick with the things we identified as important at the beginning of the season," Tompkins noted.