Seniors take Elis to second round of NCAAs

COURTESY SPORTS PUBLICITY

Coach Brian Tompkins was hired three years ago to turn the Eli men's soccer team back into a winning program, but he knew that one man alone could not make a soccer team successful. As a result, Tompkins relied on the freshman class that entered with him to transform the team into a contender. When the final whistle blew on Sun., Nov. 28, marking the end of the Elis' 1999 season, it also marked the last collegiate game for the five remaining members of Tompkins' 1996 freshman class. Over their four years, these five team members have helped to make Yale not only a contender, but a powerhouse. When the Bulldogs were selected to participate in the 1999 NCAA Tournament, they had an opportunity to demonstrate once again how much Yale soccer has improved over the last few years.

On Sat., Nov. 13, the Elis posted an impressive victory over first-round opponent Rutgers 1-0 in double overtime. Despite being held scoreless in regulation, Yale was clearly the dominant team. The Bulldogs outshot the Scarlet Knights 16-7 in regulation and 6-0 in overtime. "Our interior midfielders [captain Hiro Suzuki, BR '00, and Matt Schmidt, SM '01] were exceptional," Tompkins said. "As a result, we were able to control the flow of the game, and we were unfortunate not to score in regulation." Yale's defense also played a significant role in stifling the Rutgers offense, allowing only two shots to get through to goalkeeper Danny Moss, MC '01, who recorded the shutout, his seventh-and-a-half on the season.

The Scarlet Knights' usually dangerous offense had difficulty exerting pressure on the Elis, since their runs were often ruled offsides. "They've got good speed up front, but they didn't time their runs very well," Tomkins said. Still, Rutgers defense was very solid, and it prevented the Bulldogs from scoring for over 105 minutes. "Their defense was well organized," Suzuki said. "We didn't get a lot of chances in close," Jac Gould, CC '00, added.

The Bulldogs were finally able to capitalize when John Walker, SM '03, was tripped in the box 21 seconds into the second overtime. Gould scored the ensuing penalty kick to win the game for the Elis. "I knew it was going to go in as soon as I hit it," Gould said. "It was almost like time stood still," Tompkins added. "It was a big accomplishment to make it to the second round." The win was certainly well deserved, and it marked Yale's fourth appearance in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. "It would have been a shame not to win," Phil Harris, SM '00, said.

After the win, the Bulldogs learned that their second-round opponent would be the Connecticut Huskies, the team that handed Yale its worst defeat of the season, 5-0, on Wed., Sep. 22. "We knew we would have to play our best game in order to beat UConn," Harris said. The Elis, however, got off to a slow start. "In the first half, we were a bit tentative, and we weren't connecting passes," Suzuki said. The Huskies took advantage, and Luis Arauz '00, netted a goal to put the Huskies up 1-0 going into the half.

The Bulldogs had more offensive opportunities in the second half, but were unable to convert any scoring chances. "We pushed up more in the second half, but it allowed them to counter-attack, which ultimately led to their two goals late in the game," Chung-Ming Ip, CC '00, said. The Huskies' goals in the second half were both scored by Mike Mor-docco '02, who came off the bench late.

The 3-0 defeat concluded the Bulldogs' 1999 campaign, as well as the collegiate careers of goalkeeper David Boehmer, SM '00, Gould, Harris, Ip, and Suzuki. Over their four-year stint, they led the Elis to more wins (44) than any other group. This year they helped set a team record for wins (13)— only one less than the team got in the three years before they arrived combined.

Gould will leave Yale with numerous school records, including goals scored (41) and total points (95). Harris concludes his career fourth in school history in goals scored (23), assists (18), and total points (64). Suzuki and Ip anchored the Eli midfield, combining for 58 points over their careers and playing a valuable role in providing the transition from the talented Eli defense to the potent offense led by Gould, Harris, and now Jay Alberts, SY '03. Boehmer will leave Yale with a 1.45 GAA and 10 shutouts.

Although the seniors leave without having achieved their dream of winning the Ivy League title, they have enjoyed many memorable moments. This season, the Elis posted one of the greatest victories in school history, defeating defending NCAA champion Indiana. "We didn't let their status intimidate us," Ip recalled. "We weren't sure going in if we were up to the level they were at." Another highlight was what turned out to be the Ivy League championship game at Princeton. Although the Bulldogs only came away with a tie, the atmosphere was unforgettable, and they were proud of the effort they put forth. "There was so much on the line," Suzuki said. "The environment was so much fun." Most recent was the victory over Rutgers. "Getting our first tournament victory and proving that we belong there was a big thrill," Gould said.

Despite the loss of five vital contributors to the team, the future looks bright for Eli soccer. Many talented players will return for next season, and the prospects for the new recruiting class seem very positive. "We're certainly in the mix with a lot of talented players," Tompkins said. Boehmer added, "Although I'm really jealous of the success the team is going to have over the next few years, I'm really proud to have been here to see it all begin."

But most importantly, the Eli seniors have taught the team how to win again. "We're more confident," Harris said. "We go into big games with the attitude that we can win. The standards are much higher now."

Photo of Danny Moss, MC '01, courtesy Yale Sports Publicity Office.

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