Revitalized Men’s Soccer Hosts Harvard

Pressing on through its recent drought, the Columbia men’s soccer team faces off against Ivy League competitor, Harvard, at Columbia Soccer Stadium this Saturday. Pushing aside the Lions’ limiting 3-1-10 record, captain Tom Heinbockel views Saturday’s game as another chance for Columbia to make progress and challenge the opposition.

“We have to play our game. We really have to come out and perform. We have the potential to ruin their season as they attempt to contend for a first place position. We have to put it to them,” Heinbockel said.

Following a 3-1 loss to Adelphi University, Heinbockel extended his league-leading points count to 9—on an impressive penalty kick in the 56th minute— although that wasn’t enough for a Columbia comeback.

“It was a frustrating loss, once you start losing a couple games in a row, it gets harder to get out of the rut and one thing just ends up leading to the next. We need to clean up some of our problems, but it’s behind us for the most part.” Heinbockel said.

Despite their struggles, the Lions have high hopes for Saturday as Columbia attempts to secure its first and only Ivy League win. In preparation for the Crimson, Heinbockel reflects on just what needs to be done in order to live up to the hype surrounding Harvard’s recent winning streak.

“I think we need to clean up how our defense plays the game so we become a more solid team. We have to help and protect the goalie a little bit more in the back,” he said. “We have not been playing too bad in the middle and up-top, which strengthens our offensive.”

The Crimson have enjoyed recent success in its 9-2-3 record, standing 2-2 in the Ivy League. Harvard junior Michael Fucito received Academic All-District First-Team honors according to ESPN The Magazine. Saturday’s game stands as a make-or-break competition as Harvard tries to push forward as Ivy League title contenders.

When asked whether or not this season has brought any regrets or misgivings with the less-than-dominating record—and without a victory in the Ivy League—Heinbockel is honest in retorting: “I have no regrets about this season, sometimes things just don’t go your way, and this season they haven’t. We have played well and competed hard in every game we have confronted. There may have been times when we couldn’t finish the game, but we have yet to be outplayed by any team.”