Harvard Business School’s soccer team routed Harvard Law 5-1 last Sunday behind a raucous crowd that numbered in the high single digits. With the victory, HBS capped off an undefeated season in the Boston Graduate School League and won the Graduate School Cup for the second year in a row.
Harvard Law’s first string was fairly talented and very physical, playing HBS to a 1-1 tie in the first half. HLS got on the board first when a corner kick dropped in the penalty box and the ensuing shot ricocheted off two players into the back of the net. Not content with a one-goal lead, HLS stepped up its attack. HLS had several legitimate chances in the first 20 minutes and only the cat-like quickness of goalie Clay Hunter (OH) prevented HBS from surrendering a second goal.
After nearly 20 minutes of playing like “sissies” (description courtesy of fullback and Brazilian funnyman Curt Zimmermann (OK)), HBS finally found its rhythm. By spreading out the field and making smart passes, the HBS offense created several dangerous opportunities. Gaby Podskubka (NE) found Marti Jimenez (OC) alone in front in front of the HLS net for the equalizer. The first half ended in a 1-1 tie as both squads began to tire in the stifling 65-degree heat.
At halftime, co-coach, master motivator and sneaky-quick forward Arturo Alvarez Demalde (OC), liberally expounded on Zimmermann’s description of our play as “sissy-like.” After the halftime tongue-lashing, HBS came out determined to take control of the match. Super-Sub Mike Genstil (OH) led the second half charge with dominating play from his position on the right flank. HBS’s deep bench proved to be the difference as we racked up two goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Jason Fox (OI), Demalde and Jimenez strung together a series of deft passes on the left flank that ended in Jimenez’s second goal. Fox quickly put the game out of reach on an assist by Jorge O’Hara (NI) in which he gathered a pass, juked the HLS keeper and slammed the ball into the back of the net. Guyan Randall (NF) and Jimenez finished off the scoring for HBS.
International Playboy and second-half goalkeeper Rafa Calderon (OB) used his charm, good looks, rap with the ladies and goalie skills to shut down the HLS attack in the second half.
Players of the match were awarded to Marti Jimenez and Mike Genstil, who played his most inspired game of the season when it counted the most. Special thanks to 2001 HBS grad James Gowers for not having a job so he could ref the game and to the mother and aunt of all-star forward Rejji Hayes (OK) for providing vocal support and funny stories about Rejji in high school.
Capturing the Grad School Cup was a fitting way to end the fall season for the HBS squad. HBS notched regular season victories over KSG (15-1), Babson (7-1), Harvard Graduate School of Design (8-2), HLS (4-2) and Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (2-1). In the playoffs, HBS defeated Tufts’ Fletcher School of Diplomacy (5-1) and the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (2-1).
HBS soccer heads indoors to Shad for the winter to start training for the next MBA tournament at UT-Austin in February. The HBS Soccer team is also planning a goodwill tour in Europe over spring break. Coach Demalde is busy setting up friendly matches with graduate schools in Spain and France.
