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Harvard, Radcliffe crew have legs at Head of the Charles

Harvard, Radcliffe crew have legs at Head of the Charles

Radcliffe rowing grabbed a pair of fifth-place finishes in collegiate and lightweight eights at the 42nd annual Head of the Charles Regatta this past weekend (Oct. 21-22). The Black and White bettered 53 boats in collegiate eights with a time of 17:34 – 29 seconds behind front-runner Yale. In lightweight eights, the women outpaced nine teams in a time of 17:40. Radcliffe continued to look sharp in championship eights. In that competition, the rowers completed the three-mile course in 16:43 for a 15th-place showing (out of 46 teams).

In men’s action, Harvard had its best finish of the regatta in the heavyweight championship four as seniors Andrew Boston, Toby Medaris, Phil Kaiser, and Nick Baker combined to finish fourth with a time of 15:54. The Crimson also managed a 15th-place effort (out of 44 boats) in the championship eights with a time of 14.48. Regatta results are not factored into the teams’ season record.

Tigers snap Crimson’s win streak

Princeton quarterback Jeff Terrell registered a rushing touchdown along with 223 passing yards for a pair of scores to lead the 21st-ranked Tigers to a 31-28 victory over the 15th-ranked Crimson this past Saturday afternoon (Oct. 21) in front of nearly 16,300 at Princeton Stadium. The loss puts an end to Harvard’s nine-game win streak (including the 2005 season), dropping the club to 5-1 (2-1 Ivy).

Down 24-14 at halftime, Harvard clawed back to take a 28-24 edge late in the third quarter following a 1-yard TD run courtesy of Clifton Dawson ’07 (his second of the day) and a 15-yard reception by Corey Mazza ’07. Mazza’s score capped a nine-play drive orchestrated by quarterback Liam O’Hagan ’08, who entered the game in the second quarter to complete 13 of 27 passes for 168 yards.

After three fruitless drives, the Tigers finally were able to capitalize when an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on senior safety Daniel Tanner (late hit) gave the hosts an automatic first-down – advancing the ball 15 yards to the Harvard 24. Following a near turnover by way of fumble (Princeton’s Rob Toresco recovered), the Tigers retook the lead on the next play when Terrell connected with Brendan Circle on a 20-yard pass to give the home team a 31-28 edge (after the extra point) with 4:37 left in the fourth quarter.

With loads of time still on the clock, the Crimson subsequently fell victim to two straight interceptions – both by Princeton safety Kevin Kelleher – to end all hope of another comeback. Tied for third place in the Ivy standings with Penn, Harvard visits Dartmouth (1-5; 1-2 Ivy) this Saturday (Oct. 28).

Kickers earn league applause

Soccer forwards Matt Hoff ’08 and Andre Akpan ’10 were selected Ivy League Player and Rookie of the Week, respectively, this past Monday (Oct. 23). Hoff tallied goals in Harvard’s past two victories over Holy Cross and Princeton. Akpan, meanwhile, recorded two goals and an assist in the Crimson’s 5-2 win at Holy Cross and a single goal in Harvard’s 2-1 victory versus the Tigers. Winners of six straight, the men improved to 11-4 with the triumphs (4-1-0 Ivy).