Pictured: Sophomore Ben Tsuda scored Harvard's first goal in the 27th minute.
Courtesy: Dave Silverman

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Ben Tsuda and Andre Akpan each notched a goal as the No. 8 Harvard men's soccer team defeated Holy Cross, 2-0, on a windy Wednesday afternoon at Ohiri Field. With the victory, the Crimson improves to 8-1 on the season while the Crusaders fall to 3-7. Freshman Brett Conrad made two saves in the contest to record his first collegiate shutout in his first career start.

Tsuda broke a scoreless tie in the 27th minute as he outran Holy Cross goalkeeper Thomas Booth to a loose ball and placed a bouncing shot into the right corner of the cage. Scott Prozeller set up the goal, making a long pass from the Harvard zone directly into the Crusaders' box. About 10 minutes later, Tim Linden was pulled down in the box, giving Harvard a penalty kick opportunity. Akpan took the ensuing kick and stuffed home the rebound from his shot, making it a 2-0 contest at 26:20.

The Crimson outshot the Crusaders, 21-4, on the day and also held the advantage in corner kicks, 5-2. The Harvard defense played a strong second half, as the backline of Kwaku Nyamekye, James Pelletier, Scott Prozeller and Richard Smith allowed only one shot to get through to Conrad and held Holy Cross to no corner kicks. Akpan led all players with eight shots, four being on frame. Brian Grimm and Zack Wolfenzon each added three shots with one shot on net apiece.

Harvard visits Cornell in an Ivy League contest Saturday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m.