Sept. 3, 2006

KINGSTON, R.I. - The Harvard Crimson (1-1-0) got second half goals from Kwaku Nyamekye and Michael Fucito to break a 1-1 deadlock and go on to defeat Villanova (3-1-1) in a men's soccer match played here on Sunday afternoon at the URI Soccer Complex.

With the remnants of tropical storm Ernesto having moved into New England overnight, it was a rain soaked match. The contest was played in a steady drizzle that became a heavy downpour at times and impacted play.

Villanova struck first at 9:51 when freshman Mike Seamon (Rahway, N.J.) sent a ball across the field to junior Mike Del Guercio (Chatham, N.J.). Del Guercio collected the pass and lofted a shot over Harvard goalie Adam Hahn into the top right corner of the net.

The Wildcats also generated two other chances in the first 20 minutes, twice heading balls that hit the crossbar.

However, Harvard picked up its play midway through the half and it paid off at 31:51 when John Stamatis was awarded a penalty kick after contact in the penalty box. Stamatis banged home the penalty kick past Villanova goalie Jason Friel (Dublin, Pa.) despite slipping. The game was tied at one after 45 minutes.

The Crimson applied more pressure in the second half and Nyamekye converted a pass from Desmond Mitchell and David Williams at 59:30 to make it 2-1. A Seamon header in the 63rd minute nearly knotted matters but it sailed just wide of the net.

As Villanova pushed forward in an effort to tie, a Harvard counter attack produced the final goal of the day. Luke Sager and Chris Altchek found Fuctio in the box and he headed a ball past Friel's outstretched arm in the 80th minute to account for the final score.

The Wildcats return to action on Tuesday night at Delaware. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.