Elis and Bears teams to beat for M. Soccer

Yale and Brown appear to be the top teams in the Ivy League this year. Yale forward Jac Gould versus Brown goalie Matt Cross. Last year's Ivy League Player of the Year versus last year's All-Ivy goalie. Thirty-one career goals versus just two league goals given up last season. It's a classic matchup of offense versus defense. And it's also a matchup that might decide the winner of the Ivy League men's soccer title. This year Brown and Yale, along with darkhorse Princeton, are the teams to beat among the Ivies. And it will likely be a matchup of Yale's offense versus Brown's defense that decides who wins the title. Last year Brown captured its second straight league crown and the Bears return nine of their 11 starters and all five of their All-Ivy players. But the Elis, who won six straight games to close out last season, will also have most of their stars back. In fact, five of Yale's top six scorers will suit up again this season. But, although the two teams may end up with similar records, they will be anything but similar on the field. Brown, like the rest of the Ancient Eight, plays a slower, more technical game, taking fewer shots and allowing fewer goals. Yale, meanwhile, utilizes its speed to get off as many shots as possible. Yale's 24 league goals last season were 11 more than any other Ivy League team. And this contrast has given Yale's opponents fits in the past. "We stack up better against Brown," Penn senior Reggie Brown said. "We don't have the team speed Yale has. They've exploited us the last two years. At the same time I think we have what it takes to combat this year. We have more experience in the back and we have players that can combat speed a little better." If the Quakers defense, which is anchored by goalie Mike O'Connor, can find a way to shut down Gould and the rest of Yale's offense, Penn could be a surprise contender for the title. But, more likely, Brown and Yale's top competition will come from Princeton. "When you're talking about the front-runners in the Ivy League, the first team that comes out of your mind is Brown," Penn coach Rudy Fuller said. "But based on late-season form of last year, Yale and Princeton were probably the two top teams in the Ivy League." The Tigers may have lost their gel, however, as midfielder Chris Halupka was one of seven seniors lost by Princeton to graduation. But the Tigers always seem to find a way to position themselves near the top of the league standings. Still, Brown and Yale should be the teams residing at the top of the Ivy League standings. And the order of the two will likely depend on a battle of offense versus defense.