Tom Bagnoli fell out of bed early this week, and the varsity soccer team's hopes for the Ivy League title plummeted with him.
The Crimson's ace goalie, an all-Ivy contender, suffered two fractures and three damaged fingers on his right hand. Although the team doctor has given Bagnolic permission to try the hand against Princeton this Saturday, and although the highly competitive goalie wants to start, coach Bruce Munro said last night, "Bagnoli probably will not play."
Munro contends that Bagnoli is in no condition to take his customary pounding, and prefers to save him for the Yale contest. Besides, Bob Furbush, the second-string netminder, is a fine goalie in his own right. Forbush's only fault is that he does not "quarterback" the defense as Bagnoli does.
But the big question remains: Can the team rally around Forbush the way it once gravitated around the sensational Bagnoli? Bagnoli is a perfectionist, and his dogged efforts have made him an excellent and often spectacular performer. In the mud and slime at Philadelphia a week ago, he reached his peak, shutting out the highscoring Pennsylvanians and contributing several flashy saves. His loss will undoubtedly be felt.
If Bagnoli is not ready in time for the Yale game, he will miss one of the climatic encounters of the Eastern hockey season. Harvard-Yale contests are always exciting, and besides, the Ivy crown will probably be at stake. And, if all goes well, the Crimson will be defending an unbeaten record.
Yale Has Strong Team
Yale has lost only once, a 3-0 decision to Springfield, the probable New England champs. The Bulldogs have been sensational in Ivy play, outscoring their opponents, 15 to 1. Their defense, led by halfback George Seeley and goalie Andy Bloch, is nearly impenetrable. Against a Cornell team that the Crimson edged, 2 to 1, the Elis notched an 8-1 triumph, giving some indication of their explosive offense.
Furthermore, Munro revealed last night that the Faculty has given the squad permission to accept an NCAA invitation, should one be tendered. Although NCAA participants are not necessarily champions of their conferences, the tournament bid could well be riding on the outcome of the Yale game.
The Crimson's revamped offense has been a large factor in its recent successes. John Hedreen has been brilliant at center, especially in the Penn game, when he scored one goal and set up the other with a perfect pass.
Before meeting Yale, the varsity must get through Princeton and Brown without incident. Without Bagnoli, this may prove difficult. But the Crimson's momentum should carry it through the next two weeks, and the clash with Yale should be the battle of the season.
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