A historic preseason
Harvard’s field hockey program entered the 2026 campaign with a milestone that few teams ever achieve. The Crimson are positioned at No. 4 in the Penn Monto/NFHCA National Preseason Coaches Poll, marking the highest preseason ranking in the program’s history.
The achievement is amplified by the fact that the team has now logged ten consecutive weeks inside the top five of the poll, the longest active streak in Ivy League history and the longest such run ever recorded for Harvard. That consistency reflects the steady hand of Coach Tjerk van Herwaarden, a four‑time Ivy League Coach of the Year whose reputation for tactical acumen has become a hallmark of the squad.
The upcoming slate promises to test that momentum. Harvard will face seven opponents that appear in the same poll, including Wake Forest (No. 7), Syracuse (No. 9), UConn (No. 11), UMass (No. 15), Yale (No. 16) and Monmouth (No. 18). The mix of traditional rivals and nationally ranked non‑conference foes sets the stage for a demanding but exciting season.
The first test arrives on September 4, when the Crimson host UMass Lowell at 4:00 p.m. The matchup will be one of four home contests staged at Berylson Field during the season opener, giving fans an early glimpse of the team’s chemistry and depth.
Beyond the schedule, the ranking also places Harvard alongside Ivy peers Princeton (No. 3) and Yale (No. 16), underscoring a competitive landscape that could reshape the conference’s narrative this year. With a blend of seasoned leadership and fresh talent, the Crimson aim to translate their preseason pedigree into on‑field success.