A season of ambition
Yale University’s field hockey program has released its 2026 slate, a 16‑game schedule that blends Ivy League competition with a demanding non‑conference slate.
The Bulldogs will meet seven opponents who finished the previous season inside the top 25 of the NCAA RPI, including traditional rivals Princeton, Harvard and Penn, all of whom were ranked among the nation’s elite in 2025.
Among the highlights are three themed contests — the Pride Game, Morgan’s Message Game and the Breast Cancer Awareness Game — that aim to engage fans and support charitable causes.
The Ivy League Tournament is set for early November, with semifinals scheduled for the 6th and the championship game on the 8th, both to be played at the venue of the league’s No. 1 seed.
Yale will also mark Senior Day on October 9, honoring the Class of 2027, while Alum Weekend on September 26 will feature a home matchup against Cornell.
The NCAA Tournament’s opening round is slated for November 11, where the four lowest automatic‑qualification teams will compete for a spot in the next stage.
Guiding the team is Head Coach Melissa Gonzalez, supported by assistants Kerry Kiddoo and Hannah Tepper, with rising senior back Hettie Whittington appointed team captain for the upcoming campaign.