Harvard field hockey enters the 2026 season riding a wave of momentum, positioned third in the national rankings and poised to defend a historic 2025 run that saw the Crimson capture the Ivy League title and reach the NCAA Tournament semifinals for the second time in program history.
A Historic 2025 Season
The 2025 campaign was defined by an unprecedented 19 consecutive regular‑season victories, a flawless 6‑0 record in Ivy League play, and a 20‑win overall tally that propelled Harvard to the semifinals of the NCAA tournament, where it fell just short of the championship game.
Eight of the players who powered that success return for 2026, including All‑American midfielder Tilly Butterworth and forward Evie Smith, while senior captain Lara Beekhuis and defender Brooke Chandler add leadership and experience to a roster that also features top scorers Sage Piekarski, Martha le Huray and goalkeeper Linde Burger.
Head coach Tjerk van Herwaarden, whose 166‑69 career record has earned him four Ivy League Coach of the Year honors, continues to guide the program with a blend of tactical acumen and consistency.
Season Opener and National Ranking
The Crimson open their schedule on September 4 against UMass Lowell, a team that finished 8‑10 in 2025, before traveling to face No. 9 UConn on September 6, a program that advanced to the 2025 NCAA quarterfinals and holds an 8‑28‑2 edge in the all‑time series against Harvard.
Harvard’s national standing has climbed steadily; the program held the No. 4 spot in the Penn Monto/NFHCA coaches poll before moving up to No. 3 this week, marking the longest consecutive weeks in the top five in school history, while its 95‑game winning streak against unranked opponents remains unbroken since 2016.
With seven ranked opponents on the slate, including No. 3 Princeton, No. 9 UConn and No. 15 UMass, the Crimson will test their depth and experience against elite competition, aiming to translate their regular‑season dominance into another deep NCAA tournament run.
The combination of a historic 2025 performance, a core of returning All‑Americans, and a demanding schedule positions Harvard as a serious contender for the national title as the 2026 season unfolds.