A historic clash in South Bend
The Crimson will travel to South Bend, Indiana, for a Monday night showdown that marks the first time Harvard and Notre Dame have ever faced off on the pitch. The match is set for 7:30 PM and will be streamed live on ACC Network Xtra, giving fans across the country a chance to watch the debut encounter.
Harvard arrives with a strong roster built around veteran players who helped the team finish the 2025 season with a 4‑1 opening win over the Massachusetts Minutemen. Captains Andreas Savva and Dylan Tellado, who each found the net in that victory, will lead a squad that returns nine seniors and accounts for 96 % of last year’s goals, assists and points.
The Irish, meanwhile, come into the game with a 0‑1‑2 record after opening the season with losses to Indiana and draws against Northwestern and Saint Louis. Goalkeeper Blake Kelly, who made 11 saves and allowed five goals in 2025, will guard the net, while forward Michael Capretto leads the scoring with three goals and an assist in recent play.
Harvard’s offensive firepower is bolstered by Adam Poliakov, the 2025 leading scorer who returns as a sophomore forward, and by the dynamic duo of Savva and Tellado, who will wear the captain’s armband in 2026. The team also welcomed six first‑year players, including midfielders Tobias Barnas and Gil de Souza, while sophomore goalkeeper Jason Broome made a solid debut with four saves against UMass.
The matchup also features a connection to the broader soccer world: Matt Freese ’22, who represented the United States at the 2026 World Cup, will be watching from the sidelines as his alma mater takes on a new opponent. With live coverage on ACC Network Xtra and additional streaming options on ESPN+, the game promises to be a memorable milestone for both programs.