Harvard’s women’s soccer program is putting the finishing touches on a demanding non‑conference schedule, with its last two contests slated for a home clash against Fairfield on August 27 and an away test at Syracuse on August 30.
A season in transition
Eleventh‑year head coach Chris Hamblin, who has guided the Crimson to an 86‑43‑20 record, is counting on a blend of experience and fresh leadership. The trio of Anna Rayhill, Ólöf Kristinsdóttir and Irena Héðinsdóttir Gonzalez have been named captains for the 2026 campaign, bringing stability to a squad that graduated five seniors but returns 92 % of its scoring output.
Offensively, Jasmine Leshnick and Anna Rayhill are expected to shoulder much of the creative load. Both players netted four goals a year ago, and Leshnick’s assist on Kristinsdóttir’s second goal against UMass highlighted her playmaking ability, while Kristinsdóttir’s rapid two‑goal burst set a program record for the fastest double‑score since 2015.
Rivals in form
Fairfield arrives with a 2‑1‑1 record, having dropped matches to UNC before rebounding with wins over UMass Lowell and Boston University. Ella Pisani has been a driving force in their attack, while Syracuse, unbeaten in its last four outings, leans on Vickie Jones to spearhead the front line after a strong start that includes ties with Villanova and victories over Holy Cross, Northwestern and Princeton.
The Crimson’s upcoming slate will also test them against Boston University on September 3, followed by road trips to Alabama, Northeastern, New Hampshire and UConn. The mix of familiar Ivy League rivals and challenging non‑conference opponents offers a clear pathway for the team to build momentum heading into the Ivy League season.