{shortcode-01c477ec687b96499385fd207a7ecb715e97d21c}

The No. 4 Harvard field hockey team continued its historic 2025 season after another dominant weekend of play. As it extended its impressive record to 13-0, the Crimson also secured a spot in the competitive Ivy League Tournament for the third consecutive season.

With its 3-1 win over No. 20 Brown (8-4, 3-2 Ivy League) and an assertive 5-1 victory over UMass Lowell (7-7, 2-1 America East) this past weekend, Harvard (13-0, 5-0 Ivy) now boasts the title of the only undefeated team in the entire NCAA Division 1 league. The Crimson, with 13 straight wins, has now matched the second-longest winning streak in Harvard field hockey history, falling just behind the 2018 team’s 14-game win streak that led to an NCAA Tournament quarterfinal appearance.

Harvard 3, Brown 1

The Crimson faced off against the Brown Bears under Friday night lights on Berylson Field, braving the chilly fall weather to deliver a 3-1 victory in order to guarantee itself a position in the Ivy League Tournament.

In the opening quarter, both teams traded defensive stops, locking the ball in the midfield and preventing either of the offenses from getting a shot off. After the scoreless first fifteen minutes, where consistent offensive action looked like it might be hard to come by, junior forward Sage Piekarski nabbed her ninth goal of the season a little over a minute into the second quarter.

The junior continued her scoring streak by exploding onto a rebound from senior defender Bronte-May Brough’s initial shot from the top of the circle. The opportunity came from a penalty corner, which was inserted expertly by sophomore Martha le Huray and corralled by captain Kitty Chapple. Brough then fired the ball onto goal, setting up the rebound chance for Piekarski.

Less than four minutes later, le Huray forced a turnover within the offensive zone. Catching Brown’s defenders off guard, the Teddington, UK, native sent a cross zipping to the front of the net. The Harvard team, clearly accustomed to fast-paced play, was ready to score. Junior Lara Beekhuis deftly tipped the shot home, extending the lead to two for the home team as she nabbed her seventh goal of the season.

The Bears, vying to upset the reigning Ivy League Tournament Champions, threatened to close the score deficit late in the second half. Brown’s offense earned a corner opportunity, but the Crimson’s defense stood strong under the pressure. The Bears were able to rip a blistering shot from the top of the circle, but Chapple fearlessly blocked the ball with her body, giving her fellow defenders time to properly position themselves. Although Brown was able to get another shot off, the ball was deflected by Harvard’s rookie goalkeeper, Linde Burger.

Entering the second half with a two-goal lead, the Crimson seemed to dominate the start of the third quarter. The home team relentlessly sent shots onto the Bears’ junior goalkeeper, Kylee Del Monte. Although none of the shots made it to the net, Harvard clearly had exhausted Brown’s defenders as they were tested from every possible angle.

In the final quarter of play, le Huray scored a highlight-reel-worthy goal, sprinting down half the field and nimbly handling the ball around two of Brown’s defenders. With a rapid spin, she then deked out Del Monte in the net, sending the ball careening into the far right corner of the net. Notably, Harvard’s captain, Fiene Oerlemans, was perfectly positioned to tap the shot home had it been necessary.

Le Huray’s goal marked the final of the game for the Crimson, but the Bears were able to nab one point of their own in the final forty seconds of regulation play. Although Harvard did not defend the shutout, the contest was undoubtedly another dominant performance for the team. Notably, the Crimson has now beaten Brown eleven times in a row.

Harvard 5, UMass Lowell 1

On Sunday, the Harvard team made a quick interstate trip to Lowell, Mass., to take on the River Hawks in its second-to-last non-league game of the regular season. During the contest, the Crimson outshot the home team 25-7 and earned 12 penalty corners. Harvard’s offense had significant success, as five different players scored goals in the 5-1 win.

The game remained scoreless after the opening quarter; however, Harvard dominated possession of the ball. In fact, the Crimson outshot the River Hawks 4-0 in the first and earned an impressive three penalty corner chances.

In the second quarter, the Piekarski-le Huray duo struck early for Harvard. Piekarski forced a turnover in the circle, sliding across the astroturf to regain possession of the ball. Beekhuis, who helped in the defensive effort, carried the ball deeper into scoring territory before passing it back to Piekarski in open space. Piekarski took the ball to the cage, dodging the River Hawk’s goalkeeper and crossing the ball to le Huray, who was poised on the opposite side to tap it in.

UMass Lowell had some brief scoring opportunities to round out the half, as Harvard suffered a few yellow card calls. However, staying true to its tendencies so far this season, the Crimson’s defensive unit prevented any shots from slipping past Burger in net.

After the halftime break, Harvard’s offense began to outhustle the River Hawks. Three minutes into the third quarter, Beekhuis carried the ball down the field and absolutely hammered a shot into the back of the net, landing just below the crossbar.

With a little less than three minutes remaining in the quarter, sophomore Tilly Butterworth earned her second penalty stroke of the game. Butterworth, following in Beekhuis’ footsteps, fired the shot home and stretched the lead to three.

A minute and a half into the final quarter, the Crimson earned another penalty corner. Senior Kate Oliver inserted the ball, which was handled at the top of the circle and then dished back to her just off the left goalpost. Oliver poked a shot onto the cage, which was blocked by UMass Lowell’s rookie goalkeeper Veerle Mous. However, Oliver was determined to score and corralled her own rebound before firing it into the net.

Piekarski then capped off the afternoon of scoring for the Crimson as she tapped in a rebound from another bullet of a shot from Beekhuis. Piekarski and le Huray each lead the team with ten goals, but Beekhuis is close behind with an impressive eight goals and four assists.

In a similar fashion to its contest against Brown, the River Hawks were able to secure a goal of their own in the final few minutes of play, preventing Burger from tallying her sixth shutout of her freshman season.

Regardless, the final score, which read 5-1 in favor of Harvard, exemplifies the grit and determination of this team as it extends through the final stretch of regular-season play.

The Crimson has now pushed its record to 13-0, the best start in program history, and has its sights set on continuing its success next weekend. On Friday, the team will take on Columbia (6-6, 1-4 Ivy) for its senior day celebration. Harvard will be celebrating its strong senior class, composed of Tessa Shahbo, Chapple, Oerlemans, Brough, Marie Schaefers, and Oliver. The two Ivy League teams will clash on Berylson Field at 3:00 pm EST.

After its match on Friday, the Crimson will road trip to Amherst, Mass., to play No. 17 University of Massachusetts (13-2, 6-1 Atlantic 10). As thoughts shift to post-season play, Harvard will strive to continue its win streak as it looks to secure the Ivy League’s first seed and the chance to host the Ivy League Tournament. The upcoming weekend matches will also be critical for a team that hopes to earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

— Staff writer Isabel C. Smail can be reached at isabel.smail@thecrimson.com