Field Hockey Picked First in Ivy League Preseason Poll

PRINCETON, N.J. – With the start of the 2026 season just 11 days away, Harvard field hockey earned the top spot in the Ivy League's preseason poll, edging out Princeton for the top spot with 10 first place votes and 121 points overall. Last season saw the Crimson write one of the most celebrated chapter's in program history, advancing to the NCAA Tournament Semifinals for the second time in school history and setting a new school record for wins in a season with 19 as well. The Crimson return 85 percent of its goals scored from last season, as Harvard is tied with Northwestern for the most returning All-Americans with three ( Sage Piekarski, Martha le Huray, Linde Burger). Harvard opens the season at No. 4 in the Penn Monto/National Field Hockey Coaches Association National Preseason Coaches' Poll, the highest ranking in the preseason poll in school history. Harvard has spent 10 consecutive weeks in the top five of the Penn Monto/NFHCA National Coaches Poll, a school record and the longest active streak in the Ancient Eight. The Crimson kick-off the 2026 season on Friday, Sept. 4 with a 4 p.m. showdown against UMass Lowell at Berylson Field, as Harvard closes out opening weekend in Cambridge on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. against No. 11 UConn. 2026 Ivy League Field Hockey Preseason Poll 1. Harvard – 121 (10) 2. Princeton – 118 (6) 3. Yale – 84 4. Cornell – 74 5. Brown – 66 6. Penn – 53 7. Columbia – 37 8. Dartmouth – 23 For all the latest on Harvard Field Hockey, follow the Crimson on Twitter (@HarvardFH) and Instagram (@harvardfieldhockey).