CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- No. 19 Harvard field hockey will open the 2021 season at the University of Maine this weekend, playing games against Maine (Sept. 3, 3 pm) and Providence (Sept. 5, 1 pm) at UMaine Field Hockey Complex in Orono, Me.
Harvard is playing its first games in nearly two years but returns two of its top three scorers from the 2019 season –
Rachel Greenwood (nine goals, four assists) and
Mimi Tarrant (eight goals, six assists). Tarrant and senior
Hannah Pearce will serve as captains of the 2021 team.
Harvard finished 2019 at 13-4 (6-1 Ivy League), placing second in conference play and continuing the most successful run in program history. Prior to 2020, Harvard had 55 wins in the past four seasons. The program finished the 2020-21 academic year with one of the top team grade point averages in the nation this past fall, earning the NFHCA National Academic Team Award.
How to Follow
Broadcast: vs. Maine (ESPN+)
Live Stats: vs. Maine l
vs. Providence
Twitter: @HarvardFH
What to Know
- Harvard was picked was picked to finish second in the 2021 Ivy League Field Hockey Preseason Media Poll, earning three first-place votes and 112 total points. Princeton took the league's top spot with 13 first-place votes and 125 points overall. The Crimson is seeking its third Ivy title in the last five seasons and has recorded a 26-2 record in league play since the start of the 2016 season.
- Harvard has won four straight season openers and is 6-2 in season opening contests with Tjerk van Herwaarden as head coach.
- Harvard and Maine will meet on Friday for the 11th time in field hockey competition, with the Crimson winning three straight and four of the last five games in the series. The two teams last met on Sept. 22, 2019 at Berylson Field, with Harvard claiming at 4-1 win.
- Harvard and Providence will play for the first time since the 2012 season. The series is evenly split at 13-13-1 in 27 meetings. The Crimson is seeking its first win over the Friars since 2004.
- Harvard returns five players who earned All-Ivy honors after the 2019 season, including Rachel Greenwood (First Team), Hannah Pearce (First Team), Mimi Tarrant (First Team), Kiley Allen (Honorable Mention), and Ellie Shahbo (Honorable Mention).
