CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Harvard field hockey team has announced the addition of six newcomers in the class of 2026. Joining the Crimson in the fall will be: Bronte-May Brough, Kitty Chapple, Fiene Oerlemans, Kate Oliver, Marie Schaefers and Tessa Shahbo.
 
The six incoming first-years will join a Harvard team that enjoyed its most successful season to date in 2021, as the Crimson finished the season 17-2 (7-0 Ivy League), winning its sixth Ivy League title, reaching the NCAA Semifinals for the first time in program history and matching a program record for wins on the year. Harvard led the nation in nearly every defensive category, finishing tops in the nation with a .44 goals against average and 11 shutouts on the year. Harvard also beat its highest ranked opponent ever, defeating No. 2 Michigan in the NCAA Quarterfinals.
 
"We are very excited to welcome Fiene, Marie, Tessa, Bronte, Kate and Kitty to Harvard," said head coach Tjerk van Herwaarden. "They will be tremendous additions to our program. They bring a wealth of experience to our team and all had different hockey journeys that now brings them to Harvard.  All six are strong students who strive to excel in the classroom while at Harvard. We cannot wait to start our 2022 campaign with this team."

Bronte-May Brough l D l Uttoxeter, England l Repton School
Starred on Repton School team that won seven consecutive outdoor national titles…Served as co-captain…Selected to England U21 Junior World Cup Team in 2021…Played for Repton Hockey Club team…Indoor U16 National top goal scorer in 2018-19…Repton School Sports Scholar and Honorary Academic Scholar.

Kitty Chapple l M l Somerset, England l Millifield School
Four-year letterwinner and starter on Millifield field hockey team…selected for England U21, U18, and U16 national teams…Served as team captain for both Millifield and England youth national teams…Won medals with U21 England team at 2021 Junior World Cup, U18 England team at Six Nations in 2019, and U16 England team at Six Nations in 2018…Played for Clifton Robinsons club team…Named Headmasters Scholar at Millifield School.

Fiene Oerlemans l M l Amsterdam, Netherlands l Harvard-Westlake HS (Calif.)
Four year letterwinner and starter at Harvard-Westlake…Served as team captain…Sunset League Most Valuable Player in 2021…Three-time All-Sunset League honoree…Named a Max Field Hockey Top 50 player for class of 2022…Helped Harvard-Westlake team win Los Angeles Field Hockey Association Championship (2018-21)…Member of Kevin Love Foundation Youth Committee.

Kate Oliver l F l St. Louis, Mo. l Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School
Four year starter and letterwinner at Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School…Served as team captain in 2021…Named 2021 Metro League Co-Player of the Year and a three-time First Team All-Metro selection…Leading goal scorer in Missouri in 2018…2021 Max Field Hockey All-Region Team honoree…Named a Max Field Hockey Top 50 player for class of 2022…Played for AIM and Texas Pride club teams…Also lettered in lacrosse and track at MICDS…2022 St. Louis Post-Dispatch Scholar Athlete of the Year for MICDS.

Marie Schaefers l M/D l Hamburg, Germany l Sophie-Barat-Schule
Played for THK Rissen and Harvestehuder THC club teams…Served as co-captain at Harvestehuder…Named to All-State team in 2017-20…Selected to U18 German National Team…Tournament MVP at German U18 Championships in 2021…Helped lead Harvestehuder to undefeated U18 season in 2021, leading team to German Championship…Earned 1^st place at regional debate competition, finishing top 10 at the state level.

Tessa Shahbo l GK l Surrey, England l Cranleigh School
Starting goalkeeper at Cranleigh School…Also started at St. George's College, where she served as team captain…Won national championship at St. George's…Earned Eric Abbott Scholarship for Sporting Excellence while at Cranleigh…Played for Surbiton Hockey Club that won three national club championships…Selected for England U16 team in 2017-18…Founder and President of STEM Society at Cranleigh School.