CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The 7^th-ranked Harvard field hockey team (0-0, 0-0 Ivy) is set to open the 2022 season with a pair of home games at Berylson Field against ranked teams, first clashing with No. 24 Miami University (2-0, 0-0 MAC) on Friday (Sept. 2) at 6 p.m. on ESPN+. The Crimson will then host No. 15 Connecticut on Sunday (Sept. 4) at 1 p.m. on ESPN+.

WHAT TO KNOW

• Harvard is coming off its seventh appearance at the NCAA Tournament and sixth Ivy League title after finishing the 2021 season at 17-2 (7-0 Ivy).
• Returning to play in 2021 after a missed season due to the pandemic, Harvard made the NCAA Semifinals for the first time in program history, matching a program record for wins on the year. Harvard also beat its highest ranked opponent ever, defeating No. 2 Michigan in the NCAA Quarterfinals.
• Harvard led the nation in nearly every defensive category in 2021, finishing tops in the nation with a .44 goals against average and 11 shutouts on the year.
• In 2022, the Crimson will welcome back a talented roster, including eight of the 11 players that started in the team's NCAA Semifinal contest against Northwestern last season.
• Seniors Kiley Allen, Olivia Hoover, and Ellie Shahbo will captain the Crimson in 2022. All three captains were first-years in 2018, and have compiled a record of 47-8 in three seasons, including a 20-1 record in Ivy games, and a 23-2 mark in home contests.
• NFHCA All-Americans Ellie Shahbo (second team) and Emily Guckian (third team) return for Harvard. Shahbo had an incredible season in net for Harvard in 2021, leading the nation in virtually every statistical goalkeeping category. A First Team All-Ivy Honoree, Shahbo had the nation's top goals-against average (0.44) and save percentage (.860) and added 10 shutouts. She finished the year with a record of 15-2. Guckian was one of Harvard's top two-way players, recording a goal and six assists and helping Harvard's defense become one of the top units in the nation. A native of Waybridge, England, Guckian was a NFHCA First Team All-Northeast Region selection and Second Team All-Ivy honoree.
• In addition, All-Ivy Honorable Mention selections Avery Donahue and Megan Joel return for the Crimson. Donahue recorded five goals and four assists in her first season of college field hockey last year, while Joel (four goals, assist) was also a key offensive threat.
• Harvard and Miami (OH) will meet for the first time in field hockey. Miami (OH) was the MAC champion in 2021, playing in the same NCAA regional as Harvard. The RedHawks fell, 3-2, to No. 2 Michigan in a hard-fought NCAA First Round contest.
• UConn and Harvard will meet for the 34^th time, with Harvard seeking its fifth win in the series and first since 2005. UConn handed Harvard its only regular season loss in 2021, winning 1-0 in penalty strokes on Sept. 19, 2021.

UP NEXT

Harvard will head to College Park, Md. for the Terrapin Invitational, and will play host No. 4 Maryland next Friday (Sept. 9) before taking on No. 21 American on Sunday (Sept. 11).