CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – No. 10 Harvard field hockey looks to extend a season-best three-game win streak during a pair of contests this weekend.

The action begins on Saturday, Sept. 28, as the Crimson travel to Providence, Rhode Island for its second Ivy League contest of the year against Brown at 1 p.m. Harvard wraps up the weekend slate on Sunday, Sept. 29, as the Crimson return to Berylson Field for a contest against UMass at 2 p.m., as Harvard will celebrate its annual Pride Game. Both matches will air live on ESPN+ this weekend.

CRIMSON UPDATES:

• The Crimson is 5-1 this season, as Harvard handled Dartmouth and Vermont last week. In the latest Penn Monto/NFHCA Coaches Poll, the Crimson slotted into the No. 10 position.
• A first half flurry of goals in Hanover, New Hampshire lifted the Crimson to its first Ivy League win of the season, as Harvard extended its winning streak to 10 against Dartmouth with a 3-1 victory.
• Four different Crimson found the back of the net in a 4-1 triumph at Vermont to end the weekend, as the Harvard offense logged 26 shots, tying the single-game season high.
• Junior forward Kate Oliver was superb on the offensive end against the Catamounts and Big Green, as the 2023 All-Ivy League Honorable Mention tallied two goals and four points. Oliver has three goals this season, a new single-season career high for the St. Louis, Missouri native.
• The Crimson's defense shined in last weekend's wins, as it only allowed 12 shots across the pair of contests against Vermont and Dartmouth.
• Harvard owns the Ivy League's best attack this season, as the Crimson lead the league in the goals scored with 19 and shots on goal with 68.
• Nationally, Harvard ranks 12^th in the NCAA in goals per game (3.17), as the Crimson own the best goal difference in the Ivy League as well (+12).
• Led by junior goalkeeper Tessa Shahbo and defenders Bronte-May Brough, Marie Schaefers, and Smilla Klas, the Crimson defense is tied for the Ivy League with Princeton in goals allowed (7) and lead the conference in goals against average (1.146).
• In the national rankings, Harvard is tied for sixth in goals allowed, as Shahbo is 15^th in the country in goals against average (1.235).
• On the road, Harvard is 4-0, as the Crimson finished the 2023 season with a 6-3 record away from Berylson Field.
• Head coach Tjerk van Herwaarden is in his 12^th season at the helm of Harvard field hockey, as the four-time Ivy League Coach of the Year owns a 136-54 record in his Crimson tenure.

SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION:

• After six games this season, Brown holds a 2-4 record, as the Bears won their Ivy League opener against Yale, 2-1, on Sept. 15.
• Last weekend saw Brown split a pair of contests against Ohio and No. 6 Ohio State.
• UMass is 6-2 during the 4-2 campaign, as the Minutewomen are riding a six game winning-streak, picking up a pair of shutout wins against VCY and Quinnipiac last week.
• Before the trip to Cambridge, UMass will head to the Keystone State for a showdown against No. 6 Saint Joseph's.

SERIES HISTORY:

• Saturday's contest is the 49^th all-time meeting between Harvard and Brown on the field hockey pitch. The Crimson own the series lead against the Bears, 29-13-6, as Harvard has won eight-straight matches against Brown.
• A fourth quarter goal from sophomore forward Sage Piekarski made the difference in last season's 1-0 win against Brown at Berylson Field.
• Harvard and UMass will face-off against each other for the 26^th time on Sunday afternoon, the Minutewomen lead the series, 15-9-1. The Crimson have won three-straight against UMass.
• The two sides last met in the 2023 season opener, as senior forward Lucy Leel and sophomore midfielder Lara Beekhuis netted goals in the 2-1 win in Amherst.

CLUTCH GENE:

• Across 26 appearances and 11 starts, Beekhuis has powered the Crimson attack, netting 14 goals in her collegiate career.
• A native of Laren, Netherlands, Beekhuis leads Harvard in goals (4) and points (9) this season, as she has 10 goals in her last 11 appearances on the pitch.
• During her Crimson tenure, Beekhuis has proved pivotal in several key matches, as she owns six match-winning goals in her career.
• Beekhuis garnered the Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 16 after scoring a pair of goals against UAlbany and UConn.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS:

• Dating back to the 2016 season, Harvard owns a 77 game winning-streak against unranked opponents.
• The last loss to an unranked opponent arrived on Sept. 18, 2016, as the Crimson lost to UMass, 3-1.

CAPTAINING THE CRIMSON:

• Senior midfielder Emily Guckian and senior goalkeeper Sofia Castore lead the Crimson as team captains for the 2024 campaign.
• A two-time NFHCA All-American and two-time team captain, Guckian has two goals this season, as she led Harvard in assists (11) and points (29) last year.
• In her first start of the season against Vermont, Castore stopped three shots in a 4-1 Harvard victory.

A GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY:

• Throughout the 2024 season, Harvard will celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the field hockey program, honoring the team's rich and storied history.
• The Crimson hold a 410-359 all-time record on the field hockey pitch, winning the Ivy League title seven times, including the inaugural Ivy League Field Hockey Tournament last season.
• On Saturday, Oct. 19, Harvard field hockey will celebrate its 50^th anniversary during a match against Princeton.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE:

• Saturday, Sept. 28 – at Brown (1 PM, ESPN+)
• Sunday, Sept. 29 – vs. UMass (2 PM, ESPN+)

UP NEXT:

The Crimson host a pair of matchups next week, welcoming Yale and Boston University to Cambridge. Both matches will stream live on ESPN+, as the Boston University game will also air live on NESN.

For all the latest on Harvard Field Hockey, follow the Crimson on Twitter (@HarvardFH)and Instagram (@harvardfieldhockey).