CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard men's soccer (1-0-0, 0-0-0 Ivy) opened its 2026 season with a 4-1 victory over Massachusetts (1-1-1, 0-0-0 Summit) on Friday at Jordan Field. Four different Crimson players found the back of the net, with
Ben Kelly leading the offense with three points on a goal and an assist. The first season opening win for the Crimson since 2022 was driven by a relentless attack and solid defense from the Crimson backline including goalkeeper
Jason Broome, who recorded his first career win in his first career appearance.
Overv 1,200 fans poured into Jordan Field to witness the Crimson's thrilling season opening victory, the first for the program since 2022.
How it Happened
- Harvard generated the first scoring opportunity of the match in the seventh minute, when Adam Poliakov put a shot on goal that was stopped by Massachusetts goalkeeper Dean Linden.
- The Crimson opened the scoring in the 10th minute when Alejandro Palacio set up Kelly, who converted the opportunity to give Harvard an early 1-0 advantage.
- Massachusetts pulled level in the 22nd minute when Liam Gainey scored from the penalty spot.
- Dylan Tellado restored Harvard's lead shortly before halftime, finding the back of the net in the 40th minute. The eventual game-winning goal sent the Crimson into the break with a 2-1 advantage.
- Harvard extended its lead in the 52nd minute. Kelly supplied the assist on Poliakov's goal, giving the Crimson a 3-1 cushion. The goal was the beginning of a dominant second frame for Harvard, who outshot UMass 8-5 in thehalf while dominating time of possession.
- The Minutemen were reduced to 10 players following a red card in the 62nd minute.
- Shane Lonergan completed the scoring in the 82nd minute, converting a pass from Andreas Savva to produce the 4-1 final.
Harvard Highlights
- Four different players accounted for Harvard's four goals: Kelly, Tellado, Poliakov and Lonergan.
- Kelly finished with a game-high three points after recording a goal and an assist.
- Tellado's first-half goal stood as the game-winner.
- Savva and Palacio each were credited with an assist in the match.
- Alexander Castel and Tim Langenbahn held it down on the backline, playing all 90 minutes in the last row of defense.
- Jason Broome made four saves while playing all 90 minutes in goal in his first collegiate appearance and start.
- Harvard held a 15-10 advantage in shots and placed eight attempts on goal compared to five for Massachusetts.
- The Crimson outshot the Minutemen in both halves, holding a 7-5 edge in the opening period and an 8-5 advantage after halftime.
- The four goals are the most for the Crimson in a season opening win since 2022 – Josh Shapiro's first game as the Harvard head coach – against Central Connecticut State.
Next Up
The Crimson will travel to South Bend, Indiana, to face Notre Dame on Monday, Aug. 31. Match time is set for 7:30 with all the action set to air live on ACCNX.
