PRINCETON, N.J. – After a remarkable performance in the backline last weekend, first-year defender Elin van Sante earns Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week, earning the honor for the first time in her collegiate career.

A native of Amsterdam, Netherlands, van Sante is already the focal point of a Harvard defense that is excelling in the early stages of the 2026 season. With van Sante anchoring the Crimson defense, Harvard only allowed three shots across two victories against Dartmouth and Northeastern, as the Crimson shutout Northeastern.

Across six contests this season, Harvard is only allowing 6.2 shots per game while taking 18.7 attempts on the offensive end. The Crimson is back in action on Saturday, Sept. 26, as Harvard hosts Princeton for a highly-anticipated noon showdown.

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