Harvard women's soccer kicks off its 2026 season by facing Stony Brook on August 20 at 6 p.m. ET, marking the first-ever meeting between the two teams. After Stony Brook, the Crimson will host UMass on August 24, looking to capitalize on the return of its top five scorers from last season and a strong incoming class. Under Coach Chris Hamblin, Harvard aims for an Ivy League title and a chance to return to the NCAA Tournament.

By the Numbers
  • Harvard's top five goal scorers from 2025 include Jasmine Leshnick and Anna Rayhill, each with four goals last season.
  • In 2025, the Crimson secured victories against Princeton and Yale, each with a score of 2-0.
Yes, But

While Harvard returns a significant portion of its scoring and minutes, it lost five key seniors, including All-Ivy League defender August Hunter, raising questions about defensive depth.

State of Play
  • Stony Brook arrives with a record of 1-0-1 after recently tying UConn and defeating New Haven.
  • UMass also has momentum with a 2-1 victory against St. John's in their season opener.
What's Next

After facing UMass, Harvard will take on Fairfield on August 27 and travel soon after for games against Syracuse and Boston University, which will be crucial for their non-conference standing.

Bottom Line

Harvard has a strong foundation heading into the season, but its success will hinge on filling the void left by key departures, alongside maintaining the momentum of its returning players to compete for an Ivy title.