University of Massachusets Athletics
Sunday, November 15
Cambridge, Mass.
1:00 p.m.
University of Massachusetts
(19-3, 8-0MAC)
0
at
1
Harvard
(17-2, 7-0Ivy)
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMass | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Harvard | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
November 15, 2026 | Field Hockey
The Minutewomen finish their season at 19-3
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Third-seeded Harvard scored the game's only goal late in the first quarter and the University of Massachusetts field hockey team couldn't net the equalizer as a magical season ended with a 1-0 defeat on Sunday afternoon in the NCAA Quarterfinals. The Minutewomen controlled possession for much of the second half, but couldn't turn it into shots or penalty corners against a stingy Crimson defense.
With the loss, UMass finishes its season at 19-3. The Minutewomen are now 52-13 over their last three seasons, with two NCAA Quarterfinal appearances.
"I'm often asked the question what makes this group so special, and it's just the way they show up every day," said head coach Barb Weinberg. "We had a bad loss last year to Ohio University that kept us out of the NCAA Tournament. This team was adamant, not to take any team for granted. This team was so consistent in their leadership and how they showed up for each other every game this year. And I'm really proud of that."
It took 7:50 for either side to get a shot, the first coming off the stick of Harvard's Sage Emily Bronckers.
UMass had the first penalty corner, at 11:08, with its first shot coming off the ensuing corner – an Amber Fairon chance that was blocked.
The Crimson turned their second corner of the game into a 1-0 lead. Rozárie Mrázová made a sensational save on the initial shot, but Lara Beekhuis put home the rebound at 13:04.
That score would remain, as the Crimson had the only three shots of the second quarter. Each team had a second-quarter penalty corner, as Harvard maintained the 1-0 lead at the half.
The third quarter saw each team fire one shot, both on goal. Fiene Jenniskens had the Minutewomen's shot on a deflection in front in open play. Mrázová stopped Harvard's chance off a penalty corner.
Neither team had a shot or penalty corner in the fourth, but it wasn't for a lack of pressure as the Minutewomen got deep into Harvard territory multiple times. In the end, the Crimson defense didn't crack and they wrapped up the 1-0 victory.
"Finally in the second half, we started to go for it," said Weinberg. "We were a little bit hesitant in the first half. The timing on our press was off. We were a little bit late to step up, and when we finally started going for it, we made a run. But unfortunately, we weren't able to get many outcomes in our attacking circle.
"We needed that work rate and energy the last seven minutes of the game more today," Weinberg continued. "We went for it at the end. I thought we played a much, much better second half. Credit to Harvard. They played a great game against us."
Final shots were 9-2 in favor of Harvard, with the Crimson holding a 4-2 edge in penalty corners. Mrázová made three saves across Harvard's Linde Burger, who made one. UMass did not allow a shot on goal in open play.
The magical season ended with the Minutewomen tallying 19 wins, their most since 2013. Their three losses are the program's fewest since 1994. UMass led the nation in a number of categories, with some of them (such as goals, assists, scoring margin and goals against average) among the best in NCAA history. The Minutewomen return plenty of strong contributors next season all over the field, as the future has never been brighter for UMass field hockey.
"The team is just a blast," said Weinberg. "Inclusion is one of our team values and like I always tell them, normal's boring. They have a great time just dancing, and when it's time to lock in, they lock in, and that's a skill."
With the loss, UMass finishes its season at 19-3. The Minutewomen are now 52-13 over their last three seasons, with two NCAA Quarterfinal appearances.
"I'm often asked the question what makes this group so special, and it's just the way they show up every day," said head coach Barb Weinberg. "We had a bad loss last year to Ohio University that kept us out of the NCAA Tournament. This team was adamant, not to take any team for granted. This team was so consistent in their leadership and how they showed up for each other every game this year. And I'm really proud of that."
It took 7:50 for either side to get a shot, the first coming off the stick of Harvard's Sage Emily Bronckers.
UMass had the first penalty corner, at 11:08, with its first shot coming off the ensuing corner – an Amber Fairon chance that was blocked.
The Crimson turned their second corner of the game into a 1-0 lead. Rozárie Mrázová made a sensational save on the initial shot, but Lara Beekhuis put home the rebound at 13:04.
That score would remain, as the Crimson had the only three shots of the second quarter. Each team had a second-quarter penalty corner, as Harvard maintained the 1-0 lead at the half.
The third quarter saw each team fire one shot, both on goal. Fiene Jenniskens had the Minutewomen's shot on a deflection in front in open play. Mrázová stopped Harvard's chance off a penalty corner.
Neither team had a shot or penalty corner in the fourth, but it wasn't for a lack of pressure as the Minutewomen got deep into Harvard territory multiple times. In the end, the Crimson defense didn't crack and they wrapped up the 1-0 victory.
"Finally in the second half, we started to go for it," said Weinberg. "We were a little bit hesitant in the first half. The timing on our press was off. We were a little bit late to step up, and when we finally started going for it, we made a run. But unfortunately, we weren't able to get many outcomes in our attacking circle.
"We needed that work rate and energy the last seven minutes of the game more today," Weinberg continued. "We went for it at the end. I thought we played a much, much better second half. Credit to Harvard. They played a great game against us."
Final shots were 9-2 in favor of Harvard, with the Crimson holding a 4-2 edge in penalty corners. Mrázová made three saves across Harvard's Linde Burger, who made one. UMass did not allow a shot on goal in open play.
The magical season ended with the Minutewomen tallying 19 wins, their most since 2013. Their three losses are the program's fewest since 1994. UMass led the nation in a number of categories, with some of them (such as goals, assists, scoring margin and goals against average) among the best in NCAA history. The Minutewomen return plenty of strong contributors next season all over the field, as the future has never been brighter for UMass field hockey.
"The team is just a blast," said Weinberg. "Inclusion is one of our team values and like I always tell them, normal's boring. They have a great time just dancing, and when it's time to lock in, they lock in, and that's a skill."
Players Mentioned
F
/ Field Hockey
M
/ Field HockeyTeam Stats
UMASS
HARV
Goals
0
1
Shots
2
9
Shots on Goal
1
4
Saves
3
1
Corners
2
4
Offsides
0
0
Fouls
39
30
Scoring Plays
Lara Beekhuis
GOAL by HARV Lara Beekhuis (FIRST GOAL).
13:04
Game Leaders
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Friday, October 30
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Friday, October 02