Collegiate athletics: Harvard and Holy Cross kick off fall seasons

college field hockey NIRA 15s rugby Harvard Crimson Holy Cross Crusaders collegiate athletics

Several collegiate athletic programs have commenced their fall seasons. In field hockey, Holy Cross secured a 3-2 victory over Northeastern, marking the first win in program history against that opponent. Carolina di Gregorio Giralt and Martina di Gregorio Giralt both scored for Holy Cross, while Marianna MacLean contributed a goal and four total points.

No. 3 Harvard field hockey opened its season with a 5-1 win against UMass Lowell. Five different players scored for the Crimson, including Lucy Barker, Tilly Butterworth, Sage Piekarski, Evie Smith, and Lara Beekhuis. Harvard dominated the first half, outshooting UMass Lowell 17-0 in the opening 30 minutes.

In rugby, the Harvard women’s rugby team, a three-time defending NIRA 15s national champion, is set to begin its 2026 campaign against Sacred Heart. Head coach Mel Denham enters her tenth season leading the program as the team seeks a fourth consecutive national title.

Entities

Harvard University · Holy Cross · Northeastern University · Sacred Heart University · UMass Lowell

Sources

Field hockey takes down Northeastern - Holy Cross Athletics [goholycross.com]

7 days ago

Five Different Crimson Score as No. 3 Field Hockey Defeats UMass Lowell, 5-1, On Opening Day - Harvard University [gocrimson.com]

7 days ago