VILLANOVA, Pa. — No. 8-ranked Harvard University picked up two wins on on the final day of the 2026 Wildcat Invitational as the Crimson defeated No. 23 California Baptist University, 15-9, and host Villanova University, 18-8, in remaining unbeaten on the season.
Harvard’s 9-0 start is the second-best start in program history and is just one win away from tying the 10-game streak that the 2019 team established to begin that season.
It took a full team effort in the morning game for the Crimson versus Cal Baptist, as Harvard only led by two after both the first and second quarters. Up 3-1 after the first quarter and 7-5 after the second quarter, the Crimson doubled the gap coming out of the half to make it 12-8 before sealing the deal with a three-goal quarter outburst in the fourth quarter. Maya O’Dea and Niki Piovan led the way offensively with a combined seven goals.
Heidi Heffelfinger scored once and added two helpers and Petra Klemm deposited a pair of goals, while Sofia Wang, Ella Schneider, Sofia Del Villar, Emma Gilbert and Lucy Levenberg-Penklis each added a goal.
Orli Cooper made nine saves in cage to claim the win.
Taking on host Villanova in the weekend finale, a second-quarter explosion helped the Crimson pull away from the Wildcats as Harvard found the back of the net eight times. Leading 2-1 after the first quarter, the Crimson netted eight goals.
Piovan (four), Klemm (three) and Gilbert (three) combined for 10 of the Crimson’s markers.
Lucy Berkman, Heffelfinger, Wang, Lily Britt and Lucy Levenberg-Penklis scored once with Heffelfinger also chipping in three assists.
Orli Cooper made 16 saves, including seven in the third quarter. Sutchie Ofori-Nyako played the fourth and added one goal.
Release courtesy Harvard University Athletics Communications
