The Yale Bulldogs women's soccer program represents Yale University in all NCAA Division I women's College soccer competitions. Founded in 1977, the Bulldogs compete in the Ivy League.
The Bulldogs are coached by Sarah Martinez, who was hired as the program's head coach on December 3, 2019. Yale plays their home matches at Reese Stadium, on the campus of Yale University.
Yale's first varsity season started in 1977, led by Roberto Taylor. Their first win came on October 5 with a 5âÂÂ1 victory over Vassar. The first home goal was scored by Cynthia Hayden in a 2âÂÂ2 overtime tie with Tufts on October 8.
In 1979, Elizabeth Traver set a school record with 18 goals while earning All-Ivy recognition. Traver ended her career with 39 goals and 99 points, both of which remain career records.
During the 1980 season, the Bulldogs achieved a 17âÂÂ0 victory over Rhode Island College, setting an Ivy League record for the most goals in a game.
In the 1991 season, Laura Valade became Yale's first Ivy League Player of the Year.
In 1992, Yale earned its first Ivy League Championship, tying Brown with a 6âÂÂ1 record. The Bulldogs finished 13âÂÂ5 under captain Amy Predmore, and Jen Teti was named Ivy League Player of the Year.
The 2002 squad finished 12-5-2 and earned its first NCAA Tournament appearance. They won their first game on penalty kicks against Villanova before falling to Nebraska 1-0 in the second round.
The 2004 squad finished 13âÂÂ5 and made their second NCAA Tournament appearance but lost in the first round to Villanova, 2-1.
In 2005, Yale reclaimed the Ivy League title with a 5-1-1 record and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. They won their first-round game 3âÂÂ0 against Central Connecticut and upset No. 3 Duke 2-1 in the second round, with Crysi Howser scoring a goal with one second remaining. In the Sweet 16, they fell to the defending national champions, Notre Dame, 5-2.
Former coach Rudy Meredith was indicted as part of the 2019 college admissions bribery scandal, for allegedly accepting bribes totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars to facilitate the admission of students to Yale as soccer players recruited to the Yale women's soccer team, despite their never having played competitive soccer. He pled guilty. Because he is cooperating with prosecutors, he may avoid the maximum penalties of 20 years in prison and $250,000 fines each of the charges carry, but he will have to forfeit the $850,000 in bribes he took in the scheme.
Harvard and Yale have met 47 times and Yale has a record of 9-36-2. Yale's last win was in 2017.
Yale University has had seven coaches in their program's existence.
Yale has appeared in three NCAA Tournaments. Their most recent appearance came in 2005.