ALBANY, N.Y. - The UAlbany field hockey program is set to open the 2025 season with a split weekend - home against Hofstra (Aug. 29) and on the road at Wagner (Aug. 31).
The Great Danes head into the 2025 slate looking to win their third consecutive America East regular-season title. Should UAlbany make it to the championship game, it would be the team's fourth conference finale appearance in five seasons.
2024 IN REVIEW
UAlbany graduated one of the most talented classes in program history following the 2024 season. Led by
Alison Smisdom and
Floor de Ruiter with NFHCA Senior Team nods, the class of 2025 earned two major awards - Midfielder of the Year (
Alison Smisdom) and Goalkeeper of the Year (
Lara Behn) - with four additional all-conference honorees in de Ruiter,
Delphine Le Jeune,
Blanca Orsola, and
Charlotte Triggs. Leading the conference in nearly all field stats, Smisdom finished the season fourth in the nation in points and goals per game and seventh in defensive saves. Alongside her, de Ruiter ranked top 10 in the nation in points per game. Smisdom and de Ruiter were both named First Team All-Region with the former capping her career as a two-time NFHCA Northeast Player of the Year and three-time First Team All-American.
LOOKING AHEAD
The UAlbany coaching pair of
Phil Sykes and
Andy Thornton hit the ground running to rebuild their team with just six student-athletes returning and brought in a talented group of nine newcomers.
Sophia Schoonmaker and
Mara Küskes highlight the returners having started nearly every game since their respective rookie seasons. As a regular starter in 2024,
Emma Staron will help the team stay strong in the back. A member of the class of 2025,
Rylee Zunic made the decision to come back and use her final year of eligibility with UAlbany. Sophomore
Tessa Overgoor and senior
Nina Faupel join the class of returning players.
Among the newcomers, freshman
Jette Kurz, junior
Pilar Lorenzini, and sophomore
Sarah Salameh joined the team ahead of the spring semester in 2025.
Indy van Ek (Rutgers),
Olivia Bell (Syracuse), and
Emma Peeters (Southern New Hampshire) bring veteran experience from their full and well-awarded careers at their respective schools.
Lillian Willis,
Mathilda Prada, and
Samantha Siter fill out the team to represent the rest of the four-person freshman class. Willis is following in the footsteps of her sister,
Lauren Willis '25.
NFHCA PRESEASON COACHES' RANKINGS
The NFHCA preseason top 20 rankings were announced earlier this week. A testament to the coaching staff, the Great Danes have been voted 18th in the nation ahead of the first games of the season.
2025 AMERICA EAST PRESEASON
The Great Danes were selected to finish third in the conference behind New Hampshire and Vermont, respectively.
Sophia Schoonmaker and
Mara Küskes represent UAlbany on the 2025 AE Preseason All-Conference Team.
America East Preseason Coaches' Poll
- New Hampshire - 23 (4)
- Vermont - 22 (2)
- UAlbany - 15
- UMass Lowell - 13
- Maine - 12
- Bryant - 5
America East Preseason All-Conference
Tasmin Cookman - F - New Hampshire (two-time selection)
Olivia Geniti - M - Maine
Karlijn Kerkof - M - UMass Lowell
Kathelijne Knuttel - M - New Hampshire
Mara Küskes - D - UAlbany
Sofia Lefranc - M - Vermont (two-time selection)
Madison Leeper - F - UMass Lowell (two-time selection)
Faye Meijer - M - New Hampshire
Nicole Poulakis - F - New Hampshire (two-time selection)
Sophia Schoonmaker - F - UAlbany
Merle Vaandrager - GK - Vermont
SCHEDULE
This year's schedule includes nine home games at Alumni Turf and features a 2024 NCAA semifinalist in UMass as well as six additional CAA, Big East, and Ivy League foes.
The Great Danes are set to play four games - three at home - in the first eight days of the season. After five consecutive games on the road, including 2021 NCAA Runner-Up Liberty, UAlbany returns home to open the conference season against Maine.
During the month of October, the Great Danes will host four non-conference opponents on each Sunday while completing their league slate on Fridays.
The final game in the regular season will take place at UMass Lowell on Thursday, Oct. 30.
New this year, the high seed will host each round of the America East Tournament:
Quarterfinals - Sunday, November 2
Semifinals - Tuesday, November 4
Championship - Friday, November 7
HOW TO WATCH
All UAlbany home games will be available to fans across the globe on AmericaEast.TV.
Road contests may be streamed on a variety of platforms, including but not limited to ESPN+, AmericaEast.TV, and NEC Front Row.
SOCIAL CENTRAL
Keep up with all of the latest news, highlights, and insights on UAlbany field hockey by following the team on
X,
Instagram, and
Facebook.
