ALBANY, N.Y. - The University at Albany athletic programs return with both basketball teams back in action, field hockey's final regular season match, and football's Spooky Saturday. 

Thursday, October 29

The Great Danes are set to host UMass Lowell for the final game of thee regular season. Tied for first in the America East, Thursday's contest will determine the number-one for the America East Tournament, set to begin on Sunday, November 1. 

UAlbany goes into the matchup 9-5, with a 3-1 conference record, and currently hold a six-game win streak. Freshman Quinty Reumer leads the team with 11 goals and 23 points. Sophomore Jette Kurz is right behind her with 22 points off four goals and 14 points. Senior Mara Küskes is among the top three with 18 points from three goals and 12 assists. Sophomore Mathilda Prada follows Reumer with five goals. In goal, junior Merle Vaandrager boasts a 9-4 record with 13 starts, including one shutout, and nearly 800 minutes played.

UMass Lowell heads to the Capital Region with a 9-7 record. Rena Pistilli leads the team with seven goals but Audrey Carters holds the team-high with 17 points off six goals and five assists. Frédèrique van Den Dungen is the team's main playmaker with seven assists. Alice van Hemelen, Karli Penrod, and Alexa Guarneri have also scored six goals with point totals in the double-digits.

The UAlbany women's basketball team will begin the 2026-27 season with an exhibition game at Broadview Center. With FREE admission for all fans, the only way to watch the contest against St. Thomas Aquinas will be in person at Broadview Center.

With a near-entirely new team, watch new head coach Kelly Morrone and her coaching staff in action before the season officially begins on Monday, November 2. Returning players from the 2025-26 UAlbany women's basketball team include senior Lara Langermann, a starter who averaged over 30 minutes per game with a .394 field goal percentage and .358 three-point field goal percentage. New talent includes Madison Roman, a 2026 First Team All-MAAC honoree who earned 18 double-doubles in one season at Merrimack, and Daria Shishkina, a spark off the Warriors bench for two seasons with a .318 FG% through 32 contests. Fans may see new faces to collegiate ball such as Alexia Bujold, a two-time provincial championship athlete from Quebec, and Noa López Tallón, a Spanish player who started representing her nation with U14 ball and has participated in multiple international tournaments since. Get a sneak peak at all five and more at the pre-season exhibition game on Thursday, October 29.

Saturday, October 31

Bob Ford Field at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium is set for a massive Halloween weekend clash as the football team returns home this Saturday, Oct. 31, to host No. 15-ranked Campbell. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. ET, with the game presented by Upstate Ford Dealers.

The Great Danes (5-3, 3-1 CAA) face their toughest test yet as they welcome a high-powered Fighting Camels squad that enters Saturday sporting an unblemished 4-0 mark in conference play. With major conference implications on the line, UAlbany fans are called to pack the house, bring the noise, and turn Casey Stadium into a hostile environment for the nationally-ranked visitors.

Saturday is also "Spooky Saturday," making it the ultimate Halloween destination for families and fans of all ages. Festivities include a pregame Trunk or Treat and a stadium-wide costume contest, so be sure to wear your best Halloween gear to support the Great Danes.

Tickets are available now at UAlbanySports.com. Come out early, enjoy the Halloween celebrations, and help give the Great Danes a crucial home-field advantage!

Monday, November 2

The Great Danes open the 2026-27 season at home on Monday, Nov. 2, welcoming Rhode Island College to Broadview Center for a 6:30 PM tipoff. UAlbany enters the season with a new-look roster featuring eight incoming international players, building one of the most internationally based rosters in the country. Abdoulaye Fall returns to the lineup alongside experienced contributors Zacharie Matulu and Miles Rose, while Wilkin Paulino looks to make an impact after redshirting last season. The Great Danes were picked sixth in the America East preseason poll after finishing 2025-26 with an 11-21 overall record and a 7-9 mark in conference play.

UAlbany looks to start the new campaign on a strong note after reaching the America East Tournament quarterfinals last season as the No. 5 seed, falling to No. 4 seed UMass Lowell. The Great Danes welcome a Rhode Island College squad for the first meeting between the two programs. With a revamped roster and returning experience, UAlbany begins its pursuit of a new season Monday night at Broadview Center.

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Keep up with all of the latest news, highlights, and insights on UAlbany sports by following the department on X, Instagram, and Facebook. See below for sport-specific accounts.

Field Hockey - X, Instagram, Facebook
Football - X, Instagram, Facebook
Men's Basketball - X, Instagram, Facebook
Women's Basketball - X, Instagram, Facebook