ALBANY, N.Y. - The University at Albany field hockey program and head coach Phil Sykes have announced three mid-year additions to the team.

Two transfers and a freshman, Ella Bowman, Juli Martinez, and Merle Vaandrager joined the team at the start of the spring semester. They will compete as Great Danes during the indoor season (spring 2026) and will continue with the team in the fall of 2026 at Alumni Turf.

Ella Bowman

GK | 5-7 | Ashburn, Va. | Riverside High School | HUSEL Hockey Club | The Catholic University of America

Quick Facts: Joining UAlbany in the middle of her sophomore season, Bowman comes off two seasons with the Cardinals at Catholic. With 29 starts and 30 appearances, she recorded 183 saves. In high school Bowman was a three-year starter, four-year letterwinner, two-time First Team All-County honoree who was named the VHSL Class 5C Goalkeeper of the Year. Tied for fifth in the nation in save percentage, she is the current VHSL record holder in save percentage.

Sykes on Bowman: “We are super excited to have Ella joining the Great Dane family. She is a strong goalie, originally from Germany, who is a very competitive and athletic player. She will add a lot to our defense.”

Juli Martinez

M | 5-3 | San Juan, Argentina | Monseñor Audino Rodriguez Y Olmos | UNSJ

Quick Facts: Joining junior Pilar Lorenzini, Martinez has come to the Great Danes for her first semester of college in January 2026. Consistently selected to represent her city in regional (and beyond) competitions, Martinez started playing in an older age category at the age of 14. A member of the San Juan U14 and U16 teams, she helped contribute to a first place finish in seven different tournaments/leagues. Individually, she was the top scorer at the San Juan U14 A Tournament and the captain of her U16 A team. 

Sykes on Martinez: “Our second player from Argentina to join the Great Danes, Juli is a very skillful and smart player. She will bring a lot to our midfield and attacking units. We are very glad to have her on the team.”

Merle Vaandrager

GK | 5-11 | Amsterdam, The Netherlands | Barlaeus Gymnasium | Pinoké | University of Vermont

Quick Facts: Changing it up halfway through her sophomore year, Vaandrager joins the Great Danes from an in-conference rival, Vermont. In two seasons with the Catamounts, Vaandrager was named to the All-Tournament team twice. Most recently, she was named the Goalkeeper of the Year, adding on First Team All-Conference in 2025 and an All-Rookie Team nod in 2024.

Sykes on Vaandrager: “Merle is a very athletic and clever goalkeeper having already proven herself in the America East conference and nationally. She has been one of the top Division I goalies we have played against the last few years and we are so glad she is now a Great Dane!”

Keep up with all of the latest news, highlights, and insights on UAlbany field hockey by following the team on X, Instagram, and Facebook.