ALBANY, N.Y. - The UAlbany field hockey program is set to open the 2026 season with two games at home - Wagner (Aug. 28) and Boston College (Aug. 30).
 
The Great Danes head into the 2026 slate looking to win their eighth America East Championship title, the first since 2022. Should UAlbany make it to the championship game, it would be the team's fourth conference finale in six seasons.
 
2025 IN REVIEW
After rebuilding the team following the 2024 season, the Great Danes recorded a winning record for the fifth consecutive season. Led by America East Defensive Player of the Year, Pilar Lorenzini, the team earned nine postseason awards. Sophia Schoonmaker (First Team), Emma Peeters (Second Team), and Mara Kuskes (Second Team) joined Lorenzini on the all-conference teams. Freshmen Jette Kurz and Lillian Willis were named All-Rookie.
 
Recording an 11-6 record during the regular-season, UAlbany finished third in the conference with a 3-2 record. The Great Danes hosted Bryant for an America East quarterfinal contest and advanced to the semifinals after defeating the Bulldogs, 6-1. New Hampshire beat UAlbany in the semifinals and went on to win their second consecutive title.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
The UAlbany coaching pair of Phil Sykes and Andy Thornton recruited a class of 10 freshmen and transfers to join a talented group of returning student-athletes.
 
Pilar Lorenzini and Jette Kurz highlight the returners having led the team in goals. Both new to the team for the 2025 season, Lorenzini began her Great Dane career with six goals in three games. Jette Kurz closed out her rookie season with four goals in one game - the America East quarterfinal - and now ranks top five in program history in goals in a single game. Seniors Emma Staron and Mara Küskes return after starting all 19 games in the 2025 season. Each also contributed 12 and 18 points, respectively.
 
Among the newcomers, freshman Julieta Martinez and junior goalkeepers Ella Bowman and Merle Vaandrager joined the team ahead of the spring semester in 2026. Vaandrager was named the 2025 America East Goalkeeper of the Year just before helping her team return to the AE Championship game.
 
Victoria Derdoy, Tatum Hickey, Aurora Hogan, Finleigh McClain, Sarah Palazzo, Quinty Reumer, and Pleun van Rosmalen fill out the team to represent the rest of the eight-person freshman class. Hickey is following in the footsteps of her sister, Lillian Hickey '24.
 
2026 AMERICA EAST PRESEASON
The Great Danes were selected to finish first in the conference, tied with Vermont. UMass Lowell also received first-place votes to round out the top three. Reigning champion, New Hampshire, was selected to finish fifth. Pilar Lorenzini, Jette Kurz, and Merle Vaandrager represent UAlbany on the 2026 AE Preseason All-Conference Team.
 
America East Preseason Coaches' Poll
     T1. Vermont - 21 (3)
     T1. UAlbany - 21 (1)
      3. UMass Lowell - 16 (2)
      4. Maine - 13
      5. New Hampshire - 11
      6. Bryant - 8
 
America East Preseason All-Conference
Alicia Battistelli - F - Vermont
Callie Caito - F - Bryant
Consu De Castro - F - Vermont
Nicole Kowalewski - D - Maine
Saylor Kuefler - F - Maine
Jette Kurz - F - UAlbany
Pilar Lorenzini - D - UAlbany
Veerle Nijhuis - M - Vermont
Alice Van Hemelen - M - UMass Lowell
Karli Penrod - F - UMass Lowell
Eloise Penty - D - Maine
Merle Vaandrager - GK - UAlbany (two-time selection)
 
SCHEDULE
This year's schedule includes eight home games at Alumni Turf and features a 2024 NCAA semifinalist in UMass as well as two Power-Four opponents in Rutgers and Boston College.
 
The Great Danes are set to play two games at home during opening weekend - Wagner and Boston College. After four consecutive games on the road, UAlbany returns home to host Rutgers and UMass before heading to Maine to start the conference season after a week off.
 
During the month of October, the Great Danes will play against three non-conference opponents on Sundays while completing their league slate on Fridays.
 
The final game in the regular season will take place at home against UMass Lowell on Thursday, Oct. 29. 
 
Continuing this year, the high seed will host each round of the America East Tournament:
Quarterfinals - Sunday, November 1
Semifinals - Tuesday, November 3
Championship - Friday, November 6
 
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.