ALBANY, N.Y. — The Wagner College field hockey team fell to America East member UAlbany by a score of 4-1 to begin the 2026 season on Alumni Turf.
The Great Danes took a 2-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Seahawks attempted four shots while UAlbany capitalized on both of its shot attempts.
Wagner finished the game with 14 shots compared to nine shots taken by UAlbany. However, all nine shots for UAlbany were on target while the Seahawks put six shots on the cage.
In the second quarter, the Great Danes added their third goal less than three minutes into the period. Senior goalkeeper Mia DiGenova recorded two of her five saves in the frame.
At the half, UAlbany led 2-0 despite being outshot 6-5.
A scoreless third quarter brought the match to a 3-0 score in favor of the Great Danes with 15 minutes to play.
Wagner scored its first goal of the 2026 season early in the fourth quarter off of a penalty corner opportunity. Senior Flo Leunisse found sophomore Julia de Leeuw who nailed the sixth goal of her Seahawk career.
UAlbany tacked on one final score three minutes later to prevail by a score of 4-1.
In the second half, the Seahawks took four penalty corner opportunities while denying the Great Danes an opportunity themselves. Throughout the game, Wagner earned seven penalty corners while UAlbany took three.
Leunisse attempted a team-high six shots, with two on target, while de Leeuw followed with four shot attempts.
Five Seahawks, four freshmen — Mylee Retherford, Aliya Hassett, Florien Ferreira, and Gabrielle Childs — and senior Mia DiGenova made Wagner College field hockey debuts against the Great Danes.
Next up, Wagner welcomes No. 17 Rutgers to Grymes Hill for the Seahawks' home-opener on Sunday, August 30. Start time between the Scarlet Knights and the Seahawks is set for 1:00 p.m.
