A Look at the Upcoming Season with Julie Forster

Julie Forster in last season's America East Championship Game.

America East basketball season is just around the corner, with the season kicking off on Friday. As a part of our hoops coverage here at AExtra, we'll be featuring several guest posts from basketball student-athletes throughout the year. We were lucky enough to have Julie Forster of Albany kick us off.

Forster is a captain for the Great Danes this year, coming off of a season in which she was second-team all-conference. This season, Forster is a pre-season all-conference selection and one of three seniors trying to get Albany back to the NCAA Tournament. Forster is also an excellent student, having been selected to the conference all-academic squad the last two years, and will be pursuing her masters degree this year in addition to leading the Great Danes.

So without further ado, here is Julie Forster:

It was a privilege to be part of the first Albany Women's Basketball team to win the America East Championship and go to the NCAA Tournament. It has been such an honor to represent the University at Albany and the America East on the court these past three years. My time at Albany has really flown by and it's hard to believe I'm a senior already.  

I look back on my decision to walk on to a Division I program, because as I said to my parents “If I don’t try this, I think I’ll regret it for the rest of my life” and realize how truly lucky I am to have had the opportunity to live my dream. I have enjoyed playing with, and against some of the best players and coaches in the country. I think I speak for all the seniors when I say that we are looking forward to competing to the best of our ability with no regrets at the end of the season.  

I also hope our conference continues to gain the respect it so deserves. Until conference play starts, I will be cheering for every America East team as each victory helps us improve our conference's standing. Overall, I'm just excited to start the season and am looking forward to another great year of America East basketball.

Weekend Preview

We took a look at the matchups for Albany field hockey and Stony Brook women's soccer yesterday on the blog, but let's take a quick run through of what else is on the schedule for the weekend.

Men's Soccer

Another America East Champion will be crowned Saturday night in Baltimore. UMBC has continued its red-hot stretch into the playoffs, getting by Stony Brook last night with a 1-0 victory. New Hampshire is on a hot streak of its own, after winning a virtual playoff game against Boston U. just to get into the playoffs on the last day of the regular season. The Wildcats followed up that victory by advancing past Albany in PK's and then going to Vermont yesterday and beating the Cats 1-0.

Pete Caringi III was held scoreless in the Retrievers' semifinal win, but was the conference leader in goals this season with 14 and will be a player to watch. For the Wildcats, Travis Worra is also hot at the right time, having posted three straight shutouts to help New Hampshire get to its second America East final in the last three years (2010 was also against UMBC). The game will be streamed for free on AmericaEast.com. First kick is scheduled for 7 p.m. so don't miss it!

Volleyball

UMBC at Stony Brook, Friday 3 p.m.
Providence at Albany, Friday 4 p.m.
Hartford at New Hampshire, Friday 7 p.m.
Binghamton at Stony Brook, Sunday 12 p.m.
Hartford at Providence, Sunday 1 p.m.
Albany at New Hampshire, Sunday 1 p.m.

It's the last weekend of the volleyball regular season and no school has clinched a playoff spot. As a result, every match will have big time implications. Check out the preview on AmericaEast.com for all the playoff. details.

There is also a full slate of swimming and diving action this weekend, as well as the kickoff of basketball season. Look for a bit more on America East basketball tomorrow on the blog.

Linked Up

Albany men's basketball coach Will Brown lent a hand to Coaches vs. Cancer last night.

Fresh of its College World Series run this spring, Stony Brook has announced its 2013 baseball schedule.

Check out the New Hampshire men's basketball media guide.

Binghamton's SAAC and Soles4Souls are teaming up to put on a shoe drive.

A documentary on Harry Agganis, the former Boston U. star athlete for whom Agganis Arena is named, will premiere in Boston this coming Tuesday. You can also watch the trailer here.