UAlbany's Brooke Stanley Named America East Volleyball Setter of the Week

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – Sophomore setter Brooke Stanley earned her third America East Conference Setter of the Week award of the season in women’s volleyball, as announced by the conference office on Monday afternoon. Stanley was named to the all-tournament team at the UAlbany Invitational on Sept. 27-28, leading the Great Danes to the tournament title.

Stanley averaged 10.93 assists and 2.86 digs per set and recorded double-doubles in all three matches to bring her streak to four straight. She recorded 47 assists and 13 digs along with four kills and a .400 hitting percentage in the opening win over Yale on Friday. Stanley then finished with a season-high 58 assists to go along with 16 digs, five kills and two service aces, while hitting .556 in a five-set loss to Long Island. She wrapped up the tournament with 48 assists, 11 digs, three block assists, two kills and one service ace in the finale against Dayton.

UAlbany (7-8) will begin America East play this weekend, hosting Maine on Friday at 7 p.m. and New Hampshire on Sunday at 1 p.m.

UAlbany's L.J. Papaleo Named America East Conference Soccer Co-Rookie of the Week

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – University at Albany men’s soccer freshman forward L.J. Papaleo earned America East Conference Co-Rookie of the Week laurels as announced by the conference office on Monday. He received the weekly honor for the first time this year.

Papaleo made the most of his first career start in UAlbany’s decisive 5-1 win at Marist. He scored his first career goal in the 25th minute, and it would also stand as the game winner. The freshman, who was one of 11 players that recorded a goal or an assist in the victory, now has one goal and one assist this season.

The five goals scored against Marist were the most by a UAlbany team since the program defeated the Red Foxes by a 7-1 score on Sept. 1, 2002. The victory also extended the club’s winning streak to three matches for the second time this season.

UAlbany (6-2), which has already doubled its win total from a year ago and averages a conference-best 2.50 goals per game, will play its first America East match at Boston University this Saturday. Game time is slated for 7 p.m. at Nickerson Field.

University of Albany Receives Approximately 1 Million For Northeast Regional Forensic Institute

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the National Institute of Justice awarded $950,000 to the Research Foundation of State University of New York under the Forensic Science Training Development and Delivery Program. Funds will enable the Northeast Regional Forensic Institute (NEFRI) to host the Forensic Science Training Development and Delivery Program annually for one year and train sixteen students at the DNA Academy at SUNY Albany. In 2004, Schumer helped secure funding to maintain the program ensuring a new wave of highly trained forensic scientists for the future.

"DNA technology analysis has become a critical aid to law enforcement and forensic science," said Schumer. “The DNA Academy at the University at Albany helps train new and current scientists with cutting edge technology and procedures. I will continue to support programs like this that address the growing need for quality forensic scientists.”

The Northeast Regional Forensic Institute (NERFI) program seeks to bring together the criminal justice and academic community to provide highly trained forensic scientists and the latest forensic methods to the area. Working in collaboration with the University at Albany's Office for Research, the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center, and with the support of Senator Schumer, NERFI and its DNA Academy provide the forensic community with a customized curriculum, state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, international, multilingual teachers and prompt, effective turn-around time for casework competency.

These funds will enable NERFI to host the Forensic Science Training Development and Delivery Program annually for one year. This will be accomplished by training sixteen students for sixteen weeks to attend the DNA Academy to fulfill the intent of FBI Quality Assurance Audit and SWGDAM training criteria. Those trained will also be supplied with professional development training in the form of DVDs, which will also be distributed to all public DNA laboratories in the United States and placed on their website at DNA.gov.

The National Institute of Justice is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice and a component of the Office of Justice Programs. The National Institute of Justice provides objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools to enhance the administration of justice and public safety.

Balanced Offensive Attack Propels UAlbany Men's Soccer Past Marist, 5-1

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Poughkeepsie, N.Y. – Eleven different players recorded a goal or an assist to lead the University at Albany men’s soccer team to a decisive 5-1 win over Marist College on Sunday, Sept. 28. The five goals scored was the most by a UAlbany team since the program defeated the Red Foxes by a score of 7-1 back on Sept. 1, 2002. Head coach Johan Aarnio’s squad will enter America East Conference play having already doubled last year’s win total. The team is also off to its best start through eight matches since beginning the 2004 season with an overall ledger of 6-1-1.

UAlbany (6-2), which averages a league-best 2.50 goals per game, tallied two in the first half of action. Senior co-captain Erik DiLorenzo put the Great Danes on the scoreboard when he took a pass from freshman Konner McNamara and scored his first goal of the season on a header from inside the box in the 15th minute. Freshman L.J. Papaleo doubled the Great Dane lead in the 25th minute when he netted his first career goal and game winner after receiving a pass from classmate Luuk Collou, who was credited with his third assist of the season.

Senior Don Johnson would pad the Great Dane lead early in the second half when he scored his second goal of the season in the 47th minute. Sophomores Shaun Kane and Ian Peach were credited with assists on the play.

After Troy Confessore put Marist (2-5-1) on the board in the 49th minute, the Great Danes scored two more times to put the match out of reach. Junior Claudio Dantas netted his team-leading sixth goal of the season in the 64th minute after taking a pass from classmate Mike Peters, who earned his first career point on the play. The rout continued when freshman Bjorn Bekkers headed in a cross from senior Gaby Seguin-Gauthier in the 73rd minute to give the Great Danes a commanding four-goal advantage that they would hold until the very end.

UAlbany senior goalkeeper and co-captain Steward Ceus stopped six of the 16 shots taken by Marist to improve his record to 4-1 this season. He also boasts an .821 save percentage as well as a 1.00 goals against average to date. Marist’s Scott Kessler saved just two of the 15 UAlbany shots he faced in net.

The Great Danes will look to extend their winning streak to four matches for the first time since 2004 when they open up America East action at Boston University on Saturday evening at 7 p.m.

UAlbany (6-2) 2 3 - 5

Marist (2-5-1) 0 1 - 1

UAlbany: Scoring – Erik DiLorenzo (1-0), L.J. Papaleo (1-0), Don Johnson (1-0), Claudio Dantas (1-0), Bjorn Bekkers (1-0), Konner McNamara (0-1), Luuk Collou (0-1), Shaun Kane (0-1), Ian Peach (0-1), Mike Peters (0-1), Gaby Seguin-Gauthier (0-1). Goalkeeping – Steward Ceus (90:00, 1 GA, 6 saves).

Marist: Scoring – Troy Confessore (1-0), Lucas Szabo (0-1). Goalkeeping – Scott Kessler (90:00, 5 GA, 2 saves).

#15 Princeton Stifles #18 Field Hockey, 6-3, in Non-Conference Field Hockey Action

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Senior Holly McGarvie scored three goals to lead 15th-ranked Princeton to a 6-3 win over #18 UAlbany on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Turf Field.

Freshman forward Kathleen Sharkey scored two goals for the Tigers, starting the scoring less than a minute into play on a wide open shot in front of the cage. UAlbany evened the score at 1-1 in the 13th minute, as sophomore forward Alysia Hough took a pass into the circle from Nicole Savage and found the back of the cage. Princeton added three more goals before halftime, as McGarvie converted a penalty corner opportunity into a score at 18:22 and drove another shot in from the top of the circle at 26:38. Junior defender Kaitlyn Perrelle closed out the first-half scoring in the 29th minute, taking a rebound off a penalty corner and slipping it past UAlbany goalkeeper Ashley Ross.

The Great Danes cut their deficit in half to start the second half as junior defender Jess Lindsey gathered a rebound off of Michele Polizois’ initial shot on a penalty corner and pushed it past Princeton goaltender Cynthia Wray. UAlbany moved within one goal less than a minute later as Lindsey and Michelle Simpson assisted on a Polizois goal on a penalty corner.

McGarvie padded the Tigers’ lead with a penalty corner goal of her own at 67:27. Sharkey set the final score, adding her second goal of the contest in the 69th minute, dribbling the ball into the circle alone and finishing the shot.

Princeton (6-1) outshot UAlbany, 18-15, while the Great Danes held a 10-8 advantage in penalty corners. Ross made seven saves in the cage for UAlbany, while Wray also stopped seven shots for the Tigers.

UAlbany (5-6) hosts #2 Syracuse on Wednesday at 3 p.m. before kicking off America East Conference play on Saturday, welcoming Maine to Alumni Turf Field at 1 p.m.

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#15 Princeton 4 2 - 6

#18 UAlbany 1 2 - 3

Princeton: Scoring – Holly McGarvie (3-0), Kathleen Sharkey (2-0), Kaitlyn Perelle (1-0), Kraftin Schreyer (0-2), Katie Reinprecht (0-1), Candice Arner (0-1). Goalkeeper – Cynthia Wray (70:00, 3 GA, 7 saves).

UAlbany: Scoring – Jess Lindsey (1-1), Michele Polizois (1-1), Alysia Hough (1-0), Michelle Simpson (0-1), Nicole Savage (0-1). Goalkeeper – Ashley Ross (70:00, 6 GA, 7 saves).

UAlbany Volleyball Upends Dayton and Former Coach

Kellam Leads Great Danes Over Dayton in UAlbany Invitational Finale

Senior middle blocker Kamisha Kellam earned tournament MVP honors after recording 17 kills and seven total blocks in leading UAlbany to a 3-1 win over Dayton at the UAlbany Invitational on Saturday evening at University Gymnasium. The Great Danes posted a 2-1 record to claim the tournament record, after falling to Long Island, 3-2, earlier in the day. UAlbany defeated Dayton with scores of 21-25, 25-20, 25-17 and 25-15. The Great Danes dropped the five-set decision to Long Island with scores of 26-24, 17-25, 27-25, 28-26 and 20-18.

After the Flyers claimed a back-and-forth first set, the second set started in the same direction, with neither team getting ahead by more than two points. Junior defensive specialist Laura Livergood served for three straight points to give UAlbany a 12-10 lead before Dayton tied the set back up at 12-12 with a block by Lindsay Fletemier. A UAlbany attack error later in the match put the Flyers back on top, 18-16, but the Great Danes capitalized on a Dayton attack error, followed by a kill by Cate Eckhardt to tie the set. Senior Hillary White smashed a kill and then combined with Kalyn Mostert on a block to give the Great Danes back the lead, where they would stay. Eckhardt served the final four points of the set, taking an assist from Mostert to record the set-ending point.

UAlbany came out firing in the third set, building up a 9-4 lead on an Eckhardt kill. Kellam and sophomore setter Brooke Stanley combined for back-to-back points to put the Great Danes ahead, 14-8. The teams exchanged service errors before sophomore outside hitter Amanda Cowdrey slammed consecutive points to put the Great Danes up, 17-11. The teams switched possession several times over the final few points, with White and Stanley teaming up for a block on a Nicole Bateman attack to set the final score.

The Great Danes took off again in the fourth set behind Livergood’s service game, building up a 4-0 lead on back-to-back block assists by Kellam and Mostert. UAlbany’s tough defense stifled any momentum Dayton would hope to gain, as the Great Danes built up a 12-6 advantage on a kill by Stanley. After a kill by Kellam put the ball back in UAlbany’s possession, Cowdrey served for four straight points to get UAlbany up, 19-9. The Flyers attempted to rally, getting consecutive kills by Tiffany Gaerke and Bateman, but White gave the ball back to UAlbany to serve for the final point. Cowdrey drove home the final point off an overpass to give the Great Danes the win.

Kellam hit .440 in her final performance of the tournament to lead all players. Eckhardt finished with her first double-double of the season, recording a career-high 17 kills and adding 13 digs, while Cowdrey also finished with 17 kills and added eight digs. Stanley notched her fourth straight double-double, finishing with 48 assists and 11 digs, while also adding three block assists. Mostert also tallied a career-best, finishing with nine total blocks in the match.

Bateman paced Dayton (9-6) with 18 kills and added nine digs en route to earning all-tournament team honors. Sophomore outside hitter Tiffany Gaerke, who joined Bateman on the all-tournament team, finished with 14 kills, while setter Kacie Hausfeld finished with a double-double of 37 assists and 15 kills.

Kellam and Cowdrey also led the Great Danes in the earlier match against Long Island, finishing with 21 kills apiece. Cowdrey also added 17 digs, and her three-match performance earned her all-tournament honors along with Stanley, who finished with a match-high 58 assists and 16 digs. Sophomore outside hitter Valerie Sourbeer also tallied double digit kills with 14, while libero Laurie Gonzalez finished with a team-best 28 digs.

Yale also finished the tournament with a 2-1 record, and placed setter Ally Mendenhall and junior outside hitter Alexis Crusey on the all-tournament team. Long Island was represented by junior Svetlana Simic, who recorded a match-high 24 kills and 33 digs in the Blackbirds’ win over UAlbany on Saturday.

UAlbany (7-8) will return to action on Friday, Oct. 3, kicking off America East Conference play, hosting Maine at 7 p.m.


Long Island (6-8) def. UAlbany, 3-2 (26-24, 17-25, 25-27, 28-26, 20-18).
UAlbany (7-8) def. Dayton (9-6), 3-1 (21-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-15).


UAlbany Invitational All-Tournament Team
Kamisha Kellam, UAlbany (MVP)
Amanda Cowdrey, UAlbany
Brooke Stanley, UAlbany
Alexis Crusey, Yale
Ally Mendenhall, Yale
Nicole Bateman, Dayton
Tiffany Gaerke, Dayton
Svetlana Simic, Long Island

Delaware Pulls Away in Big Second Half to Upend Football Before Sold-Out Crowd

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Newark, Del. -- Johnathan Smith rushed for two touchdowns and nationally-ranked Delaware used a suffocating defense to pull away in the second half for a 38-7 victory over UAlbany on Saturday evening before a sold-out crowd of 22,196 fans at Delaware Stadium.

Delaware (2-2) reached paydirt on its first four possessions after the intermission to build a commanding 31-point advantage. Quarterback Robby Schoenhoft, an Ohio State transfer, keyed the first drive when he beatthe blitz with a 44-yard strike to wideout Aaron Love. Schoenhoft, at 6-foot-6, 250-pound junior, later fired a 20-yard scoring pass to Martwain Johnston. All-America kicker Jon Striefsky then finished off an eight-play march with a 43-yard field goal for a 24-7 margin.

The Blue Hens, who avenged a 17-10 upset in the first meeting between these programs two years ago on this field, would score on the first play of the fourth quarter when Smith took an option pitch and rumbled three yards to the end zone. Schoenhoft, who connected on 10-of-16 for 166 yards following a four-interception game the previous week against Furman, kept the sequence alive with a third-and-eight completion to Love for a first down at the UAlbany 9. Reverse running back Jerry Butler later ended a 71-yard march with a 4-yard run with 8:19 remaining.

“They are an excellent defensive team and have a couple of kids who will play on Sundays,” said UAlbany coach Bob Ford, whose squad was held to 150 total yards and nine first downs. “We didn’t have a first down in the third quarter and you can’t do that to the defense. They came off the corner with more pressure and the blitz hurt us badly. We battled, especially in the first half, but were not effective enough with the pass.”

The Blue Hens, who are ranked No. 12 in the FCS Coaches Poll and No. 17 by Sports Network, took a 7-0 lead with a six-play, 60-yard drive midway through the opening quarter. Kervin Michaud bounced off a pile and sprinted 37 yards to the UAlbany 10. Smith, who carried 17 times for 59 yards, scored on a 1-yard run three plays later, one of his seven touchdowns over the last three games.

The Great Danes, who were playing their fourth consecutive Colonial Athletic Association opponent to begin the season, regrouped with a 16-play march that took seven-plus minutes off the clock. David McCarty lugged the ball nine straight times to finish the sequence, including a 1-yard blast that just crossed the goal line on fourth down.

Delaware’s defense provided the go-ahead touchdown when cornerback Tyrone Grant picked off Vinny Esposito’s errant throw and returned the interception 60 yards to the end zone for a 14-7 lead. UAlbany later marched deep into UD territory in the closing seconds of the first half, but defensive end John Higginson sacked Esposito on third down and then blocked Herb Glass’s 46-yard field goal attempt as time expired.

“We played well again in the first half, but our kryptonite has been the second half,” explained McCarty, who was limited to 47 yards on 22 carries and in the process had his nine-game, 100-yard rushing streak snapped. “Their defensive style was similar to UNH (New Hampshire), but we were unable to tame them. They were quick to the ball and made plays when we could not.”

UAlbany Football Meets National Runner-Up Delaware Before Sold-Out Crowd Tonight

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Newark, Del. – The Great Danes continue their run of four consecutive Colonial Athletic Association opponents to begin the 2008 season with a trip to nationally-ranked Delaware, who reached last year’s NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision championship game. The game is sold out at the 22,000-seat Delaware Stadium. Kickoff is 6:00 p.m. Eastern. Fans can listen to the game on Fox Sports 980 (WOFX-AM). Rodger Wyland and Jon Phelps will be on the air with the pre-game show at 5:45 p.m.

The Blue Hens, who are ranked No. 12 in the FCS Coaches’ Poll and No. 17 by Sports Network, have won six national titles and made 19 NCAA appearances in their storied football history. Delaware is off to a 1-2 start, but that mark includes losses to FBS opponent Maryland (14-7) and an FCS top-25 program in Furman (23-21). Head coach K.C. Keeler has one of the top defensive units in the nation. Defensive end Matt Marcorelle is a candidate for the Buck Buchanan Award as the nation’s top FCS defender. Linebacker Erik Johnson (6-2, 230) is working his way up the program’s all-time tackles chart. Aaron Love, a dangerous return specialist, leads a veteran cast of wide receivers, while running back Johnathon Smith (6-3, 230) has rushed for five touchdowns over the last two games. Ohio State transfer Robby Schoenhoft has taken over the quarterback duties.

UAlbany (1-2) is coming off a 32-24 defeat at No. 10 New Hampshire. Quarterback Vinny Esposito had his best day as a collegian by passing for 283 yards and one touchdown and scoring on a 11-yard run. David McCarty extended his streak of 100-yards rushing games. McCarty hit the century mark for the ninth straight time with 130 yards and one TD on the ground. Safety Dave West, who played in his team’s 17-10 upset of Delaware two years ago, had nine tackles against UNH last week. The Great Danes are playing their third national top-20 team this season.

Massachusetts Edges Field Hockey, 2-1

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Amherst, Mass. – Katelyn Orlando and Makaela Potts each netted a goal off a penalty corner to lead Massachusetts to a 2-1 win over the 18th-ranked University at Albany field hockey team on Saturday afternoon at Garber Field. The Great Danes outshot the defending Atlantic 10 Conference champions by a count of 15-8 in the game and held a commanding 13-4 advantage in penalty corners, but UMass goalkeeper Alesha Widdall came through with 11 saves to help preserve the victory for the Minutewomen.

After a scoreless first half, Massachusetts (7-2) got on the scoreboard when Orlando tipped in a pass from Jackie Tait in the 48th minute of play. UMass doubled its lead when Potts shot the ball past UAlbany goalkeeper Ashley Ross just over eight minutes later. Following a penalty corner opportunity for the Great Danes, Nicole Savage cut the Minutewomen lead in half in the 68th minute when she potted the rebound off a shot taken by Michele Polizois.

UAlbany (5-5) had one more chance to score the equalizer and possibly force overtime in the 69th minute of action. However, Polizois’ shot off a penalty corner was saved by Widdall and cleared away by the UMass defense.

UAlbany’s Ross faced eight shots and made four saves in the losing effort. Widdall of UMass stopped 11 of the 15 shots taken by UAlbany to earn the victory.

The Great Danes will be back in action tomorrow afternoon when they host No. 15 Princeton at 2 p.m. on Alumni Turf Field. It will mark the third time that the squad will face a nationally-ranked opponent this fall.

#18 UAlbany (5-5) 0 1 - 1

Massachusetts (7-2) 0 2 - 2

UAlbany: Scoring – Nicole Savage (1-0). Goalkeeping: Ashley Ross (70:00, 2 GA, 4 saves).

Massachusetts: Scoring – Katelyn Orlando (1-0), Makaela Potts (1-0), Jackie Tait (0-1), Mary Shea (0-1), Erin Parker (0-1). Goalkeeping – Alesha Widdall (70:00, 1 GA, 11 saves).

UAlbany Volleyball Rallies to Defeat Yale, 3-2, on First Day of Tournament

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Senior middle blocker Kamisha Kellam recorded 14 kills and seven total blocks to lead UAlbany to a 3-2 comeback win over Yale on the first day of the UAlbany Invitational on Friday evening at University Gymnasium. The Great Danes defeated the Bulldogs by scores of 22-25, 19-25, 25-13, 25-14 and 15-6.

After a back-and-forth first set in which neither team led by more than two points until the final score, Yale silenced the UAlbany attack in the second, taking a quick 3-0 lead. Yale built up an eight point lead, 22-14, behind the service game of senior setter Ally Mendenhall, who recorded a double-double with 39 assists and 15 digs for the match. Mendenhall assisted Bridget Hearst for the set point to give Yale the 2-0 advantage heading into the break.

Heading back from the locker room, UAlbany jumped out to a quick 8-2 lead, as sophomore outside hitter Valerie Sourbeer served for six straight points. After a Cat Dailey kill ended the Great Danes’ run, UAlbany got the ball back after a service error by Yale. UAlbany’s Hillary White served for four straight points to put the Great Danes up, 13-2. Kellam recorded two of her solo blocks in succession to give UAlbany a 16-4 advantage to stifle any momentum the Bulldogs attempted to use. Junior outside hitter Julia Mailander recorded a kill off an assist from Mendenhall to take over the service game for Yale, but Kellam slammed the final kill to seal the win for UAlbany.

The Great Danes carried the momentum into the fourth set. After a back-and-forth start which saw the teams tied at 9-9, Sourbeer again took over serving, recording four straight points to put UAlbany up, 14-9. The Great Danes continued to build their lead, taking advantage of several attack errors by Yale, and using back-to-back kills by sophomore outside hitter Amanda Cowdrey and junior outside hitter Cate Eckhardt to build a 20-12 lead. A kill by Kellam put the ball back in UAlbany’s hands, and freshman libero Laurie Gonzalez served for the set’s final four points, ending with a service ace to the back line.

The Great Danes came out firing once again in the final set, getting ahead 8-4 on a Kellam kill off an overpass. After the teams switched sides, UAlbany continued to build its advantage, and Gonzalez took the ball for the final four serves of the set once again. The Great Danes received three of their final four points on Yale attack errors, before Gonzalez put the match away with her third service ace of the night.

Kellam recorded just one attack error in 24 attempts, hitting a match-high .542 for the Great Danes. Cowdrey finished with a double-double, slamming 13 kills and tallying 17 digs, while sophomore setter Brooke Stanely also finished with a double-double, notching 47 assists and 13 digs. Sourbeer also reached double-digit kills, tallying 11 in the match, while Gonzalez led the team defensively with 27 digs.

Junior Alexis Crusey led Yale (4-3) with 18 kills and 15 digs, while Mendenhall also recorded a double-double, finishing with 39 assists and 15 digs. Freshman middle blocker Taylor Cramm, who finished with nine kills, and Hearst, who added six kills, both finished with three block assists for the Bulldogs. Sophomore libero Kelly Ozurovich recorded a team-high 23 digs for Yale.

UAlbany (6-7) will start play on Saturday at 10 a.m. against Long Island, who dropped a 3-0 decision earlier on Friday to Dayton. The Flyers will face Yale at 12 p.m., before the Bulldogs and the Blackbirds take the court at 5 p.m. UAlbany will play Dayton in the tournament finale on Saturday evening at 7 p.m.

-agate-

UAlbany (6-7) def. Yale (4-3), 3-0 (22-25, 19-25, 25-13, 25-14, 15-6).

UAlbany Football Getting Much More Respect In The FCS

Albany's potential for upset no longer a secret. Delaware expects big challenge in rematch with team that stunned Blue Hens at home in 2006.

Albany football coach Bob Ford posed a question during his pregame chat with New Hampshire counterpart Sean McDonnell last week.

He was peeking ahead to this weekend's visit to Delaware, where in 2006 Ford's Great Danes stunned the Blue Hens -- and all of NCAA Division I-AA football -- with a 17-10 win.

"I said to Sean McDonnell, 'You think we can slip into town this year?'" said Ford, the only coach Albany has had in its 36 years of varsity football.

"He said, 'There'll be absolutely no way.' "

The element of surprise may not be in the Albany arsenal, but the Great Danes still come to Delaware Stadium apparently well equipped.

Albany (1-2) has beaten Delaware's Colonial Athletic Association rival Hofstra in overtime in Hempstead and given nationally ranked Massachusetts and New Hampshire all they can handle before falling 28-16 in Amherst and 32-24 in Durham.

Ford brings a team armed with just 26 scholarships spread among 50 players to tangle with the Blue Hens, who award the I-AA maximum 63 scholarships and last year were NCAA runners-up.

"They're going to grind and play hard," McDonnell said. "You watch what they've done the last couple years with teams in our conference and especially this year, battling at Mass and with Hofstra. I was very happy to get out of there with a win."

No. 17-ranked Delaware (1-2), struggling itself to open 2008, would likely feel the same way after Saturday's 6 p.m. showdown. It's the Blue Hens' final nonconference game before they commence CAA play next Saturday with a treacherous assignment at UMass.

UD coach K.C. Keeler expects nothing short of a major challenge.

"I think they have to feel pretty good about who they are and where they're going and the fact they're coming here," Keeler said.

"The other thing that rings so true in my memory of playing Albany is that when they beat us here in 2006, they called it the greatest single win in the history of their program. And the man who said that should know, because he's the only head coach they've ever had."

Keeler, who coached against Ford when he was at Division III Rowan before coming to Delaware, said the Great Danes have benefitted immensely from Ford's leadership. It also doesn't hurt that the New York Giants have made Albany their preseason base, leading to facility improvements.

"New York is a pretty good base for [high school] football, and they get a lot of kids who come there on partials or financial aid," Keeler said, "so it gives them a lot of depth."

Albany is a member of the Northeast Conference, which limits teams to 30 scholarships. The NEC champion will earn an automatic berth to the I-AA playoffs when the conference expands from 16 to 20 teams in 2010. Albany has won or shared three of the last six NEC titles. Five of its last six losses are to CAA, Big Sky or Patriot League opposition.

As a measure of its continued success, Albany has won at least seven games in nine of the last 12 seasons. The 2006 victory over Delaware, Ford said, "elevated our reputation tremendously."

But, he pointed it out, "it means absolutely nothing going into this ballgame."

By KEVIN TRESOLINI

UAlbany Lacrosse To Scrimmage Against Alumni Team Tonight At 8pm

UAlbany Lacrosse To Scrimmage Against Alumni Team Tonight At 8pm At John Fallon Field.

Courtesy of UAlaxer:

"Here is a short list of potential players.

Pros & Former Pros - Frank Resetarits (A), Jordan Levine (M), Merrick Thompson (A), Brett Queener (G), Liam Gleason (D), Steve Ammann (M), Mike Ammann(M), Luke DaQuino(A)

Some Other Noteables from recent years- Craig McDonald (D), Eric Wolf (A), Chris Martochia (A), Caleb Stratton, Kevin Rae (G), Chris Kivlen (D)

Many others play. Some from the 80's and 90's. UA has developed quite a family of former players."

Volleyball Set to Host UAlbany Invitational Over the Weekend

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – The University at Albany volleyball team is set to host the second home tournament of the season, starting Friday evening at University Gymnasium. The Great Danes welcome Long Island, Yale and Dayton for the UAlbany Invitational, consisting of six matches over the two days.

UAlbany (5-7) most recently competed at the Michigan/adidas Invitational last weekend. The Great Danes went 1-2 at the tournament, defeating Western Kentucky, 3-2, and dropping matches to Arizona State, 3-2, and 25th ranked Michigan, 3-0. UAlbany is led by sophomore outside hitter Amanda Cowdrey, who is averaging 3.23 kills and 2.70 digs per set. Senior middle blocker Kamisha Kellam is averaging 2.40 kills per set and leads the team with 0.91 blocks per set. Sophomore setter Brooke Stanley leads the America East Conference with 9.84 assists per set, and has recorded a team-high 15 service aces.

Yale enters the tournament with a 4-2 record after going 1-2 at the Penn State Classic last weekend. The Bulldogs defeated New Hampshire, 3-0, and were swept in three games by both Penn State and Saint Louis. Yale is led offensively by junior outside hitter Cat Dailey, who leads the team with 3.39 kills per set. She also averages 2.67 digs per set, and is tied for the team-high in blocks with senior middle blocker Kristen Wilk, averaging 0.78 blocks per set. Sophomore libero Kelly Ozurovich leads the squad defensively, recording 3.67 digs per set.

Long Island (4-7) is led by junior Svetlana Simic, who claimed her second Northeast Conference weekly honor in as many weeks after unleashing a 33-kill performance against Stony Brook. Simic is averaging 4.35 kills and 3.33 digs per set to lead the Blackbirds. Senior middle blocker Martina Racic adds 2.66 kills per set, while senior defensive specialist Jasmine Perez paces the team defensively, averaging 4.10 digs per set. The Blackbirds hosted the Courtyard LaGuardia Volleyball Classic last weekend, defeating Houston Baptist, 3-1, in the opening match before dropping a 3-2 decision to Howard and a 3-0 match to St. John’s.

Dayton enters the weekend at 8-4 after victories over Miami (Ohio) and Louisville at the Dayton Flyer Classic last weekend. The Flyers, coached by former UAlbany head coach Kelly Sheffield, fell to Purdue, 3-2, to start the tournament before sweeping Miami, 3-0, and claiming a 3-2 win over Louisville. Dayton is led by senior middle blocker Bethany Akerhielm, who was named the tournament MVP of the Lady Vol Classic after recording a .354 hitting percentage with 30 kills, 11 digs and seven blocks. Senior setter Erin Schroeder is ranked 55th nationally and third in the Atlantic 10 in assists per set, averaging 10.38.

Dayton will take on Long Island in the opening match of the tournament on Friday at 5 p.m., while UAlbany will face off against Yale at 7 p.m. Saturday’s action begins at 10 a.m., with UAlbany and Long Island taking the court first. Dayton and Yale will follow at noon. The Bulldogs will take on Long Island at 5 p.m., before UAlbany and Dayton play the tournament finale at 7 p.m.

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UAlbany Invitational

Friday, Sept. 26

Dayton vs. Long Island, 5 p.m.

UAlbany vs. Yale, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 27

UAlbany vs. Long Island, 10 a.m.

Dayton vs. Yale, 12 p.m.

Yale vs. Long Island, 5 p.m.

UAlbany vs. Dayton, 7 p.m.

UAlbany Volleyball Faces Dayton And Old Coach

Dayton volleyball coach Kelly Sheffield loves the idea of returning to the University at Albany this weekend to see old friends.

He hates the thought of facing the program that he built into a regional powerhouse.

After leaving the Great Danes last spring, Sheffield leads Dayton into the UAlbany Invitational, where the teams will face each other at 7 p.m. Saturday in University Gym.

"It's people you care an awful lot about and people you went to battle for,'' Sheffield said. "Now going against that, and trying to find weaknesses in the team you worked with, it's not a fun thing.''

So why play in UAlbany's tournament?

"Because I'm an idiot,'' Sheffield joked. "When I got here, this was an open weekend on (Dayton's) schedule, and there just weren't a lot of options. I knew (UAlbany) was looking for one more team to fill out the tournament.''

Sheffield took the Dayton job after seven seasons at UAlbany, where he won three America East Conference titles and guided the Great Danes to their first NCAA Tournament victory last season.

But the Flyers offered better pay, greater fan support and a campus that's in the middle of a fertile Midwest recruiting base for volleyball. Dayton, which made the NCAA Tournament last year, is off to an 8-4 start.

"It was extremely hard (to leave),'' Sheffield said. "The truth of it was, I wasn't looking to leave. But the more we looked into the Dayton program, it became obvious to me and my wife this was a good situation for us.''

UAlbany assistant MJ Engstrom was promoted to interim head coach and has the Great Danes at 5-7 against a very tough non-conference schedule.

Engstrom said she doesn't think Saturday's match will be awkward against her old boss, but expected her players to be ready.

"Our kids are probably going to be a lot more fired up about it than the Dayton kids,'' she said.

UAlbany senior Kamisha Kellam said she's more focused on today's match against Yale in the tournament opener. She pointed out the Great Danes already faced Sheffield when they played Dayton in a tournament in Indianapolis last spring, shortly after Sheffield had switched teams.

UAlbany beat Dayton 3-0 in that exhibition, although the Flyers were missing players due to injury.

"It couldn't get more awkward than that,'' Kellam said. "That was a big blow because nobody expected (Sheffield leaving). But now, he's at his team and we're here and trying to win championships, and that's all we're really concerned about.''

Former UAlbany standouts Shelby Goldman, Ashley DeNeal and Blair Buchanan are expected to be in attendance Saturday.

"I'm really looking forward to that,'' Sheffield said. "I'm absolutely not looking forward to playing the match.''

Courtesy: Mark Singelais

UAlbany Football's Offensive Tackle Raphael Nguti Attracts NFL Scouts

NFL scouts' eyes trained on Dane

ALBANY — Eighteen NFL teams have visited the University at Albany campus to study senior offensive tackle Raphael Nguti, including the Arizona Cardinals scout who showed up on Wednesday to watch film.

That's a lot of scrutiny for Nguti, who didn't even think he'd play college ball entering his senior year at Brighton High School in Rochester.

"I try not to think about it too much," Nguti said. "When they come out to practice, I find myself kind of staring over to see if they're looking at me and make sure I'm doing everything right. It's exciting and a little bit nerve-racking, but I try to continue to keep myself focused."

The attention hasn't affected his play. The 6-foot-7, 328-pound left tackle has paved the way for the Great Danes, who face 12th-ranked Delaware on Saturday evening in Newark, Del.

Protecting the blind side of quarterback Vinny Esposito, Nguti will face a challenge against Delaware defensive end Ronald Talley, a Notre Dame transfer who's third on the Blue Hens with 12 tackles, four for losses.

"He's explosive off the ball," Nguti said. "It's a great challenge for me and I look forward to it. Hopefully, I can rise up and play to that level and help us get a win."

It was hard to envision Nguti blocking a player of Talley's caliber when he arrived at UAlbany as a 389-pound freshman. He had a weakness for fast food, leaving high school during free periods for Burger King, McDonald's and Taco Bell, and eating late at night.

"I was hefty," he recalled with a smile. "None of the guys will ever let me live it down."

UAlbany redshirted Nguti his first season and he lost about 30 pounds that season by changing his diet and eating habits. He also gave credit to UAlbany strength and conditioning coach Tony Tullock, and later on assistant Justin Goulet, for helping him to sculpt his physique.

"The first year was tough because all the guys I redshirted with wanted to go out and eat some pizza, or they're in the dining hall eating ice cream," he said. "I really had to stick to eating better. Once the weight was off, it became second nature not to do those things."

Although Nguti is coveted now for his size, he was out of shape in high school and not recruited heavily.

"Going into my senior year, I didn't have pretty much any plans to play college football," Nguti said.

He changed his plans when UAlbany assistant coach Ryan McCarthy noticed him on film, liked his footwork for a big man, and began to pursue him heavily.

Nguti felt comfortable enough at UAlbany that he turned down an offer to walk on at Syracuse with a chance to earn a scholarship. He drew some late interest from New Hampshire, Villanova and Fordham but enjoyed UAlbany head coach Bob Ford's direct approach with players.

In exchange, Ford has gotten an extremely productive player who earned first-team all-Northeast Conference honors at right tackle last season. Nguti switched to left tackle this year when incumbent Justin Tougas of Queensbury decided not to return for a final season.

"He's playing very well," Ford said. "He's obviously a huge kid. He is a good pass-protection blocker and a good run blocker. He's obviously a pro suspect."

Nguti hopes to become the third Great Dane to be drafted by the NFL, following linebacker Kurt Campbell in 2005 and cornerback Rashad Barksdale in 2007.
"For me being so close right now, in my last year of college football, it's just exciting," he said. "Hopefully I can stay healthy and show everybody I can play at that level."

By M.Singelais

UAlbany Volleyball Invitiational Friday And Saturday

Friday, September 26
vs Yale
UAlbany Invitational
7:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 27
vs Long Island
UAlbany Invitational
10:00 a.m.

vs Dayton
UAlbany Invitational
7:00 p.m.

Field Hockey Drops 1-0 Decision to Colgate

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Senior midfielder Lauren Carey scored the only goal of the game to give Colgate a 1-0 win over No. 18 UAlbany on Wednesday evening at Alumni Turf Field.

After 54 scoreless minutes, Carey picked up the ball in a scramble in front of the cage following a penalty corner and slipped the ball past UAlbany goalkeeper Christine Hoffman. Hoffman, in her first start of the season, made three saves between the pipes for the Great Danes.

UAlbany (5-4) had several scoring opportunities in the second half, outshooting the Raiders 8-3 in the final 35 minutes. The Great Danes, who recorded all ten of their penalty corners in the second half, also recorded ten shots on goal, with four coming from senior midfielder Michelle Simpson. Colgate goalkeeper Sarah Pederson stopped all ten of UAlbany’s shots for the shutout win. Colgate (5-4) finished with eight shots and six penalty corners.

UAlbany will return to action on Saturday, visiting Massachusetts for a 12 p.m. start. The Minutewomen were receiving votes in the latest NFHCA Division I National Coaches’ Poll.

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Colgate (5-4) 0 1 - 1

#18 UAlbany (5-4) 0 0 - 0

Colgate: Scoring – Lauren Carey (1-0). Goalkeeper – Sarah Pederson (70:00, 0 GA, 10 saves).

UAlbany: Scoring – None. Goalkeeper – Christine Hoffman (70:00, 1 GA, 3 saves).

UAlbany Field Hockey Ranked #18 In Latest STX/NFHCA Poll

The University of Albany field hockey team is ranked 18th in the current STX/NFHCA Division I National Coaches’ Poll, as announced by the organization on Tuesday.

UAlbany Field Hockey's Michele Polizois Earns Second America East Player of the Week

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – University at Albany’s Michele Polizois earned her second America East Conference Player of the Week award of the season in field hockey, as announced by the league on Monday afternoon.

Polizois, a senior midfielder, recorded three goals, all on penalty corners, in two games last week, including the game winner in a 3-2 victory over 16th-ranked Michigan on Sept. 19. She then tallied two goals in a 4-3 double overtime loss to Kent State on Sunday. Polizois, who led all players with six shots on goal against Kent State, leads the conference in scoring with seven goals and one assist for 15 total points.

UAlbany (5-3) will continue non-conference play this week, hosting Colgate in a mid-week contest on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. before traveling to Massachusetts on Saturday. The Great Danes will return to Alumni Turf Field on Sunday, welcoming Princeton for a 2 p.m. start.

Shaun Kane's First Career Hat Trick Leads UAlbany Men's Soccer Past Siena, 3-0

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Sophomore Shaun Kane’s first career hat trick gave the University at Albany men’s soccer team a 3-0 victory over the Siena College Saints in the team’s home opener at Varsity Field on Saturday afternoon. Kane became the first Great Dane to record a hat trick since Greg Chevalier accomplished the feat in a 7-1 win at Marist back on Sept. 1, 2002, and it was also the first hat trick by a Great Dane at Varsity Field in the program’s Division I era which began in 1999.

Kane put UAlbany (5-2) on the scoreboard in the 17th minute. Ian Peach had the ball just past midfield and sent it down to Gaby Seguin-Gauthier. The senior then found Kane who took a shot from 12 yards out that beat goalkeeper Steve Skonieczny to the far post.

The sophomore doubled the UAlbany lead in the 38th minute. After Peach’s diving header hit the post, the ball bounced back to Claudio Dantas. The two-time junior college All-American took a shot that was blocked, and Kane pounded in the rebound to give the Great Danes a 2-0 advantage that they would have at halftime. Dantas and Peach were credited with assists on the play.

Kane completed the third hat trick by a Great Dane in the program’s Division I era to give the squad some more insurance early in the second half. Luuk Collou, who was about 10 yards past the midfield line, let the ball fly down to the edge of the 18-yard box. After making his way past a Saint defender, Kane beat a charging Skonieczny to the ball and fired it home to the back of the net in the 54th minute. In addition to Chevalier’s three goals against Marist in 2002, the only other hat trick completed by a Great Dane player over the past 10 seasons was when Jarvin Skeete did it in a 6-0 win at Stony Brook back on Oct. 2, 2001.

Siena (1-4-1) had its best chance to get on the scoreboard in the 87th minute of action. However, Matt Turcio’s shot attempt hit the post and the Great Dane defense was able to successfully clear the ball. The Great Dane defense, led by starters Milos Jankovic, Konner McNamara, Erik DiLorenzo and Hilco Beeks also broke up several of the Saints’ free kicks taken from just outside the 18-yard box to help the team post its fourth shutout of the fall.

UAlbany senior goalkeeper Steward Ceus made four saves and recorded his second shutout of the season and 14th of his career. Ceus and freshman goalkeeper Adrian Foncette have combined to surrender only one goal in the team’s five victories this season. Siena’s Skonieczny saved 11 of the barrage of 35 shots taken by the Great Danes took in the match.

UAlbany, which leads the America East Conference with 2.14 goals per game, will look to get on a three-game winning streak for the second time this season when the team visits Marist College next Sunday at 5 p.m. The America East opener will be played on the road against Boston University on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m.

Siena (1-4-1) 0 0 - 0
UAlbany (5-2) 2 1 - 3

Siena: Scoring – None. Goalkeeping – Steve Skonieczny (90:00, 3 GA, 11 saves).
UAlbany: Scoring – Shaun Kane (3-0), Ian Peach (0-2), Gaby Seguin-Gauthier (0-1), Claudio Dantas (0-1), Luuk Collou (0-1). Goalkeeping: Steward Ceus (90:00, 0 GA, 4 saves).

Field Hockey Drops 4-3 Double Overtime Decision to Kent State

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Freshman forward Debbie Bell recorded all four goals for Kent State to lead the Golden Flashes to a 4-3 double-overtime win over #20 UAlbany on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Turf Field.

Bell started the scoring in the first half, giving the Golden Flashes a 1-0 lead at 7:14 with an unassisted shot past UAlbany goalkeeper Ashley Ross. Kent State held onto the one-goal lead through halftime, before senior midfielder Michele Polizois tied the game at 1-1 on a penalty corner goal at 38:55.

Bell recorded her second goal of the game on a Kent State penalty corner in the 61st minute, taking assists from Allison Kittelberger and Rachel Miller. Just over a minute later, Polizois netted her second tally, again on a penalty corner, with assists going to Jess Lindsey and Michelle Simpson. Bell struck again at 63:06, as there was a scramble in front of the cage. Bell tipped the ball in off a defender’s stick to put the Golden Flashes up, 3-2.

UAlbany would not fold, however, as sophomore forward Alysia Hough carried the ball into the circle off of the restart and knocked in an unassisted shot past Kent State goalkeeper Caroline Suitch.

After a scoreless first overtime, the Golden Flashes took advantage of their lone penalty corner less than five minutes into the second extra period. Bell received the inbounds pass and dribbled into the circle, slipping a shot into the bottom left corner of the cage to end the game with the sudden victory.

UAlbany outshot Kent State 19-11 in the game and held a 12-4 advantage in penalty corners. Ross made six saves in the cage for the Great Danes while Suitch made seven stops between the pipes for Kent State (5-3).

UAlbany (5-3) will return to action with a midweek game against Colgate on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. at Alumni Turf Field.

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Kent State (5-3) 1 2 0 1 - 4

UAlbany (5-3) 0 3 0 0 - 3

Kent State: Scoring – Debbie Bell (4-0), Allison Kittelberger (0-1), Rachel Miller (0-1). Goalkeeper – Caroline Suitch (89:25, 3 GA, 7 saves).

UAlbany: Scoring – Michele Polizois (2-0), Alysia Hough (1-0), Jess Lindsey (0-2), Michelle Simpson (0-2). Goalkeeper – Ashley Ross (89:25, 4 GA, 6 saves).

UAlbany Football Falls to 10th-Ranked New Hamsphire's Second-Half Rally in 32-24 Contest

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Durham, N.H. -- R.J. Toman passed for 255 yards and four touchdowns as New Hampshire rallied for a 32-24 non-league victory over UAlbany on Saturday, Sept. 20 at Cowell Stadium. The Wildcats are ranked No. 10 in both the Sports Network and FCS Coaches national polls.

UAlbany (1-2) took a 24-23 lead with 6:16 left in the third quarter when quarterback Vinny Esposito eluded a blitzing linebacker and hit Chris Kenneally in the seam with a 20-yard scoring pass. Esposito complete 21 of 31 attempts for a career-high 283 yards.

New Hampshire (3-0) regrouped on its next possession. Chad Kackert, who rushed for 106 yards on 16 carries, ran for a first down on fourth-and-one at midfield. Toman, using a play-action fake, ddrilled a 24-yard touchdown to Mike Boyle for the go-ahead points in the fourth lead change of the contest. The two-point conversion pass failed, but UNH added a 45-yard field on the first play of the final period.

The Great Danes, who were played the third of four straight Colonial Athletic Association opponents, had two opportunities to draw even. David McCarty, who ran a school-record 39 times for 130 yards, helped lead his team inside the UNH 5-yard line, but Esposito’s fourth-down pass fell incomplete. Cornerback Ross Bertrand blocked a punt with 3:51 remaining; however, UAlbany stalled out on downs at the UNH 24.

“New Hampshire may not have as much talent as UMass or Montana, but they play hard on every down,” UAlbany coach Bob Ford said. “The momentum went back and forth, but we made too many mental mistakes. We battled back and had a couple of chances in the home stretch.”

The Wildcats, who were meeting the visitors for the first time on the gridiron, threw an inter caption on their first play from scrimmage, but survived to take a 7-0 lead. Tight end Scott Sicko, who was wide open on the left sideline, hauled in a 65-yard scoring pass from Toman on his team’s next offensive set.

UAlbany used a flea-flicker play to set up its first points when Esposito took a pitch back from wideout Tim Bush and delivered a 41-yard strike to Daniel Bocanegra. Herb Glass later connected on a 47-yard field goal, tying the third-longest kick in program history. Bush had six receptions for a career-high 109 yards.

The Great Danes reached the end zone on its next two possessions to build a surprising 17-7 advantage. McCarty capped a 12-play march with a 19-yard touchdown run. The junior tailback took a toss and cut off right tackle. Esposito’s throwing and running produced the next score. He found Bush with a pair of 20-plus yard completions, before turning a quarterback sneak up the middle into an 11-yard touchdown.

UNH closed the gap to 17-14 at halftime by moving the length of the field in less than one minute. The Wildcats converted a third-and-10 when Toman hooked up with running back Chad Kackert on a 26-yard screen pass. Toman later moved from out of the pocket from pressure and rifled a 19-yard scoring pass to Kackert at the goal line with three seconds remaining.

In the third quarter, UAlbany miscues in the punting game put the Wildcats in the lead. Chris Lynch was tackled while trying to get off a punt and that led to Toman’s 24-yard TD pass to Sicko in the left corner of the end zone. New Hampshire increased its margin to 23-17 when a high snap from center forced Lynch to heave the football out of the end zone for a safety.

“The line protected well, our receivers did a good job, but we sputtered in the red zone,” Esposito explained. “We have a good idea about our team through these first three games. We had a chance to win all three, so we are disappointed with the results.”

UAlbany Volleyball Splits Matches on Final Day of Michigan/adidas Invitational

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Ann Arbor, Mich. – Sophomore outside hitter Amanda Cowdrey recorded a double-double to lead UAlbany to a 3-2 win over Western Kentucky in the final match of the Michigan/adidas Invitational at Cliff Keen Arena on Saturday. The Great Danes dropped a 3-0 decision to the host Wolverines, who are undefeated and ranked #25 nationally.

UAlbany kept the first set with Western Kentucky close, before the Hilltoppers got up, 14-11, behind the service game of Megan Argabright. The Great Danes tied the game at 17-17 on a kill by senior middle blocker Kamisha Kellam, who finished the match with ten kills. The score went back and forth, as the teams exchanged kills before Cowdrey put UAlbany ahead, 25-24. Kellam then recorded one of her match-high six blocks to end the set with UAlbany up, 26-24.

Western Kentucky took charge in the second set, not allowing the UAlbany offense to capitalize on any opportunity. Argabright converted a set from Julia Noe to give the Hilltoppers the sideout point and go ahead, 16-8. Argabright recorded a service ace later in the set to put Western Kentucky up, 18-8, before a service error gave the ball back to UAlbany. A Valerie Sourbeer kill pulled the Great Danes within 21-10, but back-to back attack errors and a block by Aquila Orr and Brittany Bowen sealed the win for the Hilltoppers, 25-10.

It was UAlbany’s chance to take charge in the third set, as setter Brooke Stanley served for the first four points of the set, including a service ace. Stanley assisted on Cowdrey’s kill that put the Great Danes up, 9-4, before the teams exchanged points to set the score a 14-8 in UAlbany’s favor midway through the set. Freshman Kalyn Mostert recorded a service ace, while Kellam and Cowdrey combined for back-to-back block assists to give the Great Danes an 18-11 lead. Argabright and Emily Teegarden hit consecutive kills to pull Western Kentucky to within 22-17, but a Hilltopper attack error followed by a service ace by Stanley set the final score at 25-17.

Western Kentucky jumped out to an early 4-1 lead in the fourth set, and the Hilltoppers continued to build their lead in the early going, getting ahead 10-4 behind the service game of Kelly Hofmeyer. A service ace and back-to-back kills by Kellam pulled the Great Danes to within 10-8. Sourbeer and White combined for a block to tie the set at 12-12 before Western Kentucky began to pull away. Noe served for four straight points and UAlbany committed a service error to put the Hilltoppers back in possession. Kelly Potts served for the final four points, and Tiffany Elmore blocked a UAlbany attack to give the Hilltoppers a 25-14 win.

Western Kentucky appeared to have the advantage in the final set, as the Hilltoppers built up an 8-5 lead on an Argabright kill. Western Kentucky continued to hold the lead as the teams went back and forth, exchanging kills. White took over the UAlbany service game with the score set at 14-11, and served for the final five points, including a service ace. One of Cowdrey’s 14 kills tied the set at 14-14, before an attack error by Western Kentucky gave UAlbany the 15-14 lead. Mostert and Kellam combined for a block assist to win the match for the Great Danes with a score of 16-14.

Stanley recorded a double-double with 40 assists and 11 digs, while Cowdrey added ten digs. The classmates also recorded three service aces apiece, while White and Sourbeer finished with nine and eight kills, respectively.

Teegarden recorded a match-high 18 kills for Western Kentucky (11-3), hitting .308 for the match. Argabright added 16 kills and Bowen finished with 11 kills and four total blocks. Noe tallied 52 assists and Hofmeyer led the Hilltoppers defensively with 20 digs.

Earlier in the day, UAlbany dropped three straight sets to #25 Michigan. The Wolverines posted scores of 25-18, 25-19 and 25-18 in the sweep. Cowdrey had ten kills to lead the UAlbany offense, while freshman libero Laurie Gonzalez recorded a team-high ten digs.

Juliana Paz led Michigan (11-0) with 12 kills while Veronica Rood added 11 kills. Kerry Hance paced the Wolverines defensively with 21 digs while setter Lexi Zimmerman finished with 46 assists, eight digs, two service aces and two block assists.

UAlbany (5-7) will return to action next weekend, hosting the second tournament of the season at University Gymnaisum. The Great Danes welcome Dayton, Long Island and Yale for the two-day tournament on Friday and Saturday.

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#25 Michigan (11-0) def. UAlbany, 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-18)

UAlbany (5-7) def. Western Kentucky, 3-2 (26-24, 10-25, 25-17, 14-25, 16-14)

UAlbany Cross Country Teams Place Second at Vanderbilt's Commodore Classic

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Nashville, Tenn. – The University at Albany men’s and women's cross country teams finished second at the Commodore Classic hosted by Vanderbilt University on Saturday morning. Vanderbilt, ranked fourth in the South Region on the women’s side and 12th in the men’s poll, swept the team titles. UAlbany’s Brian Yurkewecz finished second and just .23 seconds behind men’s individual champion Ryan Chastain of Lipscomb to lead the way for the men’s team, while Laura Cummings was third overall and just 11 seconds behind Vanderbilt’s Rita Jorgensen who went on to win the women’s individual title.

The UAlbany men finished with 50 points, which was just eight points behind regionally-ranked Vanderbilt. The Great Danes had five runners place in the top 18. Yurkewecz’s second-place time in the field of 77 runners was 26:23.88. R.J. Sniffen navigated the 8,000-meter course in 26:45 and placed sixth overall. Chris Manico (12th, 27:02), Jack Kelley (15th, 27:15) and David Rothman (18th, 27:20) rounded out the top five finishers for the Great Danes.

The women’s team finished with 85 points, which was 54 points behind regionally-ranked Vanderbilt and 14 points ahead of Belmont, tabbed 11th in the South Region. Cummings’ third-place time in the field of 77 runners was 18:08. Ada Lauterbach placed 13th overall and second on the squad for completing the 5,000-meter course in 19:10. Emily Fung (18th, 19:25), Ally Panos (27th, 19:44) and Laine Sefick (31st, 19:53) rounded out the top five finishers for the women’s team.

The Great Danes will take next weekend off before heading to Oregon Ridge Park in Cockeysville, Md. for the Towson Invitational on Friday, Oct. 3. Oregon Ridge Park will also be the site of the America East Championships on Saturday, Nov. 1.



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MEN’S RESULTS (8k) WOMEN’S RESULTS (5k)

1. Vanderbilt 42 points 1. Vanderbilt 31 points

2. UAlbany 50 points 2. UAlbany 85 points

3. Lipscomb 79 points 3. Emory 93 points

4. Emory 100 points 4. Belmont 99 points

5. Rhodes 105 points 5. Lipscomb 103 points

6. Tennessee Tech 161 points 6. Tennessee Tech 122 points

6. Vanderbilt Alumni 161 points 7. Rhodes 157 points

8. Lambuth 250 points 8. Tennessee State 255 points



Men’s Individual Champion: Ryan Chastain, Lipscomb (26:23.65)

Women’s Individual Champion: Rita Jorgensen, Vanderbilt (17:57)

UAlbany Men’s Top Finishers: 2. Brian Yurkewecz (26:23.88), 6. R.J. Sniffen (26:45), 12. Chris Manico (27:02), 15. Jack Kelley (27:15), 18. David Rothman (27:20).

UAlbany Women’s Top Finishers: 3. Laura Cummings (18:08), 13. Ada Lauterbach (19:10), 18. Emily Fung (19:25), 27. Ally Panos (19:44), 31. Laine Sefick (19:53).

UAlbany Football Meets Another Nationally-Ranked Team in Saturday's Game with #10 New Hampshire

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Durham, N.H. – UAlbany will meet its second national top-10 football team this season, when the Great Danes battle New Hampshire in the first-ever meeting between the programs on Saturday, Sept. 20 at Cowell Stadium. Kickoff is 12:00 p.m. Eastern. Fans can listed to the game on Fox Sports 980 (WOFX-980 AM), beginning with the pregame show at 11:45 a.m. The contest will also air on the internet (www.unhwildcats.tv).

The Wildcats, who own victories over Army and Rhode Island, are ranked 10th in both the Sports Network and FCS Coaches’ polls. Head coach Sean McDonnell has led the program to four consecutive NCAA Division I FCS appearances, including the quarterfinals in 2004 and 2005. Quarterback R.J. Toman passed for a career-high 309 yards and five touchdowns in last week’s 51-43 victory, while running back Chad Kackert accounted for 316 all-purpose yards, including 164 on the ground. Hugo Souza, an outside linebacker, and free safety John Clements lead a swarming UNH defense. Souza had 10 tackles and scored on a 22-yard fumble return in the opener at Army.

The Great Danes recorded their first-ever overtime win in a 22-16 decision at Hofstra, one of four consecutive Colonial Athletic Association opponents to begin the schedule. Free safety Dave Casale, the ECAC and Northeast Conference defensive player of the week, blocked a 34-yard field goal attempt with nine seconds remaining in regulation to force an extra period. David McCarty scored on a 7-yard run to provide the winning points. McCarty rushed for 178 yards to go over the 100-mark for eighth straight game, eclipsing a mark set by Gary Jones in 2002. Defenders Justin Brancaccio and Mike Kelly had career efforts with 15 and 10 tackles, respectively.

#20 UAlbany Field Hockey Defeats #16 Michigan, 3-2 At UConn Invitational

#20 UAlbany Field Hockey Defeats #16 Michigan Wolverines, 3-2 At UConn Invitational. More to come...

Storrs, Conn. – Junior forward Nicole Savage scored one goal and assisted on another to lead the 20th-ranked University at Albany field hockey team to a 3-2 win over #16 Michigan at the Husky Invitational held at Connecticut’s George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex on Friday afternoon.

Michigan (3-4) struck first, as senior midfielder Sarah Wilhite took an assist from sophomore forward Alicia Mayer to score at the 12:05 mark. UAlbany freshman Christina Patrick tied the game at 1-1 off an assist from Savage in the 16th minute. Savage gave UAlbany the lead at 24:49, slipping an unassisted shot past Michigan goalkeeper Christi Barwick after gathering a rebound from a corner. The Wolverines would tie the game at 2-2 just before halftime, as Wilhite scored her second goal of the contest off an assist from Stephanie Hoyer at 26:17.

The Great Danes made the best of a penalty corner opportunity to get back ahead and seal the win. Senior midfielder Michele Polizois scored her team-leading fifth goal of the season in the 50th minute, taking assists from Michelle Simpson and Jess Lindsey.

The teams were even with 12 shots and seven penalty corners apiece. Barwick made five saves in the cage for Michigan, while goalkeeper Ashley Ross stopped six shots between the pipes for the Great Danes.

UAlbany (5-2) will return to action on Sunday, hosting Kent State at 1 p.m. at Alumni Turf Field. The Golden Flashes were receiving votes in the most recent NFHCA Division I Coaches’ Poll.

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#20 UAlbany 2 1 - 3

#16 Michigan 2 0 - 2

UAlbany: Scoring – Nicole Savage (1-1), Christina Patrick (1-0), Michele Polizois (1-0), Michelle Simpson (0-1), Jess Lindsey (0-1). Goalkeeper – Ashley Ross (70:00, 2 GA, 6 saves).

Michigan: Scoring – Sarah Wilhite (2-0), Alicia Mayer (0-1), Stephanie Hoyer (0-1). Goalkeeper – Christi Barwick (70:00, 3 GA, 7 saves).

Volleyball Drops 3-2 Decision to Arizona State at Michigan/adidas Invitational

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Ann Arbor, Mich. – Margie Giordano and Sarah Reaves both recorded double-doubles of the kill-dig variety to lead Arizona State to a 3-2 victory over UAlbany in non-conference volleyball action at the Michigan/adidas Invitational, held at Cliff Keen Arena on Friday afternoon. The Sun Devils were able to hold off a UAlbany rally, defeating the Great Danes by scores of 25-14 and 25-19 in the first two sets, before UAlbany posted wins of 25-8 and 25-22 in sets three and four to send the match to a fifth-set tiebreaker. Arizona State held off the Great Danes, winning 15-10 in the deciding set.

Arizona State took charge early in the first state, as Ashley Kelty served for seven straight points to put the Sun Devils up 11-4 in the early going. UAlbany was unable to get the offense in motion, as Arizona State cruised to a 25-14 first set victory, ended with a block assist by Sonja Markanovich and Paige Mittelstaedt.

The Sun Devils jumped out to an early lead in the second set as well, once again behind the service game of Kelty, who served three straight points to give Arizona State a 4-10 advantage. Amanda Cowdrey followed a block assist by Hillary White and Cate Eckhardt to pull the Great Danes within five points, 21-16, but Sara Todorovich put the game back in Arizona State’s favor with a kill. After a kill by setter Brooke Stanley got UAlbany to 24-19, a Great Dane service error sealed the set for the Sun Devils.

UAlbany came out firing in the third set, as White converted her first serve for an ace. Cowdrey recorded back-to-back kills to put the Great Danes up 7-3 in the early going, while Stanley tallied two service aces to give UAlbany a 12-4 advantage. White served for seven straight points later in the set, putting the Great Danes up, 23-6. Cowdrey took an assist from Stanley to slam the final kill in the set and put UAlbany back in the match.

The fourth set swung back and forth between the two teams, with neither getting up more than three points for the duration of play. Stanley put the Great Danes on top late in the set, serving four straight points, which included back-to-back solo blocks by Valerie Sourbeer, giving UAlbany a 21-18 lead. The teams exchanged kills in the late going, with Cowdrey again putting away the final point to send the match to the tiebreaking set.

Consecutive block assists by Kamisha Kellam and Stanley put UAlbany ahead, 4-3, early in the set. Marina Mercer put Arizona State on top, 6-4, before a Sun Devil service error and a Sourbeer kill tied the set at 6-6. Giordano recorded one of her match-high 20 kills to put Arizona State up, 11-9, but Kelty recorded a service error to put the ball back in UAlbany’s hands. Giordano served for the final three points, as Todorovich and Mercer combined for a block to end the set on a Great Dane attack error.



Reaves finished with 19 kills and 15 digs for Arizona State, while Giordano completed her double-double with 12 digs. Sarah Johnson led the Sun Devils defensively with 22 digs, while Todorovich and Markanovich finished with five blocks apiece. Mercer recorded 58 assists for Arizona State (9-2).

Cowdrey recorded a team-high 19 kills for UAlbany, while Kellam added 13 kills and three total blocks. Stanley tallied a double-double with 45 assists and 12 digs, while libero Valerie Sourbeer had a team-high 17 digs. White, who chipped in with seven kills, had a team-high six total blocks.

UAlbany (4-6) will return to action at the tournament on Saturday, facing the host Wolverines, who are currently undefeated and ranked 25th in the nation, and Western Kentucky.

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Arizona State (9-2) def. UAlbany (4-6), 3-2 (25-14, 25-19, 8-25, 22-25, 15-10).

Second-Half Goal Sends Army Past UAlbany Women's Soccer, 1-0, at Governor's Cup

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Senior Amelia Janoski’s first goal of the season off a cross from junior Christine O’Leary gave the Army Black Knights a 1-0 victory over the University at Albany women’s soccer team in the first round of the Governor’s Cup at Varsity Field on Friday, Sept. 19. Great Dane freshman Katie Grant had an excellent scoring opportunity in the final minute which would have tied the match and possibly forced overtime, but sophomore goalkeeper Alex Lostetter made a key stop to preserve the win for Army.

After a scoreless first half, Army (5-3) got on the board in the 76th minute of action. O’Leary took the ball down the right sideline and crossed it from just outside the 18-yard box to Janoski. The senior then took a low shot that landed in the left corner of the net from about 15 yards out.

Starting goalkeeper Amber Maisonet as well as defenders Jenna Burke, Katie Norwood, Kendra Harrell-Vigil and Annika Hanson were able to hold off 14 Black Knight corner kick attempts, including 10 in the second half, to keep the Great Danes in the match until the very last play.

With under 30 seconds left in regulation, freshman Katie Grant had a chance to tie the score at 1-1 when she dribbled past several Black Knight defenders and blasted a shot to the upper right side of the net. However, Lostetter leaped and made the save to keep UAlbany (2-8) off the scoreboard. She punted the ball away and the final whistle sounded a few seconds later to end the match.

UAlbany’s Maisonet made a career-high seven saves in her second career start. Army’s Lostetter was credited with three saves in the match to earn the victory.

The Great Danes will host Sacred Heart in the second round of the Governor’s Cup on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. following an 11 a.m. match between Siena and Army. Sacred Heart tied Siena, 2-2, in the other first-round matchup played at Varsity Field earlier in the day.

Army (5-3) 0 1 - 1

UAlbany (2-8) 0 0 - 0

Army: Scoring – Amelia Janoski (1-0), Christine O’Leary (0-1). Goalkeeping – Alex Lostetter (90:00, 0 GA, 3 saves).

UAlbany: Scoring –None. Goalkeeping: Amber Maisonet (90:00, 1 GA, 7 saves).

Jon Iati Becomes Director of Basketball Operations at Quinnipiac

Former UAlbany guard Jon Iati reported today that he’s been on the job about a month as Quinnipiac’s new director of basketball operations.

“I really enjoy doing it,” Iati said via cell phone. “I’m glad to be on the staff and trying to get into the business.”

Iati, who just wrapped up his UAlbany playing career, said his aspirations lie in someday becoming a head coach.

“I think most people who are getting into the business eventually want to get there,” he said. “I’m a long, long ways away right now. I want to continue in my position and eventually move up to an assistant’s job, whenever that is.”

Originally, Iati was supposed to work in the UAlbany basketball office this season as a graduate assistant under Kenny Dagostino, the Great Danes’ director of basketball operations.

But then Quinnipiac assistant coach Eric Eaton, who worked at UAlbany from 2005-07, heard through former Great Dane Brent Wilson that Iati was looking for a job. While UAlbany was going to pay for Iati’s classes, the Quinnipiac job was a step up and offered a salary.

“It was a no-brainer,” said Iati, who needs one more class to complete his graduate degree in liberal arts.

Iati acknowledged it was a little odd turning in UAlbany’s purple and gold for Quinnipiac’s blue and gold.

“I’ll always hold Albany in my heart,” he said.

Iati said he’s asked for advice from the UAlbany staff, including Dagostino.

“Right now, I’m just getting adjusted and learning the details of the position, day in and day out,” he said. “I’m still inexperienced and I’ve got a lot of questions that need to be answered.”

Although Iati’s not allowed to be on the court during practice, he is allowed to pull players aside for instruction. But he’s just trying to fit in right now.

“I’m still the (fifth) guy on the totem pole with a head coach and three assistants,” he said. “I’m going to learn and take it all in, especially my first year.”

Iati said when the “time is right,” he might talk to Quinnipiac’s players about the role he took in helping UAlbany win its first two America East titles.

“I’m not going to come out and start boasting about my 1,000-point stats,” he said. “They’re trying to do the same thing here that we did at UAlbany.”

by Mark Singelais

UAlbany Hosts Governor's Cup Women's Soccer Tournament at Varsity Field on Sept. 19-21

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – The University at Albany women’s soccer program will host the Governor’s Cup at Varsity Field on Sept. 19 and 21. The tournament field features Army, Sacred Heart and Siena.

UAlbany enters the tournament with a record of 2-7 after taking a 2-1 loss to Massachusetts at home on Wednesday. Freshman Kendra Harrell-Vigil, who has started every match, was named the America East Conference Rookie of the Week on Sept. 15 after netting her first career goal and being named to the all-tournament team along with Ashley Tirabassi at last weekend’s Niagara Falls Classic. Tirabassi and freshman Rebecca Lee lead the America East Conference in scoring with nine points apiece. Freshman goalkeeper Cate Crenson has started eight of the nine games in net and has a .692 save percentage as well as a 2.77 goals against average.

Gene Ventriglia, who is the only head coach the U.S. Military Academy program has ever known, has led the Black Knights to a 4-3 ledger. Army most recently placed fourth at the Air Force Tournament. Dymon Washington, Deanna Cleg and Pia White all have two goals apiece, while Washington’s six points is a team-best. Sophomore goalkeeper Alex Lostetter has a .708 save percentage and a 1.81 goals against average.

After qualifying for its seventh straight Northeast Conference Tournament and advancing to the championship match in 2007, Sacred Heart has struggled out of the gates this fall and stands 0-7 overall. The Pioneers most recently took a 6-0 loss at Yale on Sept. 16. Leigh Dogmanits leads the offensive attack with two goals, while Britney Dupee has the squad’s only other goal this season. Meghan Reichelt, the only goalkeeper on the roster, has a .569 save percentage.

Siena is also participating.

Governor’s Cup Schedule (Varsity Field)

Friday, Sept. 19
siena vs. Sacred Heart, 1:00 p.m.
UAlbany vs. Army, 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 21
Lil’ Danes Clinic, 10:30-11:30 a.m. (UAlbany women’s soccer practice field)
siena vs. Army, 11:00 a.m.
Sacred Heart vs. UAlbany, 1:00 p.m.

Governor’s Cup Clinic Note: The UAlbany women’s soccer team will be hosting a free clinic for boys and girls, from ages 5-13, on Sunday, Sept. 21 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at its practice field adjacent to Varsity Field. Directed by head coach Mary-Frances Monroe, kids will have the opportunity to improve their soccer skills and get to know the players on the UAlbany team. All kids should bring shin guards, cleats, a ball and a water bottle.

Former UAlbany Basketball Stars Find New Teams on European Professional Circuit

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Jason Siggers and Levi Levine, a pair of former University at Albany basketball stars, have recently found new teams on the European professional circuit. Siggers, a 6-foot-4 guard, will play for BC Boncourt in Switzerland LNA’s first division. Levine, a 6-foot-6 forward, has signed with BC Tirgu Mures in Romania’s Division A.

Siggers led the Bakken Bears to the 2008 Danish League championship with a 21-3 record. He was named the league’s player of the year and import player of the year after averaging 24.5 points per game. The first-team All-Danish performer ranked second among the league’s scoring leaders. Siggers, a first-team All-America East Conference selection on the collegiate level, averaged 13.9 points and 3.9 rebounds as senior. He was named to the America East all-championship squad when the Great Danes edged Vermont, 60-59, for the 2007 conference championship.

Levine earned second-team All-Irish Superleague recognition while playing for the UCC Demons in Ireland’s first division last season. He averaged 20.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.1 steals. Levine, who was a professional in Germany the previous year, will now play for Romania Division A’s top scoring offense at 89.5 points per game. A tri-captain at UAlbany in 2005-06, Levine led the Great Danes to the program’s first-ever NCAA Division I tournament appearance. He finished his career ranked No. 14 on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,270 points and 13th in rebounds with 610.

Albany's McCarty One of Four CSN National All-Stars for Week Three Performance at Hofstra

Somerset, NJ -- Albany's David McCarty (Gansevoort, NY/LaSalle Institute), the reigning NEC Offensive Player of the Week, is one of four Division I FCS players to be named a College Sporting News National All-Star for his week three efforts. McCarty used his program-record eighth consecutive 100-yard rushing performance to carry the defending NEC champion Great Danes to an overtime road victory at Hofstra. The final seven of his 178 rushing yards came on a game-winning touchdown burst in the extra period that snapped Albany’s nine-game losing streak to the Pride.

Last season, McCarty came up just shy of the Great Danes' all-time single-season rushing mark (Gary Jones, 1,524), gaining 1,503 yards on the ground en route to second team all-NEC honors. Thus far this season, McCarty ranks third among the NCAA Division I FCS rushing leaders at 151.5 yards per game (51 car., 303 yds., 2 TD).

College Sporting News National All-Stars, 9/14/2008
James Madison quarterback Rodney Landers, Albany runningback David McCarty, Hampton linebacker Wakeem Goode and Dayton defensive end Scott Vossler are the recipients of College Sporting News national Football Championship Subdivision honors for the week ending September 15, 2008.

Each of the honorees are listed here with their achievements and their school, position, height, weight, class and hometown.

Rodney Landers, James Madison, QB, 6-1, 220, Sr., Virginia Beach, VA
In what was billed as the game of the week in FCS, Landers made sure the outcome was never really in doubt early as his Dukes led the entire game in a 52-38 thumping of UMass, the #3 team in the nation. He would do most of his damage with his feet, grinding out 206 net yards on 26 carries while adding four pass completions for 86 yards. The Virginia Beach, VA native would account for three of the Dukes seven touchdowns of the day and would account 292 all-purpose yards on the afternoon.

David McCarty, Albany, RB, 6-0, 207, Jr., Gansevoort, NY
McCarty had to be frustrated to not reach the end zone against in-state rival Hofstra after four quarters, especially after coming so close on several occasions. But the Gansevoort, New York native would ultimately find what he was looking for: the game-winning touchdown in an overtime 22-16 victory over the Hofstra Pride of the CAA. McCarty would rack up 178 yards on 27 carries, including a 46-yard run that set up the Great Danesʼ first touchdown on the day. He ripped off five rushes of 10 yards or more - although the best one for him had to be the seven-yarder in overtime.

Wakeem Goode, Hampton, LB, 5-11, 227, Soph., Cleveland, OH
Sometimes a defense simply needs to keep making plays to allow their offense to get started, and Goode did just that in a 38-27 win over Howard. The Pirate offense would be held scoreless before erupting for 38 second-half points, but it was the defensive effort of Goode that would help hold the Bison to only a 7-0 lead at halftime. He would log an interception and two sacks in the first half en route to a 14 tackle day, including 2 1/2 tackles for loss and two pass breakups.

Scott Vossler, Dayton, DE, 6-2, 237, Sr., St. Maryʼs, OH
Vossler made two game-changing plays in their 23-20 victory over the defending Patriot League champion Fordham Rams, both on special teams. The first came when the Flyers were up 14-7 near the close of the first half. The St. Maryʼs, OH native blocked the Ram punt and picked up the loose ball and ran it back for a 35 yard touchdown putting the Flyers up 21-7. In the second half, Fordham would score a touchdown to cut the deficit to 8, but Vossler would make it a two score game again once he blocked the extra point. Vosslerʼs teammate, defensive back Joe Castenada, would find the loose ball and return it for a 2 point point-after conversion the other way to give Dayton a 23-13 advantage. Vosslerʼs contribution didnʼt stop there: he also registered 7 tackles, including 1 1/2 tackles for loss and a pass breakup.

Courtesy: NEC