University of Albany Women's Lacrosse Captures Season Opener in 14-9 Victory Against Saint Mary's, Calif. - UAlbany sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Moraga, Calif. – Kayla Best had two goals and two assists as UAlbany posted a 14-9 victory over Saint Mary’s, Calif. in the season opener for both women’s lacrosse programs on Sunday afternoon at Saint Mary’s Stadium.

Saint Mary’s, Calif., a member of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, trailed 8-5 early in the second half, but then sliced the deficit to one as senior midfielder P.J. Hainley scored back-to-back unassisted goals. Hainley, the Gaels’ leading scorer one year ago, finished with four goals and two assists.

UAlbany regrouped with four unanswered over a 10-minute span. Nikki Branchini and Melanie Sosnowski netted shots one minute and 14 seconds apart for a 10-7 advantage. Taylor Frink added an unassisted goal, before Best set up Mel Rorie for a five-goal cushion with 6:12 remaining.

Christine Grueniger converted a free-position shot and cashed in on another scoring chance in the final two minutes to give her squad a 14-8 lead. The Great Danes, who are in their 10th season at the Division I level, won an opening game for just the second time since 2000.

Julie Bush, a junior who has been sidelined most of the last two seasons with knee injuries, scored twice and assisted on another goal in the opening half, as UAlbany took a 7-5 lead to the locker room. Jodi Battaglia and Rorie each had two goals for the Great Danes, who dropped an 11-9 decision in their only other meeting with Saint Mary’s on April 13, 2003.

The Gaels’ Juliet Monroe, a freshman attack, added three goals and one assist. UAlbany goalkeeper Katie Neer made seven saves, while Best extended her consecutive goal scoring streak to 31 straight games. The Great Danes meet Stanford, ranked No. 18 nationally in the latest IWLCA Coaches’ Poll, on Tuesday. UAlbany completed its third-game swing against California on Feb. 20.

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UAlbany (1-0) 7 7 - 14

Saint Mary’s, Calif. (0-1) 5 4 - 9

UAlbany – Scoring: Kayla Best 2-2, Julie Bush 2-1, Christine Grueniger 2-0, Mel Rorie 2-0, Jodi Battaglia 2-0, Rory Redmond 1-0, Nikki Branchini 1-0, Melanie Sosnowski 1-0, Taylor Frink 1-0, Tricia Hurley 0-2, Renee Levitin 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Katie Neer (60:00, 7 saves, 9 GA).

Saint Mary’s, Calif. – P.J. Hainley 4-2, Juliet Monroe 3-1, Claire Purcell 1-0, Amy Daniels 1-0, Ciara Breckenridge 0-1, Maggie Schwab 0-1, Abbie Coleman 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Hilary Gardner (60:00, 6 saves, 14 GA).