University of Albany Softball Sweeps Marist In Non Conference Matchup - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Poughkeepsie, N.Y. – Marissa Powell was credited with two victories in the circle and Michelle Connors had a game-winning hit and a game-winning run as UAlbany swept a non-conference softball doubleheader against Marist by scores of 6-5 and 2-1 at the Softball Park at Gartland Athletic Field on Tuesday, March 31. The Great Danes improved to 4-0 against Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference schools this spring with the wins.

In game one, UAlbany scored a run in the first and third innings to take an early 2-0 advantage. Andrianna Walraven came home for the first run on a wild pitch, and Meagan Butsch singled through the left side with runners on first and second to plate Kristine Bill.

Marist (9-17) rallied to take a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth frame. Megan Lamoureux started the rally by hitting a solo shot to left in the third before four more runs came across one inning later. The first two in the fourth came home on infield errors by the Great Danes, and Melissa Giordano, the MAAC Preseason Player of the Year, homered to right to give the Red Foxes a three-run advantage.

UAlbany answered right back by plating four runs of its own over the next two innings. Gina Mason singled with the bases loaded to plate Walraven, and Jess Bergin doubled in Butsch and Bill with a blast to left center. An RBI-double with two outs by Connors in the sixth would stand as the game-winning hit.

UAlbany’s Powell improved to 5-7 on the season at the time with the victory. She struck out five batters while surrendering five hits and five runs. Only two of the five runs were earned. Leah McIntosh relieved Powell in the sixth inning. The junior allowed a single while recording five strikeouts to earn her first save of the season and second of her career.

Marist’s Caitlin Schell got the nod to start, giving up five hits and five runs which were earned. She fanned five batters. Caitlin Carpentier was credited with the loss in relief and fell to 5-8 overall. She gave up five hits and one run which was unearned while striking out six.

In game two, the Great Danes once again plated a run in the top of the first inning to take an early lead. After Bill made it all the way to second base on a fielder’s choice play in which Walraven was caught in a rundown between second and third, Butsch reached on an infield error to score Bill.

UAlbany doubled its advantage in the top of the fourth. Connors led off with a double, and scored two batters later when Mason reached first on another infield error. The Great Danes loaded the bases with one out, but Carpentier was able to prevent any further damage by retiring the next two batters to end the frame.

Marist fought back in the next half inning to cut the UAlbany lead in half when Jessica Green hit an RBI-single to left with nobody out. After the Red Foxes loaded the bases, Powell got out of the jam by fanning Lindsey Kinel and forcing Lindsay Durant to ground out. The Great Danes held on the rest of the way to post their second one-run victory of the day.

UAlbany’s Powell was credited with her fourth straight victory and improved to 6-7 in the circle this season. She struck out five batters while allowing five hits, two walks and one run which was earned. Marist’s Carpentier was credited with her second loss of the afternoon, which dropped her record to 5-9. She recorded nine strikeouts, and gave up three hits and one walk. Only one of the two runs she surrendered was earned.

UAlbany (16-8), which won 10 of its 12 games in the month of March, will stay on the road to play a twinbill against Iona on Wednesday, April 1. The first pitch is slated for 2:30 p.m.

UAlbany 101 031 0 6 10 2
Marist 001 400 0 5 6 1

UAlbany: Marissa Powell, Leah McIntosh (6) and Kat Smith.
Marist: Caitlin Schell, Caitlin Carpentier (5) and Nicole DiVirgilio.

UAlbany (16-8) 100 100 0 2 3 1 Marist (9-17) 000 100 0 1 5 2

UAlbany: Marissa Powell and Kat Smith.
Marist: Caitlin Carpentier and Megan Lamoureux, Nicole DiVirgilio (1).

University of Albany's Laurie Gonzalez Named to USA Volleyball's Women's National A2 Team - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Colorado Springs, Colo. – UAlbany’s Laurie Gonzalez has been chosen by USA Volleyball to play for the U.S. Women’s National A2 Program for 2009. USA Volleyball selected 24 players and four coaches for this year.

Gonzalez, the 2008 America East Defensive Specialist of the Year, played in all 32 matches as a freshman libero. She averaged 4.02 digs per set. Gonzalez, the first rookie to win the league’s defensive player of the year award, added 26 aces in 115 sets for a 0.23 ace average. The Great Danes to a 23-9 overall record and 12-0 mark in the America East Conference, winning the regular-season title and conference championship for the fourth time in five years.

The 2009 U.S. Women’s National A2 program is scheduled to train May 18-22 in Minneapolis before being split into two 12-player rosters to compete in the Open Division of the 2009 USA Adult Open Championships. The Open Division flight takes place May 23-26 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Additional information on the tournament can be found at http://usavolleyball.org/event/event/574.

The 2009 U.S. Women’s National A2 Team includes four setters, 10 outside/opposite hitters, six middles and four liberos. The 24 players come from 19 different collegiate programs.

University of Albany Men's Basketball Land Point Guard Mike Black Of The Windy City Spartans - UAlbany Sports

Class of 2009 Fenwick star Mike Black of the Windy City Spartans has given a verbal commitment to play his college basketball for head coach Will Brown, and the University at Albany. Black had originally signed with North Florida ahead of opening up his recruitment following a coaching change.

Black, a 6'0" point guard, is known both for his ability to run a team, and also for his ability to score the basketball. Black is coming off of a superb senior season which saw him team with Xavier Humphrey (Winona State) on a Fenwick team that was once again very strong.

Black originally signed with the University of North Florida ahead of a head coaching change at the school. He ultimately decided to obtain his release, and re-opened his recruitment. He visited the Albany campus over the weekend, and decided that the school was a great fit.

Assistant coach Chad O'Donnell was instrumental in landing Black to Albany. O'Donnell has actively recruited Chicago for years for the Albany program, and was also the point man in Albany's landing both 6'6" Jimmie Covington (Chicago Morgan Park) and 6'10" Jake Lindfors (Driscoll) to the school.

Black competed on the travel team circuit with the Windy City Spartans. Orlandus Thomas of the Windy City Spartans confirmed Black's commitment to Albany.

Courtesy: Chicago Hoops


Will Brown and his Albany staff have received a commitment from former North Florida commit Mike Black...

"As of last Thursday, Mike Black was released from his LOI from the University of North Florida," Orlandus Thomas, Black's summer coach told Hoopmasters. "Due to the coaching changes."

"A number of schools contacted me. However, it was Chad O'Donnell, assistant coach from University of Albany, who jumped on the opportunity for Mike's services," Thomas continued. "After an official visit this past Sunday, Mike verballed this morning to Coach Will Brown and the University of Albany Great Danes."

“Albany is a great situation for Mike, both academically and athletically. He will be able to be an impact player immediately and lead a team that has established themselves at the top of the American East conference. A lot of credit goes to the work done by Chad O'Donnell, and the staff at Albany. They were adamant about pursuing Mike after his release, and made him feel (during the visit) that he would be an integral part of the team for not only next year, but for his collegiate career. Mike has proven throughout the season that he belongs at this level, and he will have the opportunity to lead a great team on the national stage.”

University of Albany will be playing nonconference games vs. both Syracuse and University of North Carolina Chapel Hill next season.

Courtesy: Hoopmasters

University of Albany's Ricardo Estremera and Luke Schoen Garner America East Track and Field Weekly Honors - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – UAlbany’s Ricardo Estremera and Luke Schoen have been selected as the America East Conference men’s outdoor track and field performers of the week, as announced on Tuesday, March 31 by the conference office. Both Great Danes met an NCAA East Regional Championship qualifying standard at the Raleigh Relays hosted by North Carolina State this past weekend. The meet featured 10 schools from the Atlantic Coast, Big East and Big 12 conferences.

In addition to eclipsing the regional standard by almost 13 seconds, Estremera broke the school record which stood for 15 years in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. He clocked in a second-place time of 8:54.12 in the top-seeded section. Making his outdoor debut this spring, Schoen won the pole vault by clearing 17-feet, 0.75-inches. An All-American in the event last year, he finished ahead of eight student-athletes from ACC schools.

PAW PRINTS: The UAlbany men’s outdoor track and field team has had three individuals meet an NCAA East Regional Championship qualifying mark through the first two meets this spring ... In addition to Estremera and Schoen, Joe Greene eclipsed the standard in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles at the Carolina Classic in Puerto Rico on Saturday, March 21 ... The 2009 NCAA East Regional Championship will be he hosted by North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, N.C. from May 29-30.

University of Albany's Amanda McPhee Named America East Conference Women's Golfer of the Week - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – UAlbany’s Amanda McPhee was named the first America East Conference Women’s Golfer of the Week for the spring season, as announced by the league on Tuesday afternoon.

McPhee finished fourth in the Great Danes’ first competition of the spring, recording a two-day score of 163 at the Fairfield Invitational in Myrtle Beach, S.C. McPhee shot an 83 on the first day and carded a team-low 80 over the second round to lead the Great Danes to a second-place team finish.

UAlbany, the defending America East champions, will return to action on April 20-21 at the Hartford Invitational, held at Rockledge Golf Course. The Great Danes will host the America East Conference Championship at Shaker Ridge Country Club on April 25-26.

2008 - 2009 UAlbany Athletics - Year In Review

2008 - 2009 Athletic Accolades

UAlbany Women's Golf - 2009 - Corrin Conroy Takes Individual Medalist Title

UAlbany Baseball - 2009 - Gregory And Gugel Named To All America East 1st Team

UAlbany Softball - 2009 - McIntosh's Pitches 4th Perfect Game of Season in Sweep Over Vermont

UAlbany Softball - 2009 - Butsch Named America East Co-Player of the Year; McIntosh Chosen Top Pitcher

UAlbany Softball - 2009 - Butsch and McIntosh Named to NFCA Division I All-Northeast Region First Team

UAlbany Women's Lacrosse - 2009 - Best, Branchini, And Battaglia on 2009 America East All-Conference 1st Team

UAlbany Women Lacrosse - 2009 - Kayla Best Chosen WomensLax.com National Player of the Week

UAlbany Women's Lacrosse - 2009 - Nikki Branchini Voted A-East Lacrosse Fans' Choice Player of Year

UAlbany Women's Lacrosse - 2009 - Nikki Branchini on Women's At-Large District I Academic All-America Team

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - 2009 - Attackman Brian Caufield Selected to 2009 USILA All-America Lacrosse Team

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - 2009 - Caufield And Resetarits on 2009 All-America East Conference 1st Team

UAlbany Men's Indoor Track & Field - 2009 - Edges Big East Champion UConn to Win 1st IC4A Championship

UAlbany Indoor Track And Field - 2009 - Nasim Siddeeq Named DI Northeast Region Field Athlete of Year

UAlbany Indoor Track & Field - 2009 - Luke Schoen Finishes Sixth in Men's Pole Vault at NCAA Championships

UAlbany Men's Soccer - 2009 - Steward Ceus Drafted by Major League Soccer's Colorado Rapids

UAlbany Men's Ice Hockey - 2009 - Capture MCHC Championship

UAlbany Men's Soccer - 2008 - Ceus, Dantas, And DiLorenzo Named to All-Northeast Region Men's Soccer Team

UAlbany Men's Soccer - 2008 - Goalkeeper Steward Ceus Becomes 1st Division I All-American

UAlbany Volleyball - 2008 - Laurie Gonzalez was named America East Defensive Specialist of the Year

UAlbany Volleyball - 2008 - Brooke Stanley earned the America East Setter of the Year award

UAlbany Volleyball - 2008 - Kamisha Kellam named A-East Conference Volleyball Player of the Year

UAlbany Volleyball - 2009 - Laurie Gonzalez Named to USA Volleyball's Women's National A2 Team

UAlbany Field Hockey - 2008 - Ross, Walter, Lindsey, and Deane Named to NFHCA D I Nat'l Academic Squad

UAlbany Field Hockey - 2008 - Andy Thornton Leads U.S. Indoor Field Hockey Team to Silver Medal at Pan Ams

UAlbany Field Hockey - 2008 - Midfielder Michelle Simpson Selected to NFHCA All-America Team

UAlbany Field Hockey - 2008 - Simpson, Polizois, and Savage Named to NFHCA DI All-Northeast Regional Team

UAlbany Field Hockey - 2008 - Phil Sykes Named Coach of the Year

UAlbany FCS Football - 2008 - Casale, Nguti & Leible on ECAC Football Championship Subdivision All-Star Team

UAlbany FCS Football - 2008 - Tailback David McCarty Named to Sports Network All-America Football Team

UAlbany FCS Football - 2008 - Bob Ford Finalist for Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award

UAlbany FCS Football - 2008 - Offensive Tackle Nguti Named to AFCA FCS Coaches' All-America Team

UAlbany FCS Football - 2008 - MVP David McCarty Scores 4 Touchdowns in Gridiron Classic Bowl Victory

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - 2008 - Ammann Brothers and Levine selected in 2008 National Lacrosse League Draft

UAlbany Field Hockey - 2008 - Michelle Simpson Named a Longstreth/NFHCA Division I All-American

UAlbany Outdoor Track And Field - Alie Beauvais & Luke Schoen Earn At-Large Berths to NCAA Track & Field Championship

UAlbany FCS Football - Picked to Capture Its Third Consecutive NEC Championship By Sporting News Yearbook

UAlbany Track And Field - Joe Greene & Ricardo Estremera Qualify for NCAAs at East Regional Track & Field Championship

UAlbany Track And Field - Greene, Beauvais & McShine Advance in NCAA East Regional Track & Field Qualifying

UAlbany Women's Lacrosse - Kayla Best & Nikki Branchini Named to IWLCA/US Lacrosse All-Northeast Region Second Team

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - Corey Small & Chris Schongar Picked in Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft

UAlbany Outdoor Track And Field - Sends Eighteen Athletes to NCAA East Regional Track & Field Championship

UAlbany Field Hockey - Ashley Ross Chosen One of Three Finalists For 2009 America East Woman of the Year

UAlbany Softball - Meagan Butsch & Nicole Kothe Garner America East Softball All-Academic Team Laurels

UAlbany Baseball - Advances to America East Baseball Championship Round With 10-9 Victory

UAlbany Baseball - #2 UAlbany Defeats #3 Stony Brook, 8-1, in First Game of America East Baseball Tournament

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - Attackman Brian Caufield Selected to 2009 USILA All-America Lacrosse Team

UAlbany Women's Lacrosse - Nikki Branchini on Women's At-Large District I Academic All-America Second Team

UAlbany Baseball - Pitching Staff Highlights UAlbany's All-America East Conference Baseball Honorees

UAlbany Track and Field - League-High Six Student-Athletes Garner America East All-Academic Honors

UAlbany Men's Outdoor Track - Joe Greene's 400-Hurdles Win Leads University of Albany to 133rd IC4A Outdoor Track & Field Championship

UAlbany Women's Outdoor Track - Jenn Gurrant's Triple Jump Win Helps Team to Best-Ever Finish At ECAC Track Meet

UAlbany Baseball - Clinches America East Postseason Berth With Doubleheader Sweep of Hartford

UAlbany Tennis - Kim Weltman Chosen to America East Conference All-Academic Tennis Team

UAlbany M & W Outdoor Track And Field - Sends 34 Track & Field Athletes to IC4A and ECAC Championships

UAlbany Softball - Butsch and McIntosh Named to NFCA Division I All-Northeast Region First Team

UAlbany Women's Golf - Jessica Signorelli Earns America East All-Academic Golf Honors

UAlbany Outdoor Track And Field - John Moore Breaks 1,500-Meter School Record at NYC Qualifying Challenge

University of Albany's Rafael Nguti Gets NFL NY Giants Minicamp Workout - UAlbany Sports 2009

UAlbany Softball - Butsch & Kothe Voted to ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Second Team

UAlbany Softball - Butsch Named America East Co-Player of the Year; McIntosh Chosen Top Pitcher

UAlbany's Ashley Ross & Jenn Gurrant Nominated for America East Woman of the Year

UAlbany Softball - Earns Third Seed for America East Conference Softball Tournament

UAlbany Baseball - Gary Pitcheralle and Zach Kraham Earn America East Weekly Baseball Honors

UAlbany Men's Outdoor Track - Capture Fifth Consecutive America East Outdoor Track & Field Championship

UAlbany Women's Outdoor Track - Win First America East Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championship Since 2007

UAlbany Track And Field - Valete Graham Wins Second Consecutive America East Conference Men's Long Jump Title

UAlbany Baseball - Completes Four-Game Sweep of Maine in America East Action

UAlbany Track And Field - Kamilah McShine Already Qualifies For 100 hurdles and 400 hurdles @ 2009 NCAA Regionals

UAlbany Softball - Sweeps Bryant University In Doubleheader

UAlbany Women's Lacrosse - Places Four Players on 2009 America East All-Conference Women's Lacrosse Team

UAlbany Football - Punter Chris Lynch Excited To Report To Cleveland Browns' 3 Day MiniCamp

UAlbany Softball - Sweeps Siena College, 5-0 & 11-2, Extending Albany Cup Lead To 7-0 In 2009

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - Places Seven Players on 2009 All-America East Conference Team

UAlbany Track & Field - Greene, Cummings, de Jesus Elias & Lewis Receive America East Weekly Awards

UAlbany Softball - Meagan Butsch Earns America East Conference Softball Player of the Week Honors

UAlbany Baseball - Sean Gregory Named America East Conference Baseball Pitcher of the Week

UAlbany Women's Lacrosse - America East Conference Names Nikki Branchini Defender of the Week

UAlbany Women's Golf - Corrin Conroy Takes Individual Title and Leads Golf to America East Championship

UAlbany Softball - Kristine Bill's Seventh-Inning Grand Slam Caps Softball's 11-8 Comeback Victory Over Maine

UAlbany Women's Lacrosse - Battaglia's Four Goals Helps Women's Lacrosse Register First Winning Campaign Since 2000

UAlbany Men's Track And Field - Wilfredo de Jesus Elias Breaks School Record in Hammer Throw on Final Day of Penn Relays

UAlbany Men's Track - SMR Wins IC4A At Penn Relays

UAlbany Women's Lacrosse - Nikki Branchini Voted America East Women's Lacrosse Fans' Choice Player of the Year

UAlbany Men's Basketball - Tim Ambrose Receives SEFCU Most Valuable Player Award for 2008-09 Season

UAlbany Softball - Extends Winning Streak to 10 Games in Walk-Off Fashion Against Vermont

UAlbany Women's Golf - Annemarie Kissane Leads Golf to Victory at Hartford Invitational

UAlbany Softball - Leah McIntosh Earns Fourth America East Conference Pitcher of the Week Award

UAlbany Track And Field - Jean Juste and Luke Schoen Earn Men's Track and Field Weekly Awards

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - Brian Caufield & Joe Resetarits Candidates for America East Fans' Choice Player of the Year

UAlbany Women's Lacrosse - Nikki Branchini & Mel Rorie Candidates for America East Fans' Choice Player of the Year

UAlbany Women's Golf - Corrin Conroy Paces Golf to Lead on First Day of Hartford Invitational

UAlbany Women's Lacrosse - AE Weekly Awards Go To Jodi Battaglia & Christine Grueniger

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - Goalkeeper John Carroll Sparks Defense in 9-6 America East Win Against Vermont

UAlbany Softball - Gina Mason's Grand Slam Sparks 14-Run Outburst in Softball's Eighth Straight Victory vs Binghamton

UAlbany Track And Field - Four Hurdlers Meet NCAA Regional Marks at UTECH Track and Field Classic in Jamaica

UAlbany Track And Field - Posts Four Qualifying Marks in Field Events at Princeton's Larry Ellis Invitational

UAlbany Women's Lacrosse - Punishes Stony Brook, 19-9, In America East Play

UAlbany Softball - Sweeps Binghamton In Saturday America East Doubleheader

UAlbany Track And Field - Ada Lauterbach Qualifies For USA Junior National and ECAC Championships at Princeton

UAlbany Men's Lacorsse - #4 Syracuse Holds Off #18 UAlbany, 15-13, in Men's Lacrosse Action at Carrier Dome

UAlbany Tennis - Caitlin Crowley Named America East Conference Tennis Player of the Week

UAlbany Cheerleaders - Come In Fourth at Nationals - UAlbany Sports 2009

UAlbany Men's Basketball - Face Syracuse in Coaches vs. Cancer Classic

UAlbany Volleyball - Laurie Gonzalez Named to USA Volleyball's Women's National A2 Team

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - Joe Resetarits Named America East Rookie of the Week For 4th Time; UAbany Ranked in Both National Polls

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - Alizpar's Goal Completes Lacrosse's Fourth-Quarter Comeback Against A-East Rival Hartford

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - John Carroll Named A-East Rookie of the Week; Men's Lacrosse Ranked #18 in National Polls

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - Brian Caufield Is Nike/Inside Lacrosse National Player of the Week

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - Registers At #17 In Three Major Lacrosse Polls Today

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - Caufield & Resetarits Receive America East Conference Weekly Lacrosse Awards

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - Brian Caufield & Corey Small Combine on Seven Goals in Lacrosse's 13-11 Win Against Drexel

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - Brian Caufield's Season-High Seven Points Leads Danes Past #13 Massachusetts 12-9

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - Corey Small & John Carroll Receive America East Weekly Lacrosse Awards

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - Corey Small Scores Career-High Eight Goals in 15-12 Victory Against Delaware

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - Joe Resetarits Selected America East Conference Lacrosse Rookie of the Week For 3rd Time

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - Garrett Pedley Among Thirty Candidates for 2009 Lowe's Senior Class Award

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - Corey Small Scores Career-High Eight Goals in Lacrosse's 15-12 Victory Against Delaware

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse - Ranked #12 In National Preseason Poll

UAlbany Women's Lacrosse - Triumph As The Great Danes Continue Dominance Over Siena College

UAlbany Women's Lacrosse - Melanie Sosnowski Named America East Conference Women's Lacrosse Rookie of the Week

UAlbany Women's Lacrosse - Moves Into Second in America East Standings in 17-11 Win Over Binghamton

UAlbany Women's Lacrosse - Best & Sosnowski Each Score Three in Lacrosse's 13-7 America East Win Over Vermont

UAlbany Women's Lacrosse - Jodi Battaglia Scores Career-High Six Goals Leading Women's Lacrosse to 19-15 Win Over Harvard

UAlbany Women's Lacrosse - Kayla Best Chosen WomensLax.com National Player of the Week

UAlbany Women's Lacrosse - Wins in OT Victory Against #13 New Hampshire

UAlbany Women's Lacrosse - Kayla Best Scores Her Season-Best Four Goals Helps Lacrosse in 15-8 Win Against Temple

UAlbany Women's Golf - Amanda McPhee Named America East Conference Women's Golfer of the Week

UAlbany Baseball - Sweeps Marist in Non-Conference Doubleheader

UAlbany Baseball - Mike Tirri Named America East Conference Rookie of the Week

UAlbany Baseball - Completes 4 Game Series Sweep of UMBC in America East Conference Action

UAlbany Baseball - Sweeps Fairleigh Dickinson In Doubleheader

UAlbany Tennis - Sweeps Crosstown-Rival Siena Again, 7-0

UAlbany Tennis - Pick Up 7-0 Tennis Sweep At Cal State

UAlbany Tennis - Charlotte Tatler and Holly Smith Pace Danes in 7-0 Sweep Against Hofstra

UAlbany Tennis - Sweeps Hartford, 7-0, In America East Action

UAlbany Tennis - Sweeps Colgate, 7-0, in Non-Conference Action

UAlbany Tennis - Weltman Leads Tennis to a 7-0 Sweep of Marist

UAlbany Tennis - Sweeps St. Bonaventure in Non-Conference Action

UAlbany Tennis - Tatler Leads Tennis to a 7-0 Sweep of Providence

UAlbany Softball - McIntosh's Perfect Game and Powell's No-Hitter Lead Softball in Sweep Over Vermont

UAlbany Softball - Meagan Butsch Homers in Softball's Non-League Doubleheader Sweep of Manhattan

UAlbany Softball - Leah McIntosh Garners Third America East Pitcher of the Week Honor

UAlbany Softball - Leah McIntosh Hurls Third Perfect Game of the Season in Softball Twinbill Against Hartford

UAlbany Softball - Pitcher Marissa Powell Records Two More Wins in Softball's Sweep Against Iona, 8-0 & 11-0, In Doubleheader

UAlbany Softball - Sweeps Marist In Non Conference Matchup

UAlbany Softball - Sweeps Siena College In Doubleheader Again

UAlbany Softball - Sweeps Competition on First Day of Georgia Tech's Buzz Classic

UAlbany Softball - Leah McIntosh Hurls Second Perfect Game of the Year at Georgia Tech's Buzz Classic

UAlbany Softball - Leah McIntosh Earns Second America East Softball Pitcher of the Week Honor

UAlbany Softball - Katie Wambold Named America East Softball Rookie of the Week

UAlbany Softball - Michelle Connors Records Three Hits in Softball's 10-2 Win Over George Mason

UAlbany Softball - Leah McIntosh Pitches Third Straight Shutout - Split Big East Opponents

UAlbany Softball - Leah McIntosh Pitches Perfect Game

UAlbany Softball - NFCA Recognizes Meagan Butsch, Nicole Kothe and Bailey Van Deest as All-America Scholar Athletes

UAlbany Track And Field - Jean Juste Wins 110-Meter Hurdles in IC4A-Qualifying Time at St. John's Meet

UAlbany Track And Field - Luke Schoen and Kamilah McShine Awarded America East Track and Field Weekly Laurels

UAlbany Track And Field - All-American Luke Schoen Breaks Outdoor Pole Vaulting Record at Duke Asics Invitational

UAlbany Track And Field - Four Relays Surpass IC4A and ECAC Standards at Florida Relays; Two Meet School Records

UAlbany Track And Field - Alie Beauvais, Joe Greene and Kamilah McShine Eclipse NCAA Regional Standard in Intermediate Hurdles at Florida Relays

UAlbany Track And Field - Celine Cauderlier Matches Program's Pole Vault Record at Duke Asics Invitational

UAlbany Track And Field - Ricardo Estremera and Luke Schoen Garner America East Track and Field Weekly Honors

UAlbany Track And Field - Luke Schoen Becomes Second Great Dane to Qualify for NCAA Track And Field Regional at Raleigh Relays

UAlbany Track And Field - Ricardo Estremera Breaks School Record in Steeplechase at Raleigh Relays

UAlbany Track And Field - Joe Greene Qualifies For NCAA East Regional Championship at Carolina Classic in Puerto Rico


UAlbany Indoor Track and Field - Seven Student-Athletes Garner America East All-Academic Honors

UAlbany Indoor Track And Field - Luke Schoen Finishes Sixth in Men's Pole Vault at NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships

UAlbany Indoor Track And Field - Sweeps Team Titles and Sets Seven School Records at Great Dane Classic

UAlbany Indoor Track And Field - Wilfredo de Jesus Elias and Men's DMR Break School Records at New Balance Invitational

UAlbany Indoor Track And Field - Nasim Siddeeq Named Division I Indoor Track Northeast Region Field Athlete of the Year

UAlbany Indoor Track And Field - 13 Athletes Head To NCAA Indoor Track And Field Chamionships In College Station, TX

UAlbany Indoor Track & Field - Edges Big East Champion UConn to Win First IC4A Title

UAlbany Indoor Track and Field - Jean Juste and Luke Schoen Break School Records at NYU Fastrack Invitational

UAlbany Indoor Track and Field - Men Win 4th Straight America East Championship

UAlbany Indoor Track and Field - Sweeps Team Titles and Sets Seven School Records at Great Dane Classic

UAlbany Indoor Track and Field - Luke Schoen and Jenn Gurrant Set School Records At Gotham Cup

UAlbany Indoor Track And Field - Pole Vaulter Luke Schoen Provisionally Qualifies for NCAA Championship at Yale Invitational

UAlbany Men's Ice Hockey - Capture MCHC Championship

World Team Tennis' New York Buzz Will Call The University of Albany Home - UAlbany Sports

UAlbany Men's Basketball - Tim Ambrose & Will Harris Earn Spots on All-America East Conference Team

UAlbany Men's Basketball - Pulls Out Overtime Win vs Vermont In AE Tournament Quarter Final Round

UAlbany Men's Basketball - Ambrose Nets Career-High in Men's Basketball's 80-71 America East Conference Victory

UAlbany Men's Basketball - Defeats Rival Vermont Catamounts Again In Burlington

UAlbany Men's Basketball - Records Fifth Straight Victory in Non-League Win Against Bryant University

UAlbany Women's Basketball - Upends University of Rhode Island

UAlbany Football - Players Nguti And Lynch Look Towards NFL

UAlbany Football - Casale, Nguti & Leible on ECAC Football Championship Subdivision All-Star Team

UAlbany Football - Tailback David McCarty Named to Sports Network All-America Football Third Team

UAlbany Football - Chris Simpson Named FCS AD Academic All-American

UAlbany Football - Offensive Tackle Raphael Nguti Named to AFCA FCS Coaches' All-America Football Team

UAlbany Football - David McCarty & Eddie Delaney Receive Weekly Northeast Conference Awards

UAlbany Football - Earns Gridiron Classic Bowl Victory Over Jacksonville University - MVP David McCarty Scores Four Touchdowns In 28-0 Victory

UAlbany Football - Linebacker Justin Brancaccio Named Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Week

UAlbany Football - Bob Ford Named Coach of the Year - Great Danes Place 13 on All-Conference Football Team

UAlbany Football - UAlbany Wins Second Consecutive Northeast Conference Football Championship in 30-11 Triumph

UAlbany Football - McCarty & Wargo Receive Weekly Northeast Conference Football Awards

UAlbany Football Defeats Monmouth To Take Sole Possession Of NEC Conference Lead - Remains Undefeated

UAlbany Football - Daniel Bocanegra Chosen to 2008 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team

UAlbany Football - Beats CAA Hofstra In Overtime Thriller

UAlbany Field Hockey - Ross, Walter, Lindsey, And Deane Named to NFHCA Division I Natoinal Academic Squad

UAlbany Field Hockey - Assistant Andy Thornton Leads U.S. Indoor Field Hockey Team to Silver Medal at Pan Ams

UAlbany Field Hockey - Savage, Polizois, Simpson, Carr, And Ross Earn All America East Conference Accolades

UAlbany Field Hockey - Head Coach Phil Sykes Named Coach of the Year

UAlbany Field Hockey - America East Conference Regular Season Champions

UAlbany Field Hockey - America East Tournament Champions - NCAA Tournament Bound

UAlbany Field Hockey - Midfielder Michelle Simpson Selected to NFHCA All-America Second Team

UAlbany Field Hockey - Michelle Simpson Chosen to Play in NFHCA Division I Senior All-Star Game

UAlbany Field Hockey - Set to Play Top-Seeded Maryland in NCAA Tournament

UAlbany Field Hockey - Michele Polizois Named America East Conference Field Hockey Player of the Week

UAlbany Field Hockey - Jess Lindsey Becomes UAlbany's All-Time Assists Leader

UAlbany Field Hockey - Michelle Simpson & Nicole Savage Lead Field Hockey Past Crosstown-Rival Siena, 5-0

UAlbany Field Hockey - Michele Polizois Earns Second America East Field Hockey Player of the Week Award

UAlbany Field Hockey - Defeats Michigan, 3-2, in Battle Between National Top-20s

UAlbany Field Hockey - Defeats Stanford, 1-0

UAlbany Field Hockey - Michele Polizois Earns America East Conference Field Hockey Player of the Week Award

UAlbany Field Hockey - Michele Polizois Scores Three Goals to Lead Field Hockey Over Hofstra, 6-2

UAlbany Volleyball - Will Play Stanford in First Round of NCAA Tournament

UAlbany Volleyball - 2008 America East Conference Tournament Champions - On To The NCAA Championship Tournament

UAlbany Volleyball - America East Regular Season Champions - Will Host League Tournament

UAlbany Volleyball - Finishes Regular Season Undefeated At 12-0 In America East Conference Action

UAlbany Volleyball - Hillary White and Valerie Sourbeer Named to America East Conference All-Academic Team

UAlbany Volleyball - Records Three-Set Sweep Against Siena in "Dig Pink" Match at University Gymnasium

UAlbany Volleyball - Defeats Buffalo, Wright State, and UConn, Winning UAlbany Tournament

UAlbany Volleyball - Sweeps Hartford, 3-0, in America East Conference Action

UAlbany Volleyball - Brooke Stanley Named America East Conference Setter of the Week

UAlbany Volleyball -Sweeps America East Rival Binghamton, 3-0

UAlbany Volleyball -Sweeps Maine, 3-0, to Record 11th Consecutive Win

UAlbany Volleyball -Remains Undefeated, Sweeps New Hampshire


UAlbany Volleyball - Kamisha Kellam Leads UAlbany to a 3-0 Win Over UMBC

UAlbany Volleyball - Brooke Stanley and Amanda Cowdrey Earn America East Weekly Volleyball Honors


UAlbany Men's Soccer - Steward Ceus Drafted by Major League Soccer's Colorado Rapids

UAlbany Men's Soccer - #2 Seed In America East Conference Championship Tournament

UAlbany Men's Soccer - Steward Ceus Honored by College Soccer News and America East Conference

UAlbany Men's Soccer - Ceus, Dantas, And DiLorenzo Named to All-Northeast Region Men's Soccer Team

UAlbany Men's Soccer - Ceus, Dantas, Johnson, Gauthier, DiLorenzo, And McNamara Garner America East All-Conference Laurels

UAlbany Women's Soccer - Lee and Harrell-Vigil Garner America East Conference All-Rookie Team Laurels

IBM Commits $1 billion to University of Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering Through 2013

International Business Machines Corp. and its research partners are committed to spending $1 billion at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering through 2013, resulting in 600 new jobs.

The investment was announced Monday as the NanoCollege held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new $150 million NanoFab East building at the campus on Fuller Road.

"It's all new money," Alain Kaloyeros, chief executive of the NanoCollege, said of the IBM spending. "We're not putting in any of our money."

Kaloyeros said the bulk of the money $625 million would go toward developing computer chip technology with features only 22 nanometers wide, which is the next frontier in semiconductor design.

To put that in perspective, a nanometer is one-billionth of a meter, and a human hair is 100,000 nanometers wide.

The remaining $375 million would go toward programs and infrastructure at the college, Kaloyeros said.

The funding commitment from IBM extends a research agreement it has with the NanoCollege to 2013; it was set to expire in 2011. The college currently has 2,200 people working on its campus, which is located across Fuller Road from the University at Albany.

IBM, which usually conducts its research with a consortium of other chip companies, relies heavily on the college as a testing ground for all its major chip advances prior to sending them to manufacturing at its East Fishkill chip fab.

John Kelly, IBM's director of research, said the $1 billion number represents a $200 million incremental increase in its planned investment at the college.

"We are committed here in a big way," Kelly said at Monday's event. "We're committed for the long term."

NanoCollege officials later said the IBM increase through 2013 is actually closer to $250 million.

IBM will have one floor of space at the new 250,000-square-foot NanoFab East building. A separate 100,000-square-foot building connected by a skywalk holds a new 15,000-square-foot clean room for semiconductor research.

Monday's event also became a celebration of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. College officials said that the $4.5 billion Albany NanoTech campus started with $5 million from the state more than a decade ago.

"That is the payoff of our investment, and I am proud about having a small part in it," Silver said.

The event began 30 minutes late to accommodate the arrival of Silver and Gov. David Paterson, who had been at the Capitol announcing a deal on the new $131.8 billion state budget.

Silver said he invited the governor to the NanoCollege ceremony Sunday night as they were wrapping up budget talks.

"He asked me if I'd like to come," Paterson said.

Nine political leaders and business executives spoke at the event, which was attended by 200 IBM employees and hundreds more from the college and the business community.

Also at the event was Michael Polcari, CEO of Sematech Inc., the computer chip consortium based in Austin, Texas, that is also putting a headquarters at the college, taking up one floor of the new building.

As part of a separate $600 million agreement with the state, Sematech is adding 450 jobs to the 250 jobs it already has here.

The extension of the deal between IBM and the NanoCollege is in addition to the $1.6 billion deal that IBM and the state agreed to last summer that would create 1,000 new high-tech jobs in the state, including 325 at the NanoCollege.

By LARRY RULISON

Pair of University of Albany Athletes Join Men's and Women's Lacrosse Teams

Nicomini becomes hard-hitting face-off specialist

When Dave Nicomini joined the University at Albany lacrosse team in January, he wasn't only new to the team but also to the sport. Nicomini had never played organized lacrosse on any level.

As if trying to find playing time on a Top-20 ranked team in a sport he had no prior experience in wasn't hard enough, Nicomini had another challenge: He was recovering from a knee injury which required reconstructive surgery.

Nicomini, a starter on the UAlbany football team, beat the odds and is now taking some face-offs for the No. 18 Great Dane lacrosse team.

"If there's a stronger word than impressive, I'd like to find it," UAlbany lacrosse coach Scott Marr said of Nicomini's transition to his new sport. "You don't see it as much anymore of a kid who can kind of just pick up the game and be able to play at this level. It's certainly not normal. He's not normal. He's a freak athlete."

In 2007, Nicomini had 63 tackles for the UAlbany football team and was named first team All-Northeast Conference. He was voted a team captain and was expecting a strong senior season when he was injured in spring practice.

"We were just doing one-on-one drills, d-backs vs. wide receivers and I just stepped on the back of somebody's legs and my knee just gave out to the side completely," Nicomini said.

He tore his ACL, PCL, LCL, and bicep tendon. After two surgeries, Nicomini began a long rehab process. Starting with small tasks like bending his knee, he worked his way up to strength building. He had to rebuild the strength he had spent years adding in the weight room.

"My whole leg was like the size of my wrist by the time I was done with all the surgeries," Nicomini said. Aside from his physical problems, Nicomini had to deal with missing his senior football season.

"You don't miss something so much until somebody takes it away from you. It was rough for a couple months - throughout the whole season actually," Nicomini said.

Read Entire Article
By Ted Bean - ASP




Ross' reaction time helps with transition to lax

Senior goalkeeper Ashley Ross has played between the pipes for most of her life. Now, she's trying out a new sport.

Fresh off an American East Championship last fall with the University at Albany field hockey team, the three-time all-conference goalkeeper decided to test her skills on a whole new playing field - lacrosse.

UAlbany women's lacrosse head coach Lindsey Hart approached Ross earlier this year and offered her the opportunity to backup senior goalie Katie Neer. With Ross's four years of eligibility completed in field hockey, she decided to accept Hart's offer.

"Coach Hart confronted me and asked me to try out the sport," said Ross. "She liked my quick reaction time."

According to Hart, an assistant told her of the "competitive nature" of Ross and said she would be a good addition to the team.

"We were really in need of a backup goalie," Hart said. "We begged her to play."

When it comes to goal-keeping, the sports of field hockey and lacrosse could not be more opposite. Ross has already noticed the differences.

"Saves in field hockey are much more legs. Eighty-five to 90 percent are saved with your pads," she said. "In lacrosse it's much more about using your hands, they have to be quick."

"You get hit with the ball a lot more then in field hockey," she said.

Hart said the original plan was to bring Ross in to push Neer and to have a backup plan in case Neer went down. As the season has progressed, Ross has not only pushed Neer but all the players around her.

"She has made all our shooters better, as a lefty she gives them a different look," Hart said. "No one ever thought she would have improved to the level she is at now."

Hart thinks it's Ross's "competitive attitude" and experience as a goalkeeper that has helped her get to the level that she is at now. Although the sports are very different, they maintain the same principals.

"She wants to make every save, her experience from field hockey has helped make her better," Hart said. "She's done a great job. Sometimes we forget she wasn't on the team in the fall."

Read Entire Article
By Mike Nolan - ASP

BH-BL Standout Layton Bound For UAlbany FCS Football

Paul Layton, who spearheaded the most successful three-year run in the history of Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake football, has made a commitment to the University at Albany.

Layton’s play at quarterback and his kicking helped the Spartans win a trio of division championships and two Section II Class A titles in three Super Bowl trips. They posted a 30-4 record behind their leader, and last fall won 12 straight games before a 35-28 loss to Sweet Home in the state final.

“He brings a lot of things to the table. That’s why Albany wanted him so much,” Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake coach Matt Shell said of the 2008 Daily Gazette Offensive Player of the Year. “They’re very confident in his kicking ability, and although they have other quarterbacks, they’re not ruling that out. They’re not shutting the door, as far as him playing that position at some time.”

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Layton is the second Section II Northwest Division standout to commit to UAlbany and coach Bob Ford, following Amsterdam running back/defensive back Ben Miseikis. Layton will receive a combination athletic-academic scholarship, and study business.

“Going into it, they’re looking at me more as a kicker and punter,” said the 18-year-old Layton. “I have high expectations of myself, and I am going to compete, and see what happens.

“They graduated their senior punter, and that spot is open for competition, and although their kicker is coming back, I was told that spot is open for competition, too.”

Layton was recruited by colleges from all levels and all regions of the U.S.

“It’s a great situation for Paul,” Shell said. “He was offered a partial scholarship from New Hampshire, and Pittsburgh, and Syracuse invited him to walk on with a chance to earn a scholarship. Albany had been in it [recruiting process] all along, and he had a great visit. He liked the players he met, and he thinks the world of coach Ford. I couldn’t be happier for him, the way everything turned out.”

“When I went here for an overnight, I loved it. It felt good,” said Layton. “It felt right.”

Layton was successful on 68 of 69 extra points as a senior, and booted three field goals. He also averaged 42 yards per punt, and consistently pinned opponents deep with his booming kickoffs. He is the Section II record-holder for both career extra points (151) and total kicking points (172).

“He’s a talented kid,” Shell said. “He has a heck of a gift. If Albany recruits you, you’re a talented kid.”

During BH-BL’s record-breaking 2008 season, Layton became Section II’s first quarterback to run (1,186) and pass (1,302) for over 1,000 yards. He ran for 20 touchdowns — including 10 in the postseason — and passed for 14 more while completing 78 of 137 attempts.

“He’s been in high pressure sit­uations, and he’s performed,” Shell said. “That’s something that drew Albany to him.”

Layton engineered two late scoring drives in the most significant win in BH-BL’s 54-year history, a 14-13 state semifinal victory over Nyack. He scored the tying touchdown before kicking the extra point in the final minute to send the Spartans to the state championship game.

“It was definitely the best three years of my life, so far. I enjoyed every second,” Layton said. “I want to take advantage of all the things I learned, and use that in life.”

Layton was recently named the Class A Player of the Year by the New York State High School Football Coaches Association. He was previously selected an all-state first-team kicker by the New York State Sportswriters Association and the Northwest Division Player of the Year.

Layton will be following Nik Schultz, Jon George and Brian Eidens as some of the BH-BL grad­uates who have competed for UAlbany.

Ford’s Great Danes have won or shared four Northeast Conference championships since joining the league in 1999, and are coming off a 9-3 season, capped by a victory over Jacksonville in the Gridiron Classic.

By Jim Schiltz
Daily Gazette - Schenectady

University of Albany's John Carroll Named A-East Rookie of the Week; Men's Lacrosse Ranked #18 in National Polls - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – University at Albany’s John Carroll has been selected America East Conference Rookie of the Week in men’s lacrosse, as announced by the conference office on Monday, March 30. Carroll, a freshman goalkeeper, was chosen for the second time this season.

A native of Nesconset, N.Y., Carroll made eight saves, including three in the final quarter, in last Saturday’s 9-7 victory over Binghamton to begin America East Conference play. Carroll led a defensive unit that held the Bearcats scoreless for nearly 23 minutes in the second half.

Carroll, who has made double-figure saves against four opponents this season, has a .517 save percentage and a 10.34 goals against average in seven starting assignments.

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Albany, N.Y. – After winning its America East Conference men’s lacrosse opener, UAlbany is ranked No. 18 in both the USILA and Nike/Inside Lacrosse national polls. The Great Danes will host conference opponent Hartford on Wednesday, April 1 at John Fallon Field. Face-off is 7:07 p.m. The contest will be televised on Time Warner Cable (TW3), with Greg Tobben and Andrew Catalon handling the play-by-play duties.

UAlbany’s Alumni Association and its Varsity Club are sponsoring Spring Stomp on Wednesday, with a lacrosse doubleheader featured as part of the festivities. The women meet America East-rival Vermont at 3:00 p.m. prior to the men’s game. The first 500 students will receive a hot dog, a soda and a free T-shirt.

There will be two raffles with chances to win gift cards and prizes. All proceeds from the second raffle will benefit The Richard Bailey Memorial Fund. In the wake of Bailey's death, UAlbany student leaders created The Richard Bailey Memorial Fund.

*********

USILA COACHES POLL: 1. Virginia, 2. Syracuse, 3. Cornell, 4. Notre Dame, 5. Princeton, 6. UMBC, 7. Hofstra, 8. Maryland, 9. Duke, 10. North Carolina, 11. Johns Hopkins, 12. Brown, 13. Harvard, 14. Massachusetts, t15. Loyola, t15. Colgate, 17. Navy, 18. Albany, 19. Denver, 20. Fairfield.

NIKE/INSIDE LACROSSE: 1. Virginia, 2. Syracuse 3. Notre Dame, 4. Cornell, 5. Princeton, 6. UMBC, 7. Hofstra, 8. Maryland, 9. Duke, 10. North Carolina, 11. Johns Hopkins, 12. Brown, 13. Massachusetts, 14. Navy, 15. Colgate, 16. Loyola, 17. Harvard, 18. Albany, 19. Fairfield, 20. Georgetown.

University of Albany Showcases Best High School Science Students Statewide At The Annual Upstate New York Junior Science and Humanities Symposium

The UAlbany-hosted Annual Upstate New York Junior Science and Humanities Symposium is the largest forum in the state for students conducting original scientific research in the high school. (Photo Mark Schmidt)

ALBANY, N.Y. (March 27, 2009) -- More that 400 science research students and teachers from 41 Capital District and upstate schools will meet at the 24th Annual Upstate New York Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, March 30 and 31, 2009 in Albany, N.Y. The UAlbany-hosted symposium is the largest forum in the state for students conducting original scientific research in the high school.

Science scholar Dorion Sagan, son of astrochemist and astronomer Carl Sagan, will deliver a keynote address and discuss the subject of his most recent book, The Purpose of Life, during the Symposium’s awards dinner, March 30 at 6 p.m. in the Ballroom of the Holiday Inn Albany on Wolf Road.

The Junior Science and Humanities symposium is co-directed by Daniel Wulff, University at Albany biology professor and UAlbany mathematics professor Timothy Lance. The students presenting their research at the symposium were selected from students competing in three regional symposia in Upstate New York.

"These students have worked very hard, and some have amazing stories to tell of their research findings," said Dan Wulff, program co-director and UAlbany professor of biological sciences. "Their capacity to excel in research and discovery is enhanced by the recognition of their teachers and peers."

The awards dinner follows a full day’s schedule of presentations by students competing in the symposium, as speaker presenters or as poster presenters. The students’ research is judged by scientists and industry experts from the University at Albany, Wadsworth Health Center, GE Global Research, Albany Medical College, Albany Molecular Research and others. Student finalists from five categories of science are announced during the awards dinner and compete for top honors the next day before another panel of judges.

A new feature of the symposium this year is the exhibition of artwork by Shaker High School students whose creations were inspired by the research projects of students competing in the symposium.

Area schools expected to participate in the symposium include Shaker High School, Academy of Holy Names, Bethlehem High School, Burnt Hills-Ballston Spa High School, Saratoga Springs High School and Columbia High School, among others.

Dorion Sagan is the author of numerous articles and sixteen books translated into eleven languages, including Into the Cool: Energy Flow, Thermodynamics, and Life (with Eric D. Schneider, 2005) and Up from Dragons: Evolution of Human Intelligence (with John Skoyles, 2002). His What is Life? (with Lynn Margulis) was chosen (with works by Billie Holiday, Shakespeare, and others) as one of fifty "mind-altering masterpieces" by the Utne Reader. Sagan's essays are included in collections edited by Richard Dawkins and E. O. Wilson.

The symposium is sponsored by the University at Albany; the Academy of Applied Science; the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force; the American Chemical Society, and corporate sponsors including GE Global Research, Pitney Bowes, Albany Molecular Research Inc., Capital District Physicians Health Plan, NYS United Teachers, Taconic Inc., and Surpass Chemical.

Symposium Overview:
Monday, March 30, 2009
Holiday Inn Albany:

1 p.m. - First floor courtyard: Opening remarks by George Phillip, Interim President, University at Albany and Dr. Daniel Wulff, JSHS Director and Professor of Biology, University at Albany.
Certificates of Accomplishment will be awarded to all student presenters at the symposium.
2-4 p.m. - Second floor breakout rooms: Concurrent sessions of students’ research projects presented to teams of judges.
4-5 p.m. - Courtyard: Posters on display for judging.
6 p.m. - Second floor ballroom: Awards dinner with keynote address by Dorion Sagan.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Holiday Inn Albany:
8:30 a.m. - Ballroom: Presentations by the five finalists.
10:45 a.m.- Noon - Breakout rooms: Four concurrent workshops for participants.
Noon - Courtyard: Awards luncheon and announcement of five final winners and scholarship awards.

Siena Students And Alumni Drunk, Rude, And Profane At NCAA Tournament

Siena fans no Saints in Ohio

"Thank God Siena fans have left Dayton, Ohio! Your local fans were anything but saints when they were in Dayton for the NCAA Tournament. The students were drunk, rude and profane. Worst yet, the adults, alumni and parents were just as bad. Thank the UD Arena security officer's restraint for not throwing all of them out on Sunday. Fans cursed out security officers and other fans. The yelling of the "F" word in front of elderly and young children was unbelievable. Is it like this at home or is this just a gift to those they visit? Louisville spared Indy. Don't come back!"

Gene Jarman
West Carrollton, Ohio
First published in print: Sunday, March 29, 2009

Article Link

#18 University of Albany Men's Lacrosse Wins America East Conference Opener in 9-7 Decision Against Binghamton - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Vestal, N.Y. – Freshman Joe Resetarits scored a pair of second-half goals, as UAlbany opened America East Conference play with a 9-7 victory over Binghamton on Saturday, March 28 at Bearcat Sports Complex. The Great Danes won their conference debut for the eighth consecutive year.

Binghamton (1-7, AE 0-1) tied the contest at six apiece midway through the third quarter as senior midfielder Jonny Baron converted a bounce shot in a man-advantage situation. UAlbany (5-2, AE 1-0) responded with back-to-back goals over the following one minute and 28 seconds. Mark Cometti sent an underhanded blast into the back of the net from the middle of the zone. Freshman Rocky Bonitatibus then rifled a shot, using a high-to-low motion, from the left point.

The Great Danes, who were coming off a loss to fifth-ranked Princeton eight days ago, used strong defensive play to hold their margin. Goalkeeper John Carroll made one of his eight saves when defenseman John Dreska worked into the offensive area with a long pole. The visitors held the Bearcats scoreless for nearly 23 minutes in the final half. Resetarits gave his team a 9-6 lead with 3:39 remaining when he faked and scored from left of the crease for his 17th goal of the season.

“We played better team defense (in the second half),” said UAlbany defenseman Mark Kelly, whose squad is tied for 20th in the current USILA national poll. “In the first half, we had trouble one-on-one and weren’t sliding well. The defensive middies helped on the back side. It was close at the end, but we had to protect the lead.”

In the second quarter, freshman midfielder Luke Cometti gave UAlbany a 3-1 advantage when he drove from the right point and placed a shot into the lower left corner. The Bearcats then rattled off three unanswered to take their first lead. Baron delivered from the left side with a two-man advantage to draw his team even. Brian Donohue, who had two goals and one assist, scored from the right with 4:04 left on a play where the initial shot was blocked and midfielder Kevin Joy recovered the loose ball.

UAlbany regained the lead with a pair of goals 28 seconds apart. Brian Caufield connected from the left off a feed from behind the cage by John Alpizar. Joe Pompo drilled a 15-yard shot while moving from the left point with 3:16 to play. The first half featured two lead changes and two ties.

“That was typical Binghamton-Albany game,” UAlbany coach Scott Marr offered. “They play good defense and they are tough to crack. The ball was on the ground and there were a lot of ground ball wars. We controlled the second half and John Alpizar and Mike Finnegan hustled to every thing and got some shots.”

Andy Cook, Binghamton’s leading scorer, had one goal and two assists. Goalkeeper Larry Kline made 10 saves for the Bearcats, who played a challenging non-league schedule with losses to top-10 clubs Syracuse and Cornell. UAlbany’s Kyle Brunk had a season-high two goals, each in opening two minutes of the first quarter.

***********

#18 UAlbany (5-2, AE 1-0) 2 3 3 1 - 9
Binghamton (1-7, AE 0-1) 1 3 2 1 - 7

UAlbany – Scoring: Joe Resetarits 2-1, Kyle Brunk 2-0, Brian Caufield 1-2, Joe Pompo 1-0, Rocky Bonitatibus 1-0, Mark Cometti 1-0, Luke Cometti 1-0, John Alpizar 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): John Carroll (60:00, 8 saves, 7 GA).

University of Albany Softball Splits America East Doubleheader With Boston University - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Boston, Mass. – Kristine Bill, Michelle Connors (Shenendehowa) and Gina Mason each hit a home run to lead UAlbany to a 10-7 victory over Boston University in the second game of an America East Conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at the BU Softball Field. The Terriers won the first game, 3-1, in nine innings.

After suffering an extra-inning loss to start the day, the Great Danes wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the second game. The offense plated three runs in the top of the first inning. Andrianna Walraven led off with a triple to right center, and Connors went yard two batters later to give UAlbany a 2-0 advantage. After Mason was hit by a pitch, Jess Bergin doubled her home to give the club a three-run lead.

Boston U. (20-8, AE 1-1) answered with a home run by Melissa Dubay in the bottom of the opening frame, but the Great Danes responded with two more runs in the second to chase BU starting pitcher Megan Currier out of the game. Walraven hit into a fielder’s choice with one out to plate Stephanie Talerico, and Meagan Butsch followed up with a single three batters later which scored Walraven.

UAlbany pitcher Marissa Powell, who was coming off her first shutout performance of the season against Siena on Wednesday, started to roll through the BU order after giving up the home run in the first inning. The Terriers only had one base runner in the second and third frames on a bunt single by Erica Casacci.

The Great Danes were able to break the game open in the fourth inning when Kristine Bill smashed her first career home run over the fence in right center, giving her team a six-run cushion. However, BU answered right back when Nora Militz and Emily Roesch each homered to make it 7-4 in the bottom half of the frame.

UAlbany regained its six-run lead when Mason hit a three-run homer to center field in the sixth inning, which would stand as the game-winning hit. BU attempted to rally with three runs in the bottom of the seventh, but the Great Danes held on to salvage a split of the twinbill.

UAlbany’s Powell improved to 4-7 overall with her second straight victory despite giving up 11 hits and seven runs which were earned. BU’s Currier gave up five earned runs and six hits in just 1.2 innings to take the loss, dropping her record to 6-3. Kelley Engman surrendered seven hits and five earned runs in 5.1 innings of work.

In game one, BU got on the scoreboard first when Rachel Hebert sent a 2-0 pitch over the left field fence in the bottom of the third inning. The Great Danes came back and were able to knot the score at one in the top of the fourth with two outs and a runner on first. Mason put the ball in play for what should have been a routine out, but a throwing error by Cassidi Hardy allowed the sophomore to advance to second base. Meanwhile, Meagan Butsch was able to score all the way from first.

UAlbany (14-8, AE 1-1) threatened to take the lead in the sixth by loading the bases with only one out. Bill singled to left, Connors singled to short and Butsch was hit by a pitch. However, Hardy got out of the jam by fanning Mason and forcing Bergin to ground into a fielder’s choice.

After the Great Danes stranded a runner at second in the top of the seventh, pitcher Leah McIntosh retired the middle of the Terriers’ lineup in order to extend the game into extra innings. In the bottom of the ninth, Setterland’s two-run homer to center gave the Terriers the 3-1 win.

UAlbany’s McIntosh, who matched a career high with 18 strikeouts and did not issue any walks, fell to 10-1 this season with the loss. BU’s Hardy improved to 9-3 this year with the victory. She struck out seven and did not issue a walk while surrendering one unearned run.

UAlbany and BU will meet one more time on Sunday, March 29 at noon to close out the three-game series.

UAlbany 000 100 000 1 5 0

Boston U. 010 000 002 3 5 1

UAlbany: Leah McIntosh and Kat Smith.
Boston U.: Cassidi Hardy and Christy Leath.

UAlbany (14-8, AE 1-1) 320 203 0 10 13 1
Boston U. (20-8, AE 1-1) 100 300 3 7 11 2

UAlbany: Marissa Powell and Kat Smith.
Boston U.: Megan Currier, Kelley Engman (2) and Christy Leath.

University of Albany Baseball Sweeps Fairleigh Dickinson In Doubleheader - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

Teaneck, N.J. – Brendan Rowland had a hit and scored a run in the first game and drove a home run over the left field wall in his first at bat of the nightcap to lead UAlbany to a doubleheader sweep of Fairleigh Dickinson in non-conference baseball action at FDU Field on Saturday afternoon. The Great Danes posted a 9-6 victory in the first game and won the second by a score of 4-2.

In the first game of the doubleheader, UAlbany took an early two-run lead in the top of the first inning. Senior centerfielder Dave West knocked a base hit through the right side, sending Ryan Gugel and Rowland across home plate. The pair had reached base by being hit by a pitch and a walk, respectively. Fairleigh Dickinson responded in the bottom half of the frame, scoring four runs. Joe Martino recorded an RBI-single to send Matt Maher home, while Mike Eliasen loaded the bases with a single, scoring Brian Dillon in the process. Catcher Scott Morrison drew a walk to send Martino home. The Knights completed the scoring in the inning as Steven LaForge scored on a single by Ryan Kresky.

FDU (4-13) held onto the lead until the top of the fourth, when the Great Danes scored three runs to retake the lead. UAlbany loaded the bases to start the frame, as Sean Donovan hit a single before Jamie Liebowitz was hit by a pitch and Pete Eichner drew a walk. Senior Gary Pitcheralle recorded a two-RBI single through the right side to score the first two baserunners, while Eichner made it home on a FDU throwing error.

The Great Danes took a 8-4 lead in the top half of the fifth. Gugel and West recorded back-to-back singles and Gugel scored the first run of the inning on a throwing error by Morrison. Donovan and Leibowitz then hit consecutive sacrifice flies, scoring West and Mike Tirri, who reached on a fielder’s choice.

Fairleigh Dickinson pulled within two, scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh. LaForge and Erik Pollag scored on back-to-back RBI singles by Eliasen and Mark Morton. UAlbany added one more insurance run in the top of the ninth with a double by West that scored Gugel, who was hit by a pitch to reach and stole second to move into scoring position.

UAlbany freshman right hander Zach Kraham earned his first win of the season on the mound, going five innings, striking out six. Senior Jeff Kaier tossed two innings in relief, fanning two, while Sean Gregory threw 1.2 innings of no-hit ball. Closer Alexander Beaulieu entered to get the final out for the Great Danes. Nicholas Melchiorre took the loss for FDU, going 4.0 innings with three strikeouts and five runs scored.

The Great Danes continued with their potent offense in the second game of the day, as Rowland homered over the left field wall in his first at bat to get the scoring started. FDU responded in the bottom of the second inning with a solo homer by Joe Martino.

UAlbany added a second run in the top of the third as Kyle Crean singled through the left side to score Pete Eichner, who had a lead-off single to start the frame. Donovan added another run for the Great Danes in the fourth, drawing a walk off FDU pitcher Ben Green, then advancing on a failed pickoff attempt and a throwing error. Donovan made it home on a dropped fly ball, giving UAlbany a 3-1 advantage.

The Great Danes scored another single run in the sixth as Adam Cutspec hit a two-out double down the right field line. Cutspec came around to home on a single by Eichner. FDU added one run in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI-double by Eliasen that scored Morton, who reached on a lead-off single to start the frame. Reliever Dave Noble induced a line out by FDU pinch hitter Jeff Vincent and struck out Zachary Sand to end the game in UAlbany’s favor.

Starter Josh Willimott tossed five innings, striking out three and scattering four hits. Noble tossed the final two frames, fanning two. Green took the loss for the Knights, going 5.2 innings on the mound, striking out three.

UAlbany (5-15) will return to action on Wednesday with a single game on the road against non-conference opponent Manhattan at 3 p.m.

University of Albany's Ricardo Estremera Breaks School Track And Field Record in Steeplechase at Raleigh Relays - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Raleigh, N.C. – Ricardo Estremera broke the school record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and qualified for the NCAA East Regional Championship to highlight a list of stellar performances by the UAlbany men’s and women’s outdoor track and field programs at the Raleigh Relays hosted by North Carolina State on Saturday afternoon. In addition to Estremera, three other individuals met an IC4A standard.

Estremera clocked in a second-place time of 8:54.12 in the first of two sections, eclipsing the mark of 8:54.43 set by Scott Carroll in 1994. Competing with light rain falling, he became the third Great Dane on the men’s team after Joe Greene in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles and Luke Schoen in the pole vault to qualify for the regional meet.

In the top section of the women’s steeplechase, Laura Cummings and Ada Lauterbach each posted top-eight performances. Cummings was fourth in 10:56.20, narrowly missing the ECAC qualifying time of 10:55.04. Lauterbach, who holds the school record at Berne-Knox-Westerlo, posted a mark of 11:19.28 in her Great Dane debut.

Tyler Fogarty (Shenendehowa) and Joe Belokopitsky (Shaker) each qualified for the IC4A championship in the 800-meter run, placing third and fourth, respectively, among 19 competitors. Fogarty finished in 1:51.48, while Belokopitsky crossed the tape in 1:51.53. Both times were just over a second shy of the NCAA East Regional Championship qualifying time of 1:50.40. In addition, Wilfredo de jesus Elias placed ninth in the hammer throw with an IC4A qualifying mark of 179-feet, 1.25-inches.

The Great Danes will compete at three different meets this week, beginning with the Texas Relays in Austin on April 1-2. The outdoor programs will also head to the Florida Relays in Gainesville as well as the Duke Invitational on April 3-4.

-agate-

UAlbany Men’s Results

800-meter run: 3. Tyler Fogarty 1:51.48 (IC4A), 4. Joe Belokopitsky 1:51.53 (IC4A). 3,000-meter steeplechase (Section I): 2. Ricardo Estremera 8:54.12 (NCAA East Regional, School Record). 3,000-meter steeplechase (Section II): 10. Chris Manico 9:50.47. Hammer Throw: 9. Wilfredo de jesus Elias 179-1.25 (IC4A). 4x400-meter relay: 23. Andrew Overbaugh, Peter Rowell, Kevin O’Riley and Nicholas Assini 3:22.47.

UAlbany Women’s Results

3,000-meter steeplechase (Section I): 4. Laura Cummings 10:56.20, 8. Ada Lauterbach 11:19.28. Pole Vault: NH. Celine Cauderlier, NH. Emily Mino, NH. Krystal Myers, NH. Rebecca Power. Javelin Throw: 16. Rebecca Power 117-2.

Women's Lacrosse Has Three-Game Win Streak Halted By No. 12 Boston University, 15-9

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Boston, Mass. – Sarah Dalton scored six goals and McKinley Curro added four in leading nationally-ranked Boston University to a 15-9 victory over UAlbany in America East Conference play on Saturday, March 28 at Nickerson Field. The Terriers, who have won four in a row, are No. 12 in both the IWLCA and Inside Lacrosse national polls.

Boston U. (6-3, AE 1-0) led 11-6 early in the second half, but then pulled away with four unanswered. Traci Landy, a junior attacker, did all of her scoring in that stretch with three goals. Landy started that run by converting a free-position attempt and scoring unassisted. Dalton, an All-America midfielder, added her sixth of the game and 41st of the season. Landy found the cage off another free-position opportunity, her 23rd of he year, with 15:02 remaining.

The Terriers leaped to a 4-0 advantage in the opening six-plus minutes of the contest. Dalton, the program’s all-time goals leader with 197, tallied back-to-back goals 11 seconds apart. Boston U. still led 7-2 after freshman Hannah Frey connected in a free-position situation and Curro scored unassisted with 18:20 to play in the period. The Terriers, who have won all 11 games in this series, including last year’s America East semifinal victory, held a four-goal lead at the intermission.

Sophomore Jodi Battaglia led UAlbany (4-6, AE 1-1) with three goals, while Julie Bush added one goal and two assists. The Great Danes, who strung together three consecutive victories coming into the contest, were attempting to win their first two conference games for the first time since joining the league in the 2002 season.

Goalkeeper Rachel Klein stopped seven shots for the Terriers, who have won 26 straight against unranked opponents, dating back to April 7, 2007. UAlbany’s Kayla Best had one goal to extend her goal- and point-scoring streak to 40 consecutive games.

Kayla Best, Lacrosse star at UAlbany has scored in 39 straight games

University of Albany junior attack Kayla Best got into lacrosse only as a favor to her closest friend.

She and Kelsey Schwan were seventh-grade classmates at Farnsworth Middle School in Guilderland. They'd go to watch Schwan's father, Tom, coach the Guilderland High boys' team.

"She'd drag me to games to work the clock," Best said. "I actually had no idea what lacrosse was in the beginning."

The friends would go on the field at halftime and play catch. Best found it difficult at first to pass that little ball with a stick that felt to her like a tennis racket.

Eventually, though, her superior athleticism took over.

"All sports came easy to her," said her father, Dale. "And the coaches saw it right away, too. She had the knack."

The knack for finding the net, that is.

Best has scored at least one goal in 39 straight games, the third-longest streak in Division I, entering Saturday's match at 12th-ranked Boston University in the America East Conference.

Best, who has 26 goals this season and 103 in her career, acknowledged her streak does cross her mind at times.

"It does put a little pressure on, but I love playing lacrosse, so it's a lot of fun," she said.

The Great Danes (4-5 overall, 1-0 league) earned their first win over a ranked opponent last Saturday when Best scored three times in a 16-15 upset of then-No. 13 New Hampshire.

Inside Lacrosse named Best Division I National Player of the Week.

A win over Boston University (5-3, 0-0), which has been to four straight NCAA Tournaments, would show the Great Danes are a real threat to earn their first America East title and NCAA bid.

"I think they're definitely beatable this year," Best said.

UAlbany is 0-10 against Boston U. as a Division I program, outscored by a combined 168-50.

If UAlbany makes program history, it'll happen largely because of Best, a high-school All-American who looked mostly at Division III colleges before committing to the Great Danes. "It was close to home and I have a very close family," she explained. "The program was young and I knew it would grow."

She was a member of the first recruiting class for head coach Lindsey Hart, who said Best probably wasn't recruited more because she was still a raw talent.

In fact, Best toyed with being a two-sport athlete in college because she excelled at Guilderland in soccer as well. However, most schools were cool to that idea and Best decided it would be too much. "People were unsure of what she was thinking," Hart said.

Focusing solely on lacrosse, the 5-foot-8 Best has added an accurate shot to her love of competition, which runs in the family. Her mother, Anne, played softball at Cazenovia and is now a physical education teacher at Westmere Elementary in Guilderland.

"(Kayla's) biggest strength was always her athleticism, and over the last couple of years, she's really developed into a lacrosse player," Hart said.

Mark Singelais

Tennis Drops 5-2 Decision to Non-Conference Foe Army

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

West Point, N.Y. – Seniors Kim Weltman and Charlotte Tatler both recorded victories in their singles matches to earn two points for UAlbany, but the Great Danes were unable to hold off Army as the Black Knights claimed a 5-2 win in non-conference tennis action on Saturday morning.

Weltman posted a 4-6, 6-0, 7-6 (5) win over Niki Flach at No. 2 singles while Tatler recorded a 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 victory over Sarah Giles-Madden at the third position. Weltman also teamed up with Aubrey Brooks for the Great Danes’ lone doubles victory. The duo defeated Giles-Madden and Caitlin Finnegan, 8-4.

Laine Macked pushed a tiebreak, but fell to Finnegan at No. 5 singles, 7-6 (5), 6-2, while Brooks dropped a 6-2, 6-0 decision to Robie Verano at the sixth spot. At No. 1 singles, Army’s Annie Houghton defeated Susan Ma, 6-2, 6-0, while the Black Knights’ Kristin Beehler claimed the final singles point with a 6-2, 6-4 win over UAlbany’s Holly Smith.

Houghton and Beehler defeated Ma and Mackey at the top doubles position by a score of 8-2. Flach teamed up with Annie Hang to post an 8-6 win over Tatler and Smith to earn the doubles point for the Black Knights.

UAlbany will visit Sacred Heart for a non-conference match on Sunday afternoon starting at 1 p.m.

University of Albany's Luke Schoen Becomes Second Great Dane to Qualify for NCAA Track And Field Regional at Raleigh Relays - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Raleigh, N.C. – Junior Luke Schoen won the pole vault and qualified for the NCAA East Regional Championship to lead the UAlbany men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams at the first day of the Raleigh Relays hosted by North Carolina State on Friday. It marked the second time in as many meets this spring that a Great Dane qualified for the regional championship.

Schoen, who was making his outdoor debut after most recently garnering All-America honors in the event at the 2009 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, cleared 17-feet, 0.75-inches to place first among 17 competitors. In addition, Mike Dempsey finished sixth with a mark of 15-1.

The UAlbany men also had two other student-athletes post top-10 performances in the their respective race of the 5,000-meter run, which was divided up into four sections. Running in the third section, R.J. Sniffen (Shaker) placed second in 15:04.85, narrowly missing the USA Junior National Championship qualifying standard of 15:04.50. Brian Yurkewecz (Fonda-Fultonville) placed fourth in the same race, clocking in a time of 15:06.20.

The women’s team also had a pair of student-athletes compete in the 5,000-meter run. Kristin Grab (Tamarac) placed second in the fourth section by registering a personal-best time of 18:48.45, while Ally Panos placed fifth in 18:12.32 in section three.

The UAlbany men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams will continue competing at the Raleigh Relays on Saturday, March 28 at 10:00 a.m.

PAW PRINTS: Luke Schoen and Joe Greene have each qualified for the 2009 NCAA East Regional Championship in the pole vault and 400-meter intermediate hurdles, respectively ... Both Great Danes have previously garnered All-America laurels outdoors in their premier event ... Schoen finished fifth in the pole vault at the 2008 NCAA Championship, while Greene placed fourth in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles at the 2007 NCAA meet ... The 2009 NCAA East Regional Championship will be he hosted by North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, N.C. from May 29-30.

UAlbany Men’s Results

100-Meter Dash: 61. Kevin O’Riley 11.79. 110-meter high hurdles (prelims): 32. Freddie Wills 15.74, 37. Nicholas Assini 16.38. 400-meter intermediate hurdles: 28. Andrew Overbaugh 55.47, 31. Peter Rowell 55.94, 40. Nicholas Assini 57.78. 5,000-meter run (Section III): 2. R.J. Sniffen 15:04.85, 4. Brian Yurkewecz 15:06.20. Long Jump: 22. Freddie Wills 20-11.75, 40. Kevin O’Riley 19-7. Pole Vault: 1. Luke Schoen 17-00.75 (NCAA Regional), 6. Mike Dempsey 15-1.

UAlbany Women’s Results

5,000-meter run (Section III): 5. Ally Panos 18:21.32. 5,000-meter run (Section IV): 2. Kristin Grab 18:48.45.

University of Albany Field Hockey Set to Host Alumni Game and Banquet - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. - The UAlbany field hockey team will be hosting its annual Alumni Game and end of the year banquet on April 17 and 18. The Great Danes will celebrate their first-ever America East Conference Championship with the team banquet on April 17 at 6:30 p.m. in SEFCU Arena's Hall of Fame Room. The team will then welcome back all alumni for a game on April 18 at 12 p.m. Current and former team members will square off on Alumni Turf Field and will follow with lunch at the Across the Street Pub.

On Sunday, April 19, UAlbany will travel to New Hampshire for the 2009 America East Spring Tournament to gear up for the upcoming fall season. All alumni are welcome to attend the team banquet and the spring tournament to cheer on the Great Danes at the all-day event.

For any alumni interested in playing or coming out to watch, please contact UAlbany assistant coach Katie White at 518-442-3017 or by email at kwhite@uamail.albany.edu.

University of Albany Baseball Splits Non-Conference Doubleheader With Fairleigh Dickinson - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Teaneck, N.J. – Senior right hander Sean Gregory earned his first save of the season to lead UAlbany to a doubleheader split against Fairleigh Dickinson in non-conference baseball action on Friday afternoon at FDU Field. The Great Danes claimed a 6-4 win in the second game of the day, while the Knights posted a 2-0 win in the early contest.

UAlbany opened up the nightcap with three runs in the top of the first. Right hander Ray Courtney hit Kyle Crean and walked Dave West and Brendan Rowland to load the bases with one out. Crean scored on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Gugel to score the Great Danes’ first run of the day. Freshman catcher Ralph Keppler drove a single down the right field line to send West and Rowland across home plate, and followed with a stolen base to move into scoring position. Jonathan Scott came in to relieve Courtney and struck out Sean Donovan to end the UAlbany rally.

Fairleigh Dickinson responded in the bottom of the second, scoring twice. Joe Martino knocked a double to left center, scoring Brian Dillon, who reached on a UAlbany fielding error. Martino later scored on an RBI single by Patrick Furey. Furey stole second and advanced to third on a groundout, but UAlbany pitcher Austin Chase got Mike Eliasen to line out to right field to end the inning. The Knights tied the game at 3-3 in the third as Zachary Sand drove a homer over the left field fence.

UAlbany regained its lead in the top of the fifth, as Gary Pitcheralle reached and then later scored on fielding errors by FDU. Crean had a base hit that advanced Pitcheralle, and later scored on an RBI single by Rowland. Rowland completed the Great Danes’ scoring in the inning as crossed home on an RBI ground out by Adam Cutspec. FDU responded in the bottom of the frame with one run as Matt Holsman, who reached with a single to short, scored on a throwing error.

UAlbany reliever Sean Gregory got three quick outs in the bottom of the seventh to seal the win for the Great Danes. Starter Austin Chase went 4.1 innings on the mound to get the win, fanning three. Gregory struck out four opposing batters in his 2.2 innings of work, earning his first save of the season.

The first game remained scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning, as Fairleigh Dickinson loaded the bases. Erik Pollag reached on a UAlbany fielding error, before pitcher Dave Kubiak issued two straight walks. Kubiak, who had three strikeouts going into the inning, then hit Mark Morton with a pitch to send Pollag home. JT Sherba lined out to right field to end the inning. The Knights added a single run in the bottom of the sixth on a solo homer by Brian Dillon.

The Great Danes had chances to score in the second, as FDU pitcher John Meadus walked the first two batters he faced in the inning. UAlbany loaded the bases on a throwing error by the Knights’ second baseman, but Meadus struck out Mike Tirri and induced a ground out by Pete Eichner to get out of trouble.

Meadus tossed a complete-game shutout, striking out eight and allowing just one hit. Kubiak also went the distance, fanning four in six innings of work.

University of Albany Quarterback Vinny Esposito's Development Rooted in Spring Practice - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Vinny Esposito’s progression as the University at Albany quarterback has been aided by solid self-analysis and his relationships with his teammates and coaches. Esposito’s maturation has its roots in spring practice and has been a critical factor for an offense that has helped capture back-to-back Northeast Conference titles.

“We didn’t know fundamentally if he could play,” said offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Ryan McCarthy, about a fifth-year senior who was down on the depth chart in the spring of 2007. “He became very efficient (that spring) and was consistent all the way through. He made plays with his feet.”

A first-team all-state standout as a high school player in New Jersey, Esposito is also quick to point out that he didn’t have the right perspective at first. “It was a difficult situation (being buried on the depth chart). I was fourth or fifth and it could have gone either way. But I realized the effort that was needed. I could have walked away, but now we are in a position to win three straight conference championships.”

Esposito got himself into the right frame of mind after the 2006 season. He continued to work in the film room, but also improved his release and reduced his stride. “He’s proved he can throw the ball and has kept us in games with that ability, especially when teams load up the box (to defense the run),” McCarthy offers.

The quarterback’s development has already made him one of the top players at his position in the program’s history. He passed for 1,934 yards and 13 touchdowns and increased his completion rate to over 60 percent as a junior. Good enough to keep defenses, geared up to stop All-America tailback David McCarty, honest.

“I felt early on last year that I knew what the defense was going to do (against us),” Esposito explained. “My role has changed where I have been asked to make some plays and manage the game. We want the offense to be completely balanced.”

Esposito had teammates that he learned from and now it is his turn to help the younger quarterbacks. “That’s why this is a program,” he said. “The freshmen help the sophomores and the juniors help the sophomores. There is no divide between the classes.”

And now the once fifth-stringer has become a leader that the other players rally around. “The other quarterbacks respect him,” says McCarthy, whose offense averaged more than 26 points and 363 total yards in 2008. “He doesn’t get rattled and plays each play separate from the last.”

Esposito, who always knew he could be productive, is an extension of his coach on the field and the comfort level is evident. “Our relationship has matured,” McCarthy states. “I respect that he changed his approach.”

Football Notes: UAlbany will practice in full gear for the first time on Friday, March 27, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. ... the Great Danes will do some scrimmage work in the second half of Saturday’s session, scheduled from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at University Field ... Spring practice ends on Saturday, April 18 ...