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.

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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."

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By Mike Nolan - ASP