America East Conference Women's Lacrosse Names University of Albany's Nikki Branchini Defender of the Week - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – University at Albany’s Nikki Branchini has been selected America East Conference Defender of the Week in women’s lacrosse, as announced on Monday, April 27 by the league office. She is the third UAlbany player this season to receive the weekly defender award.

Branchini, a sophomore from Guilderland, N.Y., scored her fourth goal of the season and added four ground balls, two caused turnovers and four draw controls in a 12-10 non-league victory against Le Moyne on April 25. Her efforts helped the Great Danes secure their first winning campaign since 2000. Branchini is fifth among the NCAA Division I leaders in draw controls at 4.0 per game. She also leads the team in ground balls (39) and caused turnovers (17).

UAlbany (9-7) is seeded second for this week’s America East Conference championship. The Great Danes will meet New Hampshire (11-6) at Boston University’s Nickerson Field on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. The Wildcats are tied for 17th in the latest Inside Lacrosse national poll.