University of Albany's Olivia Jarem Named America East Lacrosse Player of the Week; Branchini Top Defender - UAlbany Sports 2010

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Olivia Jarem has been named America East Conference Player of the Week in women's lacrosse, as announced on Monday, April 19 by the conference office. Nikki Branchini was chosen the conference defensive player of the week.

Jarem, a senior midfielder from Clifton Park, N.Y., totaled three goals and two assists, tying a career-high point total, in Sunday's 11-10 come-from-behind victory over league opponent UMBC. She set up the winning goal with a pass from the right point to the top of the crease with 52 seconds remaining. Jarem tallied three second-half goals as her team twice rallied from a two-goal deficit in the second half. She also scored a pair in a 13-5 non-league victory over California and added three goals in a 17-14 loss at Lehigh on April 12.

Jarem, who is fifth on the team in scoring, is on a tear after having tallied 21 of her 28 points (24 goals, 4 assists) this season over the last six games. She had just seven points as a junior after transferring from UC Davis.

Branchini, a junior defensive midfielder from Guilderland, N.Y., accounted for six ground balls, three caused turnovers and three draw controls in the one-goal victory against UMBC. Her pressure forced a turnover that led to UAlbany taking a 10-9 lead with 4:33 to play. In addition, Branchini netted a second-half goal and caused three turnovers vs. California as her squad avenged last year's five-goal loss, plus scored twice with four turnovers caused at Lehigh.

Branchini is the America East leader in draw controls (5.08 pg), ground balls (3.33 pg) and caused turnovers (2.17 pg). She also has 10 goals and three assists.

Paw Prints: UAlbany tied the program's single-season record with its 11th win in the comeback victory over UMBC ... the Great Danes went 11-4 in the 1998 campaign as a Division II program ... Taylor Frink leads America East in scoring with 29 goals and 19 assists, while Kayla Best is first in goals (34) ... Best moved to second on the school's career scoring chart with 185 points (153 goals, 32 assists) ... Ashley Ross is second among goalkeepers in saves at 8.46 per game ... senior attacker Christine Grueniger climbed into a tie for ninth on the all-time scoring list with 117 points (94 goals, 23 assists) ... Grueniger is tied for sixth in the league in scoring at 3.0 points per game.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information