University of Albany Women's Lacrosse Has Seven on All-America East Team; Nikki Branchini Player of the Year - UAlbany Sports 2010

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Nikki Branchini leads a group of seven players, the highest total in the program's history, who were voted to the 2010 America East All-Conference Women's Lacrosse, as announced on Wednesday, May 5 by the conference office. Branchini, the first UAlbany lacrosse player to receive a major award, was chosen America East Player of the Year, while Lindsey Hart was named Coach of the Year.

Branchini, a junior defensive midfielder from Guilderland, N.Y., is among the NCAA Division I leaders in draw controls (third, 5.1 pg), ground balls (sixth, 3.4 pg) and caused turnovers (11th, 2.1 pg). She becomes the first Great Dane to be selected as the conference's top player. She added 10 goals and three assists and had a .476 shot percentage. Branchini earned first-team all-conference honors for the third consecutive year.

Kayla Best, a senior midfielder, becomes the second UAlbany player to earn All-America East recognition four times. A native of Guilderland, N.Y., Best is on the all-league first team for the third season in a row. She has 35 goals and five assists and is sixth in the conference in goals at 2.33 per game. Best is second on the school's all-time scoring list with 187 points and third in goals with 154.

Mel Rorie, Christine Grueniger and Ashley Ross join Branchini and Best on the all-conference first team. Rorie, a second-team choice last year, has accounted for 30 goals and four assists. The Lansdale, Pa. native, is second on the team in caused turnovers (19) and game-winning goals (2). Grueniger, who has 38 goals and nine assists, is tied for second in goals and ranks fourth in points among the America East leaders. She also has four game-winners. A native of Lindenhurst, N.Y., she became the sixth Great Dane to reach the 100-career goal plateau (101) on May 1. Ross, who hails from Lancaster, Pa. and is in her first year as the program's starting goalkeeper, is fifth nationally in save percentage (.517) and seventh in goals against average (7.92). She was named conference defensive player of the week three times this season.

Taylor Frink and Jenn Primeau were each named to the All-America East second team. Frink, a junior attacker from Baldwinsville, N.Y., is second among the America East scoring leaders with 30 goals and 22 assists. She tallied five or more points against five opponents. Primeau, a sophomore defender from Niskayuna, N.Y., was a starter in all 15 games and totaled 27 ground balls and 13 caused turnovers.

In addition, six players earned a spot on the America East women's lacrosse all-academic team. Branchini is on the all-academic unit for the second straight year and is joined by Olivia Jarem, Tricia Primomo, Grueniger, Ross and Rorie. Freshman Rachael Burek was selected to the America East All-Rookie Team. She has nine goals and four assists this season.

UAlbany's Hart receives the conference's top coaching award for the first time. Hart led the Great Danes to their first-ever America East regular-season crown and the postseason championship's top seed. UAlbany established a school record for most wins in a season with a 13-2 record, breaking a mark that had stood since 1998. Hart has also guided the program to its first national ranking in the IWLCA coaches' poll (No. 19) and deBeer/Inside Lacrosse media poll (No. 17).

UAlbany has produced 36 all-conference players, including 22 first-team selections, since joining the America East Conference in the 2001-02 academic year.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information