University of Albany Women's Lacrosse Hosts A-East Championship; Ashley Ross Named Defender of the Week

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany's Ashley Ross has been named America East Conference Defensive Player of the Week in women's lacrosse, as announced on Monday, May 3 by the conference office. The senior goalkeeper earned the weekly award for the third time this season.
Ross made six of her eight saves in the second half in leading her team to a 12-11 victory over Boston University on May 1. UAlbany (13-2, AE 6-0) wrapped its first-ever regular-season title in the showdown between conference unbeatens. Ross made two spectacular stops in the final two minutes of play, including saving McKinley Curro's game-tying attempt with 39 seconds remaining. Ross is among the NCAA leaders in save percentage (.517) and goals against average (7.92) in her first season as the program's starting goalie.

Paw Prints: UAlbany defeated Boston University for the first time in 12 meetings since the series began in 2002 ... the Great Danes have won three consecutive one-goal decisions ... Christine Grueniger is second in the conference in goals at 2.53 per game and first in game-winning goals with four ... defensive midfielder Nikki Branchini (Guilderland) leads the league in ground balls (3.3 pg), draw controls (5.1 pg) and caused turnovers (2.1 pg) ... junior attacker Taylor Frink is second in scoring with 30 goals and 22 assists.

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Albany, N.Y. - The University at Albany will host the America East Conference Women's Lacrosse Championship on May 6 and 8 at John Fallon Field. UAlbany, the championship's top seed, earned that right by winning the conference regular-season title for the first time since joining America East in 2002.
UAlbany (13-2) faces UMBC in the first semifinal on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. Boston University, the second seed and five-time defending champion, tangles with New Hampshire in the second semifinal at 3:30 p.m. The winners will play for the America East championship and an automatic NCAA Tournament berth on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
For ticket information, contact the UAlbany Athletic Ticket Office, at 518-442-4683. Adult tickets for a single session are priced at $8.00. College students from America East institutions can purchase a ticket for $2.00 with an ID card. Youth single-session youth are $5.00.

Paw Prints: UAlbany is ranked for the first time in the program's Division I history in the IWLCA (Intercollege Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association) national poll ... the Great Danes, who were receiving votes last week, debuted at No. 19 ... UAlbany also moved up two places to No. 17 in the deBeer/Inside Lacrosse media poll ... the Great Danes are ranked in the media poll for the second straight week.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information