UAlbany Coach John Battaglino Announces Women's Lacrosse's Signing Class for 2011-12

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany head women's lacrosse coach John Battaglino announced on Tuesday, Nov. 30 that seven student-athletes have signed national letters of intent for the 2011-12 academic year.

"I am proud to announce an outstanding incoming class that is comprised of extremely athletic two-way players who possess great skill, foot speed, work ethic and competitiveness," said Battaglino, who was promoted to head coach from associate coach last August. "They will complement each other and their future teammates with explosiveness, athletic IQ and strength of character. Our current players have been terrific in their ability to incorporate new concepts and style of play over the past year and I expect the current group to continue that trend. We will be fun to watch."

Lexi Brannigan was selected honorable mention U.S. Lacrosse All-American as a junior when she established Colonie Central High School's single-season scoring record with 97 points on 67 goals and 31 assists. She was named first-team All-Area by the Albany Times Union and Troy Record. Brannigan, who also competes in soccer and track & field, was named to the U.S. Lacrosse Academic All-America squad.

Midfielder Julia Sirianni was a member of the Troy Record All-Area first team and a second-team selection by the Albany Times Union. She led Saratoga Springs High to the Section II semifinals by scoring 54 goals and 12 assists. Sirianni was the leading scorer and a first-team All-Suburban Council performer on the soccer team.

An Under Armour Upstate New York All-Star, Rachel Bowles had 49 goals and 12 assists from her midfield position as a junior. She earned second-team All-Central New York by the Syracuse Post Standard and first-team All-CNYCL National League honors. Bowles, who received second-team all-league recognition as a sophomore, was an all-conference standout on the Cicero-North Syracuse High soccer team.

Maureen Keggins totaled 47 goals and 23 assists as an All-Frontier League midfielder and attacker. She led Watertown High to the Section III, Class B championship. The Cyclones finished with a 16-4 record and were ranked No. 12 in the final state poll. Keggins was chosen to the U.S. Lacrosse Academic All-America team.

Nichole Eamer, who like Keggins is a native of Watertown, N.Y., had 42 goals and 24 assists. A two-time All-Frontier League midfielder, Eamer has been a member of the General Brown High lacrosse team since eighth grade.

Cassie Bouton led Kingston High to its fourth consecutive Section IX, Class A title. She was named to the Middletown Times-Herald Record second team after accounting for 35 goals, 25 assists, 42 ground balls and 22 draw controls. Bouton was a forward for the school's field hockey team, a program that also won its fourth straight sectional crown. Erin Monna, a defender at Webster Thomas High, led the Western team to a silver medal at the 2010 Empire State Games. She led the Titans' high school program to a 12-6 record as a sophomore.

In 2010, UAlbany won its first America East Conference regular-season title, posted a school-record 13-3 mark, and was ranked in the national top-20 for the first time.

2011 University at Albany Women's Lacrosse Commitments
Name, Pos., Hometown (High School)
Lexi Brannigan, Mid., Albany, N.Y. (Colonie Central)
Cassie Bouton, Att., Kingston, N.Y. (Kingston)
Rachel Bowles, M/D, Cicero, N.Y. (Cicero-North Syracuse)
Nichole Eamer, Mid., Watertown, N.Y. (General Brown)
Maureen Keggins, M/A, Watertown, N.Y. (Watertown)
Erin Monna, Def., Webster, N.Y. (Webster Thomas)
Julia Sirianni, Mid., Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Saratoga Springs)

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information