Monday, January 31, 2011

University of Albany Men's Basketball Sophomore Logan Aronhalt Named America East Conference Basketball Co-Player of the Week - UAlbany Sports 2011


Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Logan Aronhalt has been chosen America East Conference Co-Player of the Week in men's basketball, as announced on Monday, Jan. 31 by the conference office. Aronhalt, who shared the honor with Binghamton's Mahamoud Jabbi, won the weekly award for the second time this season.

A native of Zanesville, Ohio, Aronhalt averaged 20.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists in two games. He scored 20 of his 28 points in the second half as his team fought back for a 66-63 win over UMBC on Jan. 26. UAlbany rallied from 14 down in the final period to match its biggest road comeback as a Division I program. Aronhalt scored 20-plus for the sixth time this season and tied career-highs in three-pointers made (6) and assists (4). He also had 12 points and eight rebounds in last Saturday's 63-54 loss to second-place Vermont.

Aronhalt is fifth in the America East in scoring (15.3 ppg) and is fourth in three-point field goals made (2.4 pg). He has scored in double figures in 17 of 24 games this year.

Paw Prints: UAlbany (11-13, AE 4-5) will host the 14th annual Big Purple Growl on Saturday, Feb. 5th ... the University's Winter Homecoming features a men's and women's basketball doubleheader against Hartford, beginning at 4:30 p.m. ... both games will be televised on Time Warner Cable Sports ... the event has attracted more than 4,000 fans in each of the last six years ... Saturday's SEFCU Arena crowd of 3,754 was the second largest of the 2010-11 season ... Tim Ambrose has moved to seventh on the program's all-time scoring list with 1,446 points ... Ambrose, a 6-foot senior, has scored in twin figures in 23 of 24 games this winter.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Rallies in 53-43 America East Women's Basketball Win Over Vermont - UAlbany Sports 2011


Albany, N.Y. - Ebone Henry and Julie Forster each scored 14 points as UAlbany came from behind in the second half for a 53-43 victory over Vermont in America East Conference play on Sunday, Jan. 30 at SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes snapped an eight-game losing streak in the series.

UAlbany (12-9, AE 5-3) trailed by six at halftime, but then ran off eight unanswered to take its first lead. Forster, a 6-foot sophomore who added 10 rebounds for her seventh double-double of the season, made a follow shot before Adrienne Jones hit a 12-foot jumper to put her team up 29-27.

Vermont (2-19, AE 2-6) went back ahead behind the play of Tonya Young. The 6-foot-2 senior connected on a turnaround in the lane and split two free throws. She finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Lauren Wheeler's foul shot gave her squad a 31-29 lead.

But the Great Danes, using a full-court pressure, would break the contest open with a run of 16 straight points. During that stretch, UVM managed just one of 12 field goals and turned the ball over 11 times. Cassanda Callaway's 3-pointer from the right corner put her team on top for good. Henry scored with an offensive rebound and made four free throws in that span. Felicia Johnson's jumper in the lane off the dribble provided her team with a 45-31 cushion with 7:39 to play.

"There was more intensity on defense (in the second half)," explained Forster, whose team had dropped three of its last four outings. "We had smart stops. There was no reaching and or letting someone dribble around us. Their turnovers help generate offense and allowed us to score in transition."

In the first half, Vermont's zone defense held the Great Danes' offense in check. UAlbany missed 21 of its opening 25 attempts and shot 23.3 percent in the period. The Catamounts were able to run off a string off 11 points to build a 22-9 advantage. Tory Dennerlein canned a three-pointer in that stretch and Lauren Wheeler's driving layup capped the run. Henry helped UAlbany cut that margin in half by the break by scoring with an inbounds pass and hitting a three-pointer from left of the key. UVM took a 27-21 lead to the intermission.

"We weren't hitting our shots against their zone," said UAlbany coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson, whose team took over fourth place in the conference standings. In the second half, we had more poise and got better looks, plus we crashed the offensive boards."

Callaway had 10 points for the Great Danes, who had not reached the win column in this series since January, 17, 2007. The Catamounts, who was last year conference championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament's second round, shot 32.6 percent and committed 23 turnovers overall.

Paw Prints: UAlbany stayed ahead of Hartford in the America East Conference standings with the comeback win against Vermont ... the Catamounts had won eight straight in the series, including a victory in last year's conference tournament quarterfinals ... Julie Forster has recorded a double-double in three of her last five games and leads the league in rebounding ... Ebone Henry has a seven-game, double-figure scoring streak ... UAlbany will host the 14th Big Purple Growl on Saturday, Feb. 5th ... the Great Danes face Hartford in the first game of a men's and women's doubleheader at 4:30 p.m. ... both contests will be televised by Time Warner Cable Sports.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Friday, January 28, 2011

University of Albany Track Finishes Second in 4x400 Relay at Millrose Games; 4x800 Relay Meets IC4A Standard - UAlbany Sports 2011


New York City, N.Y. - University at Albany's Peter Rowell anchored his team to a second-place finish in the Gotham Cup college men's 4x400-meter relay on Friday, Jan. 28 at the 104th Millrose Games. Mississippi State won the race in 3:18.47 at Madison Square Garden. UAlbany relay members Jonathan Santana, Ebube Abara and Alex Petit-Frere helped the squad place ahead of Cornell and Bucknell in a time of 3:23.34.

The Great Danes were fifth in the Byron Dyce men's 4x800-meter relay, but qualified for the IC4A championships by more than nine seconds over the 11-lap per mile circuit. The relay of Nick Santos, Aaron Lozier, Sean Halpin and Paul Lagno hit the tape in 7:43.51. Virginia was first across the line in 7:36.37.

UAlbany placed third in the women's 4x800-meter relay and easily qualified for the ECAC Championships in March. The group of Sherez Mohamed, Brianne Bellon, Jonelle White and Kathryn Fanning reached the finish line in 9:18.58, nearly seven seconds better than the ECAC standard.

Wilfredo de Jesus Elias was fourth in the Al Oerter weight throw with a toss of 62-feet, 8-inches on his first attempt. The defending America East Conference champion recorded the second-best throw in UAlbany history. He established the school standard (63-6.75) on Feb. 6, 2009 at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational. Kadine Johnson was seventh in the women's weight throw with a season-best mark of 58-feet, 2.50-inches, a distance she met on the second of six attempts. Johnson set the school record (59-0) on Jan. 30, 2010.

104th Millrose Games (Madison Square Garden, New York City, N.Y.)

Gotham Cup College Men's 4x400-Meter Relay - 1. Mississippi State, 3:18.47; 2. UAlbany (Jonathan Santana, Ebube Abara, Alex Petit-Frere, Peter Rowell), 3:23.34; 3. Cornell, 3:24.43; 4. Bucknell, 3:25.35.

Byron Dyce Men's College 4x800-Meter Relay - 1. Virginia, 7:36.27; 2. Connecticut, 7:36.38; 3. Cornell, 7;40.59; 4. Windsor, 7:41.98, 5. UAlbany (Nick Santos, Aaron Lozier, Sean Halpin, Paul Lagno), 7:43.51, 6. St. Francis, 7:56.45.

Women's 4x800-Meter Relay - 1. Windsor, 8:57.84; 2. New York A.C., 8:58.19; 3. UAlbany (Sherez Mohamed, Brianne Bellon, Jonelle White, Kathryn Fanning), 9:18.58; 4. St. John's, 9:24.03; DNS - Central Park Track Club.

Women's Weight Throw - 1. Amber Campbell (Nike), 79-1; 2. Loree Smith (New York A.C.), 68-10.50; 3. Kristin Smith (ThrowOneDeep), 66-9.25; 4. Rhonda Broome (ThrowOneDeep), 61-4; 5. Shelby Ashe (ThrowOneDeep), 61-2.25; 6. Amy Thayer (Shore Athletic Club), 58-10; 7. Kadine Johnson (UAlbany), 58-2.50; 8. Colleanna Collins (ThrowOneDeep), 56-3.75).

Men's Weight Throw - 1.Thomas Jacob Freeman (Nike-NYAC), 79-3.25; 2. Paul Wagner (Shore Athletic Club), 68-6.50; 3. John Freeman (New York A.C.), 67-8; 4. Wilfredo de Jesus Elias (UAlbany), 62-8.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Takes Third in 104th Millrose Games' 4x800-Meter Relay With ECAC-Qualifying Time - UAlbany Sports 2011


New York City, N.Y. - University at Albany's Peter Rowell anchored his team to a second-place finish in the Gotham Cup college men's 4x400-meter relay on Friday, Jan. 28 at the 104th Millrose Games. Mississippi State won the race in 3:18.47 at Madison Square Garden. UAlbany relay members Jonathan Santana, Ebube Abara and Alex Petit-Frere helped the squad place ahead of Cornell and Bucknell in a time of 3:23.34.

The Great Danes were fifth in the Byron Dyce men's 4x800-meter relay, but qualified for the IC4A championships by more than nine seconds over the 11-lap per mile circuit. The relay of Nick Santos, Aaron Lozier, Sean Halpin and Paul Lagno hit the tape in 7:43.51. Virginia was first across the line in 7:36.37.

UAlbany placed third in the women's 4x800-meter relay and easily qualified for the ECAC Championships in March. The group of Sherez Mohamed, Brianne Bellon, Jonelle White and Kathryn Fanning reached the finish line in 9:18.58, nearly seven seconds better than the ECAC standard.

Wilfredo de Jesus Elias was fourth in the Al Oerter weight throw with a toss of 62-feet, 8-inches on his first attempt. The defending America East Conference champion recorded the second-best throw in UAlbany history. He established the school standard (63-6.75) on Feb. 6, 2009 at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational. Kadine Johnson was seventh in the women's weight throw with a season-best mark of 58-feet, 2.50-inches, a distance she met on the second of six attempts. Johnson set the school record (59-0) on Jan. 30, 2010.

104th Millrose Games (Madison Square Garden, New York City, N.Y.)

Gotham Cup College Men's 4x400-Meter Relay - 1. Mississippi State, 3:18.47; 2. UAlbany (Jonathan Santana, Ebube Abara, Alex Petit-Frere, Peter Rowell), 3:23.34; 3. Cornell, 3:24.43; 4. Bucknell, 3:25.35.

Byron Dyce Men's College 4x800-Meter Relay - 1. Virginia, 7:36.27; 2. Connecticut, 7:36.38; 3. Cornell, 7;40.59; 4. Windsor, 7:41.98, 5. UAlbany (Nick Santos, Aaron Lozier, Sean Halpin, Paul Lagno), 7:43.51, 6. St. Francis, 7:56.45.

Women's 4x800-Meter Relay - 1. Windsor, 8:57.84; 2. New York A.C., 8:58.19; 3. UAlbany (Sherez Mohamed, Brianne Bellon, Jonelle White, Kathryn Fanning), 9:18.58; 4. St. John's, 9:24.03; DNS - Central Park Track Club.

Women's Weight Throw - 1. Amber Campbell (Nike), 79-1; 2. Loree Smith (New York A.C.), 68-10.50; 3. Kristin Smith (ThrowOneDeep), 66-9.25; 4. Rhonda Broome (ThrowOneDeep), 61-4; 5. Shelby Ashe (ThrowOneDeep), 61-2.25; 6. Amy Thayer (Shore Athletic Club), 58-10; 7. Kadine Johnson (UAlbany), 58-2.50; 8. Colleanna Collins (ThrowOneDeep), 56-3.75).

Men's Weight Throw - 1.Thomas Jacob Freeman (Nike-NYAC), 79-3.25; 2. Paul Wagner (Shore Athletic Club), 68-6.50; 3. John Freeman (New York A.C.), 67-8; 4. Wilfredo de Jesus Elias (UAlbany), 62-8.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Logan Aronhalt Leads Second-Half Comeback in University of Albany's 66-63 A-East Win Against UMBC - UAlbany Sports 2011


Baltimore, Md. - Sophomore guard Logan Aronhalt scored 20 of his 28 points in the second half, as UAlbany overcame a huge deficit for a 66-63 win over UMBC in America East Conference play on Wednesday, Jan. 26 at Retriever Activities Center. The Great Danes recorded their third consecutive victory.

UMBC (3-18, AE 2-6) led 49-36 five minutes into the final period after Brian Neller, who had 13 points off the bench, canned a three-point field goal in transition. UAlbany (11-12, AE 4-4) was still down eleven with 13:12 remaining, before running off 10 straight to get back into the contest. Aronhalt scored eight in a row in that stretch, including a basket with an offensive rebound and a three-pointer from the left corner off an inbounds pass. Blake Metcalf's jump hook closed the gap to 51-50.

The Great Danes, who shot 57.7 percent from the field after the break, drew even twice, including 57-all when Tim Ambrose converted a driving layup. The Retrievers, who had won two of their previous three outings, went back ahead when Justin Fry hit a baseline jumper and Chase Plummer finished off a drive from the right.

But UAlbany battled back when Aronhalt made his sixth 3-pointer of the game and scored with an offensive rebound. Mike Black's fastbreak layup off a long pass from Ambrose put their team ahead, 64-63, with 21.7 seconds left. UMBC's Chris De La Rosa, who totaled 15 points and 10 assists, missed a potential go-ahead jumper and John Puk came down the defensive rebound. Aronhalt made both ends of a one-and-one with 1.3 seconds to play to seal the verdict.

"UMBC played with great energy in the first half," said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose squad has won three straight against conference opposition for the first time since January 2009. "They forced tempo and were the more aggressive team. Tim Ambrose carried us for a long time and then Logan Aronhalt hit some huge shots in the second half. He's a rhythm guy and then he gets confidence."

The Retrievers reversed a 14-12 deficit midway through the first half with a run of 12 unanswered. George Washington transfer Travis King put his team ahead with a 3-pointer from left of the key. Laurence Jolicoeur scored with an offensive rebound and concluded the outburst with a three-point play.

De La Rosa, the conference's second-leading scorer, then went to work as his team built a 15-point margin. He connected on a 3-pointer and a driving shot. The Retrievers, who held the visitors to 10-of-39 shooting in the period, settled for a 39-27 halftime lead.

"We let them do what they wanted on offense (in the first half)," explained Aronhalt, who scored 20-plus points for the sixth time this season. "Our defense and rebounding really improved in the second half. We were able to push the ball and get some easy buckets."

UAlbany's Ambrose finished with 25 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals. Fry was the third UMBC player in double figures with 13.

Paw Prints: UAlbany has won three in a row for the second time this season ... the Great Danes last won three consecutive America East Conference games from Jan. 8-14, 2009 ... UAlbany last won back-to-back conference road games in February 2008 ... Logan Aronhalt, whose scoring total was two off his career-high, tied a career-best with six three-point field goals ... Tim Ambrose had 20-plus points for 20th time as a collegian ...Aronhalt and Ambrose are the 20th UAlbany tandem to net 20-plus points in the same contest at the Division I level ... Ambrose moved past Rich Margison (1966-69) and Barry Cavanaugh (1975-79) into seventh place on the school's career scoring chart with 1,430 points ... UAlbany (11-12) had a 23-game record of 6-17 at this point in the 2009-10 season.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

University of Albany's Fanning & Johnson Selected America East Track & Field Performers of the Week - UAlbany Sports 2011


Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Kathryn Fanning has been chosen America East Conference Female Track Performer of the Week, while teammate Kadine Johnson was voted Female Field Performer of the Week, as announced on Tuesday, Jan. 25 by the conference office.

Fanning, a freshman from Manlius, N.Y., was UAlbany's lone individual champion at the ninth annual Great Dane Classic when she won the 1,000-meter run in an ECAC-qualifying time of 2:55.09. Fanning led UAlbany to the team championship, held at the Armory Track & Field Center in New York City on Jan. 21. The Great Danes scored 103 points, while second-place Pittsburgh had 92.

Johnson, a senior from New Rochelle, N.Y., was also a key figure in her team's first-place effort. She placed second in the shot put with a mark of 46-feet, 4.75-inches and was third in the weight throw with a toss of 56-02.25. Johnson's performances in each event qualified her for the ECAC Championships in March and were each the second-best throws in program history.

Paw Prints: UAlbany's Sherez Mohamed ran the second leg on the second-place 4x400-meter relay that hit the finish line in 3:50.11, an ECAC-qualifying time, plus was second in the 400-meter dash ... Brianne Bellon (800m), Christen Griffin (60m-hurdles) and Brittany Eveleth (500m) turned in times that placed each runner in the ECAC meet ... UAlbany will compete at the 104th Millrose Games on Friday, Jan. 28 at Madison Square Garden.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Monday, January 24, 2011

DE Mike Kelly & QB Buddy Leathley Share UAlbany's 2010 Football Team MVP Award


Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany's Mike Kelly and Buddy Leathley shared the 2010 most valuable player award at the football program's postseason awards banquet, held at the Italian American Community Center on Saturday, Jan. 22. Leathley also received the team's most improved award. UAlbany (6-5) tied for fourth in the Northeast Conference standings and posted a school-record fifth consecutive winning campaign.

Kelly, a senior from West Long Branch, N.J., was a second-team All-NEC defensive end. He totaled 49 tackles, 2.0 sacks and two interceptions, plus led the Great Danes with 8.0 tackles for a loss. He was a key figure in the final month of the season, as UAlbany finished with three consecutive wins. His 54-yard interception return for a touchdown with 1:30 remaining at Sacred Heart sealed the outcome in a 35-23 victory, plus he was named NEC defensive player of the week for his performance in a season-ending victory against Monmouth. Kelly finished his career with 137 tackles, 8.0 sacks and 18.5 hits for a loss.

Leathley, a redshirt freshman from Manlius, N.Y., took over the starting quarterback duties at mid-season. He completed 67 of 125 pass attempts for 748 yards and four touchdowns and was third on the team in rushing with 178 yards and two scores. Leathley also shared top offensive back honors with Dillon Romain. The freshman tailback from Vernon, N.J., was the conference's top offensive rookie after rushing for 547 yards and six touchdowns and averaging 86.7 all-purpose yards per game. He was chosen NEC rookie of the week on four occasions, including three times in the month of November. His 954 all-purpose yards is the highest total by a freshman in the school's Division I FCS history

Trevor Anderson was named the squad's top defensive lineman. Anderson made his second straight appearance on the All-NEC first team as a defensive tackle. He was the fourth UAlbany defensive lineman to be named to the first team in consecutive seasons. The 6-foot-2, 295-pound senior totaled 45 tackles, 2.0 sacks, three pass break-ups, one forced fumble and one blocked kick. Anderson, who played in the FCS Senior Scout Bowl in December, piled up 146 tackles, 10.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for a loss as a collegian.

Andy Sparano received the team's top offensive lineman award for the second year in a row. Sparano, the son of Miami Dolphins' head coach Tony Sparano, made 40 career appearances as a center and guard on UAlbany's line. Dave Plungas picked up the top linebacker trophy, as the sophomore led the team in tackles with 71. Jake Ciccarello, a junior safety, received the best defensive back award after totaling 51 tackles, two interceptions and five pass break-ups.

Sophomore Ryan Kirchner was voted multiple awards as the special teams MVP and top receiver. He averaged 10.4 yards per punt return in 27 attempts and ranked 27th among the NCAA FCS national leaders. His 80-yard runback for a touchdown against Wagner was the second-longest return in program history. He was third on the team in all-purpose yards (784). A native of Rumson, N.J., Kirchner registered the fifth-best single-season total in school annals with 50 receptions for 504 yards and one TD.

Paw Prints: UAlbany (6-5, NEC 4-4) established a program record with its fifth consecutive winning season ... the previous mark of four straight winning campaigns was established from 1996-99 ... UAlbany's Bob Ford is the career active leader among Division I FCS coaches with 247 victories ... Herb Glass, a junior placekicker, is No. 6 on the all-time scoring list with 164 points ... TB Andrew Smith, the team's top rusher in the fall, heads into his junior season with 1,103 career yards on the ground and 1,824 all-purpose yards ... DE Eddie Delaney, who has 111 career tackles, was a second-team All-NEC selection for the second time as a collegian ... spring practice is scheduled to begin on Saturday, March 19 ... UAlbany's non-conference opponents in 2011 are Colgate, Maine and Columbia.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Deleted By Request

Deleted By Request

Saturday, January 22, 2011

UAlbany's Brian Caufield Chosen in Sixth Round of Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft


Baltimore, Md. - University at Albany's Brian Caufield was taken in the sixth round of the Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft by the Rochester Rattlers on Friday, Jan. 21 at The Power Plant. Caufield, the 32nd overall selection, becomes the seventh player in the UAlbany program's history to be chosen in the MLL Collegiate Draft.

Caufield, who is positioned at both midfielder and attackman, was chosen to the 2011 Inside Lacrosse/Face-Off Yearbook Preseason All-America Team last month. He was UAlbany's second-leading scorer last year with 10 goals and 22 assists despite missing the final five games of his junior season with a broken jaw. He has 61 goals and 70 assists for 131 career points and ranks fifth on the program's career assists list.

A native of Bay Shore, N.Y., Caufield earned honorable mention USILA All-America honors as a sophomore in 2009. He has twice been voted to the All-America East Conference first team.

The MLL Collegiate Draft was previously held in June after the college season were completed, but was moved to January for the first time this year. The MLL Draft consists of eight rounds and 48 selections.

UAlbany's Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft Selections
Frank Resetarits (2007 MLL, Long Island-3rd)
Jordan Levine (2008 MLL, New Jersey-1st)
Brett Queener (2008 MLL, Rochester-5th)
Corey Small (2009 MLL, Toronto-3rd)
Chris Schongar (2009 MLL, Toronto-5th)
Dave Brock (2010 MLL, Toronto-6th)
Brian Caufield (2011 MLL, Rochester-6th)

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Women Finish First & Men Take Second at 9th Annual UAlbany Great Dane Track & Field Classic - UAlbany Sports 2011


2011 Great Dane Classic Results - https://admin.xosn.com/attachments1/92322.htm

New York City, N.Y. - University at Albany's Kathryn Fanning won the 1,000-meter run in leading her team to the team title at the ninth annual Great Dane Classic on Friday, Jan. 21 at the Armory Track & Field Center. Fanning, a freshman, posted an ECAC-qualifying time of 2:55.09.

Kadine Johnson was second in the shot put and third in the weight throw as the Great Danes piled up 103 points. Pittsburgh was second with 92 and Pennsylvania was third with 74.50. Johnson qualified for the ECAC championships in both events. She recorded second-best marks in program history with a shot put of 46-feet, 4.75-inches and toss of 56-02.25 in the weight throw.

Brianne Bellon led a group of UAlbany athletes who placed second in their respective events. Bellon, a freshman, went 2:12.53 in the 800-meter run, while Sherez Mohamed hit the tape with a 400-meter dash time of 57.31. Tierra Chavis anchored the 4x400-meter relay to a runner-up finish by clocked in with an ECAC-mark of 3:50.11. Miranda McConnell ran the final leg the distance medley relay that took second in 12:32.90.

In the men's competion, UAlbany's Alex Leuchanka set a meet record by winning the 5,000-meter run. His time of 14:39.22 qualified the sophomore for the IC4A championships. Leuchanka's teammate Ethan Clary was third in 14:49.01.

Connecticut was first in the team standings with 119.5 points, as the meet's track MVP Michael Rutt was a double-winner in the 800-meters and 1,000. The Great Danes were second with 84 points and Villanova picked up third with 63.

Paul Lagno, who won the 3,000 at Penn State's Nittany Lion Challenge, was a winner in the mile run by crossing the finish line in 4:09.64, meeting the IC4A-qualifying standard. Wilfredo de Jesus Elias earned a spot in the IC4A meet by taking second in the weight throw. His toss of 60-feet, 5.75-inches is the second-best throw in program annals. Freshman Kareem Morris was third in the long jump with a leap of 22-10.50.

Paw Prints: Maryland-Eastern Shore's Cynthia Anais was the ninth anual Great Dane Classic's Female Track MVP after setting a meet record in the 800-meter run ... Morgan State's Candace Shirley earned Field MVP honors by winning the weight throw and establishing a meet standard ... UConn's Michael Rutt was named the Great Dane Classic's Male Track MVP as he won both the 800-meters and 1,000-meters ... Monmouth's Vincent Elardo was awarded the Field MVP after recorded a pair of first-place finishes in the shot put and weight throw.

Ninth Annual Great Dane Classic (Armory Track & Field Center)

MEN - 1. Connecticut 119.50, 2. UAlbany 84, 3. Villanova 63, 4. Monmouth 51.50, 5. Central Connecticut State 41, 6. Pittsburgh 39, 7. Pennsylvania 37, 8. Long Island 39, t9. Massachusetts 33, t9. Maryland-Eastern Shore 33, 11. Delaware State 25, 12. Coppin State 24, 13. Manhattan 19, 14. Southern Connecticut State 17.50, 15. Adelphi 15, 16. La Salle 14, 17. Nassau Community College 10, 18. St. Thomas Aquinas 9, t19. Montclair State 8, t19. Neumann 9, 21. Lafayette 5.50, 22. Ithaca 4. 23. Molloy 3, 24. Delhi 2.

Individual - 60-dash - Kevin Steinberg (Connecticut), 6.88 (tie, meet record); 60-hurdles - Tyler Cotto (Massachusetts), 8.05 (meet record); 200 - Aaron Radden (Central Connecticut State), 21.41 (meet record); 400 - Andre Walsh (Maryland-Eastern Shore), 48.78; 500 - Mychael Fabio (Adelphi), 1:02.75; 800 - Michael Rutt (Connecticut), 1:51.45; Mile - Paul Lagno (UAlbany), 4:09.64; 1,000 - Michael Rutt (Connecticut), 2:24.47; 3,000 - Brian Long (Villanova), 8:06.59 (meet record); 5,000 - Alex Leuchanka (meet record), 14;29.22; Distance Medley Relay - Connecticut (Alex Bennatan, Tim Bennatan, Chris Dailey, Kyle Twombly), 10:07.73; 4x400 Relay - Delaware State (Leslie Murray, Kelli Thibou, Ryan Carter, Kevaughn Laviea), 3:13.69;
Weight Throw - Vincent Elardo (Monmouth), 60-08.50; Pole Vault - Zachary Meverden (Connecticut), 15-09.00; Long Jump - Lutalo Boyce (Nassau Community College), 23-07.50; High Jump - Noel James (Connecticut), 6-11.00; Triple Jump - Amire Solomon (Long Island), 49-05.75; Shot Put - Vincent Elardo (Monmouth), 60-01.00 (meet record).

WOMEN - 1. UAlbany 103, 2. Pittsburgh 92, 3. Pennsylvania 74.50, 4. Maryland-Eastern Shore 57, t5. Monmouth 47.50, t5. Long Island 47.50, 7. Villanova 47, 8. La Salle 43, 9. Morgan State 40, 10. Manhattan 36.50, 11. Massachusetts 31, 12. Temple 30, 13. Southern Connecticut State 18, 14. Delaware 17, 15. Central Connecticut State 5, 16. Bronx Community College 4, t17. Delaware State 3, t17. Molloy 3.

Individual - 60-dash - Da'Lynn Mills (Pittsburgh), 7.59; 60-hurdles - Brianna Broyles (Pittsburgh), 8:52 (meet record); 200 - Victoria Caruso (Delaware), 24.62; 400 - Cara Rostant (Manhattan), 56.96; 500 - Heidy Palacios (Manhattan), 1:14.27; 800 - Cynthia Anais (Maryland-Eastern Shore), 2:07.95 (meet record); Mile - Stephanie Bearish (La Salle), 4:58.30; 1,000 - Kathryn Fanning (UAlbany), 2:55.09; 3,000 - Karen Roa (Massachusetts), 9:56.77; 5,000 - Christine Cohick (Pennsylvania), 17:42.24; Distance Medley Relay - Southern Connecticut State (Jaclyn Sullivan, Sarah Hill, Titilayo Vanriel, Alasia Griebel), 12:14.09; 4x400 Relay - Maryland-Eastern Shore (Kenesha Abrams, Cynthia Anais, Monique Hawkins, Jennell Wade), 3:49; Weight Throw - Candace Shirley (Morgan State), 60-01.00 (meet record); Pole Vault - Ashlyn Llerandi (Villanova), 12-09.50 (meet record); Long Jump - Malin Olsson (Manhattan), 19-10.25 (meet record); High Jump - Samantha Yeats (Villanova), 5-08.75; Triple Jump - Ashley Corum (Pittsburgh), 39-10.75; Shot Put - Vanessa Henry (Maryland-Eastern Shore), 48-00.00.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Friday, January 21, 2011

University of Albany Sets Program's Division I Record in 76-37 America East Win Against Binghamton - UAlbany Sports 2011


Albany, N.Y. - Mike Black had 15 points to pace four players in double figures, as UAlbany led wire-to-wire in a 76-37 America East Conference victory over Binghamton on Thursday, Jan. 20 at SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes posted their largest win margin since moving to the NCAA Division I level in the 1999-2000 campaign.

UAlbany (10-12, AE 3-4) leaped to 12-2 lead at the start. Black, who made 6-of-9 from the field, hit a fastbreak layup following a blocked shot and canned a three-point field goal in transition. Tim Ambrose, who totaled 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists, made a bank shot to finish off a fastbreak and converted another shot after a steal.

The Great Danes' zone defense bothered the visitors, as Binghamton (6-13, AE 3-3) made just 2-of-18 from the floor over the opening fourteen minutes. Meanwhile, the Great Danes ran off 17 unanswered to build a 29-5 advantage. Ambrose, a 6-foot senior, scored off a curl move and connected on a driving bank shot from the left side. Freshman Luke Devlin, who had 12 points, made a pair of three-pointers from the top of the arc late in that decisive run.

The Great Danes, who led 39-13 at the intermission after holding Binghamton 13.3-percent shooting in the half, pushed out to a 52-22 lead midway through the second half when Devlin drilled one of his four 3-pointers. UAlbany kept a working 30-point margin until the final five minutes.

"It was an overall team effort," said Ambrose, whose team held Binghamton to 21.1-percent shooting for the game and blocked a season-best 11 shots. "(The win) was not easy. Everything went our way. We all had the same energy and communicated on defense."

UAlbany's bench helped extend the lead in the late stages. Ralph Watts, the fourth Great Dane in twin figures, had a career-high 10 points and made all four of his field goal attempts. Sophomore guard Jacob Iati added a pair of long-range jumpers, as his team made 11-of-27 from behind the arc.

Mahamoud Jabbi, a 6-foot-7 senior, had 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Bearcats, who suffered their third consecutive defeat after starting conference play with three wins in a row.

"Our defense and rebounding led to some transition opportunities," explained UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team allowed the lowest point total by an America East regular-season opponent in program history. "We've had so many close games that we deserved to have one like this. We were unselfish, moved the ball from side to side and kept our foot on the gas pedal."

Paw Prints: UAlbany broke the program's Division I record for win margin, eclipsing the previous mark set in a 70-38 win over Columbia on Nov. 17, 2007 ... the Great Danes also set a program standard for lowest point total by an America East opponent in regular-season play ... Hartford scored 42 points against UAlbany on Jan. 27, 2005 ... Tim Ambrose moved among the school's top 10 in career scoring and has 1,405 points ... Ambrose is tied with Will Brand (1998-2002) for ninth place on the all-time chart ... John Puk matched a career-high with four blocked shots ... the Great Danes had a season-high 11 blocks as a team ... freshman Luke Devlin has scored in double figure in three of his last four games ... UAlbany ended a three-game losing streak in the Binghamton series ... the two programs met for the 86th time.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

UAlbany Women's Basketball Signs Four to National Letters of Intent for 2011-12


Albany, N.Y. - The University at Albany women's basketball team has signed four players to National Letters of Intent for the 2011-12 academic year, as announced by head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson on Wednesday, Jan. 19. Megan Craig will join the Great Danes for the 2011 spring semester classes, while Margarita Rosario, Sarah Royals and Allysia Rohlehr will attend UAlbany in the fall.

Craig is a 6-foot-9 center from Whangarei, New Zealand. She is a member of New Zealand's national teams, and won the U-19 national title as a member of the North Harbour squad in 2010. Craig is also a member of the New Zealand Women's Force Basketball Academy, and has been a nominee for the Tai Tokerau Maori Sport Awards in the junior women's category every year since 2008. She was Kamo High School's Sportswoman of the Year in 2008, and was the ASB Northland Secondary School's Basketball Sportswoman of the Year that same season. Craig averaged 20 points, 15 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game last season, en route to being a regional representation player for Northland and North Harbour.

Rosario was a four-year letterwinner at Felix Varela High in Miami, Fla. She compiled 1,252 points, 296 assists, 242 rebounds and 208 steals in her first three seasons and led the Vipers to 41 wins in three years. Rosario is on track to break all of Felix Varela's school records for both boys' and girls' basketball and is among Florida's top point guards. As one of the leading scorers in Miami girls' basketball, she was named to the Miami Herald All-Dade County team last season.

Royals, a native of Torrington, Conn., is a two-time All-Naugatuck Valley and All-Suburban honoree, after leading the Naugatuck Valley League in scoring for the past two seasons. Royals, who had 1,034 career points going into her senior season, led the team in scoring, assists and steals as a sophomore and a junior, and was a Connecticut High School Coaches' Association all-state selection as a junior. A senior captain, she is one of ten players in the state of Connecticut to be nominated as a McDonald's All-American and was Wendy's High School Heisman State Winner in 2010. Royals was also a four-year soccer letterwinner for Torrington, earning all-league and all-state honors as a team captain, and is Torrington's record holder in the 800-meter run as a three-year letterwinner for the track and field team.

Rohlehr is a native of Island Park, N.Y., and is attending St. John the Baptist High School as a senior after spending three years at St. Michael Academy in New York City. A three-year letterwinner for St. Michael, she led the team to the NYS Class AA Federation title in 2008-09, and was named a NYS All-Star and All-Manhattan second team by the New York Daily News that season. As a junior, she was an All-Manhattan honorable mention after suffering an injury. A 4.0 student, Rohlehr is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and earned the Honora Nagle Honor Society Award in 2009. She has been a tutor in the Star Tutoring Program and was a McGraw-Hill Intern Finalist in 2010. She has been nominated to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine and the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, and was invited to participate in People to People International as a Sports Ambassador.


"We are very exciting about the four young women who have decided to be a part of our Albany women’s basketball family," said Abrahamson-Henderson, who has guided the Great Danes to their best start in their Division I history. "All four will fit into the mold we will always look for to bring into our program. They all are high character people first, believe in academic excellence and are very talented basketball players. Our players, coaches and administration are so excited to welcome these phenomenal women into our program."

UAlbany Women's Basketball Recruits

Megan Craig - Whangarei, New Zealand/Kamo High School

Margarita Rosario - Miami, Fla./Felix Varela High School

Sarah Royals - Torrington, Conn./Torrington High School

Allysia Rohlehr - Island Park, N.Y./St. John the Baptist

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Forster and Henry Record Double-Doubles to Lead University of Albany Womens' Basketball to a 67-55 Win Over Stony Brook


Stony Brook, N.Y. - Ebone Henry and Julie Forster each finished with double-doubles, leading four UAlbany players in double-figures scoring as the Great Danes posted a 67-55 win over Stony Brook in America East Conference women's basketball action on Wednesday evening at Pritchard Gymnasium.

Stony Brook got out to a 15-8 lead on a jumper by Destiny Jacobs with 11:40 on the clock, before UAlbany went on a 10-0 run to pull ahead, 18-15, after two free throws by Tabitha Makopondo with 8:24 left to play. Taylor Burner ended the UAlbany run with a jumper, but Felicia Johnson nailed a 3-pointer to give the Great Danes a 21-17 advantage at the 8-minute media timeout. The Seawolves tied the game at 21-21 on a Sam Landers lay-up with just under six minutes left to go, but Johnson converted a jumper, and helped out on a steal on the ensuing Stony Brook possession, passing the ball to Adrienne Jones under the hoop to keep the Great Danes ahead, 25-21, with 4:51 left to play.

Stony Brook, which shot 50-percent in the first half, pulled within one point after a Kirsten Jeter 3-pointer, and the Seawolves took a 26-25 lead on a Burner lay-in at the three-minute mark. The teams exchanged baskets, and were tied at 30-30 after Johnson's second 3-pointer of the game at 1:17. Both teams committed turnovers in the waning seconds, including a steal by Johnson on a Stony Brook in-bounds pass, but the Great Danes could not find the basket, and the teams hit the locker room knotted at 30-30.

UAlbany came out firing after the halftime break, and built up a 48-38 lead midway through the second half after Johnson connected on one of her four assists, hitting a wide-open Julie Forster under the basket, giving the Great Danes the largest advantage of the game with 10:44 left to play. UAlbany continued to build its lead, getting up 56-40 on a lay-in by Jones with 5:14 on the clock, scoring two of her 13 points.

Stony Brook pulled back within 10, 61-51, with just over a minute left to play, getting back-to-back baskets by Tamiel Murray and Jeter. The Great Danes used strong foul shooting down the stretch to hold onto their lead, getting free throws from Jones, Johnson and Forster in the final minute to set the final score.

Henry totaled 14 points and 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season, while Forster recorded 12 points and a game-high 11 boards for her league-leading sixth double-double. Johnson scored a team-high 16 points, including a 4-for-4 performance from the free throw line. Jeter scored a game-high 23 points for Stony Brook (3-14, AE 0-5), while Jacobs chipped in with 11 points and five rebounds for the Seawolves. Stony Brook shot 40.7-percent for the game, while UAlbany finished with 37.3-percent shooting from the floor, while also out-rebounding the Seawolves, 41-35. Both teams recorded 14 steals, while Stony Brook committed 28 turnovers in the game.

UAlbany (11-7, AE 4-1) will return to action on Thursday, visiting Binghamton in America East action at 7 p.m.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Paul Lagno Named America East Conference Indoor Track Performer of the Week - UAlbany Sports 2011

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Paul Lagno has been selected America East Conference Male Track Performer of the Week inindoor track & field, as announced on Tuesday, Jan. 18 by the conference office.

Lagno, a sophomore from Salt Point, N.Y., won the 3,000-meter run at the Penn State Nittany Lion Challenge in a school-record time of 8:18.41. The sophomore finished more than two seconds ahead of Penn State's Nick Scarpello as he shattered Robbie Freeman's UAlbany 2006 standard of 8:19.10. Lagno's time also qualified him for the IC4A Championships in March.

Paw Prints: UAlbany hosts the Great Dane Classic on Friday, Jan. 21 at the New York City Armory, beginning at 12:30 p.m. ... Nick Santos led a group of 10 Great Dane individuals who earned IC4A and ECAC qualifying marks at last Saturday's Nittany Lion Challenge ... Santos won the 800-meters in 1:53.27 and also ran the first leg of UAlbany's first-place distance medley relay ... Peter Rowell, who was third in the 600-meters in a school-record time of 1:20.12, also anchored the 4x400 relay to a second-place finish ... Sandy Antenor won the triple jump with an ECAC-qualfying leap of 40-feet, 0.50-inches ... the senior is the sixth UAlbany athlete to record a 40-plus foot triple jump ... freshman Brianne Bellon nearly set a school record in her first meet as a collegian as she placed third in the 1,000-meter run with a time of 2:50.08, just six-hundredths of a second off Jessica Ortman's 2007 record.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Tim Ambrose Leads University of Albany Men's Basketball Past Stony Brook - UAlbany Sports 2011


Stony Brook, N.Y. - Tim Ambrose had 15 points and a career-high 14 rebounds as UAlbany survived Stony Brook's second-half comeback with a 52-50 victory in America East Conference play on Monday, Jan. 17 at Pritchard Gymnasium.

UAlbany (9-12, AE 2-4) broke a 33-33 halftime deadlock with six straight points to start the period. Ambrose connected on a three-point play when he was fouled after scoring on a follow shot. Mike Black canned a three-pointer from right of the key.

The Great Danes, who won for the first time on the road since Dec. 22, extended their margin to as much as 11 on two occasions. Ambrose, a 6-foot senior who recorded his third career triple-double, drilled a three-point field goal from the right wing for a 51-40 lead midway through the period.

Stony Brook (7-10, AE 2-3) was coming off a double-overtime victory against New Hampshire two days ago and looked to repeat that performance with a strong defensive effort the rest of the way. The Seawolves held the visitors without a field goal to the end and 7-of-23 shooting after the intermission. Meanwhile, Dallas Joyner put back a missed 3-pointer and Bryan Dougher nailed a 17-foot jumper to bring their team within 51-50.

UAlbany's John Puk was fouled on a slam dunk attempt on the right baseline and made one of two free throws with 18 seconds left. Luke Devlin (6 points) collected his 10th rebound of the game with Puk's missed foul shot. After being fouled, the freshman missed the front end of a one-and-one. Dougher could only get off an off-balance three-point attempt from the top of the arc on the last possession.

"We had to communicate on that last play and switch on everything," Ambrose said. "We came out with energy and played together at the start of the second half. (Jacob) Iati did a good job of shadowing Dougher. We just missed shots on offense. They played better on defense, but we also missed some easy looks."

In the opening half, UAlbany took a 27-24 lead on Ambrose's three-point field from left of the key. The Seawolves went back in front when Danny Carter hit a slam dunk following a steal and pushed out to a 33-29 advantage. Dougher, who led all scorers with 20 points and was 6-of-13 from the arc, made a long-range shot from in front of the UAlbany bench. Devlin helped the Great Danes draw even at the break by scoring with an offensive rebound and two free throws.

"(Bryan) Dougher was terrific, but we got a (defensive) stop when it mattered," said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team was coming off a couple close losses to Maine and Boston University. "A loss would have been devastating, especially when you hold a team to 50 points on the road. Stony Brook cranked up their defense in the second half. It was a good team win for us."
Marcus Rouse had 10 points, all in the first half, for the Seawolves, who had five in a row in this series, including last year's America East Tournament quarterfinal victory. UAlbany's Logan Aronhalt finished with 11 points.

Paw Prints: UAlbany ended a five-game slide in the series ... Stony Brook holds a 13-12 edge in 25 Division I meetings ... Tim Ambrose has 1,391 points and 521 rebounds as a collegian .. SBU's Bryan Dougher reached the 1,000-point plateau in the second half ... Luke Devlin recorded his fourth 10-plus rebound effort of the season ... Devlin was named the America East Conference Rookie of the Week for the third time earlier in the day ... the Great Danes have been involved in six games decided by two points or less this season ... UAlbany hosts Binghamton on Thursday, Jan. 20 in a game that will be televised on Time Warner Cable Sports.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Monday, January 17, 2011

University of Albany's Luke Devlin Selected America East Conference Basketball Rookie of the Week for Third Time - UAlbany Sports 2011


Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Luke Devlin has been chosen America East Conference Rookie of the Week in men's basketball, as announced on Monday, Jan. 17 by the conference office. Devlin, a freshman from Sydney, Australia, received the weekly award for the third time this season.

Devlin, a 6-foot-8 forward, averaged 10.5 points and 5.0 rebounds in two games, plus shot 61.5 percent from the field. He made all four of his three-point field goal attempts. Devlin had 10 points and six rebounds against Maine and followed with an 11-point effort versus Boston University.

Devlin has been a starter in all 20 games this season. He leads the team in rebounding at 5.7 per game and is averaging 6.5 points. He has collected six or more rebounds against nine opponents.

Paw Prints: The Great Danes meet Stony Brook on Monday (Jan. 17) at 5:04 p.m. in America East play ... the conference clash will be televised by MSG-Plus and seen on ESPN 3 ... UAlbany has lost four in a row, including a pair of tightly-contested contests with Maine (66-64) and Boston U. (70-67) ... Tim Ambrose need 29 points to move among the UAlbany program's top 10 all-time scorers ... Ambrose, who had 1,376 points and 507 rebounds, is also 14th in career assists (267) and 18th in steals (104) ... Thursday's home game with Binghamton at SEFCU Arena will air on Time Warner Cable Sports.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Sunday, January 16, 2011

University of Albany Wins Three Indoor Track Events & One Relay at Penn State's Nittany Lion Challenge - UAlbany Sports 2011


State College, Pa. - University at Albany's Paul Lagno set a school-record in winning the 3,000-meter run to highlight his team's performance at the Nittany Lion Challenge, held at Penn State's Horace Ashenfelter III Indoor Track on Saturday, Jan. 15. The non-scoring competition featured teams from top-ranked Florida, Maryland, Cornell and the host school.

Lagno crossed the finish line in an IC4A-qualifying time of 8:18.41 to finish ahead of Penn State's Nick Scarpello (8:20.44). UAlbany's Alex Leuchanka and Aaron Lozier were third and fourth, respectively, in 8:29.86 and 8:36.26. Lagno's mark shattered Robbie Freeman's UAlbany standard of 8:19.10 set in 2006.

Nick Santos won the 800-meters with a time of 1:53.27 and ran the first leg on the winning distance medley relay. Santos qualified for this March's IC4A championships in the 800 and finished ahead of Cornell's Will Weinlandt, who hit the tape in 1:53.96. Joining Santos on the first-place relay were Chris Burke, Alex Petit-Frere and Sean Halpin. The unit qualified for IC4As in 10:15.50.

In the women's competition, Sandy Antenor was a winner in the triple jump with a leap of 40-feet, 0.50-inches. She qualified for the ECAC Championships. Jonelle White, a freshman, took second in the 800-meter run and reached the line in 2:19.04.

Freshman Brianne Bellon nearly set a school record in her first meet as a collegian. She finished third in the 1,000-meter run with a time of 2.50.80. She placed behind Penn State's Caitlin Lane (2:45.95) and Cornell's Kim Standridge (2:46.48). Bellon's clocking was six-hundredths of a second off Jessica Ortman's 2007 record and qualified her for ECACs.

UAlbany had 10 individuals and three relays meet IC4A and ECAC qualifying standards. The men's 4x400 relay was second in 3:16.03. Peter Rowell, who earlier in the day placed third in the 600-meters, anchored the group that included Jonathan Santana, Taylor Chaney and Ebube Abara.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

University of Albany Wins Third Straight in 65-50 Victory Over Maine; Great Danes Tied for First Place - UAlbany Sports 2011


Orono, Maine - Sophomore guard Ebone Henry led three UAlbany players in double-figure scoring with a game-high 17 points to lead the Great Danes to a 65-50 win over Maine in America East Conference women's basketball action on Wednesday evening at Alfond Arena. UAlbany is 3-0 to start conference play for the first time since joining the league in 2000.

The Great Danes, who were coming off a win at Hartford last Saturday, came out firing to start the game, building up a 21-13 lead on a 3-pointer by Melia Basavand with 8:32 on the clock. Maine's Tanna Ross responded with a trey of her own that sparked a 9-2 run, pulling the Black Bears to within a point, 23-22, with just over five minutes left to play. A 3-pointer by Amber Smith gave Maine its first lead of the game, but Henry hit a jumper to tie the game at 25-25 with 4:04 left to play. The teams exchanged baskets for the rest of the half, with a layup by America East player of the game Cassandra Callaway setting the halftime score at 29-29.

Callaway, who finished with 16 points, teamed up with Tabatha Makopondo to go 4-for-4 from the free throw line to start the second half, after which the Great Danes embarked on a 10-0 run that would give UAlbany the lead for good. The Great Danes would get up by 11, 49-38, at about the midway point of the second half, before Maine attempted to chip away at the deficit. Two free throws by Jaymie Druding pulled the Black Bears back within seven, but Callaway knocked down her second 3-pointer of the game to put the Great Danes back ahead by double digits.

UAlbany continued to run away with the game in the closing minutes, as Henry scored two baskets around a pair of free throws, giving the Great Danes a 58-45 advantage with just under four minutes to play. Makopondo hit two shots from the charity stripe with 21 ticks left to seal the final margin.

"Defensively we were too aggressive in the first half, going for every steal," said UAlbany head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson, who also led the Great Danes to their best-ever Division I start earlier this season. "In the second half, we just committed to playing good contained solid defense. We looked to run a lot of plays to the basket and our guards played really well. Felicia [Johnson] was really poised and got us into some good offensive plays. Tabitha [Makopondo] played great D and grabbed offensive rebounds and helped on every drive."

Johnson was the third player for the Great Danes with double-digit scoring, adding 10 points to go along with five assists in a 40-minute performance. Julie Forster grabbed a team-high eight rebounds for UAlbany. Ashleigh Roberts finished with a team-high 11 points for Maine (3-13, AE 1-3), while Druding added 10 points for the Black Bears. UAlbany (10-6, AE 3-0) shot 38.7-percent (24-62) from the floor, while holding Maine to 30.9-percent (17-55) shooting.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Inside Lacrosse Writeup on Men's Team

Albany's potentially potent offense has generated a lot of buzz coming into the season. With the arrival of top recruits Miles and Ty Thompson (Lyle Thompson is slated to enroll next year), and talented veterans Joe Resetarits and Brian Caulfield returning from injury, the Great Danes have the tools to produce some prolific numbers in 2011.

"When you have kids that can score, people have to pay attention to them," says head coach Scott Marr. "They kind of open things up a little bit for us, so hopefully we can get back to scoring over 10 goals a game, which would be nice."

The cousins Thompson have complementary roles, Marr describes. "Ty has a good way of getting himself open, and he moves very well without the ball."

Miles then becomes more of a set-up man, carrying, dodging, and initiating two-man games and other tricks of the trade brought over from ample box experience.

Resetarits becomes the interchangeable third wheel of the unit. He is just as comfortable playing the feeder at X, dodging to score, or moving on the inside. Resetarits tallied 16 points in just five games before breaking his foot to end his sophomore campaign.

"Joe's got such a burning desire right now because he didn't play last season," Marr says. "Joe's enthusiasm and his energy are probably the two best qualities that he has….He brings the whole team up."

Brian Caulfield returns from a broken jaw that cut short his junior season as the midfield's most dynamic offensive threat. After wracking up 131 career points mostly playing attack for the Danes, Caulfield will be bumped up to the position he used to play in high school.

"I find it easier to see the field from up top, to see how the play's developing and the open players." Caulfield says. "It's nice to get a short stick once in a while, it's a lot easier to do things than against a pole."

Another converted attackman, senior Matt Johnson and sophomore St. Joe's transfer Artie Marrapese provide extra scoring punch, along with juniors Jack Reynolds and Rocky Bonitatibus. Senior Kyle Crotty, sophomore Mike Woods and freshman Ryan Feuerstein provide Marr a stable of speedy, athletic middies that can fly from end to end.

"We've got a host of sophomores and juniors that got a lot of playing time last year," Marr said. "We want to get back to kind of pushing the ball, pushing the tempo, and trying to play that upbeat kind of style."

Of course playing an up tempo style can put extra pressure on a defense that struggled in 2010. The consensus at Albany points towards a lack of communication and control causing the defensive lapses of last season, two areas emphasized throughout the fall.

Senior Mike Banks returns the most experience to the defensive unit. "He's had a good career," Marr says, "But he's looking to have a great year here." Junior Travis Lyons worked his way into the close unit during the second half of last season. Sophomore Jack Nickla, switching from middie to defense, will probably fill out the third spot, but seniors Mike Finnegan, Matt Novosel and Scott Raffensperger all could rotate through the defensive end.

Albany goes into winter practice with an open goalie competition amongst returning starter junior John Carroll, junior Tony Behling and freshman Edmund Cathers.

"We know we have a kid who's proven himself his first couple years for us as a stopper at the Division I level," Marr said of Carroll. Behling's game is similar to to Carroll's, Marr said, but they both have worked to improve their clearing capabilities. "Edmund can throw the ball 40, 50 yards on a dime," he said. "It will be a pretty good fight."

Albany has reached the America East Championship eight times in its nine year's of conference play, but Stony Brook may have emerged as the new power in the league, going undefeated in the league and earning a Top 10 ranking for much of last season. The Danes have this April 23 contest circled.

"How could it not be?" Marr says. "It's a conference rival, we've battled them for years now."

Albany may have the pieces to take back the America East crown, a fete the Great Danes enjoyed in 2007 behind an offense that averaged nearly 14 goals a game, but held opponents to fewer than 10.

"I think Albany has really always been about putting up a lot of goals," says the senior Caulfield. "We've always had decent offenses, but to win a championship we're looking to put together booths sides of a team. We're looking to put up double digits while keeping the opposing team in single digits."

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

University of Albany All Americans

FCS FOOTBALL
(FG = Football Gazette)(SN = Sporting Network)

2008 Raphael Nguti - AFCA 1st Team, SN Hon. Men.
2008 David McCarty - SN 3rd Team
2008 Tom Pandolf - SN Hon. Men.
2007 Michael Dungy - SN 1st Team, CSN 1st Team
2007 David McCarty - SN 1st Team
2007 Sam Pagano - SN 1st Team
2007 Colin Disch - SN 2nd Team
2006 Colin Disch - AFCA 1st Team, SN 1st Team, FG 1st Team
2006 Andre Coleman - SN 1st Team, FG 1st Team
2006 Jacob Anderson - FG 1st Team
2006 Chris Lynch - FG 1st Team
2006 Michael Dungey – FG 2nd Team
2006 Jacob Hobbs – FG 2nd Team
2006 Sam Pagano – FG 2nd Team
2006 Mike Wall – FG 2nd Team
2005 Colin Disch – FG 1st Team, SN 1st Team
2005 Aaron Kimball – FG 1st Team
2005 Jacob Anderson – FG 2nd Team
2005 Michael Dungey – FG 2nd Team
2004 Geir Gudmundsen – AFCA 1st Team, SN 1st Team, FG 1st Team
2004 Colin Disch – FG 1st Team
2004 Brandon Shaw – FG 2nd Team
2003 Gary Jones – AP 3rd Team, SN 1st Team, FG 2nd Team
2003 Geir Gudmundsen – SN 1st Team, FG 2nd Team
2003 Victor Camacho – FG 2nd Team
2003 Mike LaRoche – SN 1st Team, FG 1st Team
2002 Gary Jones – SN 1st Team, FG 1st Team, AP 2nd Team
2002 Alex Argulewicz – SN 1st Team
2002 Josh Bazan – SN 1st Team, FG 1st Team
2002 Mike LaRoche – FG 2nd Team
2002 David Parks - FG 2nd Team
2002 Billy Pike - FG 2nd Team
2001 Josh Bazan - SN 1st Team, FG 1st Team
2001 Alex Argulewicz – SN 1st Team
2001 Chris Phillis – FG 2nd Team
2001 Bryan Bagstad – FG 2nd Team
2000 JT Herfurth – AFCA 1st Team, AP 1st Team, FG 1st Team
2000 Josh Bazan – FG 1st Team
2000 Chris Phillis – FG 2nd Team
2000 Rafael Cruz – FG 2nd Team
1999 Mike Grever – FG 1st Team

DII & DIII Football

1998 Matt Caliandro - DII
1994 Scott Turrin - DIII AFCA 1st Team, FG 3rd Team,
1992 Scott Turrin - DIII
Seth Thomas
Dan Gmelin


MEN’S SOCCER

2008 Steward Ceus – DI 3rd team
1991 Marty Hearney
1989 Lee Tschantret
1988 Lee Tschantret
1986 Carlton Marson
1981 Afrim Nezaj
1961 Karl Gerstenberger
1957 Carlton Maxson
1956 Carlton Maxson
1953 John Lindberg
1953 William Lindberg
1952 Peter Telfer


VOLLEYBALL

2005 Blair Buchanan - DI HM
2004 Blair Buchanan - DI HM
1988 Darby Ballschmieder - DIII 2nd team
1987 Heidi Grunwald - DIII 2nd team
1987 Chris Hofer - DIII 2nd team
1986 Patty Munhall - DIII 2nd team


WOMEN’S LACROSSSE

2011 Taylor Frink - IWLCA All-America second team
2011 Nikki Branchini - IWLCA All-America second team
2010 Nikki Branchini - DI 3rd Team
1999 Amy Di Micco - D II, 2nd team
1998 Dawn Di Micco - D II, 1st team
1998 Rafaela Nikas - D II, 1st team
1998 Allisson Pennington - D II, 1st team
1997 Dawn Di Micco - D II
1996 Debbie August - N Central, 2nd team
1995 Debbie August - N Central, 2nd team


MEN’S LACROSSE

2013 Lyle Thompson
2013 Miles Thompson
2013 Ty Thompson
2012 Joe Resetarits
2009 Brian Caufield – D1 – HM
2008 Jordan Levine – D1 – HM
2007 Brett Queener – D1 – HM
2007 Jordan Levine – D1 2nd team
2007 Merrick Thomson – D1 3rd team
2007 Frank Resetarits – D1 - 1ST team
2005 Luke Daquino – D1 – HM
1999 Tom Alexander – D1 2nd team
1998 Tom Alexander - 1ST team
1997 Tom Alexander – 2nd team
1997 Mike Kittner – HM
1992 Cort Kim – HM
1986 Dave Cerny – HM


FIELD HOCKEY

2012 Jessica Longstreth - NFHCA Division I Second Team All-American
2011 Corrine McConville - Longstreth/NFHCA All-America 2nd Team
2010 Christina Patrick - D1 3rd Team
2008 Michelle Simpson - D1 2nd team
2007 Michelle Simpson - D1 2nd team
1998 Tovah Atwell - DII 1st Team
1998 Liz Peck - D II 1st Team
1998 Amy Di Micco - D II 2nd Team
1997 Tovah Atwell - D II 2nd Team
1997 Liz Peck – DII 1st Team
1997 Meredith Jackel - 1996, 1997 D II 1st Team
1996 Meredith Jackel - D II 1st Team
1996 Liz Peck - D II 2nd Team
1995 Meredith Jackel - D II 2nd Team


INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD

MEN
1985 Marc Mercurio Weight Throw
1986 David Walker *High Jump
1987 Vernon Miller *800m, 4x400
1987 David Reinhardt 4x400
1987 Stephen Thompson 4x400
1987 Michael Bizovi 4x400
1990 Jeffrey York 55m hh
1990 Lance Richardson 4x400
1990 Wilfredo Rodriguez 4x400
1990 Derek Westbrook 4x400
1990 Howard Sellers 4x400
1990 Matthew Kieley Shot Put
1991 Wilfredo Campana 4x400
1991 Wilfredo Rodriguez 4x400
1991 Howard Sellers 4x400
1991 Derek Westbrook 4x400
1992 Jeffrey York *55m hh, 4x400
1992 Joseph McCullen 1,500m, 4x400
1992 Derek Westbrook 4x400
1992 Wilfredo Rodriguez 4x400
1992 Todd Orvis 5,000m
1993 Howard Sellers 400m
1993 James Nixon Pole Vault
1994 Scott Carroll 1,500m
1994 William Vanos 5,000m
1994 James Nixon Pole Vault
1995 Jeffrey York *55m hh
1995 Vincent Hodnett High Jump
1995 Anthony Davenport Long Jump
1995 Oscar Almendarez Triple Jump
1995 Zamafa Chickwendu 4x400
1995 Courtney Currie 4x400
1995 Armando Pabon 4x400
1995 Travis Miller 4x400
2006 Gered Burns 800m
2009 Luke Schoen Pole Vault

WOMEN
1986 Winsome Foderingham 55m
1987 Winsome Forderingham 55m, 55m hh, 4x400
1987 Mary Lou Webster 4x400
1987 Patti Barrett 4x400
1987 Kathy Bellantoni 4x400
1992 Bonnie Boyette Triple Jump
1995 Tanya Dunkley 55m, Triple Jump
1995 Kimberly Toone 4x400
1995 Dana Hoffman 4x400
1995 Robin Glassberg 4x400
1995 Denise Dickerson 4x400
1997 Xiomara Davila Diaz 55m, 55m hh
1997 Ellakisha Williamson 55m hh
1997 Tonya Dodge Mile


OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD

MEN
1974 James Schrader 10,000m
1974 Carlo Cherubino 10,000m
1974 Rudy Vido Shot Put
1984 Marc Mercurio Hammer Throw
1985 Marc Mercurio Hammer Throw
1986 David Walker High Jump
1987 Stephen Thompson 4x400
1987 David Reinhardt 4x400
1987 Bruce Gaynor 4x400
1987 Vernon Miller 4x400
1990 Wilfredo Rodriguez *400m ih
1990 Jeffrey York 110m hh
1990 Matthew Kieley Shot Put
1991 Jeffrey York *110m hh
1991 Wilfredo Rodriguez *400m ih, 4x400
1991 Derek Westbrook 400m ih, 4x400
1991 Howard Sellers 800m, 4x400
1991 Jose Maymi 4x400
1991 Joseph McCullen 1,500m
1992 Jeffrey York *110m hh
1992 Wilfredo Rodriguez 400m ih
1992 Joseph McCullen 800m
1992 Brad Dean Discus Throw
1993 Howard Sellers *800m, 4x400
1993 David Abraham 4x400
1993 Zamafa Chickwendu 4x400
1993 Melvin Keyes 4x400
1994 Scott Carroll *Steeplechase
1994 Vincent Hodnett 110m hh, High Jump
1994 Howard Sellers 800m, 4x400
1994 Travis Miller 100m, 4x400
1994 William Vanos 10,000m
1994 Brad Dean Discus Throw
1994 Zamafa Chickwendu 4x400
1994 Jomo Forrester 4x400
1995 Jeffrey York *110m hh
1995 Travis Miller 100m, 4x400
1995 Courtney Currie 4x400
1995 Jomo Forrester 4x400
1995 Zamafa Chickwendu 4x400
1995 James Nixon Pole Vault, Decathlon
1995 Oscar Almendarez Triple Jump
1995 Anthony Davenport Long Jump
2006 Joe Greene 400m ih
2006 Marc Pallozzi Javelin Throw
2007 Joe Greene 400m ih
2007 Marc Pallozzi Javelin Throw
2008 Luke Schoen Pole Vault
2009 Joe Greene 400m ih
2009 Ricardo Estremera Steeplechase
2009 Luke Schoen Pole Vault
2011 Luke Schoen Pole Vault - 2nd Team
2011 Alie Beauvais - Honorable Mention
2013 Alfonso Scannapieco

WOMEN
1985 Bette Dzamba 10,000m
1986 Winsome Foderingham *200m, 100m hh
1987 Winsome Foderingham *100 hh, 100m, 200m
1988 Winsome Foderingham *200m, 100m, 100 hh
1996 Mary Ingram 400 ih
1996 Tonya Dodge 3,000m
1997 Ellakisha Williamson 100m, 100 hh
1997 Xiomara Davila Diaz 100 hh, 400 ih
1997 Tonya Dodge 1,500m, 3,000m
1997 Janna Johnston Heptathlon


M BASKETBALL

Jason Graber


BASEBALL

2010 Brian Bullar - Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American


M & W CROSS COUNTRY

1994 Scott Carroll
1997 Tonya Dodge

Ebone Henry Leads University of Albany to 62-56 Overtime Win in America East Conference Opener - UAlbany Sports 2011


Albany, N.Y. - Ebone Henry tied a career-high with 26 points, including five in overtime, in leading UAlbany to a 62-56 victory over New Hampshire in the America East Conference opener for both squads on Tuesday, Jan. 4 at SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes ended a three-game losing streak.

New Hampshire (3-10, AE 0-1) trailed 32-23 early in the second half, but then got back into the fray with eight straight points. Denise Beliveau, who had 19 points and a career-best 15 rebounds, scored three consecutive baskets, including a fastbreak layup. From that point, the contest featured six lead changes and five ties.

The Wildcats broke a 44-44 deadlock when Cari Reed drilled a three-point field goal from right of the key. UAlbany was still down three when Henry followed Adrienne Jones' missed jumper. After Reed split a pair of free throws, Henry drew her team even at 52 apiece by converting a left-handed drive with 33.9 seconds left in regulation. UNH's Lauren Wells missed a three-point attempt in the final seconds.

In the extra period, Beliveau put her team in front, 57-56 with a pair of foul shots. But UAlbany's Jones, who equaled a season-high with 10 points, regained the lead with a left-baseline drive. Henry, who made 8-of-17 from the floor and 8-of-10 from the line, sank two free throws. Cassandra Callaway picked off one of her six steals and hit a layup for a 61-56 advantage with 40.8 seconds to play.

"Ebone Henry was a different person tonight," said UAlbany coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson, whose team had dropped five of its previous six outings. "She hustled, got offensive rebounds and attacked the basket. We need her to play like that every night."

UAlbany (8-6, AE 1-0) led 11-9 midway through the first half, before running off seven straight points. Henry did all the damage in that stretch. She scored with an offensive rebound and made two free throws following a steal. Henry, who also grabbed nine rebounds, later added a three-point play when she was fouled on a put back in the lane. New Hampshire kept close at the half, 25-19, as Kelley Flynn sank two free throws and made a turnaround bank from left of the lane.

Jill McDonald had 12 points for the Wildcats, who were coming off a triple-overtime win three days earlier. Callaway was the third Great Dane in double figures with 13.

Paw Prints: UAlbany had dropped seven of its previous nine America East Conference openers ... the Great Danes last played an overtime contest on Feb. 21, 2010, a 64-62 win at New Hampshire ... UNH has won 13 of the 21 meetings in this series ... Ebone Henry matched her career-best 26-point effort against Stony Brook on Feb. 10, 2010

... UAlbany is now 7-1 this season when holding the opposition under 60 points

... Cassandra Callaway scored in double figures for the seventh time this year ... New Hampshire sophomore Jilliane Friel is sister of UAlbany men's basketball assistant coach Jeremy Friel ... UNH head coach Maureen Magarity is the daughter of current Army women's coach and former Marist men's coach Dave Magarity.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Monday, January 3, 2011

University of Albany's Luke Devlin Named America East Conference Rookie of the Week for Second Time - UAlbany Sports 2011


Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Luke Devlin has been named America East Conference Rookie of the Week in men's basketball, as announced on Monday, Jan. 3 by the conference office. Devlin received the conference's weekly award for the second time this season.

A native of Sydney, Australia, the freshman forward averaged 9.7 points and 5.7 rebounds in three games. He recorded his second double-double of the season with a career-high 16 points and 10 rebounds against Wagner on Dec. 30. Devlin had eight points and four rebounds in Sunday's 59-44 victory over America East opponent New Hampshire. The Great Danes ended a three-game skid in league openers and halted a four-game slide in the UNH series.

A starter in all 16 games this season, Devlin is scoring at a 6.6 clip and leads the team and is 10th in the league in rebounding with a 5.8 average. UAlbany (8-8) is three wins better than last year at this point in the season.

Paw Prints: UAlbany limited New Hampshire to 30.2-percent shooting, the second-lowest total by an opponent this season, in Sunday's 59-44 decision ... the Great Danes held a conference opponent to its lowest point total since a 61-42 win over Hartford on Jan. 27, 2005 ... UAlbany shot better than 50 percent for the sixth time this year ... Tim Ambrose is second in America East in scoring at 17.6 points per game ... Ambrose has extended his double-figure scoring streak to 16 consecutive games ... Logan Aronhalt is fourth in the league in scoring at 15.8 points per game.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Sunday, January 2, 2011

University of Albany Men's Basketball Wins America East Conference Opener in 59-44 Decision Against New Hampshire - UAlbany Sports 2011


Albany, N.Y. - Tim Ambrose scored 16 points in leading UAlbany to a 59-44 victory over New Hampshire in the America East Conference opener for both teams on Sunday, Jan. 2 at SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes ended a four-game skid in the series.

UAlbany (8-8, AE 1-0) led 32-29 early in the second half, but then took control with a 10-2 outburst. Logan Aronhalt made a one-hander in the lane and a 15-footer from left of the circle to jump-start the run. Ambrose, a 6-foot senior, finished things off with a pair of drives, including a move around a screen, for a 42-31 lead with 12:57 remaining.

The Great Danes, who had lost their conference opener the past three years, still had a double-figure lead five minutes later, but used a 9-4 spurt to wrap up the victory. Blake Metcalf hit a jump hook, moving across the lane from the left, and Ralph Watts connected on a three-pointer from the right wing. Ambrose made a jumper after his team broke full-court pressure and then set up Metcalf for another basket and a 56-41 advantage with 3:25 to play.

"I was pleased with the way this team responded after a tough road trip (losses to Xavier and Wagner)," said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose squad held a conference opponent to its lowest scoring since Jan. 27, 2005. "Our defense was solid and we received contributions off the bench from (Ralph) Watts and (Jake) Lindfors."

UAlbany leaped to a 12-3 at the start when the visitors missed nine of their first 10 field goal attempts. New Hampshire (6-7, AE 0-1) eventually responded with 12 of the game's next 15 points. Dane DiLiegro connected on a conventional three-point play when he was fouled in the lane and Scott Morris followed with a 3-pointer from the right corner.

With the contest tied at 18 apiece, UAlbany forged ahead with a 10-2 run. Freshman Luke Devlin drilled consecutive three-point shots from the top of the arc. After Jake Lindfors sank two free throws, Ambrose made a right baseline jump to end that stretch. The Great Danes settled for a 28-24 halftime lead.

"Our communication was better on defense and we played as a team," offered Ambrose, who extended his double-figure scoring streak to 16 consecutive games. "There are smiles on our face right now, but we still have fifteen more league games to play."

New Hampshire's Tyrone Conley, who became the school's 28th 1,000-point scorer in the game, had a team-high 15 points, while Ferg Myrick added 10 of his 12 points in the opening period. Mike Black scored 11 for the Great Danes, who held UNH to 30.2-percent shooting. John Puk, a 6-foot-10 redshirt freshman, added a career-high nine points and seven rebounds.

"We talked about containing their perimeter (before the game)," explained Puk, who had just a combined five points over his last four starts entering the contest. "We did a good job of communicating (on defense). It's night and day when we do it and when we don't do it."

Paw Prints: UAlbany held New Hampshire to the second-lowest shooting percentage (.302) by an opponent this season ... the Great Danes are now 4-6 in America East Conference openers after dropping three straight ... UAlbany limited UNH to the lowest total by a conference opponent since a 61-42 victory over Hartford on Jan. 27, 2005 ... the Great Danes shot better than 50% from the floor for the sixth time this season ... Tim Ambrose has scored in twin figures in all 16 games this season ... Mike Black has scored in double digits in 10 of 11 games since returning from his ankle injury.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

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