Great Danes Chosen Second in America East Conference Women's Lacrosse Preseason Poll

Cambridge, Mass. - After winning last year's America East Conference regular-season title, UAlbany has been picked second in the conference's preseason poll, as announced on Wednesday, Feb. 9 by the league office. Boston University was chosen to defend its conference championship and received three first-place votes for 33 points. The Great Danes had two first-place votes and 29 points.

John Battaglino, who is in his first season as UAlbanys' head coach, has seven returning starters, including four all-conference players. Nikki Branchini earned third-team All-America recognition. Branchini was third nationally with 4.93 draw controls per game, sixth with 3.27 ground balls per game and ninth with a 2.07 caused turnovers average, topping the conference in all three categories. Mel Rorie (30 goals, 4 assists) was a first-team All-America East midfielder. Leading scorer Taylor Frink (30 goals, 25 assists) and defender Jenn Primeau were second-team all-league selections.

The Great Danes, who posted a 13-3 record, went undefeated in conference regular-season play, and made their first-ever appearance in the national top 20, open their schedule against Siena on Tuesday, Feb. 22 at John Fallon Field.

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America East Conference Preseason Women's Lacrosse Poll
1. Boston U. (3), 33; 2. Albany (2), 29; 3. UMBC (1), 27; 4. New Hampshire (1), 23; 5. Vermont 17, 6. Stony Brook 12, 7. Binghamton 6. ( ) - first-place votes

Paw Prints: UAlbany is coming off its finest season as a Division I program, winning an America East regular-season championship and finishing second in the nation in scoring offense at 15.06 goals per game ... the Great Danes' list of non-conference opponents, including Penn State, Oregon and Boston College ...John Battaglino was promoted to head coach on Aug. 19 ... Jessica Davos, a four-year letterwinner at Syracuse, and Katie Rowan, a three-time Syracuse All-American, are in their first year as assistant coaches.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information