University of Albany Rallies to Stay Unbeaten in 7-6 Win Against Oregon in First Meeting Between Programs - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Michelle Primomo scored the go-ahead goal with three minutes and 51 seconds remaining to lift unbeaten UAlbany to a 7-6 victory over Oregon on Sunday, March 27 in the first-ever meeting between the programs at John Fallon Field.

Oregon (4-6) rallied from a 4-2 deficit in the second half with three unanswered goals. Jana Drummond, a junior midfielder, collected a ground ball following a save by the UAlbany goalkeeper and sent a shot into the lower right corner to begin that run. Alex Breiner tied the contest at four apiece 24 seconds later after teammate Bridget Morrison won the subsequent draw. Breiner, a senior midfielder, then converted a free-position attempt high into the cage for her 20th goal of the season.

UAlbany (7-0) went back ahead with a pair of goals 48 seconds apart. Jodi Battaglia tallied her third goal of the contest when she sent a free-position shot into the lower left corner. After winning the following draw, Taylor Frink set up Primomo in the middle of the zone. The freshman made a nifty catch of a high pass and found the right side of the net for a 6-5 lead.

The Ducks, who were playing the final contest of a four-game Eastern swing, drew even with 7:11 to play as Drummond drove through three defenders after a restart. Primomo and Frink again teamed up on the game-winning play. The senior attacker found Primomo cutting in the middle and her shot went off the goalkeeper's stick and across the goal line. Defensive midfielder Nikki Branchini helped keep UAlbany in front when her stick-check caused a turnover with just over two minutes to play. The Great Danes were able to keep possession the rest of the way against Oregon's double-team defense.

"We knew this was going to be a tough one and we had difficulty getting going," said Primomo, who had a career-best two goals. "Taylor (Frink) drew the defense and she was able to find me. It wasn't the cleanest goal, but we will take it. We still have a lot to accomplish, so we can't get ahead of ourselves."

Frink tied a career-high with four assists and scored her lone goal for a 4-2 lead when Allie Phelan caused a turnover and sent a long pass downfield to ignite a fastbreak. Freshman goalkeeper Anna Berman made eight saves. Oregon's Breiner, a first-team All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation selection, had three of her four goals in the final period. The Great Danes are ranked in both the IWLCA (#14) and deBeer/Inside Lacrosse (#11) national polls.

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#14/11 UAlbany 7, Oregon 6

Oregon - Scoring: Alex Breiner 4-0, Jana Drummond 2-0; Goalkeeper(s): Caroline Federighi (60:00, 7 saves, 7 GA).

UAlbany - Scoring: Jodi Battaglia 3-0, Michelle Primomo 2-0, Taylor Frink 1-4, Allie Phelan 1-0; Goalkeeper(s): Anna Berman (60:00, 8 saves, 6 GA).

Paw Prints: The Great Danes have won 14 of their last 15 non-conference games ... UAlbany is first nationally in scoring defense at 5.71 goals per game ... Jodi Battaglia became the 14th UAlbany player to reach the 100-point mark (101) ... the senior attack tied a career-high with three goals ... Taylor Frink equaled a career-best with four assists ... Frink is sixth nationally in scoring at 5.14 points per game ... the senior is 10th on the all-time scoring list with 124 points (64 goals, 50 assists) ... the Great Danes were playing for the first time eight days after last Wednesday's road date at Colgate was postponed due to weather ... UAlbany had previously met Stanford, California, Saint Mary's, Calif. and Denver from the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information