University of Albany Takes Down 2nd Consecutive Top-20 Opponent in 11-9 Win Over #13 Ohio State - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Freshman Ty Thompson scored three times and Rocky Bonitatibus added two goals and two assists, as UAlbany held off nationally-ranked Ohio State, 11-9, on Saturday, March 12 at John Fallon Field. The Great Danes have beaten consecutive top-20 opponents for the first time since the 2007 campaign.

UAlbany (3-1) trailed 5-3 in the second quarter, but then ripped off five unanswered in span of five minutes and 44 seconds. Brian Caufield set up both goals that tied the contest at five apiece. He found Thompson on the right side and then hit a spinning Joe Resetarits in front of the cage. Artie Marrapese then put his team in front by driving from the left side in a restart situation and placing a shot between Ohio State goalkeeper Greg Dutton's legs.

The Great Danes, who have won three in a row after losing the season opener at Drexel on Feb. 26, padded their margin as Bonitatibus moved in from the left and sent a blast into the right side of the net following a clear. Matt Johnson finished off the run for an 8-5 advantage by converting from the middle of the zone. Ohio State closed the gap just before halftime when Brock Sorensen scored with a two-man advantage.

UAlbany took control of the play in third quarter with three goals for an 11-6 lead. Defenseman Scott Raffensperger caused a turnover at midfield that led to Thompson finding the cage with a low shot off a scramble in front. Miles Thompson, Ty's cousin, and Resetarits scored 48 seconds apart. Thompson, who is also a freshman, buried a shot over his right shoulder with his back to the goal from right of the crease. Resetarits added his second of the game when he picked up a ground ball and went high into the cage.

The Buckeyes, who are ranked No. 13 in the USILA poll and No. 16 by Nike/Inside Lacrosse, made things interesting in the final period. Still trailing 11-7, Logan Schuss scored twice in a 26-second span, as both goals came off failed clears. The 2010 ECAC Rookie of the Year converted in transition off Tyler Frederick's feed with 2:28 remaining. Ohio State looked to make things even tighter, but UAlbany goalkeeper Edmund Cathers stopped Schuss' man-up attempt. Cathers, a freshman, finished with 12 saves.

"We are certainly playing with confidence," UAlbany coach Scott Marr stated. "It's rare that we have three home games in March and we certainly wanted to take advantage of that. We're happy with the effort, but we are still feeling each other out offensively. At this point in the season, we don't want to get ahead of ourselves."

Dan Wertz had two goals for the Buckeyes, who were coming off an 11-7 win over Lehigh in their last outing. Dominique Alexander, a sophomore midfielder, had one goal and three assists, while Dutton turned away 12 shots. Caufield, who left the game with a bruised shoulder, had one goal and three assists for the Great Danes, who knocked off No. 5 Massachusetts four days ago.

"We have guys who play hard, have a positive attitude and play for each other," said Bonitatibus, a junior midfielder who recorded a career-high point total. "We want to keep the ball on our end as long as we can and keep our defense fresh. We have some players who are fast and can handle the ball."

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information