University of Albany's Nikki Branchini & Anna Berman Receive America East Weekly Lacrosse Awards - UAlbany Sports 2011

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Nikki Branchini has been selected America East Conference Player of the Week in women's lacrosse, as announced on Monday, Feb. 28 by the league office. Freshman goalkeeper Anna Berman was recognized as the conference's rookie of the week.

Branchini, a senior defensive midfielder from Guilderland, N.Y., scored a career-high four points (3 goals, 1 assist) in last Saturday's 8-7 victory over No. 16 Penn State. She added five ground balls, four draw controls and two caused turnovers as the Great Danes recorded their second win over a national top-20 team in the program's Division I history. In addition, Branchini netted a pair of first-half goals in an 18-2 non-league win over Siena on Feb. 23.

Branchini earned IWLCA third-team All-America honors as a junior, when she was voted America East Player of the Year. Her play has helped the Great Danes start with a pair of victories for the first time since the 2006 campaign.

A native of Garnerville, N.Y., Berman racked up seven saves against both Penn State and Siena in her first action as a collegian. She recorded a 4.50 goals against average and a .609 save percentage in her first week of the season. Berman was chosen to the U.S. Lacrosse High School All-America squad in 2009 and 2010.

Paw Prints: UAlbany won its opening two games for the first time since 2006 after defeating Capital Region opponent Siena and upsetting No. 16 Penn State last week ... sophomore Rachael Burek scored the game-winning goal with 6:29 remaining against the Nittany Lions, who were picked third in the American Lacrosse Conference behind Northwestern and Vanderbilt ... Jodi Battaglia, a senior attacker, drew her team even at seven apiece and set up Burek in the middle of the zone ... UAlbany is 23-23 in games decided by two goals or less at the Division I level ... the Great Danes are home on Saturday, March 5 against Hofstra at 12:00 p.m.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information