University of Albany Women's Lacrosse Wraps Up America East Regular-Season Crown & Undefeated Conference Season - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Freshman Ariana Parker scored three goals, including what proved to be the game-winner, in leading unbeaten UAlbany to a 12-11 victory over UMBC on Saturday, April 30 at John Fallon Field. The Great Danes wrapped up their second consecutive conference regular-season crown and will host next week's America East championship tournament.

UAlbany (15-0, AE 6-0) built an 11-8 margin midway through the second half when Taylor Frink passed over the top of the goal to a cutting Allie Phelan. UMBC (10-6, AE 4-2) responded with a pair of goals. Lindsay Cox connected on a free-position attempt from the left side, before Amanda Pappas stuck a bounce shot from in front of the cage in another free-position situation.

After defensive midfielder Nikki Branchini came away with the following draw, the Great Danes took a 12-10 lead when Parker dodged defender C.J. Durham from the left and sent a sidearm delivery into the net with 9:05 remaining. Erika Braerman, a senior who had three goals and one assist, again sliced the deficit in half by spinning to her right shoulder and sending a shot inside the far post. The Great Danes were able to play keep away from UMBC's double-team defense over the final two minutes.

"It certainly could have gone either way, but I am proud of how the team pulled together," said Frink, a senior attacker with had one goal and five assists. "UMBC is always a head-to-head battle; they always fight to the last whistle. There was pressure with the outcome deciding who would host the tournament, but this should boost our confidence."

In the opening half, the Great Danes snapped a 4-4 deadlock with four unanswered. Phelan, a freshman midfielder, dodged a defender from the right point and moved across the crease to break the tie. Parker collected the following draw to set up her own goal, when she finished off a move from the left. Jodi Battaglia added back-to-back goals, including the second on a transition play that started when freshman Michelle Primomo caused a turnover in the defensive end.

The Retrievers, who have posted 10 or more wins in consecutive seasons for the first time in eight years, regrouped when Cox closed the gap to 9-6 just before halftime. The sophomore midfielder spun through two defenders and found the right side of net. Pappas, who scored three times, drew her team within a pair of goals with two minutes and 37 seconds elapsed in the final period.

"We had a lot of errors which led to second and third opportunities for them," said UAlbany coach John Battaglino, whose team is the first America East Conference program to finish a regular season undefeated since the league began in 1996. "UMBC has savvy players. But we were able to control the ball over the final minutes."

Cox finished with three goals for the Retrievers, who ended up in a tie with Boston University for second place in the conference standings. UAlbany's Rachael Burek had three goals and one assists, while Battaglia added three goals. Goalkeeper Anna Berman made eight saves.

"This is the best feeling and it is good to enjoy the moment," offered Branchini, whose team in ranked No. 8 in the IWLCA poll and No. 7 by deBeer/Inside Lacrosse. "We know what it is like to host the tournament and the fact that teams will not roll over for us just because we won the regular season."

Paw Prints: UAlbany will host the America East Conference Championship on Thursday, May 5 and Saturday, May 7 ... times and pairings will be announced at a later date for the four-team tournament ... the Great Danes have won 13 consecutive America East regular-season games ... UAlbany won its fifth one-goal decision of the season ... Jodi Battaglia registered her 20th career hat trick ... Battaglia moved up to sixth in career goals with 105 ... Taylor Frink has 73 career assists and is seven away from breaking Andrea Esposito's all-time mark ... Tara Akstull made her first appearance of the season as a starter after having knee surgery in the fall ... Akstull, who was a standout ice hockey player at St. Lawrence, is competing as a graduate student in her fifth year of eligibility ... UAlbany (15-0) and top-ranked Maryland (18-0) are the only unbeaten NCAA Division I programs.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Softball Sweeps Non-Conference Doubleheader from Crosstown-Rival Siena - UAlbany Sports 2011

Loudonville, N.Y. - Katie Wambold recorded two hits and two RBI in game one, while Kristine Bill drove in the winning run in game two, leading UAlbany to a doubleheader sweep of crosstown-rival Siena in non-conference softball action on Tuesday afternoon. UAlbany won the first game, 5-1, and was victorious, 2-0, in the nightcap.

UAlbany got on the board in the third inning, plating three runs. Andrianna Walraven led off with a double into left, coming home on Wambold's first hit of the day, a single to center. Wambold then stole second, and made it home, along with Kylie Apostolina on a base hit to center by Lauren Alcorn. UAlbany got one run back in the bottom of the fourth on a ground out RBI by Nastasha Powlowsky that scored Alyssa Sceppaguerci, who led the inning off with a double.

The Great Danes scored their final two runs of the game in the sixth, as Wambold knocked her second base hit of the game into center, scoring Diane MacDowell. Wambold then stole second, and Walraven was able to make it home on the play to set the final score.

Allie Weiser earned the win in the circle for the Great Danes in a complete-game effort. Weiser scattered five hits and struck out five over the seven innings. Jessika-Jo Sandrini took the loss for Siena, allowing three earned runs while fanning six in five innings of work.

The second game was a pitcher's duel, but UAlbany came out on top after finally scoring two runs in the top of the seventh. Bill drove an RBI-single into left, scoring pinch runner Alison Haan. Siena's Amanda Filippazzo issued a bases-loaded walk to Stephanie Talerico which brought home Weiser, who came into the game to pinch run.

Brittany MacFawn tossed the complete-game shutout for UAlbany, scattering just three hits and fanning eight opposing batters. Filippazzo allowed four hits over seven innings, fanning five for Siena (16-22).

UAlbany (22-18), which has clinched a berth in the upcoming America East Conference tournament, will return to action over the weekend, visiting league foe Boston U. for a three-game series starting on Saturday.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Women's Lacrosse Continues Best Start in Program History With 19-3 Victory Over Vermont - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Jodi Battaglia and Amanda Pollock each had a season-high four goals in leading unbeaten UAlbany to a 19-3 victory over Vermont on Wednesday, April 6 in America East Conference play at John Fallon Field. The Great Danes, who are ranked No. 10 nationally in the IWLCA coaches' poll and No. 7 by deBeer/Inside Lacrosse, continued their best start in program history.

UAlbany (10-0, AE 2-0) ripped off five unanswered over the opening eight-plus minutes. Pollock, a junior midfielder, converted twice in a 40-second span to ignite that outburst. Battaglia, who added two assists to her scoring total, found the cage with a rebound after UVM goalkeeper Laura Barber saved Pollock's initial attempt. Freshman Ariana Parker then placed a shot between the goalie's legs, before a cutting Rachael Burek found the cage off Persy Sample's pass.

Vermont (7-6, AE 1-2), who had its five-game win streak snapped four days ago, came back with a pair of goals to close the gap to 5-2. Allison Pfohl scored the first of two on the day by drilling a 10-yard shot from the right after moving around a defender. Samantha Stern scored in transition following a turnover with 11:40 left in the period.

The Great Danes, who are one of four undefeated teams at the Division I level, regrouped with five in a row over the remainder of the first half. Battaglia, a senior attacker, scored back-to-back to start the run. She one-timed a high pass from left of the crease in a free-position situation, before connecting off Taylor Frink's feed. Frink added two goals in the late stages of the period, including a play where she drove from the right and hit the top right corner with 8.6 seconds left before the intermission.

"We focus on how we play and try to put our best foot forward," said Battaglia, who had a season-best six points. "We do not think about rankings and the coaches help us maintain our focus. Lacrosse is a momentum sport and we were able to ride that today."

The Great Danes improved upon their 11-2 halftime advantage by reeling seven straight goals after the break. Pollock and Battaglia started that run with one minute and 40 seconds elapsed when they teamed up on their team's 12th goal after a clearing play. Nikki Branchini scored on consecutive possessions by finishing off drives to the net for two of her three goals. Frink circled from the left to score with sidearm delivery and later set up Battaglia for an 18-2 lead with 8:19 remaining.

"I like the way we attacked and were resilient on the draw controls and ground balls," offered UAlbany's John Battaglino, who is in his first season as head coach. "We did a lot of the little things right."

Frink, a senior attacker, finished with a career-high seven points on four goals and three assists, while Parker scored twice. Freshman goalkeeper Anna Berman made seven saves in the cage for the nation's top-ranked defense.

"We have the potential when we work as a team," explained Pollock, who also had four goals against Vermont in last year's matchup. "This happens with a lot of practice and does not come naturally. We know things won't be handed to us."

Paw Prints: UAlbany has won nine consecutive America East Conference regular-season contests, dating back to late in the 2009 season ... the Great Danes tied their second-highest win margin (16) in a conference game and matched the fifth most goals (19) scored versus a league opponent ... Jodi Battaglia had a season-high six points (4 goals, 2 assists) and recorded her 15th career hat trick ... Battaglia moved to 10th on the school's career goals list (84) ... Taylor Frink equaled a career-high with seven points for the fourth time this spring ... Frink climbed into a tie for eighth on UAlbany's all-time scoring list with Rafaela Nikas (1995-98) ... Frink has 132 points (69 goals, 53 assists) ... Nikki Branchini has tallied three or more goals three times this season.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Women's Lacrosse Moves Registers At #7 deBeer / #10 Inside Lacrosse National Polls - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - After defeating nationally-ranked Boston College and Stony Brook in its America East Conference opener, UAlbany has moved up one position in the IWLCA coaches' poll and two spots in this week's deBeer/Inside Lacrosse media poll on Monday, April 4. The Great Danes, who are one of four unbeaten Division I teams, are No. 10 in the IWLCA rankings and No. 7 by deBeer/Inside Lacrosse.

UAlbany (9-0) plays twice at home this week against America East Conference opponents Vermont (April 6, 3:00 p.m.) and New Hampshire (April 9, 1:00 p.m.). The Great Danes join Maryland (12-0), Northwestern (10-0) and Loyola, Md. (8-0) as the only undefeated NCAA Division I programs. In addition, freshman midfielder Allie Phelan has been selected the National Rookie of the Week by both WomensLax.com and Synapse Sports for her performance in UAlbany's 11-10 comback win over Boston College on March 30. After converting a free-position opportunity to tie contest at 10 apiece, Phelan scored the game-winning goal with 2:30 remaining. She netted a career-best three goals in the game.

Paw Prints: UAlbany (9-0) posted victories over No. 19/17 Boston College (11-10) and Stony Brook (11-5) last week ... the Great Danes have won 15 of their last 16 non-conference games and ows three one-goal wins this season ... Jodi Battaglia recorded her 14th career hat trick against Boston College ... Nikki Branchini is sixth nationally in draw controls (4.33 pg) ... Branchini recorded career-highs in goals (4) and points (5) and did all of her scoring in the second half at Stony Brook... the All-America defensive midfielder leads a unit that is first in the nation in scoring defense at 6.11 goals per game ... freshman goalkeeper Anna Berman in seventh among the Division I leaders in save percentage (.505).

IWLCA Poll: 1. Maryland, 2. Northwestern, 3. Duke, 4. North Carolina, 5. Loyola, 6. Florida, 7. Stanford, 8. Pennsylvania, 9. James Madison, 10. Albany, 11. Virginia, 12. Princeton, 13. Syracuse, 14. Vanderbilt, 15. Penn State, 16. Boston College, 17. William & Mary, 18. Georgetown, 19. Dartmouth, 20. Massachusetts.

Inside Lacrosse Poll: 1. Maryland, 2. Northwestern, 3. Loyola, 4. Duke, 5. North Carolina, 6. Florida, 7. Albany, 8. Pennsylvania, 9. James Madison, 10. Stanford, t11. Massachusetts, t11. Princeton, 13. Virginia, 14. Boston College, 15. Syracuse, 16. Ohio State, 17. William & Mary, 18. Penn State, 19. Vanderbilt, 20. Dartmouth.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Miles Thompson Chosen America East Conference Rookie of the Week - UAlbany Sports 2011

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Miles Thompson has been chosen America East Conference Rookie of the Week in men's lacrosse, as announced on Monday, April 4 by the conference office. The freshman was recognized for the second time this season.

An attackman from Nedrow, N.Y., Thompson tallied seven goals in a pair of games. He scored a career-high four times, all in the second half, in his team's 12-11 come-from-behind victory over Harvard on April 2. Thompson tallied the game-winning goal with 1:27 remaining when he spun to his right shoulder and sent a low bounce shot into the cage and also had the equalizer 47 seconds earlier. In addition, Thompson had three goals and three ground balls in a 9-8 loss to Hartford to begin America East Conference play on March 30.

Thompson, who has 10 goals over his last three starts, is eighth among the America East leaders in goals at 1.78 per game. He is tied for third on the team in scoring with 19 points (16 goals, 3 assists).

Paw Prints: UAlbany (4-5) travels to Johns Hopkins, ranked No. 3 in both national polls, on Friday, April 8 ... ESPNU will televise the contest nationally, with Joe Beninati and Mark Dixon handling the broadcast duties ... Brian Caufield returned to form following an injury with a season-best five points (1 goal, 4 assists) vs. Harvard ... the senior has moved into a tie for fourth among the program's all-time leaders with 83 career assists ... Caufield is 11th nationally in assists per game (1.83) ... Ty Thompson had a career-high four goals, all in the opening half, against Harvard ...the freshman has three-plus points against five opponents this season ... Joe Resetarits extended his point-scoring streak to 28 consecutive games after totaling two goals and three assists versus Harvard.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Alie Beauvais Named America East Conference Men's Track Performer of the Week - UAlbany Sports 2011

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Alie Beauvais has been selected America East Conference Men's Track & Field Performer of the Week, as announced on Tuesday, April 5 by the conference office.

Beauvais produced the fourth-fastest time in school annals in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles at the 67th Florida Relays last weekend. He finished 10th overall in 51.87 seconds. A senior from Hempstead, N.Y., he lowered his IC4A-qualifying time with a season-best effort.

In addition, Beauvais ran the third leg (400-meters) on the sixth-place sprint medley relay that reached the finish line 3:23.19. He anchored the 4x400-meter relay to a time of 3:17.39, meeting the IC4A standard and placing 34th overall.

Beauvais, who did not compete during the 2010 outdoor season, finished 10th in the 400-hurdles at the 2009 NCAA Championships and earned All-East recognition.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Pitcher Brittany MacFawn Records No-Hitter Against Colgate - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Brittany MacFawn threw a five-inning no hitter with nine strikeouts in the second game to lead UAlbany to a doubleheader split with Colgate in non-conference softball action on Wednesday afternoon at Albany Field. Colgate took the first game, 7-1, before the Great Danes shut out the Raiders, 8-0, in five innings in the nightcap.

MacFawn took control in the nightcap, recording the first no-hitter for UAlbany since Marissa Powell tossed a 12-0 win over Vermont on April 15, 2009. MacFawn struck out nine of 16 batters faced, and used a hard-hitting offense to back up her win.

The Great Danes scored all of their runs in the first and third innings. Gina Mason recorded a sacrifice fly to score MacDowell in the first, giving UAlbany a 1-0 advantage. UAlbany then racked up seven runs in the third. Katie Wambold started off the scoring with a two-RBI single up the middle, before Mason sent her home on a triple down the right field line. Melissa Herndon knocked a base hit to score Mason, and crossed home plate on an RBI-single by Lauren Alcorn. Alcorn wrapped up the scoring for the Great Danes with an unearned run on a Colgate fielding error. Michelle Hollebeke took the loss for Colgate (13-12) after two and two thirds innings.

In game one, Colgate took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a two-run homer by Jennifer Ortega. The Raiders then added four runs in the top of the third, as Tera Vaughn knocked a two-run double, followed by Colgate's second home run of the game, a two-run shot by Nicole Siedhof. UAlbany got one run in the bottom of the inning on an RBI triple by Andrianna Walraven that scored Diane MacDowell. Colgate finished up the scoring in the fifth with Siedhof's second homer of the game.

Courtesy: UA Sports

Nolan Gaige Has Four Hits & Homers in University of Albany Baseball's Doubleheader Sweep of Fordham - UAlbany Sports 2011

Bronx, N.Y. - Nolan Gaige recorded a hit and scored a run in the first game, then went 3-for-4 with a home run in the nightcap to lead UAlbany to a doubleheader sweep of Fordham in non-conference baseball action on Sunday afternoon at Houlihan Park. The Great Danes held off a late Ram rally with a 4-3 win in the first game and posted a 6-4 comeback victory in the late contest.

UAlbany took a 2-0 lead in the third inning of game one, scoring two unearned runs on a Fordham fielding error. The Great Danes added a single run in the fifth, taking advantage of another of the Rams' six errors, which allowed Ralph Rizzo to make it home after drawing a walk earlier in the inning. In the seventh, Brian Bullard recorded a sacrifice fly to center that allowed Rizzo to score his second run of the game and give the Great Danes a 4-0 advantage.

Fordham made a late rally in the bottom of the ninth, scoring three runs. Chris Walker led off with a single and advanced to second on a walk issued to Stephen McSherry. With two outs, Ryan Maghini knocked a triple into right center to score both baserunners and came home on Alex Kenny's base hit. Reliever Austin Chase worked his way out of the jam by inducing a pop up by Nick Martinez to end the game in the Great Danes' favor.

Zach Kraham earned his first win on the mound for the Great Danes, going seven innings, scattering four hits and fanning four without allowing a run. Max Krakowiak took the loss for Fordham after allowing three runs in six innings of work.

Fordham scored first in the late game, putting three runs on the board in the second. Walker led off with a double and scored on a wild pitch. Maghini singled into right center, scoring Tim Swatek, then came home on a Martinez base hit. UAlbany scored one run in the third on an RBI single by Jeff Welsh that scored Gaige to cut the lead to two runs. The Rams scored their fourth run of the game in the bottom of the inning as Ryan Lee and Walker knocked out consecutive singles. Ryan David then recorded and RBI-single to score Lee for Fordham's final run.

UAlbany responded with a run in the top of the fourth and tied the game at 4-4 with two runs in the top of the fifth. Josy Espinal scored Pete DiResta with a sacrifice bunt in the fourth and Gaige smashed a two-run homer over the right field fence that scored Vincent Martorelli. The Great Danes tacked on single runs in the sixth and the eighth to set the final score. Espinal scored Mike Tirri with a sacrifice fly in the sixth, while a Joe Ilacqua double sent Kyle Crean home in the eighth.

Kasceim Graham improved to 2-0 on the season with a six-inning performance on the mound for the Great Danes, striking out six opposing batters. Matt Dybus earned his first save of the season, allowing just two hits without a run in three innings of work. Chris Pike took the loss on the mound for Fordham (16-11) after allowing five earned runs in six innings of action.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Shuttle Hurdles Relay Establishes School Record at 67th Pepsi Florida Relays - UAlbany Sports 2011

67th Annual Pepsi Florida Relays Results

Gainesville, Fla. -- University at Albany's Christen Griffin led the shuttle hurdles relay to a school-record performance at the 67th annual Pepsi Florida Relays on Saturday, April 2 at the University of Florida's Percy Beard Track.

The shuttle hurdles relay placed sixth in 57.43 seconds to break a record that had been on the books for 13 years. Joining Griffin on the squad was Ashley Mahlmeister, Yushanni Durrant and Rebecca Kelly. The previous record of 57.93 was established in 1998.

In addition, Griffin helped the 4x100-meter relay qualify for the ECAC Championship in May by sprinting 47.12 seconds. Other members of the relay were Alli Rogers, Nyree Richardson and Jodi-Ann Walker. Rogers also ran on UAlbany's 4x400-meter relay that qualified for the ECAC meet and was 28th overall in 3:48.25. The distance medley relay took fifth by hitting the tape in 12:02.06, with Jessica Panos, Sherez Mohamed and Jonelle White running the opening three legs.

A freshman from Manlius, N.Y., Kathyrn Fanning qualified for USA Junior Nationals in the 1,500-meter run. She covered the distance in 4:34.02, more than six seconds better than the national standard, to finish in 14th place. Fanning will compete at the USA Junior Nationals in Eugene, Oregon, scheduled from June 23-26. Her time is the fifth-fastest by a UAlbany runner in program history.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's 4x100-Meter Relay Nearly Sets School Record at 67th Annual Pepsi Florida Relays - UAlbany Sports 2011

67th Annual Pepsi Florida Relays Results

Gainesville, Fla. - University at Albany's Luke Schoen finished sixth in the pole vault and the men's 4x100-meter relay nearly set at school record at the 67th annual Pepsi Florida Relays on Saturday, April 2 at the University of Florida's Percy Beard Track.

Schoen, a senior from West Islip, N.Y., cleared a season-best 16-feet, 7.50-inches on his first attempt to improve his IC4A-qualifying mark. He missed on three tries at the next height of 16-11.50. Virginia Tech's Hunter Hall won the competition by clearing the bar at 17-3.50.

The 400-meter relay of Tristan Akong, Kareem Morris, Jake Rachiele and Donald Williams sprinted 40.91 seconds to finish in 15th place and qualify for the IC4A Championship in May. The relay's time was 13-hundredths of a second off the school record (40.78).

Jonathan Santana ran the opening leg on the 4x400-meter relay that posted an IC4A time of 3:17.39 and ended up in 34th position. Santana and Taylor Chaney led the sprint medley relay to a sixth-place showing, as that unit was clocked in 3:23.19. Peter Rowell ran the 400-meter leg on the fifth-place distance medley relay that finished in 9:54.09.

In other events, Alie Beauvais produced the fourth-best time in school annals in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles, as he finished 10th overall in 51.87 seconds. Beauvais lowered his IC4A-qualifying time with a season-best effort. Nick Santos was 11th in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:52.28.

UAlbany placed three competitors among the top-25 finishers in the 1,500-meter run. Paul Lagno hit the tape in 3:51.35, just 35-hundredths of a second off the IC4A standard, and ended up in 16th place. Chris Burke took 19th in 3:52.97, while Sean Halpin was 22nd in 3:54.95.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Nikki Branchini Leads With 5 Points As Unbeaten University of Albany Women's Lacrosse Dominates Stony Brook - UAlbany Sports 2011

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Nikki Branchini had a career-high four goals and one assist, all in the second half, as UAlbany stayed unbeaten with an 11-5 victory over Stony Brook on Saturday, April 2 at LaValle Stadium. The Great Danes, who were playing in their America East Conference opener, are one of four undefeated teams at the Division I level.

Stony Brook (3-7, AE 0-2) closed the gap to 5-4 early the final period when Kaila Gottlick connected on a free-position attempt. UAlbany (9-0, AE 1-0) answered with a pair of goals one minute and 50 seconds apart. Kathleen Lennon and Branchini each scored unassisted.

Gottlick, a freshman midfielder, tallied her third goal of the game to slice the deficit to 7-5 with 12:41 to play. After Stony Brook goalkeeper Mickey Cahill made two saves off free-position attempts, UAlbany attacker Jodi Battaglia ended that sequence with her 16th goal of the season.

The Great Danes pulled away by scoring three more times in a span of two minutes and 41 seconds. Branchini set up Amanda Pollock for a 9-5 lead with 5:09 remaining. The senior defensive midfielder later drilled a free-position shot into the cage after being fouled by Seawolves' midfielder Trish Molfetta. Freshman Persy Sample ended that offensive outburst after Lennon broke up a clearing attempt and picked up a ground ball.

"They came out with a lot of energy," said Branchini, whose team is ranked No. 11 in the IWLCA coaches' poll and No. 9 by deBeer/Inside Lacrosse. "Our defense was able to keep them from scoring. We made some adjustments and started to get the 50-50 loose balls. We are very excited about our success, but we have to take it one game at a time."

Freshman Ariana Parker had two goals for the Great Danes, who along with Maryland, Northwestern and Loyola, Md. are the nation's only undefeated Division I teams. Stony Brook's Cahill made 10 saves.

Paw Prints: The Great Danes won their America East Conference opener for the third consecutive year ... the Great Danes are 6-4 all-time in league lid-fiters since joining the conference in the 2002 campaign ... UAlbany (9-0) joins Maryland (12-0), Northwestern (10-0) and Loyola, Md. (8-0) as the only unbeaten NCAA Division I programs ... the Great Danes lead the nation in scoring defense at 6.11 goals per game ... Nikki Branchini posted career-highs in goals (4) and points (5) ... the senior previously had four points (3 goals, 1 assist) in an 8-7 win at Penn State on Feb. 26th.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Men's Lacrosse Rallies Late in 4th Quarter Against Harvard For Win - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Miles Thompson scored the game-winning goal with one minute and 27 seconds remaining as UAlbany ended a four-game skid in a 12-11 come-from-behind victory over Harvard on Saturday, April 2 at John Fallon Field. The Crimson were No. 20 in the Nike/Inside Lacrosse media poll and receiving votes in the USILA coaches' rankings.

Harvard (6-3) reversed a 9-8 deficit early in the final period on back-to-back goals by Daniel Eipp. The freshman midfielder connected from the right of the crease off a Dean Gibbons' pass from behind the cage. The pair combined again one minute and seven seconds later for the go-ahead goal. Eipp converted a spinning underhanded shot from in front of the crease.

UAlbany (4-5) drew even at 10 apiece as freshman midfielder Ryan Feuerstein tallied his first goal as a collegian on a blast from the left side. The Crimson went back in front 37 seconds later when Peter Schwartz found Jack Doyle streaking in the middle of the zone. Doyle sent a shot low into the right corner.

The Great Danes, who were coming off a one-goal loss to Hartford three days ago, were able to get the equalizer with 2:14 to play. Brian Caufield drove between two defenders at the top of the zone and passed off to his left to Miles Thompson, who delivered a sidearm shot into the net. Caufield finished with a season-high five points on one goal and four assists.

After the Crimson won the following face-off, long-stick midfielder Mike Woods dislodged the ball from Harvard midfielder Terry White and scooped up the ground ball. The turnover led to a transition play where Miles Thompson spun to his right shoulder and buried a low shot for a 12-11 lead. The Great Danes were able to maintain possession until Harvard defenseman Daniel DiMaria forced a turnover that led to Ryan Stevens' shot that wide to the left of the goal with five seconds remaining.

"It's more than I can explain," said UAlbany coach Scott Marr about his team's victory. "We have played well, but not well enough in our recent games. Miles (Thompson) had two huge goals and Brian Caulfield took over when needed. It was a great effort."

The teams played to a 7-7 halftime tie in a contest that went up and down the field. Freshman Ty Thompson, Miles' cousin, had all his career-high four goals in the half, while Harvard's Gibbons had a pair of first-quarter tallies. The Crimson grabbed a 7-6 lead when Jeff Cohen scored an extra-man goal. The Great Danes kept pace as Caufield found the cage from right of the crease with 8.6 seconds left in the period.

The Crimson, who had won five of their last six entering the contest, evened the score at eight apiece midway through the third quarter. After a failed clearing attempt, Stevens drove around a short-stick defender and drilled a bounced shot into the left side. UAlbany regained the lead, 9-8, when Miles Thompson shot over his right shoulder with his back to cage from right of the crease. The freshman finished with a career-best four goals, all in the second half.

"This will get our confidence back up," said Caufield, who is just returning to form after missing a couple of games due to injury. "They controlled the ball, but we were able to make the best of our opportunities. But throughout we were still going for the ball and attacking the goal."

Eipp finished with three goals, while Gibbons scored twice and handed out two assists for the Crimson, who defeated No. 14 Massachusetts in their previous outing on Tuesday. UAlbany's Joe Resetarits totaled two goals and three assists and goalkeeper Edmund Cathers made 12 saves.

Paw Prints: UAlbany and Harvard met for the first time on the lacrosse field ... the Great Danes have previously faced Ivy League members Cornell, Princeton, Yale and Dartmouth ... UAlbany is 33-26 all-time in Division I games decided by two goals or less ... Miles Thompson and Ty Thompson each netted a career-high four goals ... Joe Resetarits had five points (2 goals, 3 assists) and extended his scoring streak to 28 consecutive games ... Edmund Cathers has made 10 or more saves against seven opponents ... defenseman Jack Nickla picked up a career-best four ground balls ... Brian Caufield moved into a tie for fourth place with Frank Resetarits (2004-07) on UAlbany's career assists chart (83) ... the senior needs three points to reach the 150-career mark.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Gina Mason Leads University of Albany Softball to America East Conference Doubleheader Sweep of Hartford - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Gina Mason recorded two home runs, going 5-for-6 with four RBI on the day to lead UAlbany to a doubleheader sweep of Hartford in America East Conference softball action on Saturday afternoon at Albany Field. The Great Danes took the first game, 7-0, and defeated the Hawks, 8-0, in five innings in the nightcap.

In game one, UAlbany took a 1-0 lead in the first inning as Andrianna Walraven singled through the right side, and proceeded to steal second, third and home to score the first run of the game. The Great Danes then tacked on two runs in the fourth, as Mason and Jess Bergin came home on an RBI-double by Melissa Herndon. UAlbany broke it open in the fifth, scoring four runs to set the final score. Mason drove a two-run homer over the outfield fence to also bring home Katie Wambold, who led off with a single, while an RBI-single by Stephanie Talerico later in the inning also brought home two runs.

Brittany Schweiger earned the shutout win in the circle for the Great Danes, striking out 10 while allowing just one hit. Siera Sheehan took the loss for Hartford, issuing three walks and allowing 12 hits by the Great Danes, while striking out one opposing batter.

The teams played two and a half scoreless innings before UAlbany scored three runs in the bottom of the third. Mason smashed her second two-run homer of the game to score Walraven, who reached on a single and then stole second. Herndon followed with her third RBI of the day, scoring Kylie Apostolina with a double into left. The Great Danes ended the game in five innings by way of the eight-run rule after scoring five in the bottom of the fifth frame. UAlbany loaded the bases and scored on a fielder's choice during Bergin's at-bat. Lauren Alcorn then singled to right for an RBI before Talerico drove a two-RBI single to end the game.

Brittany MacFawn took the second shutout win of the day in the circle, allowing just one hit, striking out four. Kaitlyn Meade took the loss with seven earned runs and 13 hits, fanning one.

UAlbany (8-16, AE 2-0) and Hartford (3-16, AE 0-5) will return to action tomorrow to wrap up the three-game series.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Kathryn Fanning Qualifies for USA Junior Nationals at 67th Pepsi Florida Relays - UAlbany Sports 2011

Gainesville, Fla. -- University at Albany's Kathryn Fanning qualified for USA Junior Nationals in the 1,500-meter run at the 67th annual Pepsi Florida Relays on Friday, April 1 at the University of Florida's Percy Beard Track. The two-day competition, which began in 1939, continues on Saturday.

A freshman from Manlius, N.Y., Fanning covered the distance in 4:34.02, more than six seconds better than the qualifying standard, to finish in 14th place. She will compete at the USA Junior Nationals in Eugene, Oregon, scheduled from June 23-26. Her time is the fifth-fastest by a UAlbany runner in program history.

In the men's competition, Alie Beauvais produced the fourth-best time in school annals in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles, as he finished 10th overall in 51.87 seconds. Beauvais lowered his IC4A-qualifying time with a season-best effort. Nick Santos was 11th in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:52.28.

UAlbany placed three competitors among the top-25 finishers in the 1,500-meter run. Paul Lagno hit the tape in 3:51.00, just 35-hundredths of a second off the IC4A standard, and ended up in 16th place. Chris Burke took 19th in 3:52.97, while Sean Halpin was 22nd in 3:54.95.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information