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