University of Albany Women's Lacrosse Advances to NCAA Quarterfinals After 10-7 Victory Over Dartmouth - UAlbany Sports 2011

Hanover, N.H. - Jodi Battaglia and Persy Sample keyed a second-half run in leading UAlbany to a 10-7 victory over Dartmouth in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, May 15 at rain-soaked Scully-Fahey Field. The unbeaten Great Danes advanced to meet second-seeded Northwestern in the NCAA quarterfinals on May 21 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

Dartmouth (11-5) erased a 5-4 deficit in the final period with consecutive goals. Hana Bowers curled from the left to the middle and sent a blast over the goalkeeper's head to tie the contest. After Kristen Giovanniello made a save leading to an offensive possession, the Big Green went ahead as Sarah Parks found Hilary Smith in the middle of the zone with 17:03 remaining.

UAlbany (18-0) regain the lead with three straight goals over a four-minute stretch. Nikki Branchini, who moved up to offense from her defensive midfielder position, sent a free-position attempt into the right side of the cage to start the decisive run. Sample, a freshman attacker, curled from the left and fired a low shot into the far right corner. Battaglia then made a full-extended catch of Sample's feed from behind to find the net and record an 8-6 advantage.

The Great Danes, who entered NCAA play as the only undefeated team at the Division I level, padded their margin in the final minutes. Jess Antelmi forced a turnover that led to an offensive possession where Allie Phelan drove from the right from a spread attack to beat the goalie low to the left side. Taylor Frink added an empty-net goal for a 10-6 cushion after Dartmouth received a yellow card during a defensive double-team.

"We had some pre-game jitters, but then we stepped it up," said Battaglia, who recorded her 23rd career hat trick with three goals and set a school-record in that category. "We have always grown from adversity this season. Someone has stepped up at different times and in different ways."

Dartmouth raced to a 3-0 lead in the opening five-plus minutes. A pair of Great Dane turnovers led to the first two goals. Sarah Plumb set up Greta Meyer, who faked and scored from right of the crease. Meyer later finished off a transition play with a bounce shot after Parks gathered in another miscue. Kirsten Goldberg later drove around a defender from the right point and placed a shot to the left of the goalkeeper.

UAlbany regrouped by scoring four times in a span of 13 minutes and 11 seconds. A cutting Amanda Pollock deposited a Rachael Burek feed. Battaglia tallied back-to-back goals, the second when she sent a free-position shot inside the left post. Phelan, a freshman midfielder, put the America East Conference champions in front, 4-3, by driving from the right point and moving across the top of the crease.

"We had an early case of nerves," offered first-year UAlbany coach John Battaglino, whose team is ranked No. 8 in the IWLCA coaches' poll and No. 6 by deBeer/Inside Lacrosse. "But the theme of the year has been to find a way. This team has stayed together and found a way to overcome."

Meyer had three goals and Bowers added a pair for the Big Green, who earned an NCAA at-large berth and were making their 12th tournament appearance. UAlbany goalkeeper Anna Berman matched a career-high with nine saves. Sample tied a career-best point total with one goal and two assists.

"Someone new has played well each game," stated Branchini, who scored a goal for the first time since April 16 and has 21 on the season. "That's why we have been successful. The team needed me to move to offense and it gave their defense a different look."

Paw Prints: UAlbany is the third America East Conference program to win an NCAA first-round game ... Boston U. accomplished the feat in 2005 and 2008 ... the Great Danes are the 17th team to enter the NCAA Tournament play undefeated or untied ... UAlbany made its first NCAA appearance since the women's lacrosse became a varsity sport in 1992 ... Jodi Battaglia set the program's single-season record for goals (54), breaking a mark previously held by Rafaela Nikas, who scored 51 in 1998 ... Persy Sample's matched her career-high points total (1 goal, 2 assists) ... the freshman had three goals against Niagara on March 11 ... Taylor Frink is the school's career assists leader with 82 ... UAlbany has had three programs record NCAA Division I Tournament wins, including men's lacrosse and softball in 2007 ...

**********

NCAA Tournament - First Round

#8 UAlbany 10, #11 Dartmouth 7

UAlbany - Scoring: Jodi Battaglia 3-0, Allie Phelan 2-0, Persy Sample 1-2, Taylor Frink 1-1, Rachael Burek 1-1, Nikki Branchini 1-0, Amanda Pollock 1-0; Goalkeeper(s): Anna Berman (60:00, 9 saves, 7 GA).

Dartmouth - Scoring: Greta Meyer 3-0, Hana Bowers 2-0, Kirsten Goldberg 1-0, Hilary Smith 1-0, Sarah Parks 0-2, Sarah Plumb 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Kriste Giovanniello (60:00, 4 saves, 10 GA).

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Softball Captures America East Championship By Sweeping Boston University - UAlbany Sports 2011

Boston, Mass. - Brittany MacFawn was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after pitching a complete-game two-hitter and leading UAlbany to the 2011 America East Conference Softball Championship title, as the Great Danes defeated Boston U., 3-1, on Saturday afternoon at the BU Softball Field. It is UAlbany's fourth league championship title, and first since 2007.

UAlbany broke a scoreless tie with three runs in the top of the third inning. After Mel Herndon scored on a Boston U. error, Katie Wambold, who was named to the all-tournament team for her efforts, recorded a two-RBI single that bounced off the arm of Boston U. pitcher Holli Floetker and went into right field. Diane MacDowell and Andrianna Walraven came home on the play. The three runs would be all the Great Danes would need, as Boston U. got one run back in the fourth on an RBI-double by Megan Volpano that scored Jayme Mask.

MacFawn, who was also joined on the all-tournament team by Walraven and fellow pitcher Brittany Schweiger, did not issue a walk and struck out eight opposing batters in the game, her third appearance of the weekend. Floetker took the loss on the mound for Boston U. (34-18).

"We had great pitching all weekend long," said UAlbany head coach Chris Cannata, who has now led the Great Dane program to four tournament and regular season titles, and is now just four games shy of her 500th career win. "Our pitching was key - we only allowed one run each game. We got great performances from both of the Brittany's [MacFawn and Schweiger] and we all came together at the right time."

The Great Danes, who have now earned their fourth NCAA Tournament berth, will find out where they will travel for the first round of NCAA Regional play on Sunday evening at 10 p.m. The NCAA Softball Selection Show will be televised on ESPNU, and the UAlbany team, coaches and supporters will gather in the SEFCU Arena Hall of Fame Room to watch the program.

University of Albany Track's Luke Schoen & Wilfredo de Jesus Elias Win Titles at IC4A Track & Field Championships - UAlbany Sports 2011

Princeton, N.J. - University at Albany's Wilfredo de Jesus Elias and Luke Schoen won titles in the hammer throw and pole vault, respectively, at the 135th IC4A Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 14 at Princeton's William Weaver Track & Field Stadium. After the second day of competition, the Great Danes are second in the team standings with 30 points, while Duke leads with 44.50.

de Jesus Elias finished first in the hammer throw on his sixth and final attempt with a toss of 208-feet, 6-inches. Princeton's Craig Pearce, who posted a mark of 207-4 on his first throw, led the competition heading in the final round. A senior from Arroyo, Puerto Rico, de Jesus Elias was third in this regional championship one year ago. He captured his second IC4A title after claiming the indoor weight throw in March.

Schoen, a senior from West Islip, N.Y., cleared the bar at 16-feet, 10.75-inches on his final attempt to win the pole vault. Liberty's Kolby Shepherd was second and made a height of 16-6.75. Schoen placed fourth at the 2009 IC4A meet and was second at the 2008 championship.

In addition, Fred Casimo was the runner-up in the long jump, as he leaped a season-best 24-feet, 2.50-inches. His teammate, Kadeem Howell, was seventh with a mark of 23-0.75. Duke's Curtis Beach won the event (24-3.50). UAlbany's Matthew Catera was 10th in the decathlon with 6,201 points.

Greg Kiley and Nick Santos each advanced to Sunday's 800-meter run final. Kiley was timed in 1:50.24, while Santos ran 1:50.46. Paul Lagno (3:49.19) and Chris Burke (3:49.29) moved through the preliminary round of the 1,500-meters to the championship race. Tristan Akong anchored the 4x100-meter relay to the third-fastest time (41.21) in qualifying.

**********

IC4A Outdoor Track & Field Championships (after second day)
1. Duke 44.50, 2. UAlbany 30, 3. Liberty 21, 4. Navy 18, 5. Rutgers 15, t6. Princeton 14, t6. UMBC 14, 8. Massachusetts 13, t9. Dartmouth 11, t9. Virginia 11 (34 scoring teams).


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Track's Kadine Johnson & Yushanni Durrant Set School Marks at ECAC Track & Field Championships - UAlbany Sports 2011

Princeton, N.J. - University at Albany's Kadine Johnson and Yushanni Durrant established school records in the hammer throw and long jump, respectively, at the 28th ECAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 14 at Princeton's William Weaver Track & Field Stadium. After the second day of the meet, UAlbany is 10th in the team standings with 12 points. Duke is in first place with 29.75.

Johnson, a senior from New Rochelle, N.Y., finished fourth in the hammer throw and broke her own school record on the final attempt with a mark of 188-feet, 9-inches. Johnson, who improved her standing nineteen positions after placing 23rd at this championship one year ago, previously set the UAlbany standard with a toss of 180-5.50 at the West Point Open on April 16.

A native from Montego Bay, Jamaica, Durrant recorded a fourth-place showing in the long jump by eclipsing a UAlbany record that had stood since 2004. She went 19-feet, 9.75-inches to shatter Teresa Covert's previous jump of 19-5.50.

Catie Coxon, a junior from Delanson, N.Y., was seventh in the discus and threw a distance of 150-11 on her fifth attempt. Rebecca Kelly ran career-best 59.75 seconds in 400-meter hurdles qualifying. Her time was the fifth-fastest in the preliminary round.

Alli Rogers and Christen Griffin advanced to Sunday's finals in the 400-meter dash and 100-meter hurdles, respectively. Rogers, who set the 400m school record last week at the America East Conference championship, was clocked in 55.01. Griffin cleared the hurdles in 13.98 seconds.

**********

ECAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships (after second day)
1. Duke 29.75, 2. Virginia 23, t3. Brown 21, t3. Connecticut 21, 5. Princeton 20, 6. James Madison 19, 7. Cornell 16, 8. Navy 15, 9. Columbia 12.33, 10. UAlbany 12 (37 scoring teams).



Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Three Great Danes Named to All-America East First Team; Mason Honored for Fourth Time - UAlbany Sports 2011

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Gina Mason and Andrianna Walraven, a pair of seniors, and freshman Brittany MacFawn, were all named to the All-America East Conference Softball first team in softball, as announced by the league on Wednesday afternoon. It is the fourth time Mason has been honored by the conference, including her second consecutive appearance on the first team.

Mason, a first baseman, leads the team as a senior with a .419 batting average. She has recorded a team-high 52 hits, including 10 doubles and five home runs, and has scored 26 runs while driving in 27 more. A native of Sacramento, Calif., Mason has also posted a .669 slugging percentage and is 4-for-4 on stolen base attempts. She was an all-conference second-team member as a sophomore and was named to the all-rookie team as a freshman.

Walraven, who has started all 45 games at shortstop for the Great Danes, earned her first all-conference first -team honor after posting a .318 batting average as a senior. The native of Thompson Ridge, N.Y., who was an all-rookie team member as a freshman, is first on the team with 31 runs scored, second with 41 hits and second with 21 stolen bases. She has recorded 19 RBI, along with five doubles, three triples and three home runs.

MacFawn, who received the league's pitcher of the week award three times as a freshman, was a first-team honoree and earned a spot on the all-rookie squad. She has a staff-low 2.31 ERA and leads the Great Dane pitchers with 125 strikeouts in 133.1 innings of work. MacFawn, who hails from Orlando, Fla., has posted a 13-6 record, while making 30 appearances, including 18 starts. She has thrown a team-high 12 complete games, including six solo shutouts and two combined, and threw one perfect game and one no-hitter. MacFawn has also recorded three saves and holds opponents to a .227 batting average.

UAlbany (25-21, AE 14-4) earned a share of the America East regular-season title, and will face Binghamton in the first round of the league championship tournament starting on Thursday at Boston U.

-agate-

2011 America East Softball All-Conference Teams

First Team: Brittany MacFawn, P, UAlbany; Holli Floetker, P, Boston U.; Deannie Plemon, C, Binghamton; Gina Mason, 1B, UAlbany; Lauren Brummell, 2B, UMBC; Andrianna Walraven, SS, UAlbany; Terren Hall, 3B, Maine; Jessica Phillips, OF, Binghamton; April Setterlund, OF, Boston U.; Kali Burnham, OF, Maine; Nicole Springer, DP, Hartford, Katie Ferguson, Util., UMBC.

Second Team: Eric Schuppert, P, Boston U.; Stephanie Weigman, P, UMBC; Amy Ekart, C, Boston U.; Chelsea Kehr, 1B, Boston U.; Lisa Cutrona, 2B, Binghamton; Lauren Maloney, SS, Stony Brook; Megan Volpano, 3B, Boston U.; Meghan Tucker, OF, Binghamton; Jayme Mask, OF, Boston U.; Julia Culotta, OF, UMBC; Meghan McLain, DP, Maine; Jessica Combs, Util., Stony Brook.

All-Rookie: Brittany MacFawn, UAlbany; Jessica Bump, Binghamton; Lisa Cutrona, Binghamton; Brittany Clendenny, Boston U.; Amy Ekart, Boston U.; Holli Floetker, Boston U.; Chelsea Kehr, Boston U.; Megan Volpano, Boston U.; Meghan McLain, Maine; Jessica Warner, UMBC; Jessica Combs, Stony Brook.

UAlbany Will Make First NCAA Appearance in First-Round Matchup at Dartmouth on May 15

Albany, N.Y. - In making its first NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Tournament appearance, the University at Albany will travel to Dartmouth for a first-round matchup on Sunday, May 15 at 1:00 p.m. The Great Danes, who are the NCAA's seventh seed, earned the America East Conference's automatic berth with an 11-4 victory over UMBC in the conference tournament final.

UAlbany (17-0) enters NCAA post-season play as the lone undefeated team at the Division I level. In his first season, John Battaglino, the America East Coach of the Year, led the program to a school record for wins and a national top-10 ranking in both polls.

"I am proud to see them up there (on the bracket) with all those other teams," offered Battaglino, who served as UAlbany's associate head coach last year and previously was a Syracuse assistant. "They have accomplished something together and they forever hold a common bond."

Nikki Branchini, the program's first Division I All-American, was named the America East's top player for the second consecutive year. Tewaaraton Award nominee Taylor Frink, a first-team all-conference selection, is among the nation's scoring leaders with 33 goals and 48 assists. Frink and Jodi Battaglia are one-two on the program's single-season scoring list. Battaglia, who has 51 goals and 15 assists, is a first-team All-America East attacker. Ariana Parker (43 goals, 3 assists) and Michelle Primomo (10 caused turnovers), a pair of freshman, were also on the all-league first team.

"This is great and worth the wait," said Battaglia, whose team was ranked No. 8 in last week's IWLCA poll. "We were crossing our fingers (to see who we would play). We are happy to be here and now waiting for the next game."

Dartmouth (11-4) was No. 10 in last week's IWLCA poll. The Big Green, who are members of the Ivy League, own a double-overtime win over top-ranked Maryland, a 9-8 decision that dropped the Terrapins from the list of unbeatens. Kat Collins, the Ivy League Player of the Year, has 33 goals and 10 assists. Greta Meyer leads the team in scoring with 45 points (31 goals, 10 assists). Freshman goalkeeper Kriste Giovanniello, who has a .517 save percentage, was voted Ivy League Rookie of the Year.

**********

NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Tournament Bracket (First Round)
Saturday, May 14
Navy (15-5) at #1 Maryland (18-1), 12:00 p.m.
Virginia (9-8) at #3 North Carolina (13-5), 1:00 p.m.
Stanford (16-2) at #4 Florida (15-3), 1:00 p.m.
Massachusetts (17-2) at #6 Loyola, Md., 1:00 p.m.
Princeton (11-6) at #8 James Madison (15-3), 1:00 p.m.
Boston College (12-6) #2 Northwestern (17-2), 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 15
#7 Albany (17-0) at Dartmouth (11-4), 1:00 p.m.
Pennsylvania (11-5) at #5 Duke (13-4), 2:00 p.m.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Co-Regular Season Champion UAlbany Heads to Boston for America East Softball Championship - UAlbany Sports 2011

Cambridge, Mass. - After a three-game sweep of Stony Brook over the weekend, UAlbany earned a share of the America East Conference regular season title, and the second seed in the upcoming conference championship tournament, hosted by top-seeded Boston U. on May 12-14.

The Great Danes, earning their fourth regular-season title since 2004, have won 20 of their last 26 games since starting the season 5-15. UAlbany won three straight league titles from 2005-2007 and became the first America East program to advance to an NCAA Regional Final in 2007. The Great Danes will face third-seeded Binghamton in the first round of the conference tournament on Thursday, May 12 at 3:30 p.m. Binghamton (22-21, AE 10-7) is making its first-ever tournament appearance. The Bearcats' 10 conference wins is the second-highest total in program history.

Boston U. (32-16, AE 14-4) earned the tournament's top seed after taking two of three games on the road at Binghamton over the weekend. The Terriers held the tiebreaker over UAlbany after a three-game sweep of the Great Danes last weekend, and will look to become the first host school to win the tournament since 2004. Boston U. will take on fourth-seeded UMBC (25-23, AE 8-10), which claimed the final spot in the tournament after missing the field last season. The Retrievers completed their season last week, but earned the final spot after Hartford took two of three games from Maine over the weekend.

Boston U. and UMBC will play the first game on Thursday at 1 p.m., followed by the UAlbany/Binghamton matchup. The two winners will face each other in the double-elimination tournament at 11 a.m. on Friday, followed by the first elimination game at 1:30 p.m. and the second at 4 p.m. The championship game will take place Saturday at 12 p.m., with another slated for 2:30 p.m. if necessary.

2011 America East Softball Championship
BU Softball Field (Boston, Mass.)

Thursday, May 12

#1 Boston U. vs. #4 UMBC, 1 p.m.
#2 UAlbany vs. #3 Binghamton, 3:30 p.m.

Friday, May 13

Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 11 a.m.
Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 1:30 p.m. (elimination game)
Loser Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 4 p.m. (elimination game)

Saturday, May 14

Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 12 p.m. (championship game)
Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 2:30 p.m. (if necessary)


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Men's Track Finishes First at America East Outdoor Championship for Seventh Consecutive Year - UAlbany Sports 2011

Baltimore, Md. - University at Albany's Nasim Siddeeq set a meet and school record in the triple jump to lead his team to its seventh consecutive title at the America East Conference Men's Outdoor Track & Field Championship on Sunday, May 8 at UMBC Stadium. The Great Danes scored 204 points to finish 33 ahead of runner-up Binghamton.

Siddeeq, a senior from New Hampton, N.Y., leaped 52-feet, 1.25-inches on his final attempt to break a conference standard that had stood since 1991. Siddeeq, who competed for the first time during the outdoor season on April 23rd due to injury, also eclipsed Mike McCadney's UAlbany record of 51-4.25 that was established two years ago.

Greg Kiley was a winner in the 800-meter run with a season-best and IC4A-qualifying time of 1:51.55. He also ran the opening leg on UAlbany's second-place 4x800-meter relay. Peter Rowell also met the IC4A standard in winning the 400-meter intermediate hurdles. He is the fourth Great Dane in the last six years to win the event.

Stephen Hassard placed second in the discus and improved his IC4A mark with a toss of 162-feet, 6-inches. Tristan Akong was second in the 100-meter dash by sprinting 10.64 and was nine-hundredths of a second behind champion R.J. Page, of Boston University. In addition, Akong anchored the 4x100 relay to a second-place showing in 41.22. Paul Lagno and Matthew Catera registered third-place efforts in the 1,500-meters and decathlon, respectively. Cattera scored 6,637 points in the 10-event competition to break James Nixon's 1994 school record and qualify for next weekend's IC4A championship.

Luke Schoen, one of UAlbany's seven individual champions, was named Field Performer of the Meet. He won the pole vault on the first day by clearing the bar at a meet-record height of 17-feet, 3.50-inches. Kareem Morris, a freshman from Albany, N.Y., earned Rookie of the Meet recognition. He was third in the 100-dash, ran on the runner-up 4x100 relay, took sixth in the long jump and was seventh in 200-dash. Roberto Vives and his assistants received America East Men's Coaching Staff of the Year.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Women's Outdoor Track Capture Third Straight America East Conference Outdoor Track Championship - UAlbany Sports 2011

Baltimore, Md. - University at Albany's Alli Rogers set a school record in winning the 400-meter dash in the process led her team to its third straight league title at the America East Conference Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championship on Sunday, May 8 at UMBC Stadium. The Great Danes, who have won six of the last seven outdoor conference crowns, totaled 174 points, while second-place Boston University had 151.

A sophomore from Amherst, N.Y., Rogers reached the finish line in 54.62 seconds to claim a narrow victory over runner-up Jessica Henning of Binghamton, who was clocked in 54.87. Rogers set a UAlbany record, breaking Ellakisha Williamson's previous mark of 55.14 that was established in 1997. In addition, Rogers was fourth in the 200-meter dash (24.68) and ran the anchor leg on the second-place 4x100 relay that hit the tape in 46.56.

Catie Coxon, a junior from Delanson, N.Y., recorded her second consecutive America East discus throw title with a toss of 152-feet, 1-inch. She was one of four Great Danes who won individual events. Rebecca Kelly ran a season-best time of 1:00.55 in winning the 400-meter intermediate hurdles and improved her ECAC-qualifying standard.

After winning her first conference hammer throw title on the first day, Kadine Johnson placed third in the shot put with a mark of 42-feet, 7.50-inches. Yushanni Durrant was second in the triple jump with a leap of 40-9. UAlbany racked up 23 points in the triple jump with Great Danes placing in the third through eighth positions.

Christen Griffin, a senior from Waldorf, Md, was responsible for accumulating 19 points in three events and helping win eight more by running the second leg on the 4x100 relay. Griffin was second in the 100-meter hurdles in 13.90 seconds and third in the 200-dash in 24.45. She also finished fourth in the 100-dash (12.28). Roberto Vives and his assistants were awarded America East Women's Coaching Staff of the Year.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Womens Lacrosse Wins First America East Championship; Jodi Battaglia Leads Unbeaten Great Danes - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Jodi Battaglia had five goals and two assists in leading UAlbany to an 11-4 victory over UMBC and capturing its first-ever America East Conference championship on Saturday, May 7 at John Fallon Field. The Great Danes, who are ranked No. 8 in the IWLCA poll and No. 5 by deBeer/Inside Lacrosse, earned the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance at the Division I level.

UAlbany (17-0) broke open a tight game in the first half with a string of five unanswered goals over a span of six minutes and 49 seconds. After UMBC (11-7) tied the contest at two apiece, Nikki Branchini won the following draw to set up the offensive possession. Battaglia, the championship's most outstanding player, cut to the right of the crease and scored off Taylor Frink's pass from behind the cage.

Amanda Pollock and Ariana Parker added unassisted goals for a 5-2 advantage. Pollock bounced a free-position attempt through the goalkeeper's legs. Jess Antelmi's caused turnover and ground ball led to a successful clear by Parker, and the freshman drove to the net for the goal. Frink, who became the school's career assists leader in the contest, was involved in the next two scoring plays. She set up Battaglia by knifing a diagonal pass from behind the net to the right of the crease. The senior attacker then sent a free-position shot inside the right post with a sidearm delivery.

The Great Danes, who will make the NCAA field as the nation's only unbeaten squad, scored three more times in the opening eight minutes of the final period to build a 10-2 margin. Battaglia, who tied a season-best with seven points, rolled inside a defender from the left side, before finding a cutting Rachael Burek one minute and three seconds later. Working from a spread attacker, Parker, who had two goals and one assists, moved in from the left to deposit a shot on the near side.

Meanwhile, UAlbany's defense held the Retrievers off the scoreboard for more than 46 minutes. Freshman goalkeeper Anna Berman had four saves and robbed Alicia Krause, the conference's fifth-leading scorer, at point-blank range during that sequence. UMBC finally ended the drought when Ashley Stodter finishing off a clearing play by placing a shot into the left side with 2:10 remaining.

"They had momentum after defeating Boston University in overtime (in the semifinals)," explained Branchini, a senior defensive midfielder who won 13 draw controls in the two tournament games. "We made good decisions and came out and performed. I love looking back to see the ball in her (Berman's) stick. She didn't play like a freshman today."

The Great Danes, who were competing in the championship final for just the second time since joining America East in 2002, were fighting off the past to make history. UMBC upended regular-season champion UAlbany is last year's tournament semifinals.

"We have seen them before and we knew how to handle it," said Battaglia, as her team also posted a 12-11 win against UMBC to decide this season's regular-season title and top seed just one week ago. "We were ready for the game and focused."

The Retrievers' Amanda Pappas scored a pair, including a free-position goal that tied the contest in the opening half. UAlbany's Frink, who joined Battaglia, Branchini and Parker on the all-championship squad, had one goal and three assists.

"This is fantastic and it doesn't get old," said first-year UAlbany coach John Battaglino, who was promoted to the position after one season as the program's associate head coach and was previously a Syracuse assistant. "I have coached a lot of teams. But when you look at that fact that we were missing three starters (due to injury), this performance is one of the best."

Paw Prints: UAlbany will find out its NCAA Tournament opponent on Sunday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. ... the NCAA bracket will be unveiled on www.ncaa.com ... Taylor Frink (81) and Jodi Battaglia (66) are one-two on the program's single-season scoring chart ... Frink moved past Andrea Esposito (2000-03) as the UAlbany's career assists leader (81) ... Battaglia climbed to seventh on the school's career scoring list with 149 points ... the Great Danes have won 46 conference championship and 18 teams have made NCAA appearances since upgrading to Division I in 1999-2000.



Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Battaglia & Parker Each Score Five Goals For University of Albany Women's Lacrosse In America East Conference Semifinal Win - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Jodi Battaglia and Ariana Parker each scored five goals to power UAlbany to an 18-7 victory over New Hampshire in the America East Conference Tournament's semifinal round on Thursday, May 5 at John Fallon Field. The Great Danes advanced to Saturday's championship and will meet UMBC, a 12-11 overtime winner against Boston University.

UAlbany (16-0) reversed an early 1-0 deficit by scoring nine consecutive times. Parker put her team in front by converting a bounce shot in a free-position situation. Battaglia tallied two of her team's next three goals, each off a feed from Taylor Frink. Amanda Pollock, who had a career-high four goals, all in the opening period, ended that outburst when Jess Antelmi caused a turnover that led to an offensive possession.

New Hampshire (8-9) came back with a pair of goals. Amber Casiano connected on a free-position shot, before Hayley Rausch moved from behind the cage to score from the left side. The Great Danes, who are the tournament's top seed after winning the regular-season crown, responded with the final five goals of the period to take a 14-3 lead to the locker room. Pollock, a junior midfielder, scored twice in that stretch, including a transition play where defender Jenn Primeau caused a turnover and drove the ball from her own end.

The Great Danes, who advanced to the championship for just the second time in the program's history, scored twice in the opening four minutes of the second half. Battaglia, who recorded her 21st career hat trick, found the net with a free-position opportunity. Frink, who netted a pair and tied a tournament-record with five assists, faked and scored from left of the crease.

"We set the tone right away," said Battaglia, whose team had lost their previous three meetings with New Hampshire in conference postseason play. "We pushed the pedal and there was no backing down."

Rausch, who earlier this season netted an overtime shot to defeat Boston U., led the Wildcats with three goals, including her 26th of the season. UAlbany's Parker, a freshman midfielder, added one assist to her five-goal offensive output. The Great Danes, who are the lone unbeaten team at the NCAA Division I level, are ranked No. 8 in the IWLCA poll and are No. 5 by deBeer/Inside Lacrosse.

"We had a great start," offered Pollock, whose team lost in the America East semifinals one year ago after running the table in the regular season. "Coach (Battaglino) expects the best from us. We had that (losing last year) in the back of our heads and it is an awful feeling."

In the second semifinal, UMBC came from four down midway through the second half to draw even in regulation on goals by Lindsay Cox and Amanda Pappas. The Retrievers tallied 20 seconds into the extra period as Emily Coady circled from behind the cage and scored from right of the crease.

Paw Prints: UAlbany advanced to the America East Conference championship game for the first time since 2007 ... the Great Danes are the tournament's No. 1 seed for the second consecutive year ... All-America Nikki Branchini broke her own single-season record for draw controls (82) and is third nationally in that category at 5.13 per game ... Jodi Battaglia has 46 goals, the fifth-best single-season total in UAlbany annals ... Ariana Parker's 41 goals is the second-best mark by a freshman ... Tewaaraton Award nominee Taylor Frink scored seven or more points for the sixth time this season ... Frink needs two assists to break the program's career record, held by Andrea Esposito who had 79 from 2000-03 ... Amanda Pollock also scored four goals on two occasions against Vermont, including April 6, 2011.

**********

#8/5 UAlbany 18, New Hampshire 7

New Hampshire - Scoring: Hayley Rausch 3-0, Amber Casiano 1-0, Jenny Simpson 1-0, JoJo Curro 1-0, Kate Keagins 1-0; Goalkeeper(s): Kate Gunts (60:00, 3 saves, 18 GA).

UAlbany - Scoring: Ariana Parker 5-1, Jodi Battaglia 5-0, Amanda Pollock 4-0, Taylor Frink 2-5, Rachael Burek 1-0, Allie Phelan 1-0, Persy Sample 0-1, Jenn Primeau 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Anna Berman (56:43, 4 saves, 6 GA), Brett Yenger (3:17, 0 saves, 1 GA).


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Womens Lacrosse's Nikki Branchini Voted America East's Top Player; John Battaglino Chosen Coach of the Year - UAlbany Sports 2011

Cambridge, Mass. -- University at Albany's Nikki Branchini has been voted America East Conference Co-Player of the Year in women's lacrosse, as announced on Wednesday, May 4 by the conference office. Branchini was one of five Great Danes named to the all-league first team. John Battaglino was chosen America East Coach of the Year.

Branchini, who was the America East's top player last year, becomes the third athlete to win multiple conference player of the year awards, joining Boston University's Chrissy Lombard (1999-2001) and Sarah Dalton (2008-09). A defensive midfielder from Guilderland, N.Y., she is also the first UAlbany player to earn first-team All-America East recognition four times.

Branchini, a third-team IWLCA All-American as a junior, ranks third among the NCAA Division I leaders in draw controls at 4.93 per game, plus averages 1.2 caused turnovers and 2.0 ground balls. She also had her best offensive season as a collegian with 20 goals and three assists. During the regular-season, she was named conference defensive player of the week on three occasions and chosen league player of the week once. She is the NCAA's active career leader in draw controls with 258.

Battaglino, who is in his first season after being promoted from the program's associate head coach position, led the Great Danes to the America East Conference regular-season crown and a 15-0 record. The Great Danes, who are ranked No. 8 nationally in the IWLCA poll and No. 5 by deBeer/Inside Lacrosse, became the first America East program to go undefeated overall through regular-season play in conference history. UAlbany is the only unbeaten team at the NCAA Division I level.

Taylor Frink and Jodi Battaglia, a pair of senior attackers, join Branchini on the all-conference first team. Frink, one of 24 nominees for the Tewaaraton Award as the nation's top player, is fifth nationally in scoring at 4.67 points per game and second in assists (2.67 pg). She has established UAlbany single-season records for assists (40) and points (70). Frink is sixth on the school's career scoring chart with 158 points. Battaglia makes her second appearance on the first team after earning the honor as a sophomore. She is third among the league leaders in goals (2.73 pg) and fourth in points (3.60 ppg). Battaglia is sixth on UAlbany's single-season scoring list (54) and ninth among the career scorers with 137 points.

In addition, UAlbany placed two freshmen on the first team. Ariana Parker totaled 36 goals and one assist from her midfield position. She is fifth in the conference in goals (2.4 pg) and has the third-best season goal total by a UAlbany freshman. Michelle Primomo, a defender, has 14 ground balls and 10 caused turnovers. She keys a defensive unit that is among the nation's leaders in goals allowed at 6.87 per game.

Parker and Primomo are also members of the America East All-Rookie Team along with Allie Phelan and Anna Berman. Phelan, a midfielder, totaled 13 goals, one assist, 29 draw controls and 18 ground balls. Berman, a goalkeeper, is second nationally in goals against average (7.03) and has a .496 save percentage.

Branchini led a group of four UAlbany players who were picked to the America East All-Academic Team. Branchini, who is on the all-academic unit for the third year in a row, has a 3.83 cumulative grade point average in history. She recently received an ECAC Merit Medal as the school's top senior female student-athlete. Battaglia is also on the academic squad with a 3.55 GPA in business administration. Amanda Pollock, a junior midfielder, owns a 3.53 in accounting, and Rachael Burek has a 3.62 in business administration.

UAlbany begins postseason play on Thursday, May 5 when the Great Danes host New Hampshire in the conference tournament semifinals at 1:00 p.m. Boston U. and UMBC meet in the second semifinal at 3:30 p.m. The winners will play for the championship at UAlbany's John Fallon Field on Saturday, May 7 at 1:00 p.m. For tickets, call 518-442-4683.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Mens Lacrosse's Resetarits on All-America East First Team; Thompson Named League Rookie of the Year - UAlbany Sports 2011

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Joe Resetarits has been chosen to America East Men's Lacrosse All-Conference Team, as announced on Tuesday, May 3 by the conference office. Resetarits, a junior midfielder, was a member of the first team. Freshman Miles Thompson was named the league's rookie of the year.

Resetarits, who missed almost all of last season due to injury, makes his second appearance on the all-conference first team. He is fourth in the America East in goals (2.07 pg) and also fourth in scoring at 2.93 points per game. A native of Hamburg, N.Y., Resetarits has 31 goals and 13 assists. He had three goals and handed out an assist in his team's upset of fifth-ranked Massachusetts in March.

Resetarits owns the nation's longest goal-scoring streak at 33 consecutive games. He has scored at least one point in 34 straight contests, the sixth-longest streak among the NCAA Division I leaders. Resetarits recently reached the 100-career point mark and has 78 goals and 25 assists.

Thompson, who hails from Nedrow, N.Y., is the third UAlbany player to be named America East Rookie of the Year, joining Merrick Thomson (2004) and Kevin Rae (2002). Thompson is sixth among the conference leaders in scoring at 2.73 points per game. He finished with 29 goals and 12 assists. Thompson was tabbed conference rookie of the week on four occasions. He tallied three or more points against eight opponents, including a career-high five goals and two assists against nationally-ranked Stony Brook.

Ty Thompson, a freshman from Hogansburg, N.Y., and his cousin Miles were each picked to the America East All-Rookie Team. Ty accounted for 26 goals and four assists. He netted three or more goals on four occasions, including a career-high four against Harvard. Kyle Crotty, a senior midfielder, earned a spot on the conference all-academic team for the second consecutive year. Crotty, who received UAlbany's Presidential Scholar-Athlete Award as the senior with the highest grade point average, has a 3.87 GPA in accounting with a minor in business administration.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany FCS Football's Defensive Tackle Trevor Anderson Chosen in Fifth Round of United Football League Draft - UAlbany Sports 2011

Virginia Beach, Va. - Former University at Albany defensive tackle Trevor Anderson was chosen in the United Football League Draft by the Virginia Destroyers on Monday, May 2. Anderson was taken in the fifth round as the 25th overall selection.

General Manager and Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer contacted Anderson personally to inform him the team had drafted him. Schottenheimer, who is in his first year with the UFL franchise, was previously the head coach with four National Football League teams, including Cleveland, Kansas City, Washington and San Diego. He also once served as the New York Giants' defensive coordinator.

Anderson, a native of Warnersville, N.Y. and a Cobleskill-Richmondville High School graduate, earned first-team All-Northeast Conference recognition on two occasions. He accounted for 45 tackles and had two sacks and three pass break-ups as a senior in leading UAlbany to its fifth consecutive winning campaign. The 6-foot-2, 295-pound defensive lineman participated in the Division I FCS Senior Scout Bowl.

As a collegian, Anderson earned four varsity letters and played on the school's 2008 Gridiron Classic and NEC championship team. He totaled 146 tackles, 10.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for a loss during his career.

The United Football League Draft was conducted over 10 rounds and had 52 players selected. The UFL season begins in September and runs through the end of November.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Women's Lacrosse Ranked #5 In deBeers Poll, Will Host America East Tournament - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - The University at Albany will host the America East Conference Women's Lacrosse Championship on May 5 and 7 at John Fallon Field. The Great Danes, the championship's top seed, earned the right by winning the conference regular-season title for the second consecutive year. UAlbany (15-0) is the only undefeated team at the NCAA Division I level.

UAlbany tangles with New Hampshire in the first semifinal on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. Boston University, the second seed and six-time defending champion, meets UMBC in the second semifinal at 3:30 p.m. The winners will play for the America East championship and an NCAA Tournament automatic berth on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The championship final will be streamed live for free at the America East Zone in partnership with Pack Network.

**********

America East Conference Women's Lacrosse Championship
(John Fallon Field, Albany, N.Y.)

Thursday, May 5
#1 UAlbany (15-0, AE 6-0) vs. #4 New Hampshire (8-8, AE 3-3), 1:00 p.m.
#2 Boston University (8-8, AE 4-2) vs. #3 UMBC (10-6, AE 4-2), 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 7
America East Conference Championship, 1:00 p.m.

**********

Albany, N.Y. - After defeating UMBC to finish regular-season play, UAlbany is ranked No. 8 in the IWLCA coaches' poll for the second straight week. The Great Danes moved up two positions to No. 5 in the deBeer/Inside Lacrosse media rankings.
UAlbany (15-0, AE 6-0) is the only undefeated NCAA Division I program after top-ranked Maryland was upset on Sunday by Dartmouth in double overtime. The Great Danes recently secured their second consecutive America East Conference regular-season crown. As the No. 1 seed, UAlbany will host the America East Championship on May 5 and 7 at John Fallon Field. The Great Danes meet New Hampshire in the semifinal round on Thursday at 1:00 p.m.

Paw Prints: UAlbany is the first America East Conference program to go undefeated through the regular season since the conference began in 1996 ... Tewaaraton Award nominee Taylor Frink leads the nation in assists at 2.67 per game and is fifth in scoring at 4.67 points per game ... the senior attacker has already set UAlbany's single-season records for points (70) and assists (40) ... Nikki Branchini is third nationally in draw controls (4.93 per game) ... the Great Danes are ranked second among the Division I leaders in scoring defense, allowing 6.87 goals per game.

*********

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

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

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information