University of Albany Men’s Basketball Names Devlin, Hooley, Rowley and Wiegmann Captains for 2013-14 Season

ALBANY, N.Y.- University at Albany men’s basketball coach Will Brown announced Monday that seniors Luke Devlin and Dave Wiegmann, junior Sam Rowley and sophomore Peter Hooley will serve as team captains for the 2013-14 season. “We are excited to name Luke, David, Sam, and Peter captains for the 2013-14 season,” said head coach Will Brown. “We as a staff value the input of our team when choosing captains and these were the four names that continued to be mentioned by each player in our program.  All four are high-character kids who work very hard on the court and in the classroom.  We are confident that all four will be effective captains and lead this team on and off the court.  Being a captain is a challenge and comes with a tremendous amount of responsibility.  We are looking forward to helping them grow and develop as leaders throughout the season.” UAlbany returns eight players from last year’s 2013 America East Championship squad. The Great Danes welcome seven newcomers for 2013-14 and return three starters. Devlin, a three-time captain has played in 98 games in his career with 60 starts. The senior is averaging 5.4 points and 4.4 rebounds for his career, and also shot .750 from the charity stripe in 2012-13. Hooley averaged 10.2 points per game as a starter in 11 games in 2012-13. An America East All-Rookie honoree, Hooley averaged 9.0 points per game and 3.7 assists per game in league play last season. Hooley led the team as a freshman with 102 assists (3.1 apg). The sophomore recorded his first career double-double at Hartford on Jan. 19, scoring 18 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Hooley also leads all returners with a career free-throw percentage of .817. Rowley proved to be an integral piece of UAlbany’s America East campaign last season, averaging 11.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per game in league play. The junior notched his first career double-double against Binghamton on Jan. 7 with 21 points and 13 rebounds along with four assists. He followed up his career night against the Bearcats with another double-double performance against Maine on Jan. 12 with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Rowley is the squad’s leading returning scorer and rebounder, having averaged 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game in 2012-13. Wiegmann, a transfer from Southwestern Illinois Junior College, saw his first action as a Great Dane last season. He played in 17 games, recording three rebounds against South Carolina State on Nov. 20. The Great Danes began practice on Saturday, and host NJIT in their first home game on Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. Men’s basketball season tickets are now on sale, with individual tickets available beginning Oct. 1. The UAlbany men’s basketball team opens the 2013-14 season against cross-town rival Siena at the Times Union Center on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.

PBS Documentary Features Members of Thompson Family - UAlbany Sports 2013

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - PBS aired a documentary on September 22nd called "America Reframed" at 8 p.m., featuring the Thompson family.

The movie features the older brothers of UAlbany's Lyle and Miles Thompson, Jeremy and Jerome, and their Native American heritage in the Onondaga Nation as they look to make the Syracuse lacrosse team.  It features the family and culture on their seven-year journey.  Both Lyle and Miles are featured in the movie.

The documentary, based on the movie "The Medicine Game," was produced by Lukas Korver and Jason Halpin.  Check local listings for re-airings

No. 11 Field Hockey Advances to 8-0 With 4-1 Win at Lehigh

 

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – University at Albany field hockey (8-0) kept its undefeated streak going with a 4-1 win against Lehigh (2-6) on Sunday afternoon.
“We had a good weekend,” said head coach Phil Sykes. “We played two solid teams and had a great team effort.”
UAlbany got off to a quick start in the first half, tallying six shots and two penalty corners in the first seven minutes of the game. Echo Bretz scored the first Great Danes goal in the 14th minute on a pass from Emily White.
White assisted on the second UAlbany goal in the 33rd minute to Liza Morgan. Morgan has now scored seven goals this season.
With 20 seconds remaining in the first half, Corrine McConville converted on her fifth penalty stroke of the year to give the Great Danes a 3-0 lead going into halftime. The senior is now 5-5 on penalty strokes.
The Great Danes took a season-high 23 shots in the first half.
Lehigh got on the board mid-way through the second half on a penalty corner.
Daphne Voormolen notched the final goal of the game on a breakaway from Echo Bretz. Voormolen beat the Lehigh goalie to fire a shot high into the cage.
Freshman Averill Erdody made her first start in goal, making one save.
The Great Danes took a season-high 36 shots and 25 shots on goal. UAlbany out-shot Lehigh 36-5 and held a 12-5 advantage on penalty corners.
The Great Danes return to Alumni Field on Friday, Sept. 27 at 3 p.m., to face Sacred Heart.

Former Great Dane Mike Woods Drafted 16th Overall in the NLL

OAKVILLE, Ontario - Former University at Albany standout Mike Woods was drafted 16th overall by the Toronto Rock in the 2013 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft yesterday.

"The Albany lacrosse family is thrilled that another Great Dane has been drafted into the NLL," says UAlbany head coach Scott Marr.  "We are all excited for Mike and his family that he was drafted by Toronto and will represent his home province."

Woods, a native of Newmarket, a town in the Greater Toronto area, will get to suit up for his hometown team, the defending NLL East Division champion.  Last year, the Rock was 10-6, finishing with the best record in league.

He impressed scouts before and on Draft Day.  Rated #28 among draft-eligible players by ILIndoor.com, Woods was drafted 12 spots above his projected draft status as a player who continued to improve and had impressive offensive and defensive skills.

Woods played 64 games for UAlbany from 2010-13. serving the team as a short stick defensive midfielder.  In 2013, he earned Second Team All-America East with 20 ground balls and four goals in transition, helping UAlbany win the conference title.  Woods scored the second goal of the contest for the Great Danes in the NCAA First Round game against Denver.

Several Great Danes have played box lacrosse in the professional ranks.  Most recently, Joe Resetarits was taken sixth overall by the Calgary Roughnecks in 2012.  On the 2013 draft day, Resetarits was traded to the Buffalo Bandits, his hometown team.  He along with Woods, Mike Ammann, Steve Ammann, Dave Brock, Jordan Levine, Brett Queener, Frank Resetarits, Corey Small, and Merrick Thomson are former Great Danes that have played in the NLL.

The first game for the Rock will be on January 3rd when Toronto hosts Calgary at 7:30 p.m. at the Air Canada Centre.

Men’s Soccer Stuns No. 22 Fairleigh Dickinson 2-1 in Opener at Bob Ford Field

 

ALBANY, N.Y.- The University at Albany men’s soccer team (1-4-1) opened soccer play on Bob Ford Field in spectacular fashion on Sunday night, downing No. 22 Fairleigh Dickinson 2-1. The victory is the first for UAlbany against a nationally ranked opponent since joining the Division I ranks.

“It feels great to get a win like that against a quality team,” said head coach Trevor Gorman. “Our players worked hard tonight and our fans were tremendous. It was fantastic to have so many people come out to support us in our new home.”
Both teams got off to a slow start in the first half. With much of play taking place in the midfield, the game entered the second half deadlocked at 0-0.
In the 58th minute, Philip Persson intercepted a pass in the Fairleigh Dickinson half on a poor pass by the Knights. Persson found Brandon Wilson on the 2-on-1 opportunity, and Wilson buried a shot past Fairleigh Dickinson goalkeeper Jacob Lissek.
UAlbany kept up the pressure on the Knights back line, forcing another turnover deep in Fairleigh Dickinson territory less than 10 minutes later. Jonathan Interiano made the tackle in the Knights 18-yard box, and found Phil Denara across the goal to give the Great Danes a 2-0 lead.
Two minutes later the Knights charged down the field and scored off a free kick deflection.
UAlbany overcame a 14-9 shot advantage and 5-3 corner kick edge for Fairleigh Dickinson to hand the Knights their first loss of the season. The Great Danes are also the first team to score against the Knights in 2013.
The Great Danes return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at Bob Ford Field at 7 p.m., when they take on Siena. The game will be televised on Time Warner Cable Sports.

No. 13 Field Hockey Extends Record to 5-0 With 4-0 Win Over Rutgers

ALBANY, N.Y.- University at Albany field hockey (5-0) is off to its best start in the Division I era after beating Rutgers 4-0 at Alumni Field on Sunday afternoon.

“We played inspired today,” said head coach Phil Sykes. “Rutgers beat us in our first game last season, so I think that loss still stung. We played focused, and we had a good team defensive effort.”

Echo Bretz tallied the first Great Danes goal in the ninth minute off a rebound from Paula Heuser. Kelly Bonner gave UAlbany a 2-0 lead going into half time on a breakaway pass from Emily White.

Corrine McConville converted on her third penalty stroke of the season in the 50th minute. The senior assisted a goal scored by Paula Heuser in the 56th minute on a penalty corner rebound.

Freshman Maxi Primus made seven saves in the cage for the Great Danes. Primus has allowed just three goals in five games.

In a physical match-up, UAlbany out-shot Rutgers 14-10, while Rutgers held a 6-4 advantage in penalty corners. The teams combined for nine penalty corners in the second half and just one in the first period.

No. 13 UAlbany opens the season 5-0 for the first time under head coach Phil Sykes.  Sophomore Liza Morgan and freshman Paula Heuser have each tallied 12 points this season to lead the Great Danes on offense.

Next up for UAlbany is a mid-week game at Alumni Field against cross-town rival Siena on Wednesday at 3 p.m.

University of Albany Football To Open Bob Ford Field And CAA Slate With Rhode Island Saturday

 

ALBANY, N.Y. – After much anticipation, the University at Albany football program is set to kickoff its first Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) contest, as well as unveil its $19 million multi-sport complex Saturday at 7:00 p.m. at Bob Ford Field. Coaching his 44^th and final season at UAlbany, Head Coach Bob Ford will lead the Great Danes into one last new chapter, as they host the University of Rhode Island for the first time in program history.

Read more:

University of Albany Field Hockey Earns No. 13 Ranking in Latest NFHCA Poll

 

ALBANY, N.Y.- The University at Albany field hockey team received 239 votes in the latest National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) poll to be ranked No. 13 in the nation.

The Great Danes opened their season 3-0 for the first time since 2010. UAlbany ranks first in goal differential (4.67) and first in goals against average (0.33), with freshman Maxi Primus in the cage. The squad downed Bryant 8-0 and Providence 4-1 on opening weekend. The Great Danes also shut out Cornell this past weekend 3-0 at Alumni Field.
The No. 13 ranking is the highest for UAlbany since 2011, when the team was ranked No. 12 going into the America East conference semifinals.

Next up for Phil Sykes & co. is Yale on Saturday, Sept. 14 at Alumni Field at 1 p.m.

University of Albany Football's Osbourne Earns CAA Offensive Player Of The Week Honor

RICHMOND, Va. – Announced by the conference office Monday, junior running back Omar Osbourne has been named the CAA Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in the University at Albany football team’s victory over Colgate.

Osbourne, a native of Syracuse, N.Y., finished with a career- and game-high 252 yards on the ground, including a pair of touchdowns, to lead the Great Danes to their second win in as many years over the Raiders. The junior, whose 252 yards on 35 carries marks the third-best rushing performance in program history, turned in his career-high rushing total in the first half alone as UAlbany moved to 1-1 on the season with Saturday's 37-34 win.

Osbourne gave the Great Danes their first lead of the season (7-0) with a 5-yard touchdown rush on their opening drive. Out of the halftime break, Osbourne struck again, rushing for 15-yards into the end zone on a 4th-and-1 situation, stretching the lead to 30-14.

After the Great Dane defense made the key play of the game, stopping a 4th-and-goal attempt on the 1-yard line, Osbourne led the Danes to a 99-yard scoring drive. He rushed four times in the possession, including a 36-yarder that set up another UAlbany touchdown, putting the game out of reach (37-27, 1:34 4th).

UAlbany returns to action Saturday, September 14th, when they host Rhode Island for the Great Danes’ inaugural CAA contest and first game at the brand new Bob Ford Field.

University of Albany Football Holds Off Colgate, 37-34

 
HAMILTON, N.Y. – Using Omar Osbourne’s historic running performance and a few key defensive plays, the University at Albany football team overcame the hosting Colgate University Raiders, 37-34, Saturday night at Andy Kerr Stadium. With the victory, the Great Danes improve to 1-1 on the season, while the Raiders fall to 0-2.

The biggest defensive play of the game came with 4:26 remaining in the ball game.  Colgate faced fourth-and-goal on the one-yard line, trailing by three, 30-27, and chose to take a gamble. Going for it with a run play, the Great Danes’ defensive line suffocated the attempt and gave UAlbany possession on a turnover of downs.

The Danes then drove 99-yards down the gridiron on the back of Osbourne’s four carries, including a 36-yarder, as well as Presley Beauvais’ drive-capping 45-yard touchdown scamper. With Tom O’Riordan’s point-after attempt sailing through the uprights, the Great Danes held a 37-27 lead with 1:34 remaining.

While Colgate did answer with a touchdown of their own with 18 seconds remaining, UAlbany handled the on-sides kick with ease, securing their first win of the 2013 season.

Topping his career-high in the first half alone, junior running back Omar Osbourne rushed for 252 yards with 35 carries, marking the third-best rushing performance in program history. Osbourne also crossed the goal line twice and totaled 260 all-purpose yards.

Beauvais totaled 59 yards with six carries, while wildcat quarterback Jake Meek rushed the ball four times, totaling 27 yards.

Senior wide receiver Kevin Chillis also racked up the yards, recording his second straight 100+ receiving game, connecting with Will Fiacchi five times for 112 yards and a touchdown.

Fiacchi totaled 180 passing yards, completing 13-of-24 attempts with just one interception.

Defensively, junior Christian Dorsey finished with a career-high 12 tackles, including nine unassisted, as well as forced a fumble. TJ Idowu and Cody Greenhagen both tallied seven tackles, while Clay Harris brought down six, and Alex Helmer tackled five, including a sack for a loss of nine yards.

After falling behind early in the season-opener at Duquesne a week ago, the Great Danes responded with a quick spark versus Colgate. On the very first play after kickoff, Tramaine Wilson picked off Gavin McCarney’s pass, immediately putting momentum in the Danes’ favor.

Four rushing plays later, UAlbany took its first lead of the season, 7-0, on Osbourne’s five-yard touchdown rush and O’Riordan’s kick.

On the next drive, Colgate marched 72 yards down the field on eight plays and looked to tie it up. However, McCarney tried to stretch the ball one-handed across the goal line, the ball knocked loose, and rolled out of the end zone, handing UAlbany possession with a touchback.

The Great Danes took advantage, using 13 plays to set up O’Riordan’s 32-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead with 5:00 minutes remaining in the first quarter.

The defending Patriot League champions responded with their first points of the game, capping an eight-play, 80-yard drive with John Wilkins’ one-yard touchdown rush with 1:02 left in the opening stanza.

Holding a steady upper hand throughout the first half, UAlbany answered back with 14 straight points, sparked by the Great Dane defense. Dorsey stripped the ball from Wilkins and Kyle Jordan recovered. Wilkins was knocked out of the game with a knee injury on the play.

Again, UAlbany took full advantage of the Colgate miscue, as Fiacchi connected a 51-yard touchdown pass to Chillis with 8:29 to go in the half.

Forcing Colgate to punt, the Great Danes struck again on their next possession with the help of five Osbourne rushes and a 33-yard reception by Chillis. Beauvais capped the 92-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run for a 24-7 lead with 2:44 on the clock in the second quarter.

After a defensive stop for the Raiders, Colgate made it a 10-point game, 24-14, heading into halftime as McCarney finished an eight-play, 67-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown pass to Nat Bellamy.

Out of the break, UAlbany struck again, as Osbourne rushed for 15-yards into the end zone on a fourth-and-1 situation, stretching the lead to 30-14 with 10:02 on the clock.

Still hanging around, Colgate answered with a touchdown of their own, as Jimmy DeCicco scampered 40-yards into the end zone with 3:23 left in the third quarter.

Becoming a real threat, the Raiders cut the deficit to three points after picking off Fiacchi’s pass on the 16-yard line, and then rushed for another quick touchdown, making the score, 30-27 with 14:55 left in the game.

However, that is when the Danes’ defense stepped up and held off the Raiders for the remainder of the way.

UAlbany returns to action Saturday, September 14^th, when they host Rhode Island for the Great Danes’ inaugural CAA contest and first game at Bob Ford Field.



Albany vs Colgate (Sept 7, 2013 at Hamilton, N.Y.)

Albany (1-1) vs. Colgate (0-2)

Date: Sept 7, 2013 • Site: Hamilton, N.Y.  • Stadium: Andy Kerr Stadium  •  Attendance: 5217

University of Albany Men’s Basketball Releases 2013-14 America East Schedule

  CAMBRIDGE, MASS. – The America East Conference released the league match-ups for all home-and-home men’s basketball games on Thursday for the 2013-14 season. Game times and T.V., scheduling will be revealed at a later date.
The Great Danes open their America East slate at home at the beginning of January. UAlbany hosts Hartford on Jan. 4 and UMBC on Jan. 8.

Head coach Will Brown & co. hit the road for three games beginning Jan. 11 at Vermont. UAlbany visits new league member UMass-Lowell on Jan. 15 and wraps up the three-game road trip at Maine on Jan. 18.

The Great Danes return to SEFCU Arena to face Binghamton on Jan. 20, and travel to New Hampshire for a game on Jan 23. UAlbany hosts league rival Stony Brook to conclude the month of January on the 29th.

The annual Purple Growl event will feature a men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader on Feb. 1 against Vermont. UAlbany concludes a three-game homestand with UMass-Lowell on Feb. 5.

The Great Danes visit Hartford and UMBC on Feb. 5 and Feb. 8, respectively. Maine pays a visit to SEFCU Arena on Feb. 15 before the Great Danes face Binghamton on the road on Feb. 19.

UAlbany celebrates senior day on Feb. 27 against New Hampshire before visiting Stony Brook for its final regular-season contest.

The Great Danes are the defending America East champions, having claimed the title as the No. 4 seed after going 9-7 in the league. UAlbany won the conference championship by a total of seven points across three games. The Great Danes defeated Stony Brook and Vermont in the tournament despite losing to both opponents twice in the regular season.
UAlbany hosts the 2014 America East Tournament beginning on March 7.

UAlbany opens its 2013-14 season with a crosstown rivalry game against Siena at the Times Union Center on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.
 
2013-14 UAlbany America East Schedule:
January
4                     Hartford
8                     UMBC                                                                                       
11                   at Vermont                                                                               
15                   at UMass-Lowell                                                                     
18                   at Maine                                                                                   
20                   Binghamton                                                                              
23                   at New Hampshire                                                                   
29                   Stony Brook                                                                             
February
1                     Vermont (M/W doubleheader)                                                 
5                     UMass-Lowell                                                                         
8                     at Hartford                                                                               
12                   at UMBC                                                                                   
15                   Maine                                                                                       
19                   at Binghamton                                                                          
27                   New Hampshire                                                                       
March
2                     at Stony Brook
7-9                 America East Tournament

All-Time Program Records Against America East Opponents:
Binghamton: 62-29
Hartford: 19-10
Maine: 13-12
UMass-Lowell: 5-6
New Hampshire: 16-12
Stony Brook: 36-25
UMBC: 16-6
Vermont: 9-25

America East Releases University of Albany Women's Basketball Conference Schedule

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - UAlbany went 16-0 in the America East last season and will look to repeat the feat.  The America East Conference has released the league schedule today, featuring 16 games.  

The team will play the league slate from January 9th through March 1st before hosting the conference tournament.  The 2014 America East quarterfinals will be on Friday, March 8th at the SEFCU Arena, with the semifinals being on Sunday, March 10th.  The America East women's championship game is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, March 16th.

The Great Danes will play their first three conference games on the road, playing Vermont on January 9th.  They will follow up with with matchups at Hartford on January 12th and UMass Lowell on January 16th.
The first home game will be on January 18th as UAlbany hosts Maine at the SEFCU Arena.  The final two home games feature rivalry contests; the Great Danes host Binghamton on February 19th and will have Senior Day on March 1st against Stony Brook.

2014 UAlbany Women's Basketball America East Schedule
(times listed are tentative)

• Jan. 9 - @ Vermont
• Jan. 12 - @ Hartford
• Jan. 16 - @ UMass Lowell
• Jan. 18 - Maine
• Jan. 20 - @ Binghamton
• Jan. 23 - New Hampshire
• Jan. 28 - UMBC
• Jan. 30 - @ Stony Brook
• Feb. 1 - Vermont
• Feb. 4 - UMass Lowell
• Feb. 7 - Hartford
• Feb. 11 - @ UMBC
• Feb. 16 - @ Maine
• Feb. 19 - Binghamton
• Feb. 26 - @ New Hampshire
• Mar. 1 - Stony Brook