UAlbany CAA Football: Osbourne, Dorsey, And Smith Earn All-CAA Honors

RICHMOND, Va. – In the program’s inaugural season competing in the Colonial Athletic Association, junior running back Omar Osbourne headlined the University at Albany football team’s postseason accolades, earning first team All-CAA honors. In addition, junior linebacker Christian Dorsey and senior defensive lineman Andrew Smith were named to the CAA’s third team. Courtesy: UA Sports

UAlbany Women’s Basketball Improves to 4-0 After 71-49 Win Over Cal State Fullerton

ALBANY, N.Y. - Another career-night for Shereesha Richards, who earned 22 points and six boards, led UAlbany to a 71-49 victory over Cal State Fullerton on Wednesday night, improving the Great Danes to 4-0 to start the year. Courtesy: UA Sports

Second Half Surge Sends UAlbany to 69-59 Win over Local Powerhouse Marist

ALBANY, N.Y. - In a matchup of the two-best mid-major teams in the Empire State, UAlbany came back from down at halftime to defeat Marist 69-59 at the SEFCU Arena on Thursday night. Courtesy: UA Sports

Richards 25 Points Leads UAlbany to Home Opening 77-61 Win over Western Michigan

ALBANY, N.Y. – A 25-point career day for Shereesha Richards led UAlbany to a 77-61 victory over Western Michigan in the home opener on Sunday. Courtesy: UA SPorts

Top Offensive Output since ‘08 Leads UAlbany to 5-1 Win Over Vermont to Advance to AE Semis

 

BURLINGTON, Vt. – The best team offensive output since 2008 saw 5-seed UAlbany score five consecutive goals, leading to a 5-1 victory at 4-seed Vermont to advance the Great Danes into the America East semifinals.

“We are thrilled to have had one of our best performances in such an important game,” says coach Trevor Gorman.  “We showed great composure in the attacking third, had good chances and executed well against a Vermont team that has had a very good season.”

The Great Danes (6-10-4) return to Baltimore to take on 1-seed UMBC in the America East semifinal round on Wednesday.

“We are looking forward to going back to Baltimore and playing a strong UMBC team again,” says Gorman.
It is the first time since October 18, 2008, a 5-2 home victory over UMBC, that UAlbany has scored five goals in a game.  It is also the first five-goal contest on the road since September 28^th of that year, a 5-1 victory at Marist.

In goal, Michael Pizzuti saved the first shot of the contest from Vermont’s (9-5-4) Mike Clayton on a dive to the left corner in the third minute.

In minute seven, UAlbany earned a breakaway attempt.  Pomare Te Anau went down the center, passing the ball to Anthony Rozzano on the outside.  Going into the goal box, Rozzano found a returning Te Anau, who kicked the ball into the right side of the net for his first goal of the year, putting UAlbany up 1-0.

Later in the closing seconds of the 17^th minute, Jonathan Interiano hit a hard shot to the left side, which was knocked away for a corner.  After Thomas Manz kicked it to Bernardo Mattos, a pass to Dominic McGarr outside the goal box was headed into the right part of the cage.  UAlbany pushed to a 2-0 lead on McCarr’s second goal of the season.

Te Anau nearly got his second goal in the next minute, getting away from a defender at the top of the penalty box.  A hard shot on the ground ground was saved by a diving Conor Leland.

On a free kick attempt in the 25^th minute, Daniel Kuczynski jumped a headed a free kick pass near the goal box.  A jumping Puzzuti punched the ball away, keeping the two-goal lead intact.

Vermont got a corner kick in the 33^rd minute.  After a deflection, Brian Wright headed the ball high above the crossbar, ending the threat.  UAlbany counterattacked in the next minute and got a corner, but Manz headed the ball to the right of the post.

In the closing minutes of the half, Philip Persson drew away all defenders on a free kick into the box.  Manz headed the ball over a charging Leland, placing his target into the right side of the box in 41^st minute, putting UAlbany up 3-0.  Manz pocketed his third goal of the year.

UAlbany protected against a couple of corners in the half’s final minute, not allowing a shot.  The Great Danes went into halftime with its largest lead of the season, up 3-0 on Vermont.

The 49^th minute saw Vermont get the first opportunity of the second half.  Bernard Yeboah got a pass just ahead of the UAlbany back line.  Yeboah shot was saved by a falling Pizzuti near the top of the box.

Just into the 54^th minute, Brandon Wilson charged down the left side of the field, kicking it to Te Anau wide open on the upper left corner of the penalty box.  Te Anau kicked it just inside the right post past a diving keeper for his second goal of the day, putting UAlbany up 4-0.

Shortly after, UAlbany almost got a fifth goal after a Te Anau free kick found Wilson behind the back line.  Wilson kicked the ball into the net, but an offsides call prevented the score.

In the 60^th minute, Te Anau took a free kick just outside the penalty box.  His kick was headed inadvertently by Clayton into the net for a Vermont own goal, giving UAlbany a 5-0 advantage.

UAlbany stayed aggressive, seeing Te Anau set up Leonardo Rodrigues on a cross.  The cross went past the keeper, but the shot just missed left of the post.

With about 21 minutes remaining, Beau Johnson received a ground pass from Wright next to the keeper.  Johnson turned, got around the keeper and scored for Vermont’s first goal, making it 5-1 UAlbany.
At minute 79, UAlbany pushed and got Martin Gorrie with the ball on the left side.  Gorrie crossed and found Denara straight away, but the header went right.

Te Anau nearly got a hat trick, kicking a bouncing ball toward the right post, missing wide with two minutes left.  Neither side got an opportunity for the remainder of the game as UAlbany earned the 5-1 victory.
Pizzuti finished with eight saves in his third victory of the season.  Te Anau got two goals, while Manz concluded with a goal and an assist.

University of Albany's Hooley and Rowley Score 17 Points Each to Stunt Siena 74-62 and Take Home Albany Cup

 

ALBANY, N.Y. - After wiping off the dust in the first half, University at Albany men’s basketball (1-0) brought home the Albany Cup for the second consecutive year. It was the first come-from-behind victory in the series under Will Brown for the Great Danes.

“It’s a great win for our school,” said Sam Rowley. “It’s a fantastic way to start.”

Siena got out to a 7-0 lead early before DJ Evans scored the first Great Dane basket of the 2013-14 season. At the first media timeout at the 15:55 mark, the Saints were 5-for-6 from the field, while the Purple & Gold was just 2-for-6.
UAlbany proved to have the early advantage with the whistle, putting Siena’s Marquis Wright in early foul trouble with two fouls just nine minutes into the game. Wright’s foul put Siena over the limit with more than 11 minutes left in the first half.

The Saints held a double-digit lead for four minutes late in the half before UAlbany began showing signs of life to close the opening period. Levan Shengelia spun past his defender for a dunk with 3:30 left to narrow the lead to eight. Shengelia found Evans on the ensuing position for a three-pointer to make the score 37-30. Anders Haas hit one-of-two free throws to close the half.

At the break, Evans and Haas led UAlbany with six points apiece.

In what was truly a tale of two halves, Sam Rowley scored as many points as he did in the first half in the first two minutes of the second. The junior captain went 5-for-6 in the second half and 3-for-3 in the opening four minutes. With starting center John Puk picking up his fourth foul less than four minutes into the second half, Rowley didn’t let the momentum swing back to the Saints. The forward grabbed an offensive rebound for the put-back to narrow the margin to just one point.

Two free throws from Peter Hooley with 15:27 remaining gave UAlbany its first lead of the game.
The Great Danes used an 11-0 run to get out to a 55-44 lead with just over 10 minutes left. The Saints surged back, holding UAlbany scoreless for nearly four minutes late in the half after throwing a 2-3 zone at the Great Danes.
A technical on the Siena bench gave UAlbany the opportunity to win back the momentum. After Hooley hit the two technical free throws with ease, he hit a three with just under six minutes left to wipe away Siena’s temporary one-point lead. The Great Danes did not relinquish the lead again, forcing Siena into poor shots down the stretch. Siena shot just 27.8% from the field in the second half.

Free throw shooting led UAlbany through the second half, with Hooley going 8-for-8 and Evans hitting 6-of-6. UAlbany went 20-for-24 from the charity stripe in the second half, while Siena shot just 5-of-10. Siena also went 0-for-16 from behind the arch in the second half.

“The change of competitiveness is what did it for us,” said Hooley. “We knew our first half wasn’t UAlbany basketball, and we just weathered that storm. In the second half we knew we would play better, and we did.”

Hooley and Rowley finished with 17 points apiece. Rowley nearly notched a double-double with nine rebounds to his credit. Evans also recorded five steals, a new individual record for UAlbany against Siena under Will Brown.

“In the end, we played the way we were capable of playing,” said head coach Will Brown. “It helps to have some older guys, and I knew their freshmen would come out and play with a ton of energy. I thought we were playing our tempo and imposing our will in the second half, we opened it up.”

The Great Danes will face NJIT in their home opener on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on Time Warner Cable Sports Channel from SEFCU Arena.

University of Albany Women’s Hoops Captures Fourth Straight Albany Cup With 69-42 Victory Over Siena

ALBANY, N.Y. – Opening the season with a furious scoring pace, the University at Albany women’s basketball team jumped out to 13-0 lead Friday night at the Times Union Center and never looked back, overcoming cross-city rival Siena, 69-42. The victory captured the Great Danes’ fourth straight Albany Cup and bragging rights for another year.

Junior Sarah Royals matched her career-best with a game-high 21 points, and also career-marks with six rebounds and four steals, adding six assists. Classmate Margarita Rosario also had a career night, scoring 14 points. The reigning America East Rookie of the Year, Shereesha Richards opened the season with a double-double, logging 13 points and 12 rebounds, while also notching four steals.

In addition, senior Tammy Phillip matched her career-high with 10 boards, as the Great Danes outrebounded the Saints, 48-30.  Megan Craig also earned a career-high with four blocks, adding five points.

Coming off a conference championship and NCAA Tournament appearance, the Great Danes opened the season in top form with a sweltering 58.6 percent field goal percentage in the first half, as well as hitting 6-of-8 shots from behind the arc.

Royals knocked down two and Rosario hit another to give the Great Danes a 13-0 head start at the 12:53 mark. Not only was UAlbany’s offense lighting it up, but the defensive effort suffocated the Saints to a 17.2 field goal percentage (5-29) in the opening stanza. Siena did not record a field goal until the 7:52 mark, as Tehresa Coles’ layup made the score 20-5.

Picking up the intensity in the final five minutes of the first half, the Great Danes used a 17-2 run, capped by another Royals three, to take a 30-point lead, 43-13 with 1:17 remaining. Siena made the final basket of the half with 34 seconds on the clock, as Emia Willingham touched one off the glass. However, UAlbany still went into the break with a commanding 43-15 lead.

Out of the locker room, Richards scored UAlbany’s first six points with two field goals and two free throws, giving the Great Danes a 32-point lead (49-17) -- their largest advantage of the game – with 17:41 remaining.
With Brianna Logan’s layup, Siena cut the margin to 22, 53-31, with 11:19 on the clock, but that would be as close as the Saints would get. UAlbany built their lead back up to as much as 28, 66-38, led by a trio of Rosario baskets and Royals’ pair of free throws with 3:18 remaining, and the Great Danes held onto their comfortable advantage through the remainder of regulation.

In the game, UAlbany held Siena to a 26.2 field goal percentage (16-61), as well as a 4.8 percentage (1-21) from three. Leading the Saints, Meghan Donahue and Coles both reached double figures with 13 and 12 points, respectively.

Up next, UAlbany hosts Western Michigan Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at SEFCU Arena for its home opener.

University of Albany's Mariano Scores Game-Winner to Lead No. 16 Field Hockey Past Maine 1-0 in America East Semifinal

 

 

DURHAM, N.H. – University at Albany field hockey (16-4) will return to the America East final on Saturday to face No. 1 seed New Hampshire. The Great Danes downed Maine 1-0 in the semifinal on Thursday night. Freshman Molly Mariano scored the game-winner in the 56th minute.
“It feels really good to be here for my first America East tournament,” said Mariano. “I couldn’t have scored that goal without my teammates. It was a great pass from Daphne, and I’m excited to play New Hampshire in the final on Saturday.”


The Purple & Gold will face the Wildcats in the final for the second consecutive year at Memorial field.
To start the first half in the 30th minute, Corrine McConville fired a pass down the field to Daphne Voormolen. Voormolen deflected the pass towards the goal and her shot sailed high.

The Great Danes put the pressure on the Maine back line early in the first half, earning three penalty corners in the first 10 minutes. Voormolen had a shot blocked on a penalty corner insertion by Fiori Van Rijswijk for her second shot of the game.

America East Midfielder and Rookie of the Year Paula Heuser had UAlbany’s first good look at the Maine cage in the 20th minute. The freshman lined up on a penalty corner for a shot that required a diving save from the Black Bear keeper.

Maine called timeout with 19 minutes left in the first half, after the Great Danes dominated possession for the first 15 minutes and took four penalty corners. UAlbany entered halftime with a 6-0 penalty corner advantage.
Echo Bretz had a good look at the goal to start the second half. The junior snuck behind the Maine defense, but her attempt was thwarted by the Maine keeper.

Heuser maneuvered around the Maine defense on UAlbany’s seventh penalty corner of the game, but couldn’t find anyone across the circle for the pass with 20 minutes left.

The freshman midfielder didn’t let up in the 57th minute, firing a shot that hit the crossbar. Voormolen took a shot moments later that required a defensive save by the Black Bears to keep from crossing the goal line.
Freshman Molly Mariano knocked in a pass across the circle from Voormolen in the 56th minute to give the Great Danes the 1-0 lead. The goal was Mariano’s sixth of the season.

After Maine nearly evened the score with seven minutes left, Phil Sykes called timeout to regroup.
The Black Bears pulled their goalie with four minutes left in an attempt to send all 11 players forward to even the score. The Great Danes held strong on the back line.

“I think sometimes you feel like there’s a force field on the goal,” said head coach Phil Sykes. “We had some good looks without results. It got a little bit scary there. We’ve been focusing on trying to be strong in front of the goal, and Molly’s position there really paid off for us. New Hampshire kind of took it to us in the regular season, so we’re looking forward to seeing them on Saturday.”

UAlbany will face New Hampshire on Saturday at 2 p.m. The game will be streamed live from Memorial Field on America East.tv.

University of Albany's Heuser Becomes Program’s All-Time Single Season Rookie Scoring Leader in 5-1 Win Against UMass Lowell

 

LOWELL, MASS.-  Freshman midfielder Paula Heuser became the UAlbany field hockey program’s all-time single-season leader in scoring amongst rookies in the team’s final regular season game of the year. The No. 15 Great Danes downed UMass Lowell 5-1.

Heuser scored two goals in the victory, passing current assistant coach Michelle Simpson on the rookie scoring leaderboard. The freshman has now scored 16 goals this season to lead the team in goals and points with 42.

Liza Morgan opened scoring for the Great Danes in the 21st minute. Heuser collected a rebound and found Morgan for the goal. Morgan scored her 10th goal of the season to become the third Great Dane with 10 or more goals in 2013.

The Purple & Gold struck again in the 30th minute on a penalty corner. Heuser smacked in an insertion from Fiori Van Rijswijk for her first goal of the match. Van Rijswijk’s assist was her ninth of the season to rank her tied for second on the team. Heuser nearly scored her second goal from Van Rijswijk to close the half, but the River Hawks made a defensive save on the attempt.

UAlbany continued to pound the UMass Lowell cage in the second period. Kelly Bonner and Daphne Voormolen both took shots early in the half, with the River Hawks making defensive saves to keep the game close.

Molly Mariano widened the gap for the Great Danes in the 54th minute, scoring unassisted to make the score 3-0.

Heuser struck again one minute later unassisted. The freshman streaked through the circle to beat the UMass Lowell goalkeeper and find the back of the cage.

Voormolen scored the final goal for the Great Danes, beating the UMass Lowell goalkeeper one-on-one for the tally.

“We had a good game today,” said head coach Phil Sykes. “UMass Lowell started off playing well, and they really took it to us in the first half. I’m proud of the team for going 15-4 in the regular season, and we’re looking forward to the America East Tournament next week.”

The Great Danes posted their best regular season program record in the Division I ranks at 15-4. UAlbany will enter the America East Tournament as the No. 2 seed for the second consecutive year, facing No. 3 seed Maine. The seeding for the tournament, set to kick off in Durham, N.H., on Thursday at 2 p.m., is identical to last year’s America East field. New Hampshire is the No. 1 seed, with Maine falling into the No. 3 spot and Fairfield competing in the No. 4 slot. UAlbany won last year’s America East tournament in Durham.

University of Albany's Miles Thompson’s 14-Point Performance Earns Inside Lacrosse Laxie

 

BALTIMORE – The fans have spoken, choosing Miles Thompson’s 14-point game against Stony Brook last season for the “Individual Game Performance of the Year” Laxie.
The Laxie Awards, run by Inside Lacrosse magazine, are voted on by fans online each year.  The Laxies include a wide-array of categories, including player and team performance, coaches and off-the-field.  The Laxie Awards are in their sixth year.
On April 27, 2013, UAlbany attack Miles Thompson had a historic game against Stony Brook, combining for 14 points, earning at least three points in each quarter, in a 21-12 victory over the Seawolves to complete an undefeated conference season.  Thompson finished with five goals and nine assists in the game.
His performance earned 42 percent of the vote for Individual Game Performance of the Year for the Laxie, beating out Duke’s Brendan Fowler’s 20-28 face-offs against Syracuse, which got 30%.
In addition, Lyle Thompson nearly earned a couple of Laxies as well.  Lyle finished second in the Laxies for Inside Lacrosse Player of the Year and Division I Men’s Player of the Year with 23.3% and 30.1% of the vote respectively.  Cornell’s Rob Pannell got each one with 35.7% and 34.7% of voting respectively.