University of Albany Women’s Lacrosse Out-Scores Cornell 7-3 in the Second Half to Take 12-11 Win - UAlbany Sports 2015

ITHACA, N.Y. – Despite a deficit at the half, University at Albany women’s lacrosse came back for a 12-11 win at Cornell (1-1) in icy, cold conditions. Rachel Bowles led the Danes with six goals and one assist for seven total points. Dakotah Savitcheff put the Purple & Gold on the board early after winning the opening draw. The sophomore got a feed from freshman Alie Jimerson to take the 1-0 lead. Cornell came back for two-straight goals, but Jimerson fed the crease again to hit Emma Powlin. UAlbany made its first two shots of the game to tie it at two. The Big Red responded for three straight goals, but the Danes finally earned a draw to make the score 5-3 with just under 15 minutes to play in the first half. Both teams had trouble clearing the ball out of their own end. A Cornell free position shot ringed off the post, but the Purple & Gold failed to clear, resulting in a 7-3 deficit moments later. The Big Red continued to retain possession in the UAlbany end before Powlin forced a turnover and headed the other way. Maureen Keggins notched her first of the day from Powelin with nine minutes to go. Cornell converted once more in the first half, but Bowles made the most of a man-up opportunity to reduce the margin to three goals, 8-5 at the break. John Battaglino’s squad came out ready to score in the second, tallying four unanswered goals in the first seven minutes. Bowles scored three of the four, and Emily Mizer recorded the other goal in the rally on a free position shot. A Bowles goal from Keggins gave UAlbany its first lead, 9-8 with 23 minutes left. The Big Red did not go away quietly, scoring three straight to reclaim the game 11-9. The Purple & Gold could not take advantage of a Cornell turnover on the ensuing play, but Courtney Henderson made a save on the other end get possession back. Battaglino called timeout to set up, and Keggins scored less than a minute later. Cornell was charged with two yellow cards late, allowing Bowles to score the man-up goal to tie the game with six minutes to play. With the game tied at 11, Christine Johnson won the draw to give the Danes control with five minutes to play. Bowles fed Katherine Sweeney for the game-winner, with Savitcheff snagging the ensuing draw to ensure the win. UAlbany women’s lacrosse is now 3-0 in 2015, and hosts Central Connecticut (1-2) on Saturday, March 7 at noon as part of a UAlbany lacrosse doubleheader.

America East Conference Tournament 2015

University of Albany Baseball Edged By Georgia Tech, 9-8, On Walk-Off Home Run - UAlbany Sports 2015

CONWAY, S.C. – Scoring six runs in the second inning Sunday at the Caravelle Resort’s Baseball at the Beach Tournament, the University at Albany baseball team held an 8-6 advantage into the bottom of the ninth, but Georgia Tech, the reigning ACC champion, rallied to score three runs on Arden Pabst’s walk-off home run to steal a 9-8 victory. The Great Danes close the opening weekend tournament with a 1-2 overall record, while Georgia Tech improved to 5-3 on the season. “Given the schedule, the guys were asked to compete at a very high level,” said head coach Jon Mueller. “We controlled the NC State game and this game, but we let Georgia Tech off the hook at the end of this one.” While the Yellow Jackets scored three runs in the bottom of the first, stringing together three singles and a double, UAlbany caught fire in the top of the second. Junior Evan Harasta led off with a double to left and sophomore Eric Mueller singled through the left side. Patient at the plate, freshman Shawn Blake drew a walk to load the bases, and rookie John Banes and senior Alex Lushkevich followed with RBI walks, bringing in two. With the bases still full, junior Karson Canaday took advantage with a bases-clearing double down the left field line for a 6-3 lead. Georgia Tech responded in the bottom half of the inning with one run on Kel Johnson’s RBI single. The Yellow Jackets added two more runs in the bottom of the third on a pair of doubles by Matt Gonzalez and Keenan Innis and Wade Bailey’s RBI single, tying the ballgame, 6-6. However, UAlbany relievers Joey Moore and Stephen Woods combined to hold Georgia Tech off the board through the next five innings. The Great Danes regained the lead, 7-6, in the top of the fourth, as Blake led off the inning with a triple to center and scored on a wild pitch. In the seventh, UAlbany tacked on an insurance run for an 8-6 advantage. Will Miller led off the frame with a single to left, advanced on Lushkevich’s sac bunt, and scored on a fielding error at third. However, in the bottom of the ninth, the Yellow Jackets rallied as Innis reached on a one-out fielding error and pinch hitter Daniel Gooden drew a walk, setting up Pabst’s heroics. Woods (0-1) took the loss for UAlbany, throwing 3.0 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) and struck out five. Senior starter Matt Gallup tossed the opening three frames, allowing six runs on nine hits, while striking out two. Georgia Tech’s Matt Phillips (1-0) earned the win, facing just one batter in the ninth. Totaling 10 hits as a team, Canaday (2-for-5, 3 RBI), Trevor DeMerritt (2-for-4), and Miller (2-for-4) each logged multi-hit performances. “When we play solid defense, we can play at a very high level,” added Mueller. “The guys competed very hard, which is a good sign for the rest of the season.” Up next, the Great Danes compete in the Bob Hannah Invitational in Newark, Del. Feb. 27-March 1.

University of Albany Men's Lacrosse Uses 6-0 Run to Defeat Drexel 15-8 in Season Opener - UAlbany Sports 2015

PHILADELPHIA – The #13/10 UAlbany men’s lacrosse team battled the elements and ran past #19/RV Drexel with a 6-0 run in the middle of the game to earn a 15-8 victory on the road to open the 2015 season. Nine different Great Danes scored as UAlbany (1-0) snapped a five-game skid against Drexel (0-2), netting six-straight goals from 10:36 left in the 2nd to 10:30 left in the 3rd. It is also the second time in three years that the Great Danes defeated a ranked opponent on the road to begin the year. “We’ve lost to [Drexel] the last five years, to get a 1-0 start is great for our confidence moving forward,” said UAlbany coach Scott Marr. “We had a lot of contributions, it was great to get in a lot of new faces, and they did a wonderful job. To score 15 our first game and only give up eight, we are certainly pleased with that effort.” Freshman Connor Fields led UAlbany with six points off three goals and three assists, including four points in the 6-0 run. Seth Oakes scored four goals in his UAlbany debut, including two behind the back, while Jake Cullen scored two goals and an assist off the bench. “We were working the ball around and being unselfish,” said Fields. “We always were looking for one more pass, and we hit our shots.” On the defensive end, Blaze Riorden saved 16 shots, his best total in a season opener. “We were all on the same page, technically I lead the unit, but everyone has an equal role,” said Riorden. “We held them to eight goals, and five of them were man-up.” For Drexel, Cole Shafer had three goals and an assist to lead the team. Ryan Belka added two goals. Will Gabrielsen got the loss in goal, saving 10 shots in 60 minutes. At 1-0 Drexel early, Lyle Thompson made a spin move and scored to put UAlbany on the board. 20 seconds later, a Drexel faceoff violation gave UAlbany a man-up spot: John Maloney passed to Cullen for the goal. Seth Oakes added a third on a turnaround shot close to the circle for a 3-0 UAlbany run. Mitch De Snoo scored for Drexel 44 seconds later, setting the eventual end of first quarter score at 3-2. Thompson passed to a running Oakes for a behind-the-back shot and score in the opening minutes of the second. Drexel responded with Mason Pynn running towards the cage and scoring. Off another Drexel faceoff violation, Cullen scored off the pass from Fields for the goal. After over seven minutes without a score, Justin Reh fired low and scored from Derrick Eccles. Just before the end of the half, Fields made a turnaround shot and score to put UAlbany up 7-3 at the break. In the opening 4:30 of the second half, Maloney, Bennett Drake and Fields scored in succession to build UAlbany’s lead to 10-3. Drexel added two goals in two minutes to pull within five. In a man-up situation, UAlbany forced a turnover at the mid-line on a clear attempt, as the ball went from Fields to Maloney to Oakes to the goal. Oakes added another in the closing seconds of the quarter on a behind-the-back shot to push UAlbany up 12-5 by the end of the third. Given a man-up scenario at the start of the fourth, Fields netted his third from Maloney for a 13-5 lead. After a Belka goal by Drexel, neither side scored for the next seven minutes. Then, Ky Tarbell found Drake for the goal. Drexel added two more goals, with a Tarbell goal from Cullen with under three minutes left setting the eventual final score of 15-8. UAlbany is scheduled to play Bryant in Rhode Island on Tuesday, February 24th at 4 p.m.

University of Albany's Maureen Keggins Goes For Nine Points in Season-Opening Women’s Lacrosse Win at Quinnipiac - UAlbany sports 2015

HAMDEN, CONN. – In a dominant offensive showing, University at Albany women’s lacrosse (1-0) downed Quinnipiac (0-1) 21-5 in wintry conditions on Saturday afternoon. Senior attack Maureen Keggins led the Danes with five goals and four assists. An unanswered 6-0 rally by UAlbany gave John Battaglino’s squad an early advantage. Keggins got on the board in the first 20 seconds on an assist from freshman Alie Jimerson. The Purple & Gold’s leading returning scorer Rachel Bowles got in on the action for two unassisted goals in one minute, making the score 3-0. Sophomore attack Dakotah Savitcheff scored with just four minutes gone in the first half on another feed from Jimerson. Emily Mizer and Emma Powlin wrapped up the run with their first career goals, both unassisted. After Quinnipiac came back to score twice, Keggins regained offensive control for the Danes by contributing to three of the next four goals. The senior kicked off 10 unanswered goals for the Purple & Gold with an unassisted tally, followed by an assist on Katherine Sweeney’s first goal of 2015. Sweeney scored again from Bowles to make the score 9-2 with 10 minutes left in the first half. Keggins went for goal number three on the day, followed by the game’s only man-up score from Emma Powlin shortly after. Andrea Flood converted on UAlbany’s first free position goal of the day with 1:12 on the clock, and Keggins scored again with just 30 seconds left to put the Danes up 13-2 at the half. Savitcheff, Flood and Keggins didn’t let up at the crease, scoring each of the first three goals of the second half. Five minutes later, Powlin notched another unassisted goal, before Sarah Martin went for two goals with less than 10 minutes to play. Mizer and Powlin wrapped up scoring for the Great Danes, and Quinnipiac managed a last-minute goal to put the final score at 21-5. Eight different UAlbany players scored in the season-opening victory. Keggins became the fourth Division I Great Dane to amass nine points in a single game. The senior helped UAlbany out-shoot Quinnipiac 39-18. Powlin scored four goals in her collegiate debut. On the defensive end, the Purple & Gold held the Bobcats to 0-for-3 in free position shots. UAlbany also proved successful on all 11 of its clears out of the back. In her first career start, Courtney Henderson made five saves between the pipes. Three Danes tallied their first career points, including Emma Powlin, Alie Jimerson and Emily Mizer. Battaglino’s squad makes its John Fallon Field debut on Wednesday, taking the turf against Manhattan at 3:00 p.m.

University of Albany Women’s Track Claims Third Consecutive Indoor Conference Title - UAlbany Sports 2015

NEW YORK – For the third consecutive year, and fifth in their last six, the University at Albany women’s indoor track & field team won the America East Indoor Championships. In victory, the women scored 197.66 points, edging UMBC, who was second with 153 points, and last year’s runner-up Binghamton, who was third with 118 points. The women did not score in their first track event, the mile. Michelle Anthony and Niamani Morrison placed first and second in the 60 hurdles to open up track scoring for the Great Danes. Anthony ran 8.52 and Morrison ran 8.90. Grace Claxton set a new championship meet record in the 400, winning the event in 54.17, a new season best. Halie Snyder placed second in a new season best 55.92. In the 500, Kamilah Williams placed third with a time of 1:14.96. Aderinsola Ajala placed fourth in 1:15.28, a new personal best. Chanel Smith placed fifth in the 60 in 7.81. Kahlia Taylor placed sixth in 7.81. Michelle Anthony placed seventh in 7.84. Dominique Claudio placed second in the 800 in 2:10.58. Claxton, returning from the 400, placed fourth in the 200 in 24.74. Taylor, returning from the 60, placed fifth in 25.20. Anthony, tripling up from the 60 hurdles and 60 dash, placed sixth in 25.21. Smith, also returning from the 60, placed eighth in 25.40. In the field events, Alexx Baum won the triple jump in a season best 40’-7.75”. Solène Bastien was third in 40’-4”. T’Sian Haywood was eighth in 38’ Janice Johnson placed second in the shot put, throwing a new personal best of 45’-7.75”, surpassing her previous best by more than a foot. Chinwe Igwe placed sixth, throwing 41’-1.75”. Zoe Doolittle placed seventh with a mark of 40’-8.75”. Min Pacella placed second in the high jump, clearing a personal best and ECAC qualifying height of 5’-7”. Rochelle Reid was part of a five-way tie for the third best jump of the day, ultimately tying for third with Alisha Beeman from UMBC and Jackie Crunden from Binghamton in 5’-5”. The women won the 4x800 relay in 9:16.29, which also satisfies the ECAC standard. Chinira Lovick led off in 2:19.1, followed by Claudio in 2:16.4, Hannah Smith in 2:21.9, and Schuyler Pruyn in 2:18.7. The women also won the 4x400 relay to close the meet in 3:47.43. Ajala led off in 56.8, followed by Williams in 56.7, Snyder in 58.3, and Claxton in 55.4. The women compiled victories in six events during the championship meet. They share in their team victory with the UAlbany men, who scored 191 points to claim their 10th consecutive victory. They defeated runner-up Binghamton, who scored 133.33 points. The women’s coaching staff won the Coaching Staff of the Year Award, which they shared with the staff from UMBC. With conference championships now concluded, the Great Danes will visit Boston for the next two weeks for the Boston University Last Chance Meet next weekend, followed by the ECAC Championships in two weeks, also at Boston University. Additionally, Briana Cherry-Bronson and Michelle Anthony have qualified for the USA Indoor National Championships in the weight throw and 60 hurdles, respectively, which will take place next week at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston.

University of Men’s Track Wins 10th Consecutive Indoor Conference Title - UAlbany Sports 2015

NEW YORK – For the 10th consecutive season, the University at Albany men’s indoor track & field team has won the America East Indoor Championships. The men scored 191 points to claim victory, after leading through the first day with 44 points. Binghamton was runner-up for the second consecutive year, scoring 133.33 points. New Hampshire was third, scoring 115.33 points. In addition to 10 consecutive, this championship is also the men’s 12th in their last 13. The men had no entries in the first track event of the day, the mile. Devon Willis was the first UAlbany scorer on the track Saturday, placing third in the 60 hurdles with a time of 8.37, just off the personal best of 8.35 he set in the trials last night. Taariq Jones successfully defended his title in the 400, crossing the line in 48.37 to take first place. Youssef Benzamia placed second in 48.52. Jason Tomlinson won the 500 in 1:04.04. Robert Harris III placed second in the 60 in 6.94. His time was six-thousandths of a second behind the winner, Daryian Miles from UMBC. Jaymen Teemer placed fourth in 7.00. Winston McCormack Jr. was sixth in 7.09. Youness Benzaid placed second in the 800, with an open personal best of 1:51.92. John DeLallo won in the 1,000 in 2:25.76 after original winner Jesse Garn from Binghamton was disqualified for cutting in too early. Harris III earned his second second-place finish in the 200, finishing with a time of 22.08. McCormack Jr. placed fourth in 22.26. Cherron Royal placed eighth with a time of 22.61. Christopher Buchanan placed eighth in the 3,000, running a season best 8:31.56. In the field events, Alexander Bowen and Matthew Campbell swept the top two spots in the high jump, each clearing 6’-10.75”. The finishing order was determined by a jump-off. Bowen and Campbell both cleared 6’-10.75”, before passing the next height of 6’-11.75”. Both missed all three attempts at 7’-1”, and both had the same number of misses from earlier heights. Bowen won the jump-off, clearing 7’-1”, while Campbell placed second after missing the height in the jump-off. It was Bowen’s fourth consecutive indoor high jump title. Eric Del Vescovo placed fourth in the shot put in a new personal best of 49’-6.25”. UAlbany swept the top four places in the triple jump. Bowen claimed his second victory, winning the event with a mark of 48’-6.25”. Willis was second in 48’-4.75”. Jordan Crump-King was third in 48’-2.75”. And Colonel Fakarode was fourth in 47’-3”. The final three events of the heptathlon were contested on Saturday, with the day’s events beginning with the heptathlon 60 hurdles. Stefan Buechele, who was in 11th place with 2,359 points after the first four events, placed 10th in the hurdles in 9.43. Phillip Blanda, who was sixth with 2,598 points after the first day, placed 11th in the hurdles in 9.65. Buechele placed third in the pole vault, clearing a height of 13’-9”. Blanda placed 10th, clearing 10’-10”. Buechele placed second in the 1,000 in 2:44.66. Blanda placed 10th in 3:11.54. Ultimately, Buechele placed seventh overall, scoring 4,508 points, and Blanda placed ninth, scoring 4,194 points. UAlbany placed seventh in the 4x800 relay with a time of 8:06.96. Chad Barker led off, splitting 2:01.9. Raymond Farinella ran second, splitting 1:57.6. Simon Niwana ran third, splitting 2:01.4. And Harold Lamour anchored in 2:05.8. The men placed second in the 4x400 to close the meet, running a season best time of 3:15.34. Jones led off in 49.2, followed by Benzamia in 48.3, Ryan Small in 50.0, and finally Tomlinson in 47.6. In total, the men won six events over the two-day meet. They shared in victory with the UAlbany women, who won their third consecutive title, and fifth in six years. The women scored 197.66 points to defeat runner-up UMBC, who scored 153 points. The UAlbany coaching staff won the Coaching Staff of the Year Award, and Bowen won Most Outstanding Men’s Field Performer. With conference championships now concluded, the Great Danes will visit Boston for the next two weeks for the Boston University Last Chance Meet next weekend, followed by the IC4A Championships in two weeks, also at Boston University.

University of Albany Baseball Opens Season With 9-6 Win Over NC State - UAlbany Sports 2015

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The University at Albany baseball team opened the season Saturday at Pelicans Ballpark with a 9-6 victory over ACC power NC State. Competing in the Caravelle Resort’s Baseball at the Beach Tournament, UAlbany handed the Wolfpack (2-1) its first loss of the season, while improving to 1-0. Junior southpaw Brendan Ryan (1-0) earned the win, throwing four complete frames. He held NC State to a run and two hits, while striking out two. Fellow junior lefty Sam DeCelle picked up the save, striking out four in the final 3.1 innings, while allowing just one run and one hit. The game began with a duel on the hill, as neither Ryan nor NC State starter Cory Wilder surrendered a hit in the opening two frames. However, in the bottom of the third, the Great Danes took advantage of a hit batsman and four walks, bringing in Shawn Blake for the first run of the contest. Facing reliever Jon Olczak, junior Matt Hinchy ripped a two-out single to right field, plating Will Miller and Alex Lushkevich. Senior Craig Lepre capped the four-run frame with an RBI single through the left side, scoring junior Evan Harasta. While the Wolfpack answered with a run in the top of the fourth on Chance Shepard’s leadoff solo shot over the left field wall, UAlbany matched the output in the bottom half of the inning. After Blake knocked a leadoff double to left, sophomore Eric Mueller singled to right, and Lushkevich’s RBI fielder’s choice made the score 5-1. With middle reliever Terry Dugdale on the mound, NC State added two unearned runs in the top of the fifth. A leadoff bunt single and fielding error, coupled with a bases loaded walk and RBI single up the middle cut UAlbany’s lead to two, 5-3. Undeterred, the Great Danes responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning, using two hits and three errors to their gain. Hinchy got things going with a single through the right side and Lepre reached on a botched fielder’s choice opportunity. Playing his first game for UAlbany, junior Trevor DeMerritt knocked in Hinchy with an RBI single through the right side. Mueller brought home Lepre with an RBI fielder’s choice and DeMerritt also scored on the play as a result of an error at third for an 8-3 advantage. In the top of the sixth, NC State loaded the bases with a single and a pair of walks. Two-hitter Preston Palmeiro followed with a two-out three-run triple to right field, cutting the deficit to two, 8-6. However, those would be the Wolfpack’s final runs of the game, as DeCelle did not allow a hit in the final three innings. UAlbany added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, as Miller reached on a leadoff throwing error. Stealing second and third, Harasta brought home the junior with a double down the right field line. At the plate, Hinchy led the Danes with his 2-for-4 performance with two runs batted in and a run scored. Harasta piloted the squad with two RBIs, going 1-for-3, while Lepre, DeMerritt, Blake, and Mueller each logged a hit in the victory. For NC State, Wilder (1-1) took the loss, allowing four runs in 2.2 innings. The Great Danes will look to take down another perennial power tonight when they square off against tournament host Coastal Carolina at 6:00 p.m. at Springs Brooks Stadium. The game will stream live on the Big South Network.

University of Albany Softball Tops Florida A&M, Falls To Florida Atlantic At FAU Invitational - UAlbany Sports 2015

BOCA RATON, Fla. – On day two of the Florida Atlantic Invitational, the University at Albany softball team again logged a split, overcoming Florida A&M, 4-3, before falling to the hosting FAU Owls, 10-1. The Great Danes are now 2-2 on the season. Serving as the visiting team in game one, the Great Danes took a quick 2-0 lead over Florida A&M in the top of the first. Senior Vicky McFarland led off with an infield single and then advanced to third following a stolen base and passed ball. Sophomore Kayla Bailey drove her home with an RBI single up the middle, and junior Maggie Cocks followed with a run-scoring triple to right. The Rattlers responded with three runs in the bottom of the third for a 3-2 advantage. Whitney Farris, Amanda Weaver and Jessica Nathan strung together a trio of singles, bringing in two with one out. However, UAlbany starting pitcher Erynn Sobieski recorded a strikeout and a groundout to get out of the jam. She did not allow another run the rest of the way. Trailing by one in the top of the fourth, Kelly Costello served as the spark, leading off with a single to short. She then stole second and moved to third on a throwing error, setting up Mackenzie Cleary’s game-tying RBI single to third. With one out, Cleary took advantage of the Rattlers’ miscues in the field, moving to second on an error and to third on a wild pitch. McFarland’s RBI groundout to second plated Cleary, representing the game-winning run. McFarland (2-for-3) and Cocks (2-for-4) led the Great Danes offensively with two hits apiece. Sobieski (1-0) earned the win, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits, while striking out six in seven innings of work. Also with a complete game, Veronica Burse took the loss for Florida A&M, giving up four runs (three earned) on 10 hits, while recording three strikeouts. In the nightcap, Florida Atlantic accelerated to a 5-0 head start in the top of the first, using a leadoff hit batsman and four straight hits. With one run in and bases loaded, Melissa Martinez lined a three-run double to right-center. She eventually scored on a fielding error before the Great Danes were able to work their way out of the jam. FAU added two more in the top of the third on Martinez’s two-run home run to left, giving the Owls a 7-0 advantage. UAlbany got on the board in the bottom of the frame, as McFarland drew a leadoff walk, advanced to third on Alexa Toole’s infield single, and scored on Cocks’ sacrifice fly. Unfortunately, that would be UAlbany’s lone run of the contest, as Florida Atlantic hurler Kylee Hanson (3-0) held the Great Danes to just three hits, while striking out eight. The Owls gradually built their lead to nine, ending the game after six innings. FAU scored one run in the fifth, as Martinez lined an RBI triple -- She finished the game a single shy of the cycle. In the sixth, FAU strung together three singles and a sac fly to plate two more runs. Toole (1-for-2), Elizabeth Snow (1-for-2), and Marlin Solano (1-for-2) represented UAlbany’s three hits in the game. In the circle, Mackenzie Thompson (1-1) took the loss, tossing the opening three innings. Making her collegiate debut, freshman Nicole Parks threw the final three frames, allowing three runs and six hits, while striking out one. The Great Danes will play their final game in the FAU Invitational Sunday at 11:15 a.m., and will look for their second win over the Florida A&M Rattlers.

University of Albany: Career Night From Sanders Clinches Share of Regular Season Title in 70-64 Victory Over Hartford - UAlbany Sports 2015

ALBANY, N.Y. – With a career-high 19 points, Ray Sanders led University at Albany men’s basketball (19-8, 13-1 AE) to a 70-64 win against Hartford (13-14, 6-8 AE) at SEFCU Arena on Friday night. The junior added seven rebounds, five assists and three steals to his stat line, good for at least a share of the America East regular season title for the Danes. Both teams came out hot from the field, as Hartford started 4-for-6 and UAlbany went 4-for-8; but the Hawks kept the good shooting alive mid-way through the half. In a four-minute span, Hartford went 2-for-3 while the Danes managed just 1-for-5 from the field. With the pace slowing down considerably, both squads experienced scoring droughts. Each team had five turnovers by the 8:45 mark, benefiting the Hawks for an 18-11 lead and their largest of the contest. On the ensuing possession, Peter Hooley ended UAlbany’s scoring drought at four minutes with a three. After four turnovers and 20% from the field, Hooley narrowed the Hartford advantage to four, 21-14 with eight minutes to go in the first half. Hartford showed a variety of defensive looks towards the end of the half, switching between man, 2-3 zone and 1-3-1. The Danes responded by getting to the foul line, going 4-for-4 to help fuel an 8-0 run. Hooley picked off a pass at half-court and went the other way for the lay-in with three minutes on the clock, giving the Danes their first lead since the 19:02 mark. UAlbany went into the locker room with the game deadlocked at 25, its second straight game with a tie at half. Evan Singletary got in on the scoring action early in the second stanza, scoring four points in the opening 3:30. Singletary, Sanders and Mike Rowley combined to go 9-for-9 from the charity stripe in the first seven minutes of the half. By the under-16 media timeout, the Purple & Gold was 9-for-11 (.818) from the line, while the Hawks had taken just one free throw. Greig Stire became the eighth Dane to score, as he got a baseline pass from Sanders for the easy lay-in. A Hooley three followed by a traditional three-point play by Sanders put Will Brown’s squad up 11, 45-34 with 12 minutes to play. Sanders was the only UAlbany player to score over the next five minutes, as Hartford came within four, 50-46 with eight minutes to play. The junior made a momentum-changing play, as Sam Rowley nearly turned the ball over in the paint. Sanders went after the loose ball to find Dallas Ennema on the baseline for a three-pointer for a seven-point cushion. After Hartford narrowed the margin to four points again, two more traditional three-point plays from Sam Rowley and Sanders put the game out of reach for the Hawks. Sanders led all scorers with 19 points, including an 11-for-12 (.917) clip from the charity stripe. Sam Rowley finished one rebound shy of a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds. The senior is now four offensive rebounds away from becoming the Division I career leader in the category. Singletary (14) and Hooley (10) joined Sanders and Rowley in double figures. UAlbany went 25-for-30 (.833) from the free throw line, while Hartford went 6-for-8 (.750). With the victory, UAlbany matches its highest all-time America East regular season win total with 13. The Danes went 13-3 in both 2005-06 and 2006-07. The Purple & Gold (19-8, 13-1 AE) has a chance to clinch the America East Regular Season title outright for the first time since 2005-06 with a win at UMBC (3-23, 1-12 AE) on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

Hooley

University of Albany Men's Basketball's Hooley Returns to Net 1000th Point in 65-59 Win at NJIT - UAlbany Sports 2015

NEWARK, N.J. – In his first game since a three-week leave of absence, University at Albany junior guard Peter Hooley scored his 1000th point to help the Danes (18-7, 12-0 AE) to a 66-59 victory at NJIT (15-11) on Friday night. The Purple & Gold won its 13th consecutive game. “We knew coming into this game that it was going to be very difficult,” said head coach Will Brown. “Outside of the first 10 minutes in the first half I thought we played very well…It was a good win, and it’s great to have Peter [Hooley] back.” A packed gym led to early shooting woes for Brown’s squad, a 6-for-17 clip mid-way through the first half. NJIT got out to an early advantage behind an 8-2 run with two early threes. The Highlanders went 10-for-19 (.526) from the field to start the game. Wheeler Baker and Ray Sanders drained back-to-back threes to cut the NJIT edge to three points; but a 6-0 spurt put the Highlands back up nine, 27-18 with less than seven minutes to go in the first half. Hooley’s first three points on the ensuing possession, followed by a three from Dallas Ennema brought the lead to just three, 27-24. Hooley hit a second three at the 4:29 mark to surpass 1,000 points for his career and tie the game at 27. The teams went into the break deadlocked at 30. UAlbany went 6-for-8 from three-point land to close the opening stanza. After starting the game 4-for-13 (.308) from the field, the Danes closed the first half on a 12-3 run. NJIT went five minutes without a field goal before hitting a three in the final minute. Playing from behind for the entire first half, Ennema came out of the gate to hit a jumper for a 32-30 lead. The Highlanders responded with a three, but went 0-for-5 from the field to start the second half. UAlbany took advantage with a 7-0 run as NJIT went six minutes without a field goal. Sam Rowley and Hooley guided the Purple & Gold to a six-point lead on two occasions, but NJIT pushed back mid-way through the half. By the nine-minute mark, the game had tallied its fourth tie at 50 points apiece. A four-for-four streak at the free throw line courtesy of Sam Rowley and Evan Singletary put the margin at four points, 54-50 with just under eight minutes to play. Sanders and Rowley made one free throw each of a two-shot opportunity with 2:29 on the clock for a 60-54 UAlbany edge. The Danes sent NJIT’s Daquan Holiday to the charity stripe down the stretch, and he managed to make enough free throws to narrow the lead to 60-59 with 23 seconds to play. Singletary came up with yet another clutch lay-in on the ensuing possession, putting a three-point buffer in place, 62-59. Ennema was fouled on the rebound in UAlbany’s end, and went to the line for two free throws. The sophomore missed both, but Hooley swung in for the offensive board to seal the win. Sanders made one free throw to make it a two-possession game with nine seconds left. Five Danes scored in double figures, led by Sam Rowley with 16. The senior also had eight rebounds. Sanders added 12, followed by 10 from Ennema, Singletary and Hooley. Hooley became the 10th Division I Dane to eclipse the 1,000-point mark. The Danes put their 13-game winning streak on the line Tuesday night when they face Stony Brook (16-10, 7-4 AE) at 7:00 p.m. Will Brown’s squad will play three of its last four regular season games at home.

University of Albany WBB Jumps a Pair of Spots to #17 in Mid-Major Poll - UAlbany Sports 2015

ALBANY, N.Y. – After winning a pair of America East victories, the UAlbany women’s basketball team is up to #17 in the College Insider Mid-Major Top-25, released on Tuesday. It is the fourth-consecutive poll that the Great Danes have been ranked in the top-20 of the poll. UAlbany got 228 points in the poll and has been in the top-25 every week this season. The Great Danes are the highest-ranked mid-major in the state of New York, three spots above #20 Marist, and the highest-ranked in the America East Conference, six spots up on #23 Maine. Princeton, the last undefeated women’s basketball team in Division I, is #1 in the poll with 768 points and 28 of 31 first-place votes. James Madison is second while Chattanooga is third.

University of Albany's Ennema and Sam Rowley Fuel Record-Tying 12th Consecutive America East Win at Binghamton - UAlbany Sports 2015

VESTAL, N.Y. – Dallas Ennema and Sam Rowley combined for 38 of University at Albany’s (17-7, 12-0 AE) 62 points to lead the Danes to a 62-46 victory at Binghamton (4-23, 3-9 AE) on Tuesday night. Ennema tallied a new career high with 18 points, while Rowley matched a career-best in rebounds with 15. “It was a good win for us on the road,” said head coach Will Brown. “Binghamton is a team that presents some challenges for us because they play on the small side. We’re more of a traditional team that plays a forward and a center. I thought our guys did a great job defending the dribble. It’s nice to get a road win, now we just have to move forward and continue trying to get better.” Both teams started slow from the field, as it took 10 minutes for either squad to reach double digits. The Danes went scoreless for a five-minute period early on, but stayed in the game thanks to four points from Sam Rowley and a traditional three-point play by Ray Sanders. Binghamton showed zone early on, but Dallas Ennema stepped up to make two three-pointers against it. He gave UAlbany the lead back after the score had been deadlocked at 10-10. Eight-straight points from Sam Rowley helped fuel a 16-0 run for the Purple & Gold. By the four-minute mark in the first half, Ennema had already marked a new career high with 13 points. He went to the line after being fouled on a three to make all three free throws, good for 16 first-half points and a 31-13 lead. The Danes did not score for the remainder of the half, but retained a 31-17 advantage at the break. Ennema made all of UAlbany’s three treys in the opening stanza. After taking the lead back at the 8:25 mark, the Great Danes went 7-for-9 from the field over the next five minutes. Ennema (16), Rowley (14) and Sanders (3) were the only three scorers for the Purple & Gold in the first stanza. Mike Rowley and Evan Singletary both had two early fouls. After lengthening the lead to 19 points to kick off the second half, Binghamton came back within 13, 40-27 at the 12:30 mark. Ennema bailed out the Danes with a jumper after a turnover on the previous possession. But two more turnovers from the Purple & Gold and a 9-2 run by the Bearcats put the lead at just seven. UAlbany responded with an 11-2 spurt of its own, fueled by four points from Sam Rowley and six from Ray Sanders. Rowley put the game out of reach with two minutes to go, finishing with 20 points and 15 rebounds. Ennema notched a career-high 18 points with six rebounds. The sophomore also recorded a goose egg in the turnover column. Rowley and Singletary finished with a game-high four assists apiece. The Danes also shot 13-for-24 (.542) from the field in the second half. UAlbany has now won 12 consecutive games, matching the all-time longest America East regular season winning streak. The record of 12 games was first set by Vermont in 2004-05, when the Catamounts went 15-1. The Purple & Gold has recorded its second-highest number of league wins, having won 13 in 2005-06 and 2006-07. The Danes have won seven straight games on the road, and clinched a home quarterfinal game in the 2015 America East Playoffs with the victory in Vestal. UAlbany men’s basketball takes a break from conference play against NJIT (15-10) on Friday at 7:00 p.m. The Purple & Gold will welcome back junior guard Peter Hooley for the nonconference match-up.

University of Albany Football Announces 2015 Schedule; Season Tickets Now On Sale - UAlbany Sports 2015

ALBANY, N.Y. -- In conjunction with National Signing Day, the University at Albany has announced the 2015 football schedule. The 12 game slate features five home contests, six road clashes, and the program’s first competition against a true Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) team. The Great Danes kickoff the season in Western New York on Labor Day weekend, taking on the University at Buffalo -- UAlbany’s inaugural FBS opponent. The Bulls recorded a 5-6 mark in 2014 and 3-4 record in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). During the programs’ Division III eras, the squads met 11 times with UAlbany owning a 7-4 advantage in the series. The Great Danes won the last two meetings against the Bulls, taking a 22-21 victory at Buffalo in 1987 and a 28-20 home triumph in 1988. “We’re excited. It’s just another step in the growth of the program to be able to play our first FBS team,” said Gattuso on the UB match-up. “Playing an in-state team like that is great. I think that game is a big part of the direction we are trying to go.” In week two, UAlbany opens conference play at Bob Ford Field against the University of Rhode Island on Sept. 12. Entering the program’s third season in the CAA, the Great Danes captured its first conference victory over the Rams in 2014, winning 37-20 in Kingston. The series is currently tied, 1-1. Next, UAlbany travels to conference-foe James Madison on Sept. 19 and will look to snap a two-year drought against the Dukes. JMU edged UAlbany, 31-28, at Bob Ford Field last season. With a 9-4 overall record, James Madison finished 2014 ranked No. 18 in The Sports Network Poll and No. 19 in the FCS Coaches Poll. The Great Danes will then step out of conference for back-to-back weeks, facing former Northeast Conference rival Duquesne at home on Sept. 26 and then Holy Cross of the Patriot League in Worcester, Mass. on Oct. 3. Gattuso, a former Duquesne head coach (1993-2004), will look to improve UAlbany’s current 5-2 series advantage over the Dukes. “It’s a big game for us to win, but also for me personally it’s a really big football game,“ stated Gattuso. Meanwhile, UAlbany overcame Holy Cross, 14-13, in dramatic fashion in the 2014 season-opener and first meeting between the schools and will look to repeat the feat. “Holy Cross is a great opponent,” added Gattuso. “Saying we were very fortunate to win last year would be putting it very mildly. I’m sure they’re going to be really excited about getting us at their field and having an opportunity to get some revenge.” Facing Maine and Villanova at home on Oct. 10 and Oct. 17, the Great Danes take on CAA opponents for the rest of the slate. The meeting with Maine will mark the ninth between the squads with UAlbany owning a 5-3 lead, including last season’s 20-7 triumph in Orono. Boasting an 11-3 overall record, while making an appearance in the 2014 FCS Championship quarterfinals, Villanova ranked No. 7 in the final FCS polls of the season. The Wildcats will make their first appearance in Albany after overcoming the Danes in Villanova, 48-31, last fall. After a bye week, UAlbany will spend Halloween in Richmond and the following weekend at Delaware (Nov. 7). The Great Danes will look to capture the program’s first win over the Spiders in the third meeting between the teams. Also, trailing the all-time series 3-1, UAlbany will look to avenge back-to-back three-point losses to the Blue Hens. In the final two weeks of the season, the Great Danes host the FCS Championship semifinalist New Hampshire Wildcats on Nov. 14 and close the 2015 regular season schedule at Stony Brook on Nov. 21. UNH, the reigning CAA champions, recorded a 12-2 overall mark and perfect 8-0 record in conference play last season, while finishing the year ranked No. 3 in the national polls. Overcoming Stony Brook, 27-17, in last fall’s season finale, the Great Danes seek to a repeat their success, as they own an 11-6 overall lead in the series. “I think we’ve made great strides in fitting into the league,” said Gattuso. “With how difficult the league is the progress we made last year was very good but certainly not good enough. We’re excited about the challenge. “Every game it critical for us next year,” added Gattuso. “For us to have a winning season and to reach our goals we’re going to have to win some tough games.” Season tickets for 2015 are now on sale at UAlbanySports.com or by calling 442-DANE. 2015 Football Schedule Sept 3 or 5 at Buffalo Sept 12 Rhode Island Sept 19 at James Madison Sept 26 Duquesne Oct 3 at Holy Cross Oct 10 Maine Oct 17 Villanova Oct 24 - Bye - Oct 31 at Richmond Nov 7 at Delaware Nov 14 New Hampshire Nov 21 at Stony Brook

University of Albany Men’s Basketball Enters Mid-Major Poll at No. 25 - UAlbany Sports 2015

ALBANY, N.Y. – Out to its best regular season conference start, University at Albany men’s basketball makes its first appearance in the College Insider Mid-Major Poll this week, totaling 78 points to take No. 25. The Danes are in the midst of a Division I program-best nine-game winning streak. Will Brown’s squad has a two-game buffer for first place in the America East with an undefeated 9-0 record. This is the first time since December of 2012 the Great Danes have earned a spot in the Mid-Major poll. UAlbany is the only America East team ranked in the top-25, and one of just four hailing from the Northeast region.

Brett Queener Returns to University of Albany as Men’s Lacrosse Volunteer Assistant - UAlbany Sports 2015

ALBANY, N.Y. – Former UAlbany standout goalkeeper Brett Queener has come back to his alma mater to serve as a volunteer assistant coach with the men’s lacrosse team for the 2015 season. “Playing for Scott Marr and the UAlbany Great Danes was some of the greatest times in my life,” said Queener. “Now, I am extremely excited to announce that I will be taking my talents back to the 518, but this time, as a coach.” After playing at Herkimer C.C., Queener came to UAlbany in 2006 and started in goal for the Great Danes the next three years, graduating in 2008. With a career 54.9% save percentage in the cage, he was a key part of the 2007 America East title team that was the first UAlbany men’s lacrosse team to win a Division I NCAA Tournament game, defeating Loyola in the first round. Since his college days, Queener remains one of the top goalkeepers in Major League Lacrosse, earning All-Star honors as part of the Florida Launch in 2014, his fifth time being named an All-Star in six seasons. He also played three years with the Boston Blazers in the National Lacrosse League. “Adding someone with Brett’s knowledge and enthusiasm for the game to our staff will prove to be invaluable,” said UAlbany head coach Scott Marr. “He is reunited with former teammates Liam Gleason and Eric Wolf to reach our ultimate goal!” Queener comes onto Marr’s coaching staff for the 2015 season, joining Gleason, Wolf and Donald Shea.