University of Albany's Richards Named Times Union Sports Figure Of The Year - UAlbany Sports 2017

ALBANY, N.Y. – Following a 2015-16 campaign that saw the University at Albany women’s basketball program win its fifth-consecutive America East title and win its first-ever NCAA tournament game, alumna Shereesha Richards has been selected as the Times Union’s Sports Figure of the Year for 2016.

 http://www.ualbanysports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=15800&ATCLID=211378991

Seven University of Albany Men's Lacrosse Alum on 20174 NLL Rosters - UAlbany Sports 2017

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – The 2017 National Lacrosse League (NLL) season is set to begin in a few days, and seven former UAlbany players will compete in the league’s 31st season.

 The NLL is the largest professional indoor lacrosse league in North America, with teams from across Canada and the United States.

 All nine teams announced their opening day rosters this week, with the first day of competition being on December 29th.

 At the start of the 2017 season, five NLL rosters will have UAlbany representatives with a total of seven former Great Danes.

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University of Albany CAA Football's Hanks Earns Place on STATS FCS All America 3rd Team - UAlbany Sports 2016

ALBANY, N.Y. – UAlbany standout running back Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks has been named a 2016 STATS FCS All-American, being placed on the Third Team.

 The sophomore, at the end of the 2016 season, was fourth in FCS and first in the CAA with 1,401 rushing yards and fifth in FCS and second in the CAA with 16 rushing touchdowns.

 The First Team All-CAA member earned FCS National Player of the Week once and CAA Offensive Player of the Week twice this season. Ibitokun-Hanks led UAlbany to a 7-4 season and 4-4 tally in the CAA, including victories over FBS school Buffalo and FCS playoff team New Hampshire.

 He helped UAlbany earn as a high as a #16 ranking in FCS. Though his first two years of his career, Ibitokun-Hanks has earned 2,010 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns.

 Ibitokun-Hanks is one of 16 FCS All-Americans from the CAA. The CAA had the most All-Americans in FCS play in 2016. All 2016 FCS All-Americans were announced on December 20th.

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University of Albany Field Hockey's Heuser Finalist For Class of 2017 Honda Sport Award - UAlbany Sports 2017

LOS ANGELES – UAlbany’s Paula Heuser has been selected as a finalist for the Class of 2017 (2016) Honda Sport Award for field hockey, the Collegiate Women Sports Awards announced on Thursday.

 Heuser is one of four players across collegiate field hockey to be nominated for this year’s Honda Sport Award for field hockey. The award honors the top women’s athlete in each of 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports, celebrating the “Best of the Best” in women’s athletics.

 Heuser is a finalist for the second time in her collegiate career, winning the 2014-15 Honda Award for field hockey. When she earned the award as a sophomore, she was the first-ever UAlbany player to earn a Honda Sport Award and the first underclassman to be named a Division I Player of the Year in field hockey.

University of Albany Field Hockey's Heuser and Primus Earn NFHA All American Honors - UAlbany Sports 2017

ALBANY, N.Y. – UAlbany standouts Paula Heuser and Maxi Primus have earned 2016 National Field Hockey Association (NFHCA) All-America honors, announced on Wednesday afternoon.

 Heuser becomes the program’s first-ever four-time All-American and a First Team All-American each of the past three years. She is the only four-time All-American on the 2016 list.

 Primus earns her second place on the All-America list, getting on the Second Team. She was placed on the Third Team in 2014 and is just the fourth UAlbany player to earn multiple All-America Division I selections.

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University of Albany FCS Football's Clark Named CAA Defensive Player of the Week - UAlbany Sports 2016

ALBANY, N.Y. – University at Albany redshirt senior cornerback Rayshan Clark has been named the CAA Defensive Player of the Week, announced Monday by the conference office.

 Clark intercepted two passes and scored the game-winning touchdown on a fumble return in UAlbany’s 13-6 victory over Stony Brook. The Theresa, N.Y. native picked off both passes in the second half and his two-yard touchdown return gave the Great Danes a 13-3 advantage with 4:46 remaining in the third quarter.

 It also marked Clark’s third touchdown of the season, and the Great Danes’ sixth defensive touchdown on the year. Clark and UAlbany’s defense limited Stony Brook to 252 total yards and a pair of field goals in the rivalry win.

 The honor marks Clark’s first CAA Defensive Player of the Week honor of the season and the second of his career, earning the accolade in 2014 after leading UAlbany to a win over Columbia. 

With the "Empire Clash" victory over Stony Brook, the Great Danes finished the 2016 season with a 7-4 overall record and program-best 4-4 mark in the CAA.

University of Albany Men's Soccer Advances To 3rd Round of NCAA Tournament Defeating Boston College - UAlbany Sports 2016

ALBANY, N.Y. – Playing in and hosting its first ever NCAA tournament game, the #14-seed University at Albany men’s soccer program (13-5-2) defeated Boston College (9-9-3) 3-0 Sunday, avenging a 5-3 regular season loss and advancing to the third round of the NCAA tournament.

 “Back when we played them the first time we weren’t fully who we are yet,” said head coach Trevor Gorman. “We were still coming together, getting our bodies back used to playing with each other, and they took advantage of us that day.

 Today, having our group that’s been settled here for the last month, who’s really getting comfortable playing together, I think it really helps a lot.”

University of Albany Men's Basketball Downs Brown To Finish Mohegan Sun Tournament - UAlbany Sports 2016

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – The UAlbany men’s basketball team used a 26-3 run in the second half to defeat Brown 80-76 in its final game of the Naismith Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament.

 Down 11 in the second half, UAlbany (3-2) rallied back, not allowing a Brown (1-4) field goal for over an 11-minute span.

 UAlbany led by as much as 14 in the second half and held off a late Brown comeback attempt to win.

University of Albany Women's Basketball Cruises Past Boston University - UAlbany Sports 2016

ALBANY, N.Y. – Three days after securing its first win of the season, the University at Albany women’s basketball program (2-2) was back in action in SEFCU Arena for the second consecutive game, hosting former conference rival Boston University (0-3).

 The Great Danes climbed their way to a .500 record, defeating the Terriers 69-54.

University of Albany FCS Football Destroys Stony Brook Capturing Golden Apple Trophy - UAlbany Sports 2016

ALBANY, N.Y. -- With a 13-6 victory over rival Stony Brook, the University at Albany football team claimed the Golden Apple Trophy in the fourth annual Empire Clash Saturday at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium.

With the win, the Great Danes finished the 2016 regular season with a 7-4 overall record and 4-4 mark in the CAA, while Stony Brook fell to 5-6 on the season and 4-4 in conference play.

Three University of Albany Volleyball Stars Earn America East All Conference Honors- UAlbany Sports 2016

DURHAM, N.H. – The America East Conference has announced that three UAlbany players, Amanda Dolan, Laini Leindecker and Nicole Otero, all earned a place on the league’s 2016 all-conference teams.

 All three were placed on the America East All-Conference Second Team.

 In addition, Chloe Evering and Akuabata Okenwa were each placed on the America East All-Rookie Team were Dolan, Leindecker and Mikala McCauley were all honored on the America East All-Academic Team.

University of Albany Men's Soccer Captures America East Conference Championship - UAlbany Sports 2016

ALBANY, N.Y. – For the first time in program history, the University at Albany men’s soccer program (12-5-2, 4-2-1 AE) won the America East title, defeating Hartford (9-10-3, 2-3-2 AE) by a score of 1-0. The tournament championship comes one year after the Great Danes won their first-ever regular season title.

 “I’m really happy for, and proud of, all of our players,” said head coach Trevor Gorman. “To win the America East championship was a goal for a long time and to see them rewarded for all the hard work is fantastic.”

To reach this point, UAlbany defeated Vermont 2-0 at home in the semifinal round. The Danes had earned a first-round bye after defeating Binghamton on the final day of the regular season, securing the second overall seed in the tournament. Hartford entered the tournament with the fifth seed, and had to win two games on the road, against New Hampshire in the quarterfinals and then against top overall seed Stony Brook in the semifinals.

The Great Danes opened their conference schedule this season at Hartford, playing the Hawks to a 0-0, double-overtime draw. The rematch started out largely the same as did the first meeting. The game remained scoreless through the first half. UAlbany held a 6-1 advantage in shots over Hartford, but was unable to find the back of the net. Further, the Danes took six corner kicks to the Hawks’ two. The scoreless tie remained through almost the entire second half. As the clock wound down, it looked as though these two opponents were headed to a second consecutive overtime bout. But in the 89th minute, junior forward Afonso Pinheiro drew a foul in the Hartford box, earning a penalty kick. Pinherio placed the ball past the Hartford keeper inside the right post giving the Great Danes a 1-0 lead, which would serve to be the final score for the game. “Hartford were difficult to break down but our guys stayed focused and kept going until they finally found the goal,” said Gorman. For the game, the Great Danes out-shot the Hawks by a 19-2 margin, keeping the pressure on the Hartford defense and goalkeeper, the latter of whom made eight saves. UAlbany also took 12 corner kicks to Hartford’s four. Senior defender Bernardo Mattos was named Most Outstanding Player for the tournament, leading a defense that did not allow a goal through its two tournament games. In total, the Great Dane defense has let up only seven goals in 12 games since allowing five at Boston College on September 20. Pinheiro and Mattos earned All-Championship honors, as did sophomore midfielder Carlos Clark and freshman defender Brynjar Steinþórsson. UAlbany goalkeeper Danny Vitiello was not tested all game. With the victory, the Great Danes earn the America East’s automatic berth into the NCAA tournament. “We look forward to finding out the NCAA draw tomorrow and preparing for another game,” said Gorman. The NCAA selection show is scheduled for Monday, November 14 at 1:00 p.m., at which time the Great Danes will learn their fate. Other America East schools hoping for an at-large bid include Stony Brook, Vermont, and New Hampshire.

UNIVERSITY OF ALBANY'S IBITOKUN-HANKS BREAKS PROGRAM RUSHING RECORD, LEADING TO 36-25 WIN OVER #21 NEW HAMPSHIRE

DURHAM, N.H. – With 298 rushing yards and three touchdown scampers, sophomore running back Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks shattered UAlbany’s all-time single-game rushing record and led the University at Albany football team from a 22-point deficit to a 36-25 victory over No. 21 New Hampshire Saturday afternoon at Wildcat Stadium.

With the win, UAlbany improved to 6-4 overall and 3-4 in the CAA, while UNH fell to 6-4 on the season and 5-2 in conference play.

University of Albany Women's Soccer Repeats As America East Conference Champions - UAlbany Sports 2016

ALBANY, N.Y. – The 1-seed UAlbany women’s soccer team has climbed to the top of the America East mountain again, coming back to defeat 2-seed Hartford 2-1 for its second consecutive conference title at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium on Sunday night.

 UAlbany (11-7-1) came back from a one-goal deficit with scores in the 44th by Kiana Rugar and the 76th minute by Vivian Vega, each assisted by Gina Bracamonte, for the victory over Hartford (13-5-1). UAlbany becomes the first women’s soccer program to earn back-to-back America East titles since Boston University did in 2010 and 2011.

 “It is absolutely amazing, and the fact we were able to do it on our home field in front of our family and friends is remarkable,” said UAlbany head coach Caitlin Cucchiella, at the helm of both conference titles. “The fact that the girls knew we always have a better second half, and I knew we were going to come back.” Caitlyn Paltsios was named the America East Tournament Most Outstanding Player with Rugar, Vega and Mariah Williams joining her on the All-Tournament Team. “It feels unreal,” said Paltsios. “I couldn’t imagine after freshman year, winning two games, to now being back-to-back champions, just incredible.”

 UAlbany has earned an automatic bid into the 2016 NCAA Tournament. The Great Danes will find out where they are going on Monday, November 7th at 4:30 p.m. during the NCAA selection show on NCAA.com.

 In an even battle under the lights at Casey Stadium, UAlbany had 14 shots to Hartford’s 12. UAlbany put eight of those shots on goal to Hartford’s five. Chloe Borasky earned the victory in goal for UAlbany with four saves, notching her ninth win in the cage for the Great Danes this season.

 Vega earned her 20th goal of her collegiate career, moving her into second all-time in UAlbany women’s soccer history. “It feels so amazing, way better than any other goal I’ve ever scored,” said Vega. “It is so awesome that we won, I knew we could do it.” Rugar, who is UAlbany’s all-time assists leader, scored her sixth goal of the season. Bracamonte now has three assists on the year. Alexa Schneider had four shots in the game, putting three on cage, while Williams had three and Meghan Cavanaugh had two.

 For Hartford, Caitlin Smallfield earned her fourth goal of the season off a corner kick from Julia Carr in the 23rd minute. Jessica Jurg got the loss in the cage, saving six shots. As each side was looking to establish the offense early, Caroline Kopp went for the net on a corner kick in the opening minutes, missing high. That was the only shot in the opening 10 minutes. 

In minute 11, UAlbany broke down the left side and got Schneider near the post. She headed the ball to Rugar for a close kick, with Jurg making a save. UAlbany peppered the goal with long range shots, with Jurg saving one from Schneider and another from Cavanaugh missing high off a free kick.

 In minute 23, Hartford sent a corner kick towards the goal box. Smallfield headed the ball inside the left post for the goal, putting the Hawks up 1-0. UAlbany kept on the attack, with a free kick to Schneider being headed towards the cage, with Jurg making the save. Bracamonte got a pass in the 44th minute and fired the ball towards the box.

 Rugar took it, turned and shot towards the right post for the goal, equalizing the scorer at 1-1 for the half. Each side tried early long range shots against the other’s keeper in the early part of the second half, with both missing wide. Twice, Schneider got some space from outside the box on the left side and took aim. First went wide right, the second was saved by Jurg.

 The visitors tried to strike back with Carr putting a long range shot towards the cage, with Borasky making the save in the middle. Both teams battled as the defenses prevented shots for a long stretch. Hartford tried a quick counter as Bridgette Alexander took a shot and was blocked, later missing again wide.

 In the 77th minute, Bracamonte passed to Vega from the right side to the middle. From 10 yards out, Vega kicked on the first touch, scoring inside the right post for the goal past a diving keeper, giving UAlbany a 2-1 advantage.

 Hartford got a corner kick attempt less than a minute later, with UAlbany clearing it out. Hartford had one final gasp in the final seconds as Carr sent a kick towards the left post, with Borasky punching the ball away.

 UAlbany held the 2-1 victory for its second straight America East title. The UAlbany women’s soccer team is the first school program to earn a league title in the 2016-17 season. UAlbany had earned its berth into the America East title game with a 1-0 victory over 4-seed UNH in the league semifinals.

University of Albany Women's Volleyball Defeats UConn In Four Sets - UAlbany Sports 2016

WEST POINT, N.Y. – With the UAlbany volleyball team earning four-set victories over UConn (25-15, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23) and St. John’s (25-23, 25-20, 14-25, 25-13) on the first day of the Army Invitational, head coach MJ Engstrom now has 143 victories at the helm of the Great Danes to be the winningest coach in the program’s DI history.

 In addition, UAlbany (5-6) goes into Saturday’s contest vs. Army West Point at 5 p.m. on a three-match winning streak. “We served UConn and St. John’s aggressively, and that helped keep them out of their offense,” said Engstrom. “We passed well for most of the sets.

 Overall, we are learning to adjust to what our opponents are doing, and that is real progress.” Engstrom passed Kelly Sheffield’s mark of 142 victories with the two wins today.

University of Albany Men's Soccer Takes Care of Syracuse - UAlbany Sports 2016

ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany men’s soccer team (5-3-2) hosted Syracuse University (8-2-1) on Bob Ford Field at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium on Tuesday night.

 When the 90 minutes expired, the Great Danes had earned a signature win, dropping the third-ranked Orange by a score of 2-1. “We felt like we created some good chances tonight,” said head coach Trevor Gorman. “We had guys reacting to second balls, balls were dropping to them, and you need the ball to drop your way in any game.

 Fortunately for us we found those two goals, and we had a couple other chances that we liked.” “They’re a fantastic team,” Gorman continued. “There’s a reason they’re ranked where they are and so tough to beat. They’re going to go on to a lot of wins, but tonight we were very proud of the effort.”

 UAlbany remains undefeated at home this season, recording three wins and one tie. Syracuse is now winless in its last three games. Not only is the win the biggest of Coach Gorman’s tenure at UAlbany,

Syracuse is also the highest-ranked opponent the Great Danes have defeated on their home campus. The previous best results under Coach Gorman were a win at home against 22nd-ranked Farleigh Dickinson on September 15, 2013, and a tie at eighth-ranked UMBC on October 12, 2013.

 The Orange entered the game ranked third in the country in the coaches’ poll and fifth in the country in RPI. It was UAlbany’s highest-ranked opponent since playing fourth-ranked Syracuse two years ago.

University of Albany Women's Golf Takes Down Siena - UAlbany Sports 2016

ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany women’s golf team carded a 318, overcoming crosstown rival Siena (337) by 19 strokes Sunday afternoon at Albany Country Club.

“I'm very happy with our performance today. I personally think Albany CC is one of the most difficult courses in the area,” head coach Colleen Cashman-McSween. “Anytime we can shoot three rounds in the 70's and beat Siena by 19 strokes, that's a job well done.”

 UAlbany senior Paige Fujiara tied with Siena’s Kristen Bromley for the individual title, both shooting a +6 78. “At the beginning of the week, we weren't sure if Paige would be able to play because of injury. It was great to see her battle and lead the team,” added Cashman-McSween. “She's a fighter and I know this event meant a lot to her being her final home match of her career.”

 Junior Annie Songeun Lee and freshman Megan Henry finished one stroke back with 79’s, followed by senior Rosalle Hearns’ 82 and freshman Annika Espino’s 83 to close out the Great Danes’ official lineup.

 Up next, UAlbany competes in the Quinnipiac Classic Oct. 10-11 at New Haven Country Club in Hamden, Conn.

UALBANY MEN’S BASKETBALL ANNOUNCES CHALLENGING 2016-17 NON-CONFERENCE SLATE

UAlbany Sports Information

ALBANY, N.Y. – The UAlbany men’s basketball team has announced its non-conference schedule for the 2016-17 season, including 15 games before the start of America East play.

 Among UAlbany’s 15 non-conference games include the annual Albany Cup against Siena, which will be played for the first time ever in the SEFCU Arena on November 27th. It is also the first time UAlbany will host Siena on campus since 1976. That contest is one of 14 total home games at the SEFCU Arena in the 2016-17 regular season, including non-conference and America East matchups. 

The non-conference slate also includes four games in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Tip-Off Classic, three contests against 2016 NCAA Tournament participants and eight matchups against in-state opponents. UAlbany will play games in five different states, including Texas and Ohio, in this season’s non-league play.

 “I am excited about the challenging non-conference schedule we have in place, we open the season playing two major level schools on the road and have three major level schools on the schedule,” said UAlbany head coach Will Brown. “We will be playing in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Tipoff at Mohegan Sun which is a tremendous event. We are also looking forward to our local rivalry game with Siena which will be played on our home court, in front of our fans, in the SEFCU Arena. This schedule will challenge us early and often and will more than prepare us for America East Conference play.”

2016-17 UAlbany Men's Basketball Non-Conference Schedule 

Date Opponent Location Time (ET) Hall of Fame Tip Off-Classic - Campus Sites 11/11 @ Penn State University Park, Pa. 7 p.m. 11/14 @ Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio 7 p.m. 11/16 Oneonta Albany, N.Y. 8 p.m. Hall of Fame Tip Off-Classic - Springfield Bracket 11/19 vs. Grand Canyon Uncasville, Conn. 8 p.m. 11/20 vs. Brown Uncasville, Conn. 8 p.m. 11/27 Siena (Albany Cup) Albany, N.Y. 7 p.m. 11/30 Holy Cross Albany, N.Y. 7 p.m. 12/3 @ Yale New Haven, Conn. 2 p.m. 12/7 Marist Albany, N.Y. 7 p.m. 12/10 @ Colgate Hamilton, N.Y. 2 p.m. 12/12 @ Canisius Buffalo, N.Y. TBA 12/17 St. Francis Brooklyn Albany, N.Y. 7 p.m. 12/20 @ SMU Dallas, Texas 8 p.m. 12/30 @ Columbia New York, N.Y. TBA 1/2 Cornell Albany, N.Y. 7 p.m.

UALBANY VOLLEYBALL IMPROVES TO 2-0 IN AMERICA EAST PLAY WITH FOUR-SET VICTORY VS. UMASS LOWELL

UAlbany Sports Information

 ALBANY, N.Y. – The UAlbany volleyball team opened at home with a four-set victory over UMass Lowell (25-18, 17-25, 25-14, 25-20) for its second win in as many chances in America East play.

At 1-1 in the match, UAlbany (8-6, 2-0 AE) dominated UMass Lowell (5-11, 0-2 AE) in set three and won six of the final seven points in the fourth game to take the victory in the match.

UAlbany remains at home for its next match, hosting Hartford on Sunday, October 2nd at 2 p.m.

HEUSER FOUR-POINT GAME SENDS UALBANY FIELD HOCKEY TO 4-0 WIN AT UNH

DURHAM, N.H. – Paula Heuser notched a goal and two assists for the Great Danes as the UAlbany field hockey team shut out UNH 4-0 to begin America Easy play. Heuser scored the team’s first goal and assisted the next two as UAlbany (6-4, 1-0 AE) earned its second consecutive four-goal victory.

Maxi Primus earned the shutout in goal with three saves against New Hampshire (2-7, 0-1 AE). As team, UAlbany outshot UNH 16-5.

UAlbany returns to the Alumni Turf to take on #20 Maine in the America East home opener on Sunday, October 2nd at 1 p.m.

Courtesy: UA Sports

UNIVERSITY OF ALBANY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ANNOUNCES 2016-17 NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

UAlbany Sports Information

ALBANY, N.Y. – After announcing their slate of conference games a few weeks ago, the University at Albany women’s basketball team has now announced its non-conference schedule for the upcoming 2016-17 season.

 2016-17 UAlbany Women’s Basketball Non-Conference Schedule

 Date Opponent

11/12 at Kentucky (Kentucky Classic) 11/13 vs. Miami (Kentucky Classic) 11/16 Army 11/19 Boston University 11/22 at Fordham 11/27 Siena 11/30 at St. John’s 12/3 at Yale 12/6 Fairfield 12/10 at Wagner 12/12 Post 12/18 at St. Bonaventure 12/29 at Dartmouth

UNIVERSITY OF ALBANY'S SETH OAKES DRAFTED 8TH OVERALL TO NEW ENGLAND BLACK WOLVES IN 2016 NLL DRAFT

UAlbany Sports Information

OAKVILLE, Ontario – Former UAlbany attack and Tewaaraton nominee Seth Oakes was selected eighth overall in the first round by the New England Black Wolves of the 2016 National Lacrosse League (NLL) First Year Player Draft. 

Oakes played two years for the Great Danes, earning All-America honors last season. The two-time America East All-Conference player and 2016 Tewaaraton Watch player earned 121 points off 98 goals and 23 assists in 33 games, ranking in the top-10 in goals per game in Division I both years at UAlbany.

With the pick, UAlbany has had at least one player selected in the NLL First Year Player Draft each year since 2012 and one in the first round each of the past three years.

The 2016 NLL First Year Player Draft was held at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.

The Black Wolves play their first game of the season at Rochester on January 7th, 2017.

Last season, New England finished with a 10-7 record for second in the East Division, defeating Georgia to reach the NLL Division Finals.

#20 UALBANY FIELD HOCKEY SCORES FOUR UNANSWERED FOR 4-2 COMEBACK VICTORY AT ST. JOSEPH’S

UAlbany Sports Information

 PHILADELPHIA – The #20 UAlbany field hockey team rallied from down two with four goals in a row to earn a 4-2 road victory over Saint Joseph’s on Sunday afternoon.

 Down two in the opening 16 minutes, UAlbany (5-4) tied the game vs. St. Joseph’s (6-4) before halftime with two goals off penalty corners.

 Frederike Helmke put UAlbany ahead on a penalty stroke goal in the 64th minute, then Emily Fraser sealed it with a late goal for the 4-2 victory.

NO. 22/23 UNIVERSITY OF ALBANY FCS FOOTBALL STAYS PERFECT WITH 20-9 TRIUMPH OVER ST. FRANCIS

UAlbany Sports Information

 ALBANY, N.Y. – Scoring 20 second-half points, the No. 22/23 University at Albany football team came from behind to steal a 20-9 victory over Saint Francis University (Pa.) Saturday night at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium.

With the victory the Great Danes improved to 4-0 on the season, while St. Francis fell to 1-3.

 TODAY’S WIN…

 - Improved UAlbany’s record to 4-0 overall.

 - Improved UAlbany’s series record to 15-0 against SFU.

- Improved UAlbany’s all-time varsity record to 270-183.

- Improved Coach Gattuso’s career record to 111-45.

- Improved Coach Gattuso’s record at UAlbany to 14-13.

 - Tied UAlbany’s fourth-best start in program history.

 - Marked the third time UAlbany has started the season 4-0 in the Division I era (2001, 2014, 2016) and the sixth time in program history.

 UP NEXT After a bye week, UAlbany returns to action Oct. 8, hosting Richmond for Homecoming. Click here to buy tickets.

UALBANY MEN'S BASKETBALL ALUM EVAN SINGLETARY SIGNS PRO CONTRACT WITH ISKRA SVIT IN SLOVAKIA

UAlbany Sports Information

 ALBANY, N.Y. – Former UAlbany standout guard Evan Singletary has signed a professional contract to play for BK Iskra Svit in Slovakia for the 2016-17 season.

 Singletary, a two-time America East All-Conference First Team guard, started both years at UAlbany after transferring from Moberly Community College.

 The 2014-15 Riley Wallace Finalist for top transfer in Division I averaged 13 points and 2.9 assists per game, helping the Great Danes to a pair of postseason appearances and the 2014-15 America East Tournament title.

 “I am excited for Evan, as it has been a goal of his to play professional basketball,” said UAlbany head coach Will Brown. “He is a dynamic point guard who will enjoy tremendous success and a great career in Europe.”

 Singletary joins UAlbany alumni Jamar Wilson, Peter Hooley and Ray Sanders as former Great Dane men’s basketball players currently playing professionally.

 Iskra Svit plays in the Slovak Extraliga, the top professional league in Slovakia, in the western part of the nation. The team was a semifinalist in the league in 2012 and 2014 plus was the Slovakian Cup winner in 2014. The team begins its 36-game season on October 8th.

University of Albany Women's Volleyball Defeats Army, Takes Invitational Trophy - UAlbany Sports 2016

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The UAlbany volleyball team came back from down 2-1 to defeat Army in five (25-22, 20-25, 22-25, 25-22, 15-9) to earn the Army Invitational championship with three victories over the weekend.

 With the win, UAlbany (6-6) has won four straight matches to enter conference play. All four victories came against teams that stood at least three matches over .500 going into the contest.

 In addition, it is the first time UAlbany has won all three matches in an in-season tournament in four years. “We showed a lot of poise today; Army came out fired up, and we were a little emotionally spent from two wins yesterday,” said UAlbany head coach MJ Engstrom. “We switched the lineup and started serving at the same aggressive level as we did yesterday. I’m really proud of the way we pushed through this match, we used everybody, showed some grit and dug down deep to come out with a win.”

 Laini Leindecker was named the tournament MVP after earning a double-double of 18 kills and 20 digs against Army. In total, she had three double-doubles in the tournament, totaling 44 kills and 48 digs.

 Nicole Otero also earned a place on the All-Tournament Team, notching 79 digs, six aces and 14 assists, including 40 digs and six assists against Army (8-6). “Every single person gave it their all, and we played with heart,” said Leindecker. “I am proud of how we handled that as a team, and I am excited to see how we build off this.”

 Mikala McCauley also had a double-double with 29 assists and 12 digs. Akuabata Okenwa tallied nine kills and five blocks while Chloe Evering had 12 kills, four digs and three blocks. For Army, Sydney Morriss hit .405 with 17 kills and six digs. Olivia Fairfield had 15 kills and three blocks while Allie Strong had a double-double of 10 kills and 21 digs.

IBITOKEN-HANKS 4 TOUCHDOWN NIGHT LEADS UNIVERSITY OF ALBANY FOOTBALL OVER HOLY CROSS, 45-28

UAlbany Sports Information

 ALBANY, N.Y. – Led by Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks’ four rushing touchdowns and Neven Sussman’s two long touchdown passes to Zee Roberson, the No. 25 ranked University at Albany football team overcame Holy Cross 45-28 Saturday night at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium.

The home-opening win in front of 8,040 fans lifted the Great Danes to 3-0 on the season, while the Crusaders fell to 1-2.

 TODAY’S WIN…

 - Improved UAlbany’s record to 3-0 overall.

- Improved UAlbany’s series record to 2-1 against Holy Cross.

- Improved UAlbany’s all-time varsity record to 269-183.

- Improved Coach Gattuso’s career record to 110-45.

- Improved Coach Gattuso’s record at UAlbany to 13-13.

UALBANY WOMEN’S LACROSSE ALUMNI GAME SET FOR OCTOBER 15TH ON JOHN FALLON FIELD

UAlbany Sports Information

 ALBANY, N.Y. – The UAlbany women’s lacrosse program is calling all former players to return to campus for the annual alumni game on Saturday, October 15th at noon.

 The annual alumni game pits the former Great Danes against the current UAlbany squad on John Fallon Field.

 The game is free to attend by the public. For $40 per person, alumni can play in the game, receive a Great Danes Lacrosse T-shirt plus have appetizers after the game at Across the Street Pub.

 Interested alumni should contact assistant coach Taylor Frink at tfrink@albany.edu.

UNIVERSITY OF ALBANY FOOTBALL WEEKLY TO AIR SATURDAYS ON MY4 - UALBANY SPORTS 2016

ALBANY, N.Y. -- For the third straight year, UAlbany Football Weekly will air on MY4 (WNYA) each Saturday at 11:30 a.m. during the University at Albany football team’s season.

NBC13 (WNYT) sports director Rodger Wyland along with Chris Onorato and Ashley Miller will host the 30-minute show with Great Danes head football coach Greg Gattuso. Tune in for a behind the scenes look at the team, including player and coach feature stories, interviews, a recap of last week’s game and an in-depth preview of the team’s upcoming clash.

You can find WNYA My4 Albany on channel 4 on Time Warner Cable and Verizon FiOS, channel 51 over the air and on DirecTV and Dish Network, channel 9 on Mid-Hudson Cable and channel 5 on Comcast.

FOOTBALL OPENS CAA SLATE AT RHODE ISLAND SATURDAY

UAlbany Sports Information

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Coming off the programs’ first FBS victory, overcoming Buffalo 22-16, the University at Albany football team opens CAA play at Rhode Island on Sept. 10 at Meade Stadium.

UALBANY-RHODE ISLAND SERIES UAlbany owns a 2-1 lead in the all-time series with Rhode Island, including wins in the last two meetings. Last season, the Great Danes topped the Rams 35-7 in Albany. In their last meeting in Kingston, UAlbany captured the program’s first CAA victory in program history on Sept. 20, 2014, winning 37-20.

GREAT DANES RECEIVE VOTES IN TOP 25 With the season-opening win over Buffalo, UAlbany is on the brink of breaking into the Top 25 in both the FCS Coaches Poll and the STATS FCS media poll. The Great Danes were the first team off the Coaches Top 25 list with 53 points, and fifth off the media’s top 25 with 181 points. UAlbany was last ranked in the Top 25 in 2014.

 SCOUTING RHODE ISLAND Rhode Island (0-1, 0-0 CAA) comes off a 55-6 loss at Kansas. In 2015, the Rams finished the season with 1-10 overall mark and 1-7 record in the CAA. URI returns nine offensive starters and seven defensive starters from last year.

 A UALBANY WIN WOULD… - Improve UAlbany’s record to 2-0 overall. - Give UAlbany a 4-14 all-time record vs. CAA opponents. - Improve UAlbany’s series record to 3-1 against Rhode Island. - Improve UAlbany’s all-time varsity record to 268-183. - Improve Coach Gattuso’s career record to 109-45. - Improve Coach Gattuso’s record at UAlbany to 12-13.

 A UALBANY LOSS WOULD… - Make UAlbany’s record 1-1 overall. - Give UAlbany a 3-15 all-time record vs. CAA opponents. - Drop UAlbany’s series record to 2-2 against Rhode Island. - Drop UAlbany’s all-time varsity record to 267-184. - Drop Coach Gattuso’s career record to 108-46. - Drop Coach Gattuso’s record at UAlbany to 11-14.

 NICASTRO PICKS OFF WHERE HE LEFT OFF Ending his season with a knee injury in UAlbany’s first game of the year at Buffalo in 2015, redshirt junior linebacker Michael Nicastro picked up where he left off this year at UB. Nicastro picked off the first pass of the game and returned it 38 yards to the 7-yard line, setting up the Danes’ first touchdown. Nicastro totaled 11 tackles (six solo) in the victorious opener.

 SUSSMAN CONNECTS FOR TWO Sophomore quarterback Neven Sussman totaled 113 passing yards and two touchdowns in UAlbany’s win over Buffalo, completing 14-of-21 passes with no interceptions. Sussman connected a 5-yard TD pass to Anthony Manzo-Lewis just 2:03 into the game. He then threw a career-long 35-yard game-winning touchdown pass to Brad Harris with 9:37 left in the game and also hit Harris on the two-point conversion to give UAlbany a 22-16 lead. 

BROWN’S BIG RETURN At Buffalo, redshirt sophomore Kareem Brown recorded a 43-yard kickoff return with 2:24 remaining in the second quarter, putting UAlbany on the UA-47. The kickoff return set up UAlbany’s second touchdown of the game that gave the Great Danes a 14-6 lead. 

IBITOKUN-HANKS RUNS FOR 100 Sophomore running back Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks recorded his third career 100+ rushing game at Buffalo, logging 104 yards on 23 carries. He also hit the mark in back-to-back games at Richmond (202 yards, 25 carries) and Delaware (135 yards, 28 carries) in 2015.

 UALBANY FOOTBALL WEEKLY ON MY4 For the third straight year, UAlbany Football Weekly will air on MY4 (WNYA). NBC13 (WNYT) sports director Rodger Wyland along with Chris Onorato and Ashley Miller will host the 30-minute show with Great Danes football coach Greg Gattuso every Saturday at 11:30 a.m.

 UALBANY TEAMS UP WITH ESPN RADIO UAlbany agreed to a new broadcast partnership with ESPN Radio for all football and men’s basketball games this year. Fans in the Capital District can tune their dials to 104.5 FM to listen in, or hear the broadcasts live online from anywhere in the world on 1045theteam.com. However, due to scheduling conflicts, UAlbany’s first two football games at Buffalo and Rhode Island will be aired on Rewind 105.7 FM and rewind.1057.com.

 GREAT DANES TO OPEN 2017 AT OLD DOMINION, 2018 AT PITT UAlbany will open the 2017 football season at Old Dominion University and the 2018 season at the University of Pittsburgh. The meetings will mark UAlbany’s third and fourth Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) games. In the program’s first two FBS clashed were against Buffalo in 2015 and 2016.

 UP NEXT UAlbany opens its home schedule against Holy Cross on Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets.

UALBANY-CINCINNATI MEN’S BASKETBALL GAME ON NOVEMBER 14TH TO AIR ON ESPNU

UAlbany Sports Information

 CINCINNATI – The American Athletic Conference has announced that the UAlbany-Cincinnati men’s basketball game on Monday, November 14th will air nationally on ESPNU.

 This game will be UAlbany’s second contest as part of the Naismith Hall of Fame Tipoff Classic. The game, set for a 7 p.m. ET tip, will be a campus site contest at the University of Cincinnati. 

UAlbany is coming off its fourth consecutive postseason appearance last year, finishing at 24-9 overall with a berth in the College Basketball Invitational. Cincinnati went 22-11 overall last year and was an at-large into the NCAA Tournament. Last season, UAlbany’s opening game of the season against Kentucky was aired nationally on the SEC Network

SCHNEIDER MOVES TO FOURTH ALL-TIME IN GOALS IN UNIVERSITY OF ALBANY WOMEN’S SOCCER HISTORY IN 2-1 OVERTIME LOSS TO SETON HALL

UAlbany Sports Information

 ALBANY, N.Y. – The UAlbany women’s soccer team went to overtime for the second straight home game, falling to Seton Hall 2-1 just under three minutes into extra time on Thursday night.

2015 NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE YEAR DANA BOZEK JOINS UALBANY FIELD HOCKEY

UAlbany Sports Information

 ALBANY, N.Y. – The 2015 MAX Field Hockey National High School Player of the Year Dana Bozek has joined UAlbany for the 2016 season.

 Bozek made her debut for UAlbany on August 28th when the Great Danes defeated Bryant. “We are very excited that Dana is part of our Great Dane family,” said UAlbany head coach Phil Sykes. “Her family is all about field hockey, with her sisters both being All-Americans, and she is coming from one of the best high school programs in the country.”

PAULA HEUSER PASSES 200 CAREER POINTS MARK AS #9 UALBANY FIELD HOCKEY DEFEATS DARTMOUTH 3-1

UAlbany Sports Information

ALBANY, N.Y. – The #9 UAlbany field hockey team completed its year-opening homestand with a 3-0 start with a 3-1 victory over Dartmouth on the Alumni Turf on Saturday afternoon. 

UAlbany (3-0) scored the first three goals of the contest in the first 41 minutes to earn the victory over Dartmouth (0-1). The Great Danes outshot Dartmouth 26-10 in the game. “We are still, given that the season is young, building our trust and getting used to our style,” said UAlbany head coach Phil Sykes.

“We set each other up well, but their goalie played great. We liked the offense we had.” Paula Heuser scored a goal in the sixth minute to eclipse the 200-point mark in her collegiate career, standing with 201 after the game.

 The Great Danes have a quick turnaround, heading to the campus of Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania to play #18 Penn State tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. UAlbany and Penn State both enter Sunday’s contest at 3-0 on the year.

uNIVERSITY OF ALBANY FOOTBALL TAKES DOWN BUFFALO, 22-16, FOR PROGRAM’S FIRST FBS WIN

UAlbany Sports Information

 BUFFALO, N.Y. – With a suffocating defensive effort, the University at Albany football team earned the program’s first win over a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) program Friday night at UB Stadium, overcoming the University at Buffalo, 22-16.

With the victory, the Great Danes move to 1-0 on the season. “I think it’s a lesson for our team that if we do things the right way, we can be a pretty good team,” said Head Coach Greg Gattuso. “Buffalo is a good team, they’ve had a lot of changeover, but there was a big difference from last year and this year. I’m proud of the kids and the way they played. They went out and hustled and did what we asked them to do and they stayed with it.”

Offensively, Neven Sussman led UAlbany, completing 14-of-21 passes, totaling 113 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore wide receiver caught a team-high five passes for 33 yards, while redshirt junior Brad Harris and tight end Anthony Manzo-Lewis accounted for the Danes’ two touchdowns. 

“Our defense, I know they gave up some yards today, but they were lights-out, turning the ball over and I thought we tackled really well, which is really important,” said Gattuso. Defensively, Malachi Hoskins, Abner Logan, and Michael Nicastro each recorded 11 tackles, while the squad totaled three interceptions and a fumble.

In addition, UAlbany only allowed the Bulls to convert on 5-of-17 third-down attempts. Just 2:03 minutes into the contest, the Great Danes took the lead sparked by redshirt junior Michael Nicastro’s heroics. Almost exactly at the same location where his season ended almost exactly a year ago on a devastating knee injury, Nicastro immediately made a statement, picking off Buffalo starter Grant Rohach’s pass at the UB-45 yard line and returned it 38 yards to the seven.

The Danes’ offense made quick work, using two plays to get in the end zone, capped by Sussman’s five-yard pass to Manzo-Lewis.

 In the defensive battle, the Great Danes held Buffalo off the board through the first quarter. The Bulls attempted a 43-yard field goal at the 6:14 mark, but Adam Micheson’s kick sailed wide right. Junior cornerback Jamal Robinson gave UAlbany’s offense an added opportunity with 2:19 on the clock in the opening stanza, recording an interception on Buffalo’s 21-yard line. However, the Bulls’ defense stepped up and forced the Danes to attempt a 35-yard field goal. The kick missed to the left, leaving the score 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.

To start the second, Buffalo pieced together a 12-play, 65-yard drive, capped by Mitcheson’s 32-yard field goal at the 10:53 mark. With 2:32 remaining in the half, Mitcheson cut the margin to one, 7-6, on his 37-yard field goal. The Bulls used nine plays to travel 31 yards and set up the boot.

 However, the Great Danes quickly responded, as Kareem Brown opened the drive with a 43-yard kickoff return to the UAlbany-47. After a personal foul call against the Bulls, Ibitokun-Hanks broke free down the UAlbany sideline and scampered 33-yards into the end zone. The touchdown, with Ethan Stark’s point-after, gave the Danes a 14-6 advantage with 1:42 left in the second quarter.

 Utilizing a hurry-up offense, Buffalo quickly moved the ball down the field in the waning seconds. Quarterback Tyree Jackson led the Bulls, completing six passes in the 75-yard drive, capped with a 17-yard fading pass to tight end Mason Schreck. The touchdown and extra point cut the margin to one, 14-13, at the half. Out of the break,

UAlbany steadily made progress down the field, as Sussman hit Roberson with an 11-yard completion, and Ibitokun-Hanks carried the ball five times for gains. However, the Danes were held to a 35-yard field goal attempt that again missed left of the uprights. With a small swing in the momentum,

Buffalo drove 52 yards on 11 plays, setting up a 45-yard field goal attempt. Mitcheson’s boot was good, giving Buffalo its first lead of the game, 16-14, with 6:12 remaining in the third quarter. Forcing Buffalo to punt in it first drive of the fourth quarter,

UAlbany’s offense used seven plays to work 81 yards down the gridiron. Sussman launched a 24-yard pass to Crockett and immediately followed with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Brad Harris. Going for two with a 20-16 lead, the Great Danes converted, as Sussman connected with Harris again, giving UAlbany a 22-16 lead.

 Down the wire, the Danes’ defense held tough despite Buffalo’s threatening advances. Working their way down to the 7-yard line on fourth down, Jackson darted to the pylon, but UAlbany’s Mason Gray knocked the ball loose for a game-saving fumble. With the touchback, UAlbany regained control of the ball with 3:52 remaining. “I think Mason Gray was outstanding,” said Gattuso. “Our coaches teach it every single day of the week -- in practice we are stripping and attacking the ball at all times.”

 Buffalo earned another opportunity after forcing the Danes to punt with 2:44 remaining. But again, UAlbany’s stealthy defense made the stop, as Kyle Sakowski picked off the first pass of the drive. From there, the Great Danes ran out the clock, clinching the historic first win. Up next, UAlbany (1-0) opens CAA play, traveling to take on Rhode Island on Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. Purchase your UAlbany football tickets today by visiting ualbanysports.com/tickets.

WILLIAMS GOLDEN GOAL SENDS UALBANY WOMEN’S SOCCER BACK TO WIN COLUMN WITH 2-1 VICTORY VS. URI

UAlbany Sports Information

 ALBANY, N.Y. – Mariah Williams scored the golden goal in the 92nd minute off Caroline Kopp’s corner kick to give the UAlbany women’s soccer team a 2-1 victory over Rhode Island in the season home opener.

 UAlbany (2-3) snapped a three-game losing streak with its overtime win over Rhode Island (0-2-2) in a physical, high shooting game. UAlbany outshot URI 21-18 in the game plus had 10 corner kicks to its opposition’s eight.

UNIVERSITY OF ALBANY'S MAXI PRIMUS EARNS NFHCA DIVISION I HONORABLE MENTION WEEKLY AWARD

UAlbany Sports Information

 ALBANY, N.Y. – UAlbany goalkeeper Maxi Primus has been selected as a National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division I Honorable Mention Weekly Award winner for the period ending August 29th.

 Primus was nominated for NFCHA Defensive Player of the Week after earning the same from the America East and was chosen as an honorable mention for the award. The senior began the year with a pair of shutouts in goal for UAlbany against Hofstra and Bryant, playing over 118 minutes. She finished with eight saves in as many shots on goal in the two victories. Primus and the Great Danes host Dartmouth on Saturday, September 3rd at 1 p.m. on the Alumni Turf.

UNIVERSITY OF ALBANY MEN’S SOCCER DEFEATS LAFAYETTE 1-0

UAlbany Sports Information

 ALBANY, N.Y. – After tying in the season opener, the University at Albany (1-0-1) men’s soccer program earned its first victory of the 2016 season with a win over visiting Lafayette College (0-2-0) 1-0 on Tuesday night.

 It was the second consecutive home game for the Great Danes, before they embark on a five game road trip. “I thought tonight was a very mature performance,” said head coach Trevor Gorman. “Lafayette is a very good team, they’re very organized. They’re difficult to play against, and difficult to score on. We were pleased to keep up our tempo throughout the game.”

 The first and only goal of the game came in the 10th minute, when Afonso Pinheiro ripped a shot from the top of the box past the Lafayette goalkeeper, Brad Seeber (0-2-0). Pinheiro was set up on a through ball from Carlos Clark. “The early goal helps, said Gorman, “and we’re confident about the way we went about our business.”

UNIVERSITY OF ALBANY FIELD HOCKEY SHUTS OUT HOFSTRA 4-0 IN SEASON-OPENER

UAlbany Sports Information

ALBANY, N.Y. – In the first game of the 2016 season, the ninth-ranked University at Albany field hockey team came away with a 4-0 victory over the visiting Hofstra University Pride,

Friday afternoon at Alumni Turf. With a well-balanced offensive attack, four different UAlbany players found the back of the cage. Meanwhile, the Great Danes’ defense did not allow a single penalty corner, as senior goalkeeper Maxi Primus earned the shutout, recording six saves in the win.

UNIVERSITY OF ALBANY'S ENNEMA, ROWLEY, WILLIAMS NAMED TO NABC HONORS COURT - UALBANY SPORTS 2016

UAlbany Sports Information 07-27-2016 Send Mail Print KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) announced the 2015-16 NABC Honors Court, recognizing those men’s collegiate basketball student-athletes who excelled in academics during the past season.

From the University at Albany, Dallas Ennema, Mike Rowley, and Reece Williams received recognition. The NABC Honors Court recognizes the talents and gifts that these men possess off the court and the hard work they exhibit in the classroom.

 In order to be named to the Honors Court, a student-athlete must meet a high standard of academic criteria. The qualifications are as follows: 1. Academically a junior or senior and a varsity player. 2. Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or higher at the conclusion of the 2015-16 academic year. 3. Students must have matriculated at least one year at their current institution. 4. Member of a NCAA Division I, II, III, or NAIA Division I or II institution with a NABC member coach.

Ennema, an accounting major with a 3.54 cumulative GPA, finished his junior season averaging 4.4 points and 2.4 rebounds, making 32 appearances.

In addition, the Sheldon, Iowa native is a two-time America East All-Academic selection.

 Rowley, a finance major with a 3.48 GPA, started all 33 games in his junior season, averaging 8.3 points and 6.5 boards per game. The Sydney, Australia native led the Great Danes in field goal percentage and was also an America East All-Academic selection this season. Wiliams, a journalism major with a 3.46 GPA, is a two-time NABC Honors Court honoree. The senior captain redshirted his final season with the Great Danes in 2015-16.

UNIVERSITY OF ALBANY WOMEN’S LACROSSE NAMED 2015-16 IWLCA ZAG SPORTS ACADEMIC HONOR SQUAD - UALBANY SPORTS 2016

UAlbany Sports Information

ALBANY, N.Y. – The UAlbany women’s lacrosse team has been named a 2015-16 Zag Sports Academic Honor Squad by the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA).

As a team, UAlbany earned a 3.31 GPA for the 2015-16 season. It is the fifth time UAlbany has been named an Academic Honor Squad by the IWLCA, including the second year in a row and the third time in four years. To qualify, teams needed a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher for the 2015-16 season, with all players on the squad for the full academic year contributing.

UAlbany was one of 276 schools across the three NCAA Divisions (I, II and III) and NAIA to be named an Academic Honor Squad by the IWLCA, including one of six America East teams.

UNIVERSITY OF ALBANY ANNOUNCES 2016 ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CLASS - UALBANY SPORTS 2016

UAlbany Sports Information

ALBANY, N.Y. -- The University at Albany has announced that it will induct Bob Ford, Michelle Simpson, Casey Halloran, Kevin Rae, Luke Daquino, and the 2003 men’s lacrosse team into the Athletics Hall of Fame this coming fall.

The Great Dane inductees will be honored at a dinner on Friday, Oct. 7 at SEFCU Arena. The inductees will also be recognized at UAlbany’s Homecoming football game versus Richmond on Saturday, Oct. 8.

CAA FOOTBALL MEDIA DAY TO BROADCAST NATIONALLY ON ESPN3

UAlbany Sports Information

ALBANY, N.Y. – CAA Football officially kicks off the 2016 season with the league’s annual Media Day on Tuesday, July 26 from M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md.

The University at Albany will be represented by head coach Greg Gattuso, senior linebacker Neil Morrison, and redshirt senior offensive lineman Kevin Malloy. Coverage of the event is headlined by Media Day Live, which will be broadcast across the nation on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app beginning at 10 a.m. EST.

The two-hour show, hosted by Scott Klatzkin and Bobby Broyles, will include interviews with all 12 CAA Football head coaches, student-athletes from each school, and new CAA Commissioner Joe D’Antonio.

CAA Football Media Day will also be covered through the league’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts. Join the social conversation throughout the day using the official hashtag #CAAFB. CAA Football Media Day Central at CAAFootball.com will be the event’s online home.

Media Day Central will include a live feed of social media content, and provide a hub of news and information, including the announcement of the preseason all-conference teams and predicted order of finish. Following Media Day, interview segments with coaches and student-athletes will be available at Media Day Central.
Below are the coaches and student-athletes scheduled to attend CAA Football Media Day.

UALBANY MEN’S LACROSSE ALUMNI TO PLAY FOR LEAD THE WAY FOUNDATION IN SUPPORT OF SGT. JAMES J. REGAN

UAlbany Sports Information

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – Four UAlbany men’s lacrosse alumni are playing in Lake Placid for a great cause and are asking for your support for the Army Ranger Lead The Way Fund.

Jimmy Haugen of the UAlbany class of 2014 and Matt Carrello, Kevin Glueckert and Anthony Ostrander of the UAlbany class of 2013 with compete with Team Army Ranger in the annual Lake Placid Summit Classic in support of the Lead the Way Fund. They will play in honor of Sgt. James J. Regan, a former Duke University lacrosse player from Manhasset, New York. He served in company C, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom when he was killed in Iraq by an IED in 2007.

Lead The Way Fund, Inc. is a non-profit organization established to raise funds in support of disabled U.S. Army Rangers and the families of Rangers who have died, have been injured or are currently serving in harm’s way around the world.

Team Army Ranger is joining forcing with the Army Ranger Lead the Way fund, gathering many alumni from Nassau County is support of the cause. Alumni from 15 different schools will be playing on Team Army Ranger, including the four above

UAlbany alumni and six Duke alumni. The Lake Placid Summit Classic is an annual lacrosse tournament going seven days with hundreds of teams from adult to youth. The four UAlbany alumni will be playing in the adult men’s open division from August 5th-7th in Lake Placid.

University of Albany CAA Football Releases Game Times For Upcoming Season - UAlbany Sports 2016

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

ALBANY, N.Y. -- The University at Albany has announced the game times for the 2016 football season. The Great Danes’ home slate of six games begins Saturday, Sept. 17 when UAlbany takes on Holy Cross at 7 p.m. The following week, the Danes will face another non-conference foe, St. Francis (Pa.), also at 7 p.m. at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium.

With a weekend full of Homecoming festivities, UAlbany kicks off against CAA opponent Richmond at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 8, and then will meet Elon for the first time in program history on Oct. 29 at 12 p.m. That game will be aired live on the American Sports Network.

Closing out the home schedule, the Great Danes will play a pair of 1 p.m. contests versus Delaware on Nov. 5 and Stony Brook on Nov. 19.

UAlbany football season tickets are now on sale! To purchase, visit UAlbanySports.com/tickets or call 518-442-DANE. New season ticket holders who buy before Aug. 5 will be entered to win a collection of great prizes as a part of UAlbany’s “Dog Days of Summer” promotion.

UALBANY MEN’S LACROSSE HELPS THREE TEAMS TO TOP-SIX FINISHES IN 2016 U19 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

UAlbany Sports Info

COQUITLAM, B.C. – Current personnel of the UAlbany men’s lacrosse team made their mark in the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) U19 World Championships in Canada last week, helping three different teams to top-six finishes.

UAlbany players Chaunce Hill and Colyn Lyons helped the Iroquois Nationals earn the bronze medal in the Blue Division, tying its highest-ever finish in the U19 games. Zack Ornstein earned a place on the FIL Presidents Team, leading Team Israel to a sixth place finish after winning the Red Division. 

In addition, UAlbany assistant coach Merrick Thomson served as the offensive coordinator for Team Canada, which picked up the silver medal after falling in a heartbreaker to Team USA 13-12 in the championship game.

For the Iroquois Nationals, Hill and Lyons each played on the defense and assisted the team in defeating Team Australia 20-8 in the third place game. Hill, who also took faceoffs, played in all seven games with eight loose balls and an assist. Lyons also played in all seven games on defense, picking up six loose balls.

Ornstein served as the primary faceoff man and a midfielder for Team Israel, which was making its first-ever appearance in the U19 tournament. He finished with four goals, three assists and, when they were recorded in games, a 67% faceoff winning percentage.

Thomson coached the offense for Team Canada as the team scored 84 goals in six games, averaging 14 per game. The team’s only defeats came to the eventual first place finisher Team USA. Hill, Lyons and Ornstein all enter their sophomore year for UAlbany in the 2017 season while Thomson, a 2007 UAlbany alum, enters year two as an assistant coach with the Great Danes.

UNIVERSITY OF ALBANY'S BANFIELD MAKES CANADIAN WORLD JUNIOR TEAM - UALBANY SPORTS 2016

UAlbany Sports Information

EDMONTON, Alberta – The summer racing circuit for the University at Albany track & field student-athletes continued over the weekend, with two rising sophomores, Myles Banfield and Matthew LeLiever competing in their native Canada at the Canadian Junior Outdoor Championships. 

At stake was a berth into the World Junior Championships in Poland starting July 19. Both Banfield and LeLiever ran for The Speed Academy.

In Friday’s qualifying round, Banfield qualified first in 47.64. LeLiever qualified fifth in 48.58. LeLiever’s mark tied his personal best mark as a Great Dane, which he ran during this past indoor season. Banfield placed first overall in Saturday’s final in 47.17, earning a qualifying berth into World Junior Championships.

LeLiever placed seventh in 48.84. The runner-up, Nathan Friginette, also qualified for Junior World’s, finishing in 47.60. Banfield had previously satisfied the qualifying standard for the Junior World Championships 400m of 47.70, when he ran 46.93 in the second meet of the UAlbany outdoor season, the Florida Relays. He is the first freshman in UAlbany history to break 47 seconds in the 400m, and finished the collegiate season with a personal-best of 46.83, which ranks fourth all-time outdoors in UAlbany history.

The first round of the 400m at World Junior Championships is July 20 at 11:40 a.m. local time (5:40 a.m. ET). The meet will be held in the Zawisza Stadium in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

University of Albany’s Kyle McClancy and Kelly Costello Honored as 2015-16 America East Spring Scholar-Athletes - UAlbany Sports 2016

BOSTON – UAlbany’s Kyle McClancy and Kelly Costello have been selected as 2015-16 America East Spring Scholar-Athletes, the conference announced on Thursday. McClancy is the America East Spring Scholar-Athlete for men’s lacrosse while Costello is for softball. 

UAlbany has the most 2015-16 America East Spring Scholar-Athletes with two out of seven possible. Five other conference schools have one scholar-athlete this spring. In total, six UAlbany student-athletes were chosen as 2015-16 America East Scholar-Athletes this season, double more than any other league institution.

University of Albany Athletes Compete in 2016 FIL U19 Men’s Lacrosse World Championships - UAlbany Sports 2016

COQUITLAM, B.C. – Three members of the UAlbany men’s lacrosse team will be playing in the 2016 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) Under-19 Men’s Lacrosse World Championships starting on July 7th.

Chaunce Hill and Colyn Lyons will represent the Iroquois Nationals while Zach Ornstein will play for Team Israel. In addition, UAlbany assistant coach Merrick Thomson will serve as the offensive coordinator for Team Canada.

The 2016 FIL U-19 World Championships will take place from July 7-16th in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada. 14 nations will be represented in the tournament in three different divisions.

The Iroquois Nationals play in the top-level blue division while Israel plays in the red division. The USA has won the tournament each time, defeating Canada the last four years in the championship game including the last time in 2012.

The Iroquois Nationals took third in 2012 over England. Hill and Lyons were part of UAlbany's defense with the former playing LSM and the latter playing close defense. Ornstein was UAlbany’s primary faceoff man in 2016. All three just played their freshman season for the Great Danes.

The tournament kicks off on Thursday, July 7th as host Canada takes on the United States at 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. PT). The Iroquois Nationals open against England on Friday, July 8th at 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. PT) while Israel begins its play against Hong Kong the same day at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT). Courtesy: UA Sports

University of Albany Women’s Soccer Brings in Two More to Complete 2016 Recruiting Class - UAlbany Sports 2016

ALBANY, N.Y. – UAlbany women’s soccer head coach Caitlin Cucchiella has announced that two more student-athletes have joined the Great Danes for the 2016 season.

Katelyn Brede comes to UAlbany after transferring from Charleston Southern University while Michaela Webb joins as a true freshman. “We are eager to add Michaela and Kate to our roster for 2016,” said Cucchiella. “Both are dynamic players who will contribute to our team in a positive way.”

Katelyn Brede becomes a Great Danes after spending a year at Charleston Southern University. In 2015, she played 14 games with two starts on the CSU back line as a freshman and will have three years of eligibility at UAlbany.

Previously, she was a standout soccer and track athlete and Union Catholic High. Brede played with the NJ Wildcats of the Women’s Premier Soccer League.

Michaela Webb  joins her older sister, Bianca Webb, on the Great Danes. A defender and senior team captain at Wellesley High, she earned the Diane Mullahy Memorial Scholarship as part of the Wellesley United Soccer Club plus was on the school’s honor roll upon graduation. Michaela played for the FC Boston Scorpions in the Elite Clubs National League, also competing for the Boston Breakers Academy. Courtesy: UA Sports