UAlbany Field Hockey Concludes 2012 Regular Season Ranked #21 in the Nation

ALBANY, N.Y. -- The University at Albany field hockey team concludes the regular season as one of the top teams in the nation, as announced by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association on Tuesday afternoon. The Great Danes have been ranked since the first week of the 2010 season, and come in at #21 on the poll this week.

UAlbany (11-7) sealed up the second seed in the upcoming America East Conference Championship Tournament with a 1-0 win over Vermont in the America East field hockey regular-season finale on Saturday afternoon. Daphne Voormolen scored her ninth goal of the season, as UAlbany outshot Vermont, 31-6, and held a 14-2 advantage in penalty corners. Senior goalkeeper Kristi Troch made four saves in the cage for the Great Danes

The Great Danes will travel to New Hampshire for the America East tournament, and will take on third-seeded Maine on Friday at 5 p.m.

No. 18/20 UAlbany Football Continues To Climb National Ranks

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Improving to 7-1 overall and 5-0 in the Northeast Conference over the weekend with a win over Sacred Heart, the University at Albany football team jumped four slots in The Sports Network Top-25 to No. 20 and two spots in the FCS Coaches Poll to No. 18, representing the highest the Great Danes have ever been ranked in both polls in Division I history.

Last week, UAlbany appeared in the pair of Top-25 lists for the second time in program history and first time since 2006. However, this week marks the first time the Great Danes have stayed in both polls for consecutive weeks.

A national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries select the Top 25 for The Sports Network, while the FCS Coaches Poll is based exclusively on a voting panel of head coaches in the FCS under the cooperation of the Collegiate Commissioners Association (CCA) and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and is administered by the Southern Conference.

No. 18/20 UAlbany looks to keep its five-game win-streak afloat when the Great Danes play host to Wagner College this Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

UAlbany's Ethan Clary Places Fourth Individually at America East Cross Country Championship

DURHAM, N.H. -- Ethan Clary finished fourth individually for UAlbany to lead the Great Danes to a fourth place team finish for the 8.2 kilometer course. Clary covered the course in 25:44.64 to lead UAlbany.

Senior Aliaksandr Leuchanka and sophomore Chris Buchanan placed 10th and 11th, respectively. Leuchanka recorded a time of 25:58.66, while Buchanan was just behind in 25:59.15. Freshman James Sommer was the next UAlbany finisher, coming in 36th overall in 26:46.63. Senior Ryan Florkiewicz wasn't too far behind, placing 41st with a time of 26:59.47.

Senior Craig Weiss placed 49th in a time of 27:14.24. Brandon Camenzuli and Raymond Farinella finished in 55th and 56th, respecitvely. Camenzuli posted a time of 27:28.69, while Farinella crossed the line in 27:40.27. Sophomore John DeLallo rounded out the UAlbany harriers, finishing 65th in 27:57.93.

UAlbany's Brittney Lane Finishes Second at America East Cross Country Championship

DURHAM, N.H. -- Junior Brittany Lane finished second overall at the Ameica East Conference Cross Country Championship today at the University of New Hamphire. Lane recorded a time of 16:44 over the 5,000-meter course, leading the Great Danes to a fourth-place team finish.

Lane's time was the fastest time ever run by a UAlbany student-athlete, and her 2nd place finish is the highest ever by a Great Dane harrier at the conference championship meet. She is the first UAlbany female to run under 17 minutes in a 5k race. As a team, the Great Danes had a five-runner average of 17:47, which is the best ever in UAlbany history.

Senior Miranda McConnell was the second UAlbany finisher, placing 13th overall in 17:23.86. Kathryn Fanning finished in a time of 17:44.94, coming across the line in 23rd. Nicole Gillette came in 35th overall, covering the 5k course in 18:24.16. Melissa Del Rosario and Brianna Service were the next two UAlbany harriers, placing 44th and 49th, respectively.

Brianne Bellon (57th, 19:01.69), Clarie Pettit (61st, 19:08.85), and Amanda Eisenson (75th, 20:12.59) also represented the Great Danes in the league championship race.

UAlbany's Bergeron and C. DeVerna Named To America East All-Conference Team

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - University at Albany women's soccer seniors Shayla Bergeron and Chelsea DeVerna were named to the America East Conference First Team, which were voted on by the conference coaches. This is Bergeron's second time named to an all-conference squad (previously on the second team in 2011). DeVerna is the first Great Dane to have been named to the all-conference team all four years at UAlbany.

Bergeron, a Hudson, N.H. native, had her best season to date as a Great Dane. During her senior campaign, she tallied 11 goals and six assists for a total of 28 points. Her goals and points total were second best in the conference, while her assist totals were tied-for second. The senior forward tallied the program's first two hat tricks, one against UMBC and one against UNC-Asheville. She was named America East Player of the Week twice earlier this season.

DeVerna, a Setauket, N.Y. native, also had her best season of her career at UAlbany. As a senior, she tallied a total of seven goals, one of which was a game-winner against Binghamton on October 4. This is the senior midfielder's fourth time being selected to an all-conference time and was named the America East's Rookie of the Year in 2009.

UAlbany Baseball Coach Jon Mueller To Be Inducted Into Capital District Hall Of Fame

ALBANY, N.Y. -- University at Albany head coach of baseball Jon Mueller has been selected for induction into the Capital District Baseball Hall of Fame. Mueller, along with 24 other distinguished players, coaches and umpires, will make up the organization's second class of inductees. The induction ceremony is set for October 28th at the Hilton Hotel in Troy, N.Y.

Mueller, who enters his 13th season as UAlbany's head coach this year, was already inducted into the Capital District's Basketball Hall of Fame, as well as the Stillwater High School Hall of Fame in the fall of 2008.

The Stillwater, N.Y. native has had proven success as both a player and coach throughout his career. Mueller ranks first among UAlbany's career leaders with 279 coaching victories, and was named the America East Coach of the Year in 2004. Mueller has produced dozens of all-conference standouts and has had six players selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft under his direction.

Mueller played professionally in the minor leagues from 1994-2000 in the Northeast and Northern Leagues with the Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs, Adirondack Lumberjacks and Marshall (Minn.) Mallards. A 6-foot-5, 245-pound infielder and designated hitter, Mueller accrued a career .286 batting average with 74 home runs and 318 RBI in seven professional seasons. He led the Northeastern League in homers in 1996 and 1997 with 18 and 20, respectively. In 1999, he helped his team go 20-8 down the stretch to qualify for Northern League playoffs and earned Most Valuable Player honors in the league's championship series. Mueller was also a member of the Albany-Colonie squad that won the 1997 Northeast League Championship and was selected MVP of the 2000 Northern League All-Star Game.

A constant influence in the Capital Region, Mueller also coached at the College of Saint Rose in 1993-94 and was a teacher with Mechanicville City Schools, Saratoga BOCES and the Duanesburg School District. He earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Eckerd College (Fla.) in 1992 and has a master's degree in secondary education from Saint Rose. Mueller and his wife, Patricia, reside in the Capital Region with their daughter, Marley, and son, Jaxon.

Longstreth Scores Twice to Lead #23 UAlbany Field Hockey to 6-1 win over Yale

NEW HAVEN, CONN. - Jessica Longstreth, the reigning America East Conference Player of the Week, scored two goals and added two assists to lead No. 23 UAlbany to a 6-1 win over Yale in non-conference field hockey action on Sunday afternoon.

UAlbany scored four goals on penalty corners, with the first coming just after five minutes into the game, as Kelly Bonner took assists from Laura Page and Longstreth. Eleven minutes later, Longstreth scored her first goal of the game, on an unassisted shot in front of the cage. Nina Walters gave the Great Danes a 3-0 advantage in the 19th minute, on another penalty corner. Corrine McConnville converted her fifth penalty stroke of the season to give UAlbany a four-goal lead at the half.

Yale (4-10) scored to start the second half with a goal from Jessie Accurso at 48:36. Less than a minute later, Daphne Voormolen scored on a corner with assists from Page and Longstreth. The Great Danes finished up the scoring at 66:13 as Longstreth connected on her second goal of the game with a helper from Voormolen.

UAlbany outshot the Bulldogs, 35-3, and held a 16-2 advantage in penalty corners. UAlbany's Kristi Troch played all 70 minutes and made one save. Starter Emily Cain played 58:43 for Yale, making 15 saves. She was relieved by Heather Schlesier, who stopped two shots.

Courtesy: UA Sports

UAlbany Checks in at 23rd on Penn Monto/NFHCA Division I National Coaches Poll This Week

ALBANY, N.Y. -- The University at Albany field hockey team remains ranked 23rd in the nation, as announced by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association on Tuesday afternoon. The Great Danes have been ranked since the first week of the 2010 season, and stay at #23 for the second straight week.

UAlbany (8-7) went 2-0 last week, defeating Fairfield, 3-1, in league play before putting a 9-0 defeat of Lehigh into the record books on Sunday. Senior Jessica Longstreth was named the America East Conference Player of the Week for her efforts, as she scored two goals and handed out one assist in the two games.

The Great Danes play back-to-back games this weekend on Saturday and Sunday. UAlbany will play conference rival Maine on Saturday at home before visiting Yale in non-league play on Sunday.

Courtesy: UA Sports

any FCS Football Tied For 22nd In FCS Coaches Poll

ALBANY, N.Y. – For the second straight week, the University at Albany football team is nationally ranked, moving from 24th to 22nd in the FCS Coaches Poll, sharing the slot with Delaware.


The Great Danes moved up two spots after overcoming conference foe Saint Francis, 36-13, in front of UAlbany’s Homecoming crowd Saturday. The Danes’ league-leading offense has been especially potent this fall with an arsenal of weapons to use, including the nation’s top scorer, Drew Smith. The tailback has recorded 15 touchdowns (14 rushing) this season, rushing for three in each of the last three games.

In the program’s FCS era, the No. 22 rank marks UAlbany’s highest position in the Coaches Poll and the first time the Great Danes have been in the Top-25 for consecutive weeks.

UAlbany enters its bye week with a 6-1 overall record and 4-0 mark in the Northeast Conference.

Courtesy: UAlbany

UAlbany FCS Football Rallies To Romp Red Flash, 36-13, On Homecoming

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

ALBANY, N.Y. - In front of 6,852 fans, marking the third-largest home crowd in program history and largest since 1978, the No. 24 University at Albany football team boosted the energy of the already spirited Homecoming crowd Saturday afternoon with a 36-13 win over the visiting Saint Francis Red Flash.


For the third straight game, senior tailback Drew Smith blasted his way into the end zone three different times, bringing his nation-leading total up to 15 touchdowns this season. Smith carried the ball 19 times in the victory for 75 rushing yards. He also caught three passes, finishing with 51 receiving yards and 126 all-purpose yards.

In addition to Smith, receivers Ryan Kirchner and Cole King also broke the 100 all-purpose yard mark. Kirchner finished with 104 yards, making four catches for 58 receiving yard and also returned three punts for 46 yards. Sophomore Cole King matched his career-high of seven receptions, recording an even 100 yards on the afternoon.

Sophomore Jake Meek had a break-out game, rushing 48 yards from the quarterback position and tallied two touchdowns, including a 38-yard scoring scamper.

Sophomore quarterback Will Fiacchi had another sound game in the pocket, completing 21-of-31 attempts for 255 passing yards.

Defensively, senior Chris Wilk led the squad with eight tackles, including five solo. Justinian Mason and Jon Morgan were also stellar in limiting the league's leading rushing game to 159 yards on the ground with six tackles apiece.

Despite all the purple and gold spirit surrounding University Field, the visitors made the first strike on their first drive of the afternoon. Saint Francis used a steady 10-play, 33-yard drive down the field to set up Josh Thiel's 38-yard field goal at the 10:30 mark in the opening quarter.

After forcing the Great Danes to punt, the Red Flash made it 10-0 heading into the second quarter, as Keion Wade capped a seven-play, 91-yard drive with a 53-yard dash through the defense.

However, the Great Danes battled back on their first drive of the second stanza. Although Kevin Chillis' impressive 57-yard scamper through the secondary was called back due to penalty, the Great Danes still crossed the goal line in the drive on Smith's first touchdown of the game. With 10:01 to go in the first half Smith rushed three yards through the Red Flash's defensive line to put UAlbany within four, 10-6, after a missed extra point.

The Red Flash, however, made the next move, increasing their advantage to seven, 13-6, on Thiel's 44-yard field goal with 4:57 remaining in the half. That would be Saint Francis' last lead of the day.

"All it takes is one good drive and we're back in it," said Smith on the comeback. "There's no other option but to go out and fight. It's not like you can crumble."

With 2:15 to go before the break, Smith finished off the Great Danes' eight-play, 65-yard drive with another three-yard rush into the end zone, tying the ballgame, 13-13.

Forcing the visitors to punt with a minute remaining, UAlbany put itself into field goal position as the clock wound down. From 27-yards out, Sean Kenny booted it through the uprights as time expired, giving the Danes a 16-13 lead at the half.

From there, UAlbany never looked back, scoring 20 unanswered points the rest of the way. For the second consecutive game, the Great Dane defense did not allow the opponent a single score in the second half.

With 8:12 to go in the third quarter, Meek rushed seven yards into the end zone for his first career touchdown, giving UAlbany a 22-13 lead after the blocked extra point.

A Red Flash fumble forced and recovered by senior Ocieka Bakou put the ball back into the hands of the hosts, and the Danes capitalized with Smith rushing 10 yards for his third touchdown of the game.

Leading 29-13, the Great Danes looked to put the game away at the start of the fourth quarter. However, a fumble on the two yard line, as Meek tried to push through for his second score of the game, briefly shifted momentum to Saint Francis.

However, the miscue would turn out to be non-concerning, as UAlbany's consistent defense held off the Red Flash and Meek redeemed himself with a 38-yard scramble down the field and into the end zone for the final points of the day.

The Great Danes enter their bye week alone atop the Northeast Conference standings with a 6-1 overall mark and perfect 4-0 record in the league. UAlbany will resume play on Oct. 27th when they travel to take on Sacred Heart at 1:00 p.m.

UAlbany Remains Lone Undefeated Team in America East Play With 3-1 Win Over New Hampshire

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Sara Pope set a new career-high with 24 kills, while Traci Vandegrift finished with a double-double of 14 kills and 19 digs to lead UAlbany to a 3-1 win over New Hampshire (12-9, AE 4-1) in America East Conference volleyball action on Friday evening at University Gymnasium. With the win, the Great Danes improve to 8-11 overall, and are the only undefeated team left in league play with a 5-0 record.


UAlbany fell to New Hampshire, 25-16, in the first set, but then posted scores of 25-20, 25-22, and 25-20 to earn the four-set victory.

The Wildcats used six kills apiece from Victoria Forrest and Morgan Thatcher to seal up the first set win. Jansan Falcusan handed out 14 assists, pacing New Hampshire to a .351 hitting percentage as a team. Gabby Whitworth recorded three kills on .750 hitting for the Great Danes, but UAlbany hit just .179 as a team, as New Hampshire got four total team blocks.

The Great Danes responded in the second set, as Pope came out swinging hard. The sophomore hit .636 in the set to lead UAlbany with seven kills, while Vandegrift recorded four kills and came up with six digs. Thatcher led New Hampshire with five kills, while Sam Henke and Jessie Schnepp recorded 11 and eight digs, respectively.

UAlbany came out firing once again in the third, as Pope finished eight of the Great Danes' 14 kills in the set. UAlbany got back on the blocks as well, getting four total, led by three assists each by Vandegrift and Alberte Bjornsson. Forrest led New Hampshire with five kills, but the Wildcats had just one total block, giving the Great Danes control at the net.

The duo of Pope and Vandegrift kept rolling for UAlbany in the final set, as the two each recorded six kills. Pope showed why she was named the America East Player of the Week, as she hit .556 in the set, thanks in part to strong setting by Whitworth, who handed out 17 assists. New Hampshire tried to find a rotation that would pull them back into the match, using several different players, including Abigail Brinkman, who led the Wildcats with three kills. However, strong defensive play by the Great Danes held out, and UAlbany sealed up the victory.

Pope finished with a .467 hitting percentage in the match to lead all players. Whitworth, the reigning Setter of the Week in the conference, handed out 47 assists and also recorded 14 kills and nine digs. Viktoriia Stroilo recorded 29 digs, while Kathleen Horvath also played well in the back row, coming up with 12 digs.

UAlbany will return to action on Sunday, visiting Providence in America East Conference action, starting at 2 p.m.

UAlbany FCS Football's Coach Ford To Be Inducted Into Springfield College Hall Of Fame Saturday

Springfield, Mass. -- Six new deserving members will be inducted into the Springfield College Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, Oct. 13, with none more worthy than current University at Albany head coach of football Bob Ford. After the Great Danes’ game against Saint Francis (Pa.), Coach Ford will travel to his alma mater and join William K. "Bill" Anttila '42, Paul M. Daly '82, Robert "Rob" Lasorsa '82, Lindsay Moore '03, and Angel (Schofield) Ayers '93, in becoming Springfield’s 41st inducted class.


“Humbled and elated were the emotions that followed the phone call indicating that I had been named as an inductee to the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame,” said Ford. “Having a bachelors and a doctorate degree from Springfield and having served two separate stints on its faculty, I have a deep felt appreciation for the institution’s message and what it tries to instill in young people.”

Ford served as a starting quarterback in 1959 at Springfield College, where he earned his undergraduate degree in physical education. That same year, SC’s athletic department bestowed upon Ford “The Greatest Desire to Improve Award.” Ford would twice return to Springfield College as an assistant coach – in 1964 as the secondary coach, and in 1969 as its defensive coordinator. He later earned his doctorate from Springfield in physical education in 1970.

At one time, Ford was the youngest head football coach in the nation, when the 26-year-old took over the reins at St. Lawrence University in 1965. In his first season, he guided the Saints to an Independent Collegiate Athletic Conference (ICAC) title. He arrived in the Capital Region five years later to start the first gridiron squad at the University since 1924.

Ford, who has been UAlbany’s only head coach since the program was reinstated after a 46-year absence, was appointed on April 27, 1970. Since then, he has compiled a 40-year varsity record of 251-157 as the Great Dane mentor, while his 260 career victories rank first among active NCAA Division I college football head coaches.

Ford, 75, is a four-time Northeast Conference Coach of the Year and was a 1986 inductee into the Wachusett Regional High School Hall of Fame.

Currently with a 5-1 overall record and 3-0 mark in the NEC, Ford will lead the Great Danes in battle against Saint Francis prior to celebrating his induction Saturday. Kickoff at University Field is at 1:00 p.m.

Great Dane Field Hockey Comes in at 23rd on National Poll This Week

Courtesy: UA Sports

ALBANY, N.Y. -- The University at Albany field hockey team remains among the top-25 Division I programs in the nation, as announced by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association on Tuesday afternoon. The Great Danes, who have been ranked since the first week of the 2010 season, dropped one spot to 23rd this week.


UAlbany (7-7) went 1-1 last week, falling to New Hampshire, who moved up to #20 in the rankings in America East Conference action. The Great Danes then posted a 2-0 win over non-conference opponent Columbia on Sunday.

The Great Danes will visit league foe Fairfield on Friday at 3 p.m., before welcoming Patriot League opponent Lehigh to Alumni Turf Field on Sunday at 2 p.m.

UAlbany Football Ranked 24th In FCS Coaches Poll

ALBANY, N.Y. -- With a 5-1 record and 3-0 mark in Northeast Conference play this fall, the University at Albany football team cracked into the Top-25 in the FCS Coaches Poll Monday, ranking 24th in the nation, after receiving votes through the first five weeks of the season.


Undefeated in conference play and on a three-game win-streak, the Great Danes are off to their best start since 2001 and have been completely dominant in their victories. Averaging a league-best 35.8 points per game, UAlbany's five wins have been by no less than a 10-point margin and by as high as 31 points, while the only loss was by a touchdown to a top-10 ranked Youngstown State team.

Besides finishing 2011 ranked 23rd in the Coaches Poll, the last time the Great Danes were ranked in the regular season was 2006 when UAlbany overcame No. 11 Delaware and No. 23 Central Connecticut State in weeks three and four, respectively. Heading into Week 5 of '06, UAlbany earned a No. 23 rank in both the Coaches and The Sports Network Top-25 polls.

The Great Danes, led by Head Coach Bob Ford in his 40th varsity season, are back in action Saturday, hosting Saint Francis (Pa.) for Homecoming. Kickoff at University Field is at 1:00 p.m. The game will be aired live on Time Warner in the Capital Region.


Week Six Poll - October 8, 2012

Team (No. 1 Votes) 2012 Record Points Previous Ranking

1. North Dakota State (26) 5-0 650 1

2. Montana State 6-0 622 2

3. Old Dominion 5-0 594 4

4. Wofford 5-0 558 5

5. James Madison 4-1 526 6

6. Eastern Washington 4-1 524 7

7. Georgia Southern 4-1 484 8

8. Sam Houston State 3-2 449 9

9. Youngstown State 4-1 441 3

10. Lehigh 6-0 424 10

11. Stony Brook 5-1 374 13

12. Appalachian State 4-2 340 14

13. New Hampshire 4-2 304 17

14. Cal Poly 5-0 284 19

15. McNeese State 4-1 251 18

16. Illinois State 5-1 236 11

17. Central Arkansas 4-2 201 20

18. Northern Arizona 4-1 195 21

19. Towson 2-3 193 12

20. Tennessee State 6-0 170 24

21. Harvard 4-0 144 23

22. Delaware 4-2 114 15

23. Eastern Kentucky 4-2 86 16

24. Albany 5-1 73 NR

25. Alabama A&M 6-0 40 NR

Others Receiving Votes: South Dakota State (29), Samford (28), Northern Iowa (26), The Citadel (22), Montana (19), Jacksonville State (16), Indiana State (10), Maine (9), UT Martin (6), Bethune-Cookman (2), Sacramento State (2).

#22 UAlbany Field Hockey Defeats Columbia, 2-0, in Non-Conference Action

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Corrine McConville converted her third penalty stroke attempt of the season to lead #22 UAlbany to a 2-0 win over Columbia in non-conference field hockey action on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Turf Field. The Great Danes improve to 6-7 on the season, while Columbia falls to 7-4.

UAlbany scored early to set the tone in the game, converting a penalty corner attempt at 6:10 of the first half. Jessica Longstreth passed the ball out to Laura Page, who set up the shot for Daphne Voormolen, straight into the back of the cage. The Great Danes held onto the one-goal lead for the remainder of the half, with goalkeeper Kristi Troch stopping both of Columbia's shots on goal. McConville coverted a penalty stroke opportunity, to go 3-of-3 on the season, in the 50th minute to give the Great Danes their 2-0 score.

UAlbany outshot Columbia, 6-4, and held a 5-1 advantage in penalty corners. Troch made three saves in the game - her second shutout of the season, while the Lions' Kimberly Pianucci recorded three saves in a complete-game performance.

The Great Danes will return to action on Friday, visiting America East Conference opponent Fairfield at 3 p.m.

UAlbany FCS Football's Kirchner Breaks Receptions Record In 31-14 Win At Bryant

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - For the past two seasons, Bryant seemed to be the University at Albany's kryptonite, but that all changed Saturday afternoon at Bulldog Stadium, as the Great Danes won the dogfight, 31-14. After a suspect first half, UAlbany rebounded to score the final 24 points of the contest in front of a national television audience and improved its record to 5-1 on the season and 3-0 in Northeast Conference play.

Recording seven receptions for 103 yards in the win, senior wide receiver Ryan Kirchner became the all-time receptions leader at UAlbany, breaking Tim Bush's record of 147. Still with five games remaining in the regular season, Kirchner has 149 career catches.

“Tim’s a good friend of mine. To be up there with him is an absolute honor,” said Kirchner. “I’m proud of it, but we still have some business to take care of. We’ve got to get another ring here.”

In addition, fellow senior Drew Smith continued to prove himself as one of the best players in Great Danes history as he logged 100-plus all-purpose yards for the 23rd time in his career. Smith finished the day with a 104 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.

Sophomore Will Fiacchi continued to impress in his first year as starting quarterback, as he totaled a career-high 262 passing yards, completing 23-of-34 pass attempts to keep the Great Danes perfect in league play.

Defensively, Jon Morgan and Kyle Jordan led the squad with five tackles apiece, while Tim Kologrivov added three, including two for a loss. Justinian Mason had the key play of the game; picking off a pass and running the interception back 75 yards for a touchdown.

Defense was the name of the game in the first quarter, as neither team could get into an offensive flow. The score stood, 0-0, heading into the second stanza. In the new quarter, the Great Danes struck first when Smith capped an eight-play, 37-yard drive with a three-yard rush up the middle and across the goal line with 6:59 remaining in the half.

However, the Bulldogs (0-6, 0-4 NEC) turned the tides on their next possession, marching 62 yards down the gridiron. Mike Westerhouse connected with Jordan Harris for a 12-yard touchdown pass at the 3:14 mark.

Just 11 seconds later the Bulldogs broke the 7-7 stalemate, as Robert Rutland intercepted Fiacchi's pass - the first play of UAlbany's drive - and Bryant used some trickery to go up by seven. Wide receiver Jordan Harris received a lateral and tossed an 18-yard pass to a wide-open Robert Ingebretsen on the right side of the end zone.

Trailing 14-7 at the half, things still looked gloomy out of the break, as the Great Danes were forced to punt, fumbled the ball, and missed a field goal, in the first five minutes of the half.

But, the first-place Great Danes did not roll over. UAlbany used a steady nine-play, 64-yard drive, capped by Smith's 1-yard blast across the goal line to tie the ballgame, 14-14.

UAlbany played spoilers on the Bulldogs next drive, as Bryant's Westerhouse tried to throw the ball away as he was being sacked, and Mason snagged the pigskin. He scampered 75-yards down the sideline to give UAlbany the lead for good, 21-14, with 1:19 remaining in the third quarter.

Not only did the Mason's play put the lead into the Great Danes' hands, it also silenced the Bulldogs' crowd of 1,219, limiting the home field advantage.

In the fourth quarter, Smith continued to power through the defense at will. He made the score 28-14 on his third touchdown of the game, rushing two yards into the end zone, finishing a seven-play, 62-yard drive.

With 4:02 left in the contest, kicker Sean Kenny made the last statement with a 35-yard field goal in tough wind conditions. Kenny had missed his three prior attempts, but finished the day on a high note.

The Great Danes are back in action next Saturday when they welcome Saint Francis (Pa.) to University Field for Homecoming Weekend. The NEC game will kickoff at 1:00 p.m.

Former UAlbany Men's Lacrosse Star Joe Resetarits Chosen Sixth Overall in NLL Draft

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Former UAlbany men's lacrosse standout Joe Resetarits was chosen sixth overall at the 2012 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft by the Calgary Roughnecks, at the Toronto Westin Harbour Castle on Monday night.
It is not Resetarits' first run in professional lacrosse, as he helped lead the Brampton Excelsiors of the Major Series Lacrosse League (MSL) to the Mann Cup in 2011. During the 2012 MSL season, Resetarits was tied with the team lead in scoring with 28 points (18g,10a) over 12 games. He has also proved himself in the post-season, tallying 15 goals and eight assists over the 2011 Mann Cup championship run.

After leading the Great Danes to the America East Championship game as a senior, Resetarits was named a USILA Division I Honorable Mention All-American. Resetarits led UAlbany and the America East in scoring in 2012, tallying 47 goals and 19 assists for 66 total points. Resetarits scored a goal in every game in his career, running his streak to 50 consecutive games, ending with a tally in the America East Championship game this season.

Resetarits was named the America East Conference Player of the Year last spring, and wrapped up his career with 27 hat tricks, which led all active players in 2012. Resetarits, who finished his career with 170 total points, was drafted by the Hamilton Nationals of Major League Lacrosse, and joined the team for its home opener on May 18