UAlbany Men's Lacrosse Defeats Sacred Heart, 21-6, In Preseason Scrimmage

UAlbany Men's Lacrosse Defeats Sacred Heart, 21-6, In Preseason Scrimmage.

University of Albany Men's Lacrosse Among Top 20 In National Polls - UAlbany Sports 2010

Scott Marr begins his 10th season as UAlbany's head coach. He has an 80-58 record and four of his teams have made NCAA Tournament appearances. The Great Danes return 27 letterwinners off last year's 7-7 club. Brian Caufield earned USILA honorable mention All-America honors and ranked seventh among the Division I leaders in scoring with 24 goals and 27 assists. Joe Resetarits (34 goals, 9 assists) earned first-team All-America East Conference recognition as a freshman and was a member of the league's all-rookie squad. Senior Mark Kelly was a second-team all-conference defenseman.

Six opponents on UAlbany's 2010 schedule appear in at least one of the national polls. Besides top-ranked Syracuse, Johns Hopkins is fifth in both preseason rankings. UMBC, Massachusetts and Bucknell are in both top-20 listings. Denver is No. 18 in the media poll.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information


The LAX NEWS writers poll:

1. Syracuse
2. Duke
3. Virginia
4. Carolina
5. Hopkins

6. Cornell
7. Notre Dame
8. Hofstra
9. Navy
10. Maryland

11. Princeton
12. Harvard
13. Georgetown
14. Loyola
15. Albany

16. Brown
17. UMBC
18. UMass
19. Colgate
20. Bucknell

USILA Coaches Poll:

1. Syracuse,
2. Duke,
3. Virginia,
4. North Carolina,
5. Johns Hopkins,
6. Cornell,
7. Maryland,
8. Princeton,
9. Notre Dame,
10. Hofstra,
11. UMBC,
12. Navy,
13. Georgetown,
14. Harvard,
15. Loyola,
16. Brown,
17. Massachusetts,
18. Albany,
19. Bucknell,
20. Colgate.

Nike/Inside Lacrosse Media Poll:

1. Syracuse,
2. Duke,
3. Virginia,
4. North Carolina,
5. Johns Hopkins,
6. Cornell,
7. Princeton,
8. Maryland,
9. Notre Dame,
10. Hofstra,
11. Navy,
12. Harvard,
13. Georgetown,
14. UMBC,
15. Brown,
16. Loyola,
17. Massachusetts,
18. Denver,
19. Bucknell,
20. Albany.

University of Albany Announces Men's Lacrosse Schedule; NCAA Champion Syracuse Among Opponents - UAlbany Sports 2009

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Thursday, Dec. 10 the school's men's lacrosse schedule for the 2010 season. The Great Danes, who have captured four America East Conference championships in their history, will play five games against conference opponents. The non-league schedule features five teams who made last year's NCAA Tournament field, including defending national champion Syracuse.

UAlbany begins its 11th season at the NCAA Division I level on Saturday, Feb. 27 against Denver. The Pioneers are led by first-year head coach Bill Tierney, who guided Princeton to six national titles. The Great Danes meet Syracuse in the Carrier Dome on the first Saturday in April. In 2009, the Orange garnered their tenth NCAA championship in a thrilling 10-9 overtime victory against Cornell. UAlbany will be Johns Hopkins' homecoming opponent on Saturday, April 10 in a game that will televised on ESPNU at 2:00 p.m. The Blue Jays have won nine NCAA titles, including the 2007 crown.

The Great Danes will battle three other teams who made NCAA appearances last season. UAlbany travels to Massachusetts, the ECAC champion, and defending America East winner UMBC, on March 9 and April 17, respectively. Siena, the 2009 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference titleist, will play at John Fallon Field on Tuesday, March 2.

UAlbany has three conference home games, including a pair of late season clashes with America East-rivals Stony Brook (April 24) and Binghamton (May 1). Each game will be televised on Time Warner Cable (TW3) in the Capital Region. In addition, the Great Danes host Patriot League regular-season champion Bucknell and Colonial Athletic Association opponent Drexel. UAlbany faces Ohio State for the first time and tangles with Delaware for the eighth consecutive year. The America East postseason tournament is slated for May 5 and 8, and each round will be hosted by the higher seed.

Scott Marr, a two-time America East coach of the year, has 27 letterwinners returning from last season's 7-7 squad. Brian Caufield earned honorable mention USILA All-America honors, the sixth player in the program's Division I history to be recognized. Caufield, a junior attackman, scored 45-plus points for the second straight season with 24 goals and 27 assists. Joe Resetarits was voted first-team all-conference as a freshman after accounting for 34 goals and nine assists. Senior defenseman Mark Kelly, who had 30 ground balls one year ago, was a member of the All-America East second team. Goalkeeper John Carroll posted a .496 save percentage as a freshman.

2010 University at Albany Men's Lacrosse Schedule

February - 27 (Sat.), at Denver, 3:00.

March - 2 (Tue.), Siena, 4:00; 6 (Sat.), at Delaware, 12:00; 9 (Tue.), at Massachusetts, 3:00; 12 (Fri.), Ohio State, 7:00; 21 (Sun.), Drexel, 1:00; 27 (Sat.), Bucknell, 1:00; 31 (Wed.), at Hartford*, 3:30.

April - 3 (Sat.), at Syracuse, 4:00; 10 (Sat.), at John Hopkins, 2:00 (ESPNU); 11 (Sun.), Vermont*, 3:00; 17 (Sat.), at UMBC*, 1:00, 24 (Sat.), Stony Brook*, 7:00 (TW3)

May - 1 (Sat.), Binghamton*, 7:00 (TW3); 5 (Wed.), at America East Conference Tournament+; 8 (Sat.), at America East Conference Tournament+.
*America East Conference Opponent +Played at Higher Seed's Home Facility All Times Eastern


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Men's Lacrosse Ranked #15 In LaxNews.com Writers Preseason Top 25 Poll

1. Syracuse (16-2)
2. Duke (15-4)
3. Virginia (15-3)
4. Carolina (12-6)
5. Hopkins (10-5)

6. Cornell (13-4)
7. Notre Dame (15-1)
8. Hofstra (11-4)
9. Navy (11-5)
10. Maryland (10-6)

11. Princeton (13-3)
12. Harvard (8-5)
13. Georgetown (7-7)
14. Loyola (9-5)
15. Albany (7-7)

16. Brown (12-3)
17. UMBC (12-4)
18. UMass (9-6)
19. Colgate (9-6)
20. Bucknell (9-7)

21. Ohio State (8-8)
22. Stony Brook (9-6)
23. Delaware (5-10)
24. Denver (7-8)
25. Drexel (7-8)

University of Albany's Brian Caufield on Preseason All-America Lacrosse Team; UAlbany Ranked #20 in IL Poll - UAlbany Sports 2009

Baltimore, Md. - University at Albany's Brian Caufield has been selected to the 2010 Inside Lacrosse/Face-Off Yearbook Preseason All-America Lacrosse Team. Caufield, a junior attackman, was named to the third team.

Caufield earned honorable mention USILA All-America honors as a sophomore. He ranked seventh among the NCAA Division I leaders in scoring at 3.64 points per game and sixth in assists (1.93 pg). He totaled 45-plus points for the second year in a row with 24 goals and 27 assists.

A native of Bay Shore, N.Y., Caufield was chosen first-team All-America East Conference for the second consecutive season last year. He accounted for four or more points against seven opponents, including a season-high seven (3 goals, 4 assists) versus Massachusetts. He handed out a season-best five assists versus Syracuse and Stony Brook.

He became the sixth UAlbany player to earn Division I All-America status last year, joining Merrick Thomson, Frank Resetarits, Brett Queener, Jordan Levine and Luke Daquino.

Paw Prints: UAlbany is picked No. 20 in the Division I Inside Lacrosse/Face-Off Yearbook preseason national poll ... the Great Danes return six starters from last year's 7-7 squad ... UAlbany placed two players on the Inside Lacrosse preseason All-America East Conference squad ... Brian Caufield and Joe Resetarits were each chosen ... Resetarits tallied 34 goals and nine assists as a freshman ... the attackman was voted first-team All-America East and to the conference all-rookie team last year ... Resetarits scored three or more points in 10 of 13 games played.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Inside Lacrosse No. 30 Young Gun Senior James Cathers, A, Corcoran, N.Y. Has Committed To UAlbany

More big news out of Great Danes country. Inside Lacrosse No. 30 Young Gun Senior James Cathers, A, Corcoran, N.Y. has committed to Albany, according to a source close to the program.

Cathers’ commitment follows Albany’s big news earlier this week that No. 5 Inside Lacrosse Young Gun Senior Miles Thompson, A, LaFayette, N.Y. signed an NLI to play for the Great Danes, and that his brother, No. 1 Inside Lacrosse Young Gun Junior Lyle Thompson, M, LaFayette, N.Y.

Cathers earned our No. 30 spot after a strong spring, dropping 104 points for Corcoran. He also had a nice showing at the Under Armour All-American Underclassman tournament, helping Team Upstate make the championship game against Long Island.

at 6-0, 220 lbs., Cathers’ size will give Albany’s attack a different weapon to matchup with Miles and Ty Thompson (Miles and Lyle’s cousin from Salmon River who also signed an NLI this period).

Cathers’ a high senior, but it is not yet confirmed if a NLI was signed during the period or if this is a verbal commitment.

http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/11/19/recruiting-roundup-no-30-cathers-to-albany-cornell/

University of Albany Men's Lacrosse Announces Stellar Recruiting Class

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany men's lacrosse coach Scott Marr announced today that seven student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to play for the Great Danes in the 2010-2011 academic year. The list includes two U.S. Lacrosse High School All-Americans.

"The class is not quite complete, but is certainly shaping up to be one of the most dynamic classes we have brought in since the program moved to Division I," UAlbany coach Scott Marr said. "It starts on the back line with tough kids, to an athletic midfield, and tremendous finishers on the front line. I commend my assistants Chris Kivlen and Bill Ralph for their efforts in bringing this group together. It is pleasing to see this develop."

Miles Thompson was named as a high school All-American after accounting for 95 goals and 56 assists as a junior. He led LaFayette High to a 23-1 record and the New York Class C state championship final. Thompson earned a spot on the Syracuse Post Standard All-Central New York first team. He was honorable mention All-Northeast, All-Section III and All-Onondaga Division III.

Ty Thompson, Miles' cousin, also received first-team All-America recognition. He was Section X's top scorer with 73 goals and 38 assists and led Salmon River High to an 18-1 mark and the program's first-ever state playoff win. Thompson, who is attending Salisbury School in Connecticut, was chosen Northern Athletic Conference MVP. In addition, he was an honorable mention all-state selection as a forward in ice hockey.

Ryan Feuerstein led Hamburg High to three consecutive Section VI championships from his midfield position. He was voted first-team All-Western New York after totaling 41 goals and 21 assists last season. Feuerstein, who won 70 percent of his face-offs, was a Class B first-team all-league selection. Doug Eich was an honorable mention All-Section I and Journal News All-Star. He had 28 goals and 21 assists, including a 10-point peformance against Nyack.

Eric Sanders, a 6-foot-6 left-hander, is one of three players off his Downingtown West High School team to make a Division I college commitment. Sanders, who had 28 goals and 24 assists as a junior, was a second-team All-Ches-Mont League attackman. He led his squad to the District I playoffs and won a bronze medal at the 2009 Keystone Games.

The Great Danes also signed two players from Capital Region scholastic programs. Mike Daly, a 6-foot-1 midfielder, has twice been named first-team All-Empire Division as a defensive back and wide receiver in football. He earned second-team all-area honors as junior. Cody Futia, a 6-foot, 200-pound defenseman, led Guilderland High to a 20-3 record and a state regional final last year. He was an All-Empire Division linebacker as a member of the Dutchmen football team.

UAlbany has won four America East Conference championships and made four NCAA Tournament appearances as a Division I program. The Great Danes reached the 2007 NCAA quarterfinals.

Inside Lacrosse Laxies Presented by Lax World: Brett Queener Is IL’s Personality of the Year Winner

Brett Queener's year included an appearance on IL's August issue coverLike Miss America, Brett Queener rolled around North America reppin’ his 2008 Personality of the Year crown to the masses.

The winner of the first-ever Laxie for Personality of the Year, Queener did it just as big in 2009, if not bigger. The Penn Yan, N.Y. native got after it in every way for lacrosse fans, hitting the NLL carpet as a transition player for the Boston Blazers, hitting the camps circuit around the country, winning the MLL All-Star Game Freestyle Competition, winning a second MLL title with the Toronto Nationals, hitting up IL’s cover in some sick Evel Knievel getup.

Long story short, it was tough to get away from the guy.

Fans, judging by the comments on our blogs, either loved or hated the guy. Most loved…others felt his game was more sizzle than steak, but when the votes were tallied, the landslide was clear: Queener took 57% of the vote, with Max Seibald coming in second at 16% and Paul Rabil (13%), Geoff Snider (7%) and Ryan Hoff (6%) finishing even further behind.

To celebrate his victory, we asked Brett to run down his year’s reign for our readers (and for good measure, we also included some helpful links to past stories and the ever-popular Queener Cam on ILTV). Enjoy and remember - try to have fun out there. Brett sure is.

Queener’s Year with the Crown

Hawaii was Sick
This was the first booking on my tour with the crown, so it was important for me to let everyone know what I was all about. From mudslides to shuffleboard, to flips off balconies, to throwing sticks over people’s heads/swapping sticks/back-breakers, it’s a trip I’ll never forget. (And it ended with a championship.)

Boston Blazers

Geoff Snider introduces himself to our Personality of the YearIndoor was something that had been on my mind my entire life. It was a position I’d never played, but a game I’d always thought was the pinnacle of lacrosse, so to actually make it was one of the best accomplishments of my life.

My first game on the road was in Philly, and I turned up the boards and made eye contact with a whole family of Wings fans and they all flipped me the bird. I knew I’d made it in the indoor world.

If you put my Facebook picture in there, also let it be known that I did knock Snider down the next game.

All-Star Freestyle Competition

I didn’t plan on doing the trick competition. The MLL called my house and left a message, and my dad called and told me I had to do it. I agreed before I had any idea what I was going to do. I figured it out the week before, and a few hours beforehand changed the plan when Alex Smith gave me the Gator idea — that got more of an “OOOOO” than clapping. The Michael Jackson dance was from Nick Weimer, a camper at Pfeiffer University, N.C., who taught me the basics to the Moon Walk. Two days later I did it in Denver and it was really bad because it’s tough to do on grass.

MLL Championship
The one thing I don’t like about my image is I get laughed off as a sideshow act. I love to play lacrosse, and that’s why I play. I play the way I want to, and if I couldn’t play that way, I wouldn’t.

It crushed me that I broke my hand [in the semifinal] because obviously I wanted to play. When the doctors told me there was a chance I could give it a go, I didn’t care whether I’d have arthritis down the road because there was nothing in the world I wanted more than playing that lacrosse game.

That game meant so much to me. I think it’s the ‘in’ thing to hate on pro lacrosse. Hate all you want — I know the guys around the league are proud people. As the crowned leader in the community of lacrosse, I need to spread the word that guys take their job seriously.

http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/11/17/inside-lacrosse-laxies-presented-by-lax-world-brett-queener-is-ils-personality-of-the-year-winner/

University of Albany Men's Lacrosse Signs Equipment Deal With Maverik - UAlbany Sports 2009

The University at Albany men's Division I lacrosse team is the latest team to score an equipment deal with the innovative equipment manufacturer Maverik Lacrosse.

Beginning in the fall of 2009 and over the next three seasons, the Danes will take to the field in custom purple, yellow and white Maverik Maybach gloves and shoulder/elbow guards.

UAlbany's players will also have the new Maverik "Vision" head at their disposal with any shaft of their choice from the Maverik arsenal, including the recently released H2 and the infamous Wonder Boy.

"The boys couldn't be more excited about making the move to Maverik," said University at Albany men's lacrosse coach Scott Marr. "We appreciate John Gagliardi and Paul Carcaterra for not
only what they have done for the University at Albany but also the lacrosse community. Maverik is a top of the line product and the University at Albany is proud to be a wearing the Maverik
logo."

"Scott has a fantastic program and we are excited to begin our partnership with such a competitive and highly visible team," said John Gagliardi, President and founder of Maverik Lacrosse.

"We are looking forward to working with everyone at UAlbany and will do everything to support Scott and the Danes' efforts to bring home a fifth America East Conference championship and progress further in the NCAA tournament."

About Maverik Lacrosse

Maverik Lacrosse LLC, founded in 2005 by John Gagliardi, Team USA player and All-World defenseman, and Jay Jalbert, All-World midfielder, is a lacrosse equipment manufacturer whose products are designed and developed by the world's top lacrosse players for lacrosse players. Team Maverik creates, tests, plays, develops and delivers innovative products that perform and exceed the professional demands of its founders. Maverik's headquarters are based in Long Island City, N.Y.

Courtesy: Lacrosse Magazine

Former University of Albany Star Corey Small Chosen in National Lacrosse League Draft's First Round - UAlbany Sports 2009

Buffalo, N.Y. - Former University at Albany attackman Corey Small was chosen in the first round of the National League Lacrosse Entry Draft by the Edmonton Rush on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at HSBC Arena. Small, the ninth overall selection, was also taken in the third round of the Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft last May.

A native of St. Catharines, Ontario, Small was picked to the All-America East Conference second team for the second year in a row as a senior. He led the conference in goals at 3.1 per game and was second in points (3.6 pg). He totaled 31 goals and five assists despite playing in just 10 games due to a mid-season leg surgery. His rehabilitation was assisted by a VAC (Vacuum Assisted Closure) device that helped to heal the surgical wound and eliminate infection.

Small finished his collegiate career ranked sixth on the school's all-time list with 109 goals. He scored at least one point in 27 consecutive games played, dating back to May 3, 2007. Small, a left-handed sharpshooter, totaled 137 career points.

The Great Danes had three players selected in last year's NLL Draft. Jordan Levine (Philadelphia), Steve Ammann (New York Titans) and Mike Ammann (New York Titans) were chosen. In 2007, Frank Resetarits (San Jose) and Merrick Thomson (Philadephia) were picked in the first round.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Attackman Brian Caufield Selected to 2009 USILA All-America Lacrosse Team - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Baltimore, Md. – University at Albany’s Brian Caufield has been chosen to the 2009 USILA All-America Team as announced on Thursday, May 21 by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association. Caufield, who was selected in the honorable mention category, becomes the sixth Great Dane to earn All-America status at the NCAA Division I level.

Caufield, a sophomore attackman from Bay Shore, N.Y., ranked seventh among the national leaders in scoring at 3.64 points per game and sixth in assists (1.93 pg). He totaled 45-plus points for the second year in a row with 24 goals and 27 assists. Caufield is one point short of the 100-career mark after two collegiate seasons.

In 2009, Caufield was named first-team All-America East Conference for the second consecutive season. He accounted for four or more points against seven opponents, including a season-high seven (3 goals, 4 assists) in a victory over nationally-ranked Massachusetts. He handed out a season-best five assists versus top-ranked Syracuse and against Stony Brook in the America East semifinals.

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UAlbany’s USILA Division I Lacrosse All-Americans

Brian Caufield (2009, honorable mention)

Luke Daquino (2005, honorable mention)

Jordan Levine (2008, honorable mention; 2007, second team)

Brett Queener (2007, honorable mention)

Frank Resetarits (2007, first team)

Merrick Thomson (2007, third team)

Men's Lacrosse's Season Ends in America East Conference Semifinal Loss

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Jordan McBride had three of his five goals in the first half to lead Stony Broke to an 18-12 victory over UAlbany in the semifinal round of the America East Conference Tournament on Wednesday, April 29 at LaValle Stadium. The Seawolves advanced to the championship final for the first time since 2005. UMBC, the top seed, edged Binghamton, 9-8, in double overtime in the other semifinal matchup.

They used a four-goal barrage in a span of two minutes and 17 seconds of the first quarter to take control. Timmy Trenkle spun to his left shoulder and a shot high into the far corner past starting goalkeeper Drew DiCioccio to ignite that outburst. Jack Hewitt drilled an eight-yard shot when he came uncovered after a crossing pass and Tom Compitello followed 20 seconds later when he circled around the cage to score from the left side. McBride then rifled an underhanded shot into the net for a 5-1 lead.

They had their lead cut in half when freshman Joe Resetarits scored from the right side off a long crossing pass from John Alpizar. But Stony Brook, the nation’s 20th-ranked team, regrouped with three unanswered in a one-minute-and-34-second stretch. Kevin Crowley, who had one goal and four assists, moved around a long-stick midfielder to convert a bounce shot. Kyle Belton and McBride added consecutive goals for an 8-3 advantage.

UAlbany trailed by five at halftime, but saw the lead swell to eight in the late stages of the third period. Chris Scott, a junior attackman who had a career-high scoring total with four goals and one assist, delivered from the top of the crease after Comiptello spun on the back side of the net to find him. Belton connected with his third goal of the game for a 15-7 cushion with 19.7 seconds remaining.

The Great Danes, who were meeting Stony Brook in the conference semifinals for the fourth consecutive year, then strung together four in a row. Corey Small, who netted three of his four goals in the final stanza, scored twice off rebounds, the second in a man-advantage situation after SBU goalkeeper Rob Camposa stopped Brian Caufield’s blast from the point. Dave Brock then canned an underhanded shot around a defensive midfielder to close the gap to 15-11 with 6:49 to play.

The Seawolves, who had endured five consecutive America East postseason losses to UAlbany since winning the championship in 2002, quickly ended that threat. McBride hit an open net with reserve goalkeeper John Carroll out of the cage as his team employed a defensive double-team. Scott added a pair of goals 37 seconds apart as the Great Danes continued to double the ball.

“The first play set the tone when we won the face-off and then turned the ball over,” said UAlbany coach Scott Marr, whose program’s streak of seven consecutive America East championship appearances comes to an end. “We did a poor job of handling the ball. Their face-off guy has a great night and they responded every time we made a run. They jumped on us and we had to play catch up all the way.”

Compitello had two goals and four assists for the Seawolves, who shared the regular-season crown with UMBC. UAlbany’s Resetarits finished with four goals, while Brock tallied a career-high three.

Notes: Corey Small finished his career with 109 goals, one behind UAlbany Hall of Famer Cort Kim ... Small is sixth on the all-time list ... senior Chris Schongar, a two-time all-conference selection, is second on the program’s Division I list with 205 ground balls ... Joe Resetarits scored three or more points in 11 of 14 games played as freshman ... UAlbany ended up with a .500 record for the second consecutive season ...

UAlbany Meets Stony Brook in AEast Conference Men's Lacrosse Semifinal On Long Island Tonight

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – UAlbany has earned the third seed for this week’s America East Conference Men’s Lacrosse Championship. The Great Danes are making their eighth consecutive conference postseason tournament appearance.

UAlbany (7-6, AE 3-2) travels to second-seed Stony Brook (8-5, AE 4-1) in one of two semifinal contests tonight at 7:00 p.m. The Seawolves, who shared the conference’s regular-season crown, edged UAlbany, 13-12. The championship is scheduled for Saturday, May 2 at the highest remaining seed’s home facility.

UMBC (12-3, AE 4-1) shared the regular-season title with Stony Brook, but received the top seed by winning the head-to-head matchup on March 28. The Retrievers, who are ranked No. 11 in both the current USILA and Nike/Inside Lacrosse national polls, won last year’s championship. Binghamton (3-11, AE 2-3) captured the fourth seed with an 11-9 victory over Hartford in the final game of the season.

Tickets for the UAlbany-Stony Brook semifinal contest can be purchased through the Stony Brook ticket office. Prices are $8 for adults, $5 for youth and $2 for students of America East institutions with proper ID. Tickets can be purchased in person at the box office, online or by calling 631-632-WOLF. Box office hours are weekdays 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Great Danes are facing Stony Brook in the America East semifinal round for the fourth consecutive year. Brian Caufield leads the Great Danes in scoring with 24 goals and 22 assists. The all-conference attacker has scored 45-plus points for the second year in a row. Joe Resetarits is the third-highest scoring freshman in the nation with 31 goals and nine assists, while senior attacker Corey Small is among the school’s career leaders with 105 goals. Long-stick midfielder Chris Schongar is first on the squad in ground balls (48).

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2009 America East Conference Men’s Lacrosse Championship

Wednesday, April 29 – Semifinal Round
No. 4 Binghamton (3-11, AE 2-3) @ No. 1 UMBC (12-3, AE 4-1), 7:30 p.m.
No. 3 Albany (7-6, AE 3-2) @ No. 2 Stony Brook (8-5, AE 4-1), 7:00 p.m.


Saturday, May 2
Championship, TBD+
+played at highest remaining seed’s home facility

University of Albany Men's Lacrosse Places Seven Players on 2009 All-America East Conference Team - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Athletics

Cambridge, Mass. – University at Albany’s Brian Caufield leads a group of seven players who were voted to the 2009 America East All-Conference Men’s Lacrosse Team, as announced on Tuesday, April 28 by the conference office. Caufield was named to the all-league first team for the second consecutive year.

A sophomore attackman, Caufield ranks 11th among the NCAA Division I leaders in scoring at 3.54 points per game. He has totaled 45-plus points for the second year in a row with 24 goals and 22 assists. Caufield accounted for four or more points against six opponents this season, including a season-high seven (3 goals, 4 assists) in a victory over nationally-ranked Massachusetts. He also had six points, including a season-best five assists, against top-ranked Syracuse.

Joe Resetarits becomes the second freshman in the UAlbany program’s history to be chosen to the first team. Resetarits is the fourth-highest scoring freshman in Division I at 3.08 points per game. He has 31 goals, the most by a UAlbany freshman since 2004, and nine assists. Resetarits, whose brother was an All-American for the Great Danes, had three or more points in 10 of 13 games played this season. Garrett Pedley, a senior defenseman, makes his first appearance on the first team after earning a spot on the second team as a sophomore. Pedley, who has 28 ground balls this season, has started 42 of 60 games played as a collegian.

Corey Small, a senior attackman, and Chris Schongar, a long-stick midfielder, are on the America East second team for the second straight year. Small, who missed four games this season due to leg surgery, has 27 goals and five assists. He tied the program’s single-game record by scoring eight times against Delaware. Small, who has scored at least one point in 26 consecutive games played, is tied for sixth on UAlbany’s all-time chart with 105 career goals. Schongar leads the team in ground balls with 48, plus has two goals. The senior is second among the program’s all-time Division I leaders with 204 ground balls. He netted his seventh career goal at Stony Brook last Saturday.

John Alpizar and Mark Kelly are members of the all-conference second team for the first time. Alpizar, a senior midfielder, has four goals and seven assists with 30 ground balls. Alpizar, who scored the game-winning goal against league opponent Hartford on April 1, has 62 career points (19 goals, 43 assists). Kelly, a junior defenseman, picked up 29 ground balls and led a unit that allowed 9.8 goals against conference opponents.

Joining Resetarits on the America East all-rookie squad are midfielders Rocky Bonitatibus and Luke Cometti. Each freshman totaled eight points this season. Sophomore Joe Pompo and Pedley were each selected to the America East all-academic team. Pompo has a 3.54 cumulative GPA in accounting with a minor in business administration. Pedley has a 3.35 GPA in business administration with a minor in communication. He is a member of the school’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

UAlbany has produced 51 all-conference players, including 21 first-team selections, since joining the America East Conference in 2002.

University of Albany Men's Lacrosse Goalkeeper John Carroll Sparks Defense in 9-6 America East Win Against Vermont - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Burlington, Vt. – Corey Small had three goals and goalkeeper John Carroll came off the bench to spark his team’s defense in leading UAlbany to a 9-6 America East Conference victory over Vermont on Sunday afternoon at Moulton Winder Field. The Great Danes, who ended a three-game skid, earned a conference postseason tournament berth for the eighth consecutive year.

UAlbany (7-5, AE 3-1) trailed 4-3 at the intermission, but scored five unanswered to take control in the second half. John Alpizar drew his team even when he moved in from the left side and hit the top corner despite taking a cross-checking penalty from midfielder Luke LaBranche. Derek Kruezer’s unassisted goal put the Great Danes ahead following a successful clear with 5:58 left in the period.

Small, a senior attackman, extended the lead with a pair of extra-man goals in third and fourth quarters. He scored from right of the crease 12 seconds into the first man-up situation after Dave Brock found him from the mid-level of the zone. After UVM’s Max Gradinger was called for slashing with 13:53 remaining, the Great Danes worked the same play as Brian Caufield hit Brock from the top of the box. The junior midfielder then hooked up again with Small, who faked and scored from the top of the crease.

Alpizar added his second tally of the game with 5:20 to play for an 8-4 cushion. The senior midfielder had just two goals this season coming into the contest. Meanwhile, the Great Danes shut down the Vermont attack for exactly 42 minutes despite the fact the Catamounts got off 22 of their 43 shots in that span. Carroll, a freshman, made 10 of his 14 saves during that period.

“John Carroll sparked us with some good saves and the defense played awesome,” said UAlbany coach Scott Marr, whose team can share the conference regular-season title with a victory in the final game of the schedule at Stony Brook on April 25. “We were sluggish in the first quarter after playing on Friday night and we didn’t execute and made some poor decisions (at the start).”

Vermont (4-9, AE 1-3) dominated the first quarter en route to a 4-1 advantage. The Catamounts rode the visitors’ midfield and attack into several failed clears and miscues. Andrew Kelleher, who had three goals and one assist, scored in transition to put his team in front after gathering in a left-to-right crossing pass. After winning the subsequent face-off, UVM’s Gradinger scored nine seconds later on a low shot from the top of the box. Derek Lichtfuss completed his team’s three-goal run by scoring with a man-advantage from the left side.

The Great Danes, who were coming off a 15-13 road loss to fourth-ranked Syracuse just 40 hours earlier, changed from starting goaltender Drew DiCioccio to Carroll to begin the second period and the defense responded. Meanwhile, Joe Pompo and Joe Resetarits found the net 28 seconds apart to close the gap by halftime. Pompo moved to the middle and canned a shot that went off the goalkeeper and into the cage. Resetarits circled from behind the cage to score from the left side of the crease.

Small, who scored three or more times for the 15th time as a collegian, moved into a tie for eighth place on the program’s career chart with 103 goals. Worley had one goal and three assists for the Catamounts, who dropped their fifth in a row.


UAlbany (7-5, AE 3-1)1 2 3 3 - 9
Vermont (4-9, AE 1-3) 4 0 0 2 - 6

UAlbany – Scoring: Corey Small 3-0, John Alpizar 2-0, Joe Resetarits 1-1, Joe Pompo 1-0, Derek Kreuzer 1-0, Luke Cometti 1-0, Dave Brock 0-2, Brian Caufield 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Drew DiCiccio (15:00, 2 saves, 4 GA), John Carroll (45:00, 14 saves, 2 GA).

Vermont – Scoring: Andrew Kelleher 3-1, Geoff Worley 1-3, Max Gradinger 1-0, Derek Lichtfuss 1-0; Goalkeeper(s): Alex Plavner (60:00, 9 saves, 9 GA).

#4 Syracuse Holds Off #18 UAlbany, 15-13, in Men's Lacrosse Action at Carrier Dome

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Syracuse, N.Y. – Stephen Keogh and Dan Hardy each had three goals and two assists as nationally-ranked Syracuse held off UAlbany, 15-13, before 4,189 fans on Friday, April 17 at the Carrier Dome. The Orange, who are tied for fourth in the current USILA coaches’ poll, have won eight of their last nine outings.

UAlbany (6-5) turned a halftime laugher into a tight affair with an eight-goal third quarter. The Great Danes, who have lost all seven meetings in this series, including a pair of one-goal decisions, trailed by eight at the intermission and were still behind 11-5 midway through the period. However, Corey Small tallied three times in his team’s five-goal run to end the quarter.

Small, a senior attacker who had recently missed four games following leg surgery, connected on back-to-back shots. He scored an extra-man goal off Brian Caufield’s no-look pass to the right of the crease and then finished off a play that started with a Syracuse turnover. Joe Resetarits added consecutive goals, the second when he got ahead of the Orange defense following a scramble for a loose ball. Small closed the gap to 11-10 with 10 seconds left in the period when he fired a sidearm shot around a defender into the top right corner.

Syracuse (10-2) turned a bizarre play to start the final stanza into a decision four-goal outburst. After winning the faceoff, UAlbany defenseman Brendan Gleason attempted to pass backwards to his goalkeeper to start a clearing play. However, SU freshman Kevin Drew stick-checked Gleason’s long pole and the ball dislodged and went into an empty net. From there, the Orange scored twice in a 23-second span. Hardy fired a shot over goaltender John Carroll’s head for his 18th of the season and Josh Amidon cut to the top of the crease to score off Keogh’s pass from behind.

The Orange looked to be in control again with a 15-10 lead, but still had to fight off the visitors all the way to the horn. Dave Brock and Small found the net 23 seconds apart. Small’s fourth goal of the game, the 100th of his career, came on a tough-angle shot from the right side with a man-advantage. Freshman Rocky Bonitatibus stepped into a 14-yard blast in another extra-man situation with 2:50 remaining for his team’s third unanswered goal. But the Orange were able to possess the ball and run out the clock by taking advantage of a pair of penalties.

“I was pleased with our effort for sixty minutes, but we didn’t execute in the first thirty minutes,” said UAlbany coach Scott Marr, whose teams travels to America East Conference opponent Vermont on Sunday. “The second half was as good as we have played lacrosse all year. They goal at the start of the fourth quarter changed the momentum. It took the wind out of our sails and it took a couple of minutes to rebound.”

Syracuse, also ranked third in the Nike/Inside Lacrosse poll, rolled to a 4-0 lead in the first quarter. Tim Desko converted a nifty left-to-right crossing pass from Kenny Nims in a man-advantage situation. Keogh then scored from the top of the crease after Pat Perritt found him while driving from the left. Scott Kahoe, a 6-foot-5 midfielder, drilled a 15-yard shot from the left into the far low corner. Perritt dodged a UAlbany midifielder and sent a shot inside the right post 49 seconds later.

UAlbany’s Resetarits connected on a 10-yard blast into the top left corner after midfielder John Alpizar worked around the cage that closed their team within 6-2 with 13:21 left in the second quarter. But the Orange seemed to take a firm hold on the lead by scoring four times in a four-minute-and-36-second span.

UAlbany turned the ball over in its offensive end which led to Desko’s fastbreak goal. The Great Danes were whistled for unnecessary roughness on the same play and Hardy canned an extra-man shot 22 seconds later. Keogh added his second and third goals of the half, the first off a failed clear and the second on a rebound in front of the cage.


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#20 UAlbany (6-5) 1 1 8 3 - 13

#4 Syracuse (10-2) 5 5 1 4 - 15

UAlbany – Scoring: Corey Small 4-0, Joe Resetarits 4-0, Brian Caufield 1-5, Rocky Bonitatibus 1-1, Dave Brock 1-0, Matthew Cushing 1-0, Luke Cometti 1-0, John Alpizar 0-2, Derek Kreuzer 0-1, Joe Pompo 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Drew DiCiociio (30:00, 7 saves, 10 GA), John Carroll (30:00, 5 saves, 5 GA).

Syracuse – Scoring: Dan Hardy 3-2, Stephen Keogh 3-2, Matt Abbott 2-0, Tim Desko 2-0, Patrick Perritt 1-1, Scott Kahoe 1-0, Josh Amidon 1-0, Chris Daniello 1-0, Team 1-0, Kenny Nims 0-4; Goalkeeper(s): John Galloway (60:00, 4 saves, 13 GA).

Paw Prints: UAlbany’s Corey Small became the 10th player in the program’s history to reach the 100-career goal mark (100) ... Small is tied for ninth with Mike Tesoriero (1992-93) on the career goals chart ... Brian Caufield had six points, including a season-high five assists ... freshman Joe Resetarits had four goals, one his career-high, and has scored multiple times against eight opponents this season ... Matthew Cushing, a freshman who attended East Syracuse-Minoa High School, has a happy homecoming ... Cushing won 10 of 17 face-offs and scored his first collegiate goal in the third quarter ... Cushing also made his first trip to the postgame press conference, “I was just trying to win face-offs and create momentum. The team got up after my goal.”

Men's Lacrosse Embarrassed In America East Showdown On Seniors' Day

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Senior midfielder Peet Poillon scored four goals in leading nationally-ranked UMBC to a 15-7 America East Conference victory over UAlbany on Saturday, April 11 at John Fallon Field. The Retrievers, who are No. 7 in the latest USILA coaches’ poll, moved into sole possession of first place in the conference standings.

UMBC (9-2, AE 3-0) took control from the start with six unanswered goals in the first quarter. Poillon, an Ohio State transfer, connected on a sidearm bounce shot from the right point with two minutes and 14 seconds elapsed. Alex Hopmann, who had two goals and one assist, moved in from the top and scored from 12 yards out. Following a successful clear, Jamie Kimbles hit the top left corner for a 3-0 lead.

The Retrievers, who extended their winning streak to six straight, scored twice in a one-minute-and-five-second span late in the period. Poillon registered his third tally of the stanza when he deposited a ground ball from the top of the crease. Freshman Sean McKenna ended the outburst when he fired a shot from the right point past starting goalkeeper Dan McKeon.

UAlbany (6-4, AE 2-1) tried to regroup with a pair of goals to start the second quarter. Joe Resetarits, who totaled two goals and one assist, finished off a man-advantage play. Luke Cometti, a freshman midfielder, then drove from the left and canned a bounce shot into the upper left corner.

However, the Retrievers countered with four consecutive goals in a four-minute stretch. Matt Latham started that run when he spun to his left shoulder from the top of the crease. Kyle Wimer scored off a failed clear in an extra-man situation. Rob Grimm found the net off a pass from behind and Bobby Stockton moved to the middle of the field and switched to his left hand in finding the net.

The Retrievers, who have not lost in America East regular-season play since the 2007 campaign and have held 24 of 30 conference opponents to single-digit goals, held as much as a 14-4 lead early in the final period. Poillon tallied his 21st of the season with 5:55 left in the third quarter. Hopmann rifled a shot over the goalkeeper’s head off Poillon’s feed with 48 seconds gone in the final period.

“Things didn’t go our way early; we had some opportunities we didn’t capitalize on,” said UAlbany coach Scott Marr, whose team lost a one-goal decision to UMBC in last year’s conference championship final. “The ground balls tell the story. They are the kings of the conference and they took it to us.”

UMBC goalkeeper Jeremy Blevins made 10 saves. His team won 16 of 26 face-offs. UAlbany’s Corey Small, who was returning from a leg injury that kept him out of the last four games, scored twice in the second half.

“They shocked us a bit with that start,” offered UAlbany long-stick midfielder Chris Schongar, whose team allowed 34 of the UMBC’s 50 shots on the cage in the opening half. “It took awhile for us to get going. We have to keep our heads. We still have some work to do with Vermont and Stony Brook left on our conference schedule.”

UAlbany, UMBC meet with first place on line

When the University of Albany men's lacrosse team gathered for fall workouts, head coach Scott Marr gave a DVD to each returning senior.

It was required, if depressing, viewing: the 14-13 loss at Maryland-Baltimore County in the America East championship game last May. The Great Danes blew an 11-2 lead and missed the NCAA Tournament.

"Every day since fall ball, coach has been telling us, 'UMBC, remember UMBC,' " said sophomore defenseman Mike Banks, who eventually got a copy. "We just fell apart and we'll never forget that game."

UAlbany (6-3) gets another shot against the seventh-ranked Retrievers (8-2) at 1 p.m. Saturday on John Fallon Field with the America East regular-season title likely at stake. While Marr said there's been less emphasis this week on last year's defeat, it's never far from his mind. "It definitely still burns you, there's no question," Marr said.

This is the final regular-season home game for the Great Danes, who almost certainly have to win if they're to play on Fallon Field again this season.

UMBC and UAlbany are tied for first in the America East at 2-0, and the regular-season champion will host the league tournament from April 29-May 2. "It's a huge game, there's no doubt," Marr said. "Just for our confidence and for us going forward into the America East playoffs, to let them know we're not going away."

UAlbany could get a boost with the return of all-conference attack Corey Small, who has missed the past four games with a leg injury that developed an infection after surgery.

"It's looking good," said Marr. "It's a gametime decision. The doctors are going to be here in the morning." Yet the Great Danes are still decimated by injuries in the midfield. Mark Cometti (broken leg), Ryan Ivory (headaches), Kyle Crotty (broken thumb) and Derek Kreuzer (broken thumb) will all miss Saturday's game. Kreuzer had surgery on Friday after hurting his thumb in Wednesday's practice.

"You lose four guys of that caliber, now we're really stretching into our freshmen and sophomores," Marr said. "You don't want to cry about it."

UMBC is led by Ohio State transfer Peet Poillon, who has 17 goals, and All-America goalkeeper Jeremy Blevins. UMBC has a 6-3 lead in the series with UAlbany, but the Great Danes have won the past two times they've played in Albany.

UAlbany freshman attack Joe Resetarits, who leads the team with 21 goals, will taste the rivalry for the first time. "How everyone's ready for this game is pretty exciting," he said.


What: America East men's lacrosse
Who: UAlbany (6-3 overall, 2-0 America East) vs. UMBC (8-2, 2-0)
When/where: 1 p.m. Saturday, John Fallon Field, UAlbany

By MARK SINGELAIS

University of Albany's Joe Resetarits Named America East Rookie of the Week For 4th Time; UAbany Ranked in Both National Polls - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – University at Albany’s Joe Resetarits has been named America East Conference Rookie of the Week in men’s lacrosse, as announced on Monday, April 6 by the conference office. Resetarits, a freshman from Hamburg, N.Y., earned the weekly award for the fourth time this season.

Resetarits, whose older brother was an first-team All-American for the Great Danes, had three goals and one assist in his team’s 9-8 come-from-behind victory over conference-rival Hartford on April 1. He added one goal and a career-best two assists in last Saturday’s loss to nationally-ranked Johns Hopkins. Resetarits, who has totaled three or more points in six consecutive games, is America East’s top freshman scorer with 28 points (21 goals, 7 assists).

Despite falling to Johns Hopkins on April 4, UAlbany is still ranked in both national men’s lacrosse polls. The Great Danes are 18th in the USILA poll and No. 19 by Nike/Inside Lacrosse.

UAlbany (6-3, AE 2-0) and UMBC (8-2, AE 2-0) will battle for first place in the America East Conference standings on Saturday, April 11 at John Fallon Field. The Retrievers are No. 6 in the USILA rankings and No. 7 in the Nike/Inside Lacrosse poll. The conference matchup will be televised in the Capital Region on Time Warner Cable (TW3), with Greg Tobben and Andrew Catalon handling the play-by-play duties.

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USILA COACHES POLL: 1. Virginia, 2. Princeton, 3. Cornell, 4. Notre Dame, 5. Hofstra, 6. Syracuse, 7. UMBC, 8. Duke, 9. Johns Hopkins, 10. North Carolina, 11. Brown, 12. Maryland, 13. Navy, 14. Massachusetts, t15. Loyola, t15. Colgate, t15. Harvard, 18. Albany, t19. Georgetown, t19. Bucknell.



NIKE/INSIDE LACROSSE: 1. Virginia, 2. Princeton, 3. Cornell, 4. Notre Dame, 5. Syracuse, 6. UMBC, 7. Hofstra, 8. Duke, 9. Johns Hopkins, 10. North Carolina, 11. Brown, 12. Navy, 13. Maryland, 14. Massachusetts, 15. Colgate, 16. Loyola, 17. Harvard, 18. Georgetown, 19. Albany, 20. Bucknell.

Johns Hopkins Defeats UAlbany, 14-9, in Matchup of National Top-20 Men's Lacrosse Teams

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Baltimore, Md. – Chris Boland scored five goals, one off his career-high, in leading Johns Hopkins to a 14-9 victory over UAlbany in a battle of national top-20 teams on Saturday, April 4 at Homewood Field. The Blue Jays, who are ranked No. 11 in both national polls, ended a three-game skid, including an overtime loss to North Carolina in their last outing one week ago.

Johns Hopkins (4-4) led 3-2 heading into the second quarter, but then dominated the period with four unanswered. Michael Kimmel scored with 10 seconds elapsed when he ran diagonally to send a shot past goalkeeper John Carroll after his team won the face-off. Mark Bryan, one of four JHU players with multiple goals, went by a UAlbany midfielder and switched to his left hand for a 5-2 lead with 8:41 left before the intermission.

Kyle Wharton, who missed the second half of the North Carolina game due to an injury, added another goal 44 seconds later when he faked and rifled a shot into the upper corner while falling down. Senior midfielder Brian Christopher gave his club a 7-2 margin when he drove down the left side of the box. The Blue Jays, using winds that gusted to 30 miles per hour to their advantage, ripped 18 of a total 39 shots at the cage in the quarter.

In the third period, Bryan and Boland found the net eight seconds apart for a 9-2 lead. Bryan drilled a 12-yard shot from the right side on his team’s first possession of the half. Matt Dolente, who won all eight face-offs in the quarter, gained the following draw and set up Boland in a 4-on-3 situation. The Blue Jays, whose three consecutive losses coming into the contest were by a combined five goals, held a six- to seven-goal cushion early into the final stanza.

UAlbany (6-3) trailed 12-5, but then made a run by scoring three consecutive times. Brian Caufield tallied back-to-back goals in a 33-second span. He used a pick to place a shot over the goalkeeper’s left shoulder and went high into the net with his second goal. Derek Kreuzer connected with the man-advantage when Caufield found him from the top with 11:05 remaining. Caufield finished with three goals and one assist.

The Great Danes, who were playing without injured top goal-scorer Corey Small for the fourth straight contest, looked to cut into the deficit even more when JHU’s Dolente took a slashing penalty. But freshman Rocky Bonitatibus turned the ball over in the extra-man situation. The Blue Jays, who have captured nine NCAA national championships, including the 2007 title, ended the threat with one of their three man-advantage goals. Christopher moved in from the right wing, his 13th of the season, for a 13-8 lead with 8:11 to play.

“We made a couple of critical errors in the second quarter and they took advantage,” said UAlbany coach Scott Marr, whose squad was playing its third national top-15 team this season. “We played well defensively since we didn’t have the ball (in that quarter). When we fell behind 9-2, we dug down, showed character, and competed. We played smart, but we were not able to convert the man-up and another fastbreak opportunity.”

Wharton and Christopher each had two goals for the Blue Jays, who helped head coach Dave Pietramala record his 100th win at the school. Pietramala’s teams improved to 37-4 in the month of April. UAlbany’s Kreuzer scored a pair of goals, while freshman Joe Resetarits added one goal and two assists.

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#18 UAlbany (6-3) 2 0 3 4 - 9

#11 Johns Hopkins (4-4) 3 4 4 3 - 14

UAlbany – Scoring: Brian Caufield 3-1, Derek Kreuzer 2-0, Joe Resetarits 1-2, Joe Pompo 1-1, Dave Brock 1-1, Luke Cometti 1-0; Goalkeeper(s): John Carroll (60:00, 3 saves, 14 GA).

Johns Hopkins – Scoring: Chris Boland 5-0, Mark Bryan 2-0, Kyle Wharton 2-0, Brian Christopher 2-0, Michael Kimmel 1-1, Josh Peck 1-0, Tom Palasek 1-0, Steven Boyle 0-3, Matt Dolente 0-2, Mark Goodrich 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Michael Gvozden (60:00, 5 saves, 9 GA).