Great Danes Earn Softball Three-Peat - America East Champions

BOSTON -- Fourth-seeded Albany becomes only the second team in America East history to win three-straight titles as the Great Danes captured a 6-4 win over No. 2 UMBC in the title game of the 2007 America East Softball Championship at Boston University Field in Boston, Mass. The Great Danes capture the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and will learn their opponent on Sunday evening's selection show live on ESPNews between 3 and 4 p.m.

Albany becomes the lowest seed ever to win a conference title, pulling off three-straight upsets to earn the three-peat. The Great Danes join Hofstra as the only teams in conference history to win three-straight titles. The Pride accomplished this fete from 1998-2000.

In the title game, UMBC jumped out to an early 2-0 lead as Amanda Fefel cracked a two-run homer to left field. The Great Danes answered in the home-half of the first as Meagan Butsch smoked a three-run shot to give Albany a 3-2 lead. The Retrievers rallied scoring a pair in the top of the fifth. Once again, the Danes had an answer scoring two in the bottom of the fifth, including Meagan Butsch's single that drove in the go-ahead run. They would add an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth.

In the day's first game, UMBC's Krissy Licursi cracked a three-run walk-off home run to erase a 2-0 deficit and lift the Retrievers to a 3-2 win over No. 3 Hartford and advanced UMBC to the title game against No. 4 Albany.

Albany's Casey Halloran tossed a pair of complete-game wins including a win in the title game to earn her second-straight America East Championship Most Outstanding Player. Below is a list of the entire all-championship team.

All Championship Team:
Amber Maisonet - Albany
Meagan Butsch - Albany
Leah McIntosh - Albany
Kelly Ogden - Albany
Christy Leath - Boston University
Brandi Shields - Boston University
Brittney Stratton - Hartford
Nikki Thompson - Hartford
Kali Shirk - UMBC
Krissy Licursi - UMBC
Amanda Fefel - UMBC

Most Outstanding Player:
Casey Halloran - Albany

UALBANY MEETS LOYOLA IN NCAA TOURNAMENT'S FIRST ROUND AT JOHN FALLON FIELD

Albany, N.Y. – UAlbany will meet Loyola in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship on Sunday, May 13 at John Fallon Field. Face-off is 2:30 p.m. All opening round matchups will be televised nationally by ESPNU. The Great Danes, who won the America East Conference title to earn an automatic berth, earned the tournament’s No. 5 seed.

NCAA tickets will go on sale on Tuesday morning (May 8) at SEFCU Arena’s Merchandise Store on campus. The box office will be open from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. through Friday. Ticket prices are $5.00 for adults and students (all seats are general admission), while youth 12-under can purchase at ticket for $2.00. For ticket information, call 518-442-4683. Phone orders will be accepted and the athletic ticket office accepts Visa, MasterCard and Discover.

UAlbany (14-2) is making its fourth NCAA appearance in the last five years. The Great Danes edged UMBC, 15-14, in last Saturday’s conference championship. Frank Resetarits leads the nation in scoring with 54 goals and 21 assists, while Merrick Thomson, the league tournament’s most outstanding player, adds 49 goals and 12 assists.

“I am happy to be home and excited that we are seeded fifth,” said Thomson, whose team will be the first America East lacrosse program to host an NCAA contest. “This shows that we are starting to step out of Syracuse’s shadow and making a name for ourselves and the school.”

Loyola (7-5) returns to the NCAA field for the first time since 2001. The Greyhounds, who garnered an at-large berth with their second-place finish in the ECAC, are in the national tournament for the 15th time. Shane Koppens leads the team in scoring with 18 goals and 26 assists. Goalkeeper Alex Peaty has a 9.43 goals against average with a .562 save percentage.

UAlbany Softball advances to America East Championship game

Softball Advances to America East Conference Final in 2-0 Win Against UMBC

Boston, Mass. – Freshman Leah McIntosh fired a two-hit shutout in leading UAlbany to a 2-0 victory over UMBC in the second round of the America East Conference Tournament on Friday afternoon at BU Softball Field. The Great Danes advanced to Saturday’s championship, scheduled for 1:30 p.m., in this double-elimination event.

UAlbany (32-15) survived a three-hour-and-20-minute rain delay en route to reaching the championship final for the fourth time in the last five years. McIntosh allowed just singles in the second and fifth innings in recording her third shutout of the season. She only appeared to be in trouble in the first by allowing a lead-off walk to shortstop Dana Shepherd. Kali Shirk then smacked a line drive to left field that outfielder Amber Maisonet tracked down with an over-the-shoulder catch near the base of the fence. Shepherd was then caught stealing and McIntosh struck out Melanie Denischuk for the third out.

The Great Danes, the tournament’s fourth seed, broke up a scoreless tie in the sixth. Center fielder Nicole Kothe started the uprising with a single, before Michelle Connors (Shenendehowa) reached base on an error by third baseman Ashleigh Robinson. Kelly Ogden then delivered a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Kothe. Meagan Butsch, who homered in Thursday’s 2-1 first-round win over top-seed Boston U., plated an insurance run when she tripled down the right-field line.

“That play by Amber (Maisonet) changed the tone of the game,” said UAlbany coach Chris Cannata, whose program will now play for its third consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. “It’s been a roller-coaster season with all these freshmen. We have had to play the last three weeks like it was the playoffs. Now that we are here, we seem relaxed and are playing with composure.”

McIntosh, who improved to 10-5 on the season, upped her consecutive inning scoreless streak to 17 straight. The right-hander struck out six and walked one against UMBC (31-17), a club that was averaging 5.5 runs prior to the contest and had swept the three-game regular-season series with the Great Danes. Ashley Gray was the tough-luck loser, as she scattered five hits and registered three strikeouts in a complete-game effort.

“I think we are in a position where we have been playing like there’s nothing to lose,” explained Ogden, a senior who drove in the game-winning run by swinging at the first pitch she saw that was up in the strike zone. “We have a couple of veterans and lot of freshmen who have stepped it up. In the first inning, the team’s confidence grew with some great defensive plays.”

-agate-

America East Conference Softball Championship – Second Round

UMBC (31-17) 000 000 0 - 0 2 2

UAlbany (32-15) 000 002 x - 2 5 0

Ashley Gray and Krissy Licursi.

Leah McIntosh and Kat Smith.

Softball Upends Top-Seed Boston U. in First Round of America East Conference Championship

Boston, Mass. - Shortstop Meagan Butsch cracked a solo home run to lead off the top of the fourth inning that proved to be the difference as UAlbany earned a 2-1 win over top-seed Boston U. in the opening round of the America East Softball Championship on Thursday afternoon at Boston University Softball Field.

The Great Danes got on the board first in the third inning, as leftfielder Amber Maisonet knocked a two-out double to left field. Nicole Kothe was hit by a pitch in the next at-bat to put two runners aboard. Second baseman Michelle Connors, an all-conference rookie team selection, drove an RBI single up the middle to score Maisonet that gave her team a 1-0 lead.
Boston U. (34-13), the America East regular-season champion, responded in the bottom of the frame, as third baseman Brooke Hudson reached on a single through the middle of the infield. Second baseman Brandi Shields followed with a base hit to put runners in scoring position. Shayne Lotito reached on an error by UAlbany third baseman Kelly Ogden that allowed Hudson scored on the play. UAlbany’s Casey Halloran struck out Boston U.'s Rachel Hebert to end the inning with three runners left on base.
Halloran, a four-time all-conference hurler, tossed a complete game for the Great Danes, improving her record to 17-9. Halloran allowed just one unearned run, striking out eight in seven innings of work.
"It was a total team effort," said Halloran, who recorded her 14th complete game of the season. "My catcher called a great game, my first baseman was talking to me the whole time, my left fielder caught a ball at the fence and my shortstop hit a home run to win the game. I felt like I didn't have many strikeouts, but I felt my team was behind me all the way."
Butsch, who belted her sixth homer of the season, drew two walks in the game. Shields had two hits for the Terriers, who had won 18 of their 22 outings coming into the contest. Megan Currier, now 18-5 overall, tossed a complete game, fanning three in seven innings on the mound.
"It was a very well-played game by both teams," said UAlbany head coach Chris Cannata, who has led her team to six straight 30-win seasons and back-to-back America East championships. "It was a pitching duel the entire game. Casey got the outs for us when we needed them. There were a lot of base runners for both teams, and we bared down when the pressure was on."
UAlbany (31-15) will take on UMBC in the America East championship’s second round on Friday at 11:00 a.m.
-agate-

America East Conference Softball Championship – First Round
UAlbany (31-15) 001 100 0 - 2 5 1
Boston U. (34-13) 001 000 0 - 1 4 1
Casey Halloran and Kat Smith. Megan Currier and Christy Leath.

Softball Seeded Fourth for America East Conference Championship on May 10-12

UAlbany has earned the fourth seed for this week’s America East Conference Softball Championship. The Great Danes made the tournament field with two wins over Stony Brook in the final regular-season series of the season last weekend. The championship will be held at the Boston University Softball Field. The America East champion receives an automatic berth in the NCAA field.

UAlbany (30-15, AE 11-9) tangles with No. 1 seed and regular-season champion Boston U. (34-12, AE 17-3) in the first round of the double-elimination tournament on Thursday, May 10 at 1:00 p.m. The Terriers won 2-of-3 in the regular-season series between the two teams that took place on March 31 and April 1.

UMBC (30-16, AE 13-8) earned the No. 2 seed and will face No. 3 seeded Hartford (22-25, AE 12-8) also on Thursday, at 4:00 p.m.. The second round of play will take place on Friday, with the championship being played on Saturday at noon.

The Great Danes, who have reached the 30-win mark in six consecutive seasons, returns to America East postseason play after winning two consecutive conference championships in 2005 and 2006.

2007 America East Conference Softball Championship

(played at Boston University Softball Field)

Thursday, May 10, 2007
Game 1: #1 Boston University vs. #4 UAlbany, 1:00 p.m.
Game 2: #2 UMBC vs. #3 Hartford, 4:00 p.m.

Friday, May 11, 2007
Game 3: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 11:00 a.m.
Game 4: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 1:30 p.m.
Game 5: Loser Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 12, 2007
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5 (championship), 12:00 p.m.
Game 7: If necessary (to follow Game 6), 2:30 p.m.

UAlbany Athletes Honored At Seventh Annual Great Dane Awards

University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy presented Ashley DeNeal, Kate Fontana and Ryan Chrobak with ECAC Merit Medals on Monday evening at the seventh annual Great Dane Awards, held at SEFCU Arena on campus. The event celebrates UAlbany Athletics in the 2006-07 academic year. Presidential Scholar-Athlete Awards were given to Stephan Hall and Alyssa Lotmore. Each of the 19 intercollegiate men’s and women’s teams handed out their most valuable player awards.

ECAC Merit Medals are annually awarded to the school’s top senior male and female student-athletes who have shown excellence in the classroom and as competitive athletes during the current academic year. Presidential Scholar-Athlete Awards are presented to the Department of Athletics’ top students.

DeNeal, a senior outside hitter on the women’s volleyball team, has a 3.57 cumulative grade point average in a dual major of criminal justice and psychology. DeNeal was named the 2006 America East Conference Championship’s Most Outstanding Player after leading the Great Danes to a five-game, come-from-behind victory over UMBC in the tournament championship. DeNeal, a first-team all-conference selection for the second year in a row, led the program to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances during her career.

Fontana, a senior midfielder on the women’s lacrosse squad, has a 3.72 GPA in criminal justice. She is the first player in the program’s history to be chosen to the All-America East Conference team in four consecutive years, including three first-team selections. Fontana had 38 goals and eight assists for the Great Danes, who made their first-ever appearance in the conference championship game. She finishes her career as the school’s all-time scorer with 156 goals and 36 assists for 192 points.

Chrobak, who had a 3.56 GPA as an undergraduate, is currently enrolled in UAlbany’s criminal justice program. He was voted the football program’s top defensive back for the third straight year after making 43 tackles and recording a team-high nine pass break-ups. UAlbany posted a 7-4 record and finished second in the Northeast Conference standings. Chrobak, who had 188 tackles, 29 pass break-ups and six interceptions as a collegian, was voted to the 2006 Division I FCS Athletic Directors Academic All-Star Team.

Hall, who is pursuing a master’s degree in information technology systems, was a two-time All-America East Conference midfielder in men’s soccer. He started 74 career matches and totaled 10 goals and 15 assists. Hall was named to the ESPN The Magazine University Division Men’s Soccer Academic All-America national first team for the second consecutive year. He earned his B.S. in urban planning last May with a 3.98 cumulative GPA and received the Chancellor’s Scholar-Athlete Award.

Lotmore, a senior distance runner on the women’s track and field and cross country teams, has a 3.85 GPA in social welfare. Lotmore won two events at the 2007 America East Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships by finishing first in the 3,000- and 5,000-meter runs. She posted a season-best time of 9:51.40 in the 3,000 and was first across the line in the 5,000 by nearly 24 seconds. Lotmore was named to the America East indoor track all-academic team.

UAlbany Wins America East Conference Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships

Joe Greene was named the championship’s most outstanding performer as UAlbany captured its fourth America East Conference men’s track and field championship in the last five years on Sunday, May 6 at UMBC Stadium Complex. The Great Danes also won the women’s championship for the second consecutive year.

Greene, a sophomore, placed first in the 400-meter dash and 400-hurdles for the second year in a row, plus was a member of the winning 4x400 relay, as the Great Danes set a meet record with 268 points. UAlbany held the previous standard with 230 points in 2003. Greene sprinted the 400-dash in a school and championship record of 47.09 seconds. He posted a 400-hurdles’ time of 52.95 seconds.

Junior Burnett earned the Coaches’ Award by scoring 23 points, as he won the 100-meter dash and was a member of two winning relays. Burnett crossed the finish line in the 100 with a time of 10.90 seconds. He ran the second leg on the 4x100 relay that was clocked in 41.37. Burnett teamed with Weider, Greene and Gered Burns to set a meet record in the 4x400 relay of 3:10.85.

Burns was among six individual men’s champions on the day, as he took the 800-meter crown in 1:50.15. Pat Weider was first in the 200-dash (21.76) and ran the lead-off leg on both winning relays. Freddie Wills won the triple jump with a leap of 46-feet, 10-inches. Renauld Buck was second in the shot put (48-2.50) and David Parker finished third in the decathlon with 5,830 points.

UAlbany recorded its second straight women’s track title by scoring 162 points. The Great Danes, who were in fourth place in the standings after the first day, edged New Hampshire for the crown. Jessica Ortman captured her second consecutive 1,500-meter championship with a time of 4:29.65. Ortman, a sophomore, also had a pair of second-place showings in the 800-meters and 3,000m steeplechase. Adanna Andrews held on against her teammate to win the 800 in 2:11.28. Brenna Militello won the high jump with a mark 5-feet, 7-inches after finishing fifth last year.

The Great Danes showed balance with five athletes taking second in their respective events. Anisha Andrews posted a time of 56.76 in the 400-dash and was six-hundredths of a second behind champion Keisha Short of Binghamton. Kamilah McShine (100-hurdles), Sarah Charles (triple jump), Ritshell Verdier (discus) and Valerie Maignan (heptathlon) were also second.

America East Conference Men’s Track & Field Championship

1. UAlbany 268, 2. New Hampshire 154, 3. UMBC 113, 4. Binghamton 100, 5. Boston U. 82, 6. Stony Brook 57, 7. Maine 45, 8. Vermont 25, 9. Hartford 11.

America East Conference Women’s Track & Field Championship

1. UAlbany 162, 2. New Hampshire 156, 3. Boston U. 139.50, 4. Vermont 110.50, 5. Binghamton 101, 6. Maine 73, 7. UMBC 70, 8. Stony Brook 31, 9. Hartford 14.

UAlbany Hosts Loyola in NCAA Lacrosse Tournament's First Round on Sunday, May 13

UAlbany will meet Loyola in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship on Sunday, May 13 at John Fallon Field. Face-off is 2:30 p.m. All opening round matchups will be televised nationally by ESPNU. The Great Danes, who won the America East Conference title to earn an automatic berth, earned the tournament’s No. 5 seed.

NCAA tickets will go on sale on Tuesday morning (May 8) at SEFCU Arena’s Merchandise Store on campus. The box office will be open from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. through Friday. Ticket prices will be announced. For ticket information, call 518-442-4683. Phone orders will be accepted and the athletic ticket office accepts Visa, MasterCard and Discover.

UAlbany (14-2) is making its fourth NCAA appearance in the last five years. The Great Danes edged UMBC, 15-14, in last Saturday’s conference championship. Frank Resetarits leads the nation in scoring with 54 goals and 21 assists, while Merrick Thomson, the league tournament’s most outstanding player, adds 49 goals and 12 assists.

“I am happy to be home and excited that we are seeded fifth,” said Thomson, whose team will be the first America East lacrosse program to host an NCAA contest. “This shows that we are starting to step out of Syracuse’s shadow and making a name for ourselves and the school.”

Loyola (7-5) returns to the NCAA field for the first time since 2001. The Greyhounds, who garnered an at-large berth with their second-place finish in the ECAC, are in the national tournament for the 15th time. Shane Koppens leads the team in scoring with 18 goals and 26 assists. Goalkeeper Alex Peaty has a 9.43 goals against average with a .562 save percentage.

Men's Lacrosse Advances to America East Conference Championship Final for Sixth Straight Year

Merrick Thomson scored a season-high seven goals, including five in the first half, to lead UAlbany to a 17-5 victory over Stony Brook in the semifinal round of the America East Conference Tournament on Thursday evening before 1,288 fans at John Fallon Field. The Great Danes advanced to the Saturday’s championship. UMBC defeated Binghamton, 11-7, in the other semifinal contest.

UAlbany (13-2) used a run of nine unanswered goals to erase an early 1-0 deficit. The Great Danes scored five times in a five-minute-and-40-second span of the first quarter to go ahead. Frank Resetarits buried a shot from the right side before Thomson connected with the man-advantage. Corey Small, who totaled three goals and two assists, found the net off a rebound when SBU goalkeeper Brendan Callahan stopped Thomson from point-blank range. Thomson completed that outburst when he netted Derek Dale’s crossing pass.

The Great Danes, who will play in their sixth consecutive America East championship final, would push their margin to 9-1 midway through the second period. Small, a sophomore attacker, scored twice in that stretch, including a drive from the right side that he finished off with his left hand by placing a shot inside the left post. Dale ended that decisive run by hitting a bounce shot after Thomson came up a ground ball to keep the play alive.

Thomson, who posted the second-highest point total of his career, added an extra-man goal in the third period. He gave his team a 14-5 lead with 9:11 left when he scored from the top of the crease off Small’s feed from the right.

“We were ready to play,” said Thomson, who last scored seven goals against Binghamton on April 9, 2005. “We wanted to put the two losses we had in the last part of the season behind us. The conference tournament is a new season and the seniors do not want to go out without a championship.”

Owen Adams, a junior midfielder, finished with three goals for Stony Brook (8-5), the tournament’s fourth seed. Larry Cerasi and Ryan Hughes added the other goals, while Callahan had 11 of his 15 saves in the opening half.

“UAlbany is bigger, faster, and stronger (than us) right now,” explained Seawolves coach Rick Sowell, whose team suffered a 14-5 setback to the Great Danes during the regular season. “They’re pretty darn good – good seniors, good coaching. I give UAlbany all the praise, they played well very tonight.”

UAlbany’s Resetarits finished with a pair of goals to extend his consecutive game scoring streak to 46 straight. Dale added one goal and two assists as 11 Great Danes reached the scoring column. Brett Queener, who made his first start in goal since April 20 after injuring his ankle, made eight saves and had two assists as an attacker on the extra-man unit.

“This has been a tough week,” said UAlbany coach Scott Marr, whose team tied the conference tournament record for victory margin set by Delaware in 2000. “We had to get back to business, refocus, and stoke that fire. Merrick (Thomson) and Frank (Resetarits) have been there for us for four years. The championship game should be entertaining. Both teams feel they have been the best two in the conference throughout the year.”

Oakland Raiders sign U of Albany alum Campbell

Raiders to sign Campbell

Former University at Albany football player Kurt Campbell will sign a free-agent contract with Oakland today. Campbell, a linebacker, will report to the team's minicamp on Friday.

Campbell became the first Great Dane to be chosen in the NFL draft when he was taken in the seventh round by the Green Bay Packers in 2005. Campbell, who was the 245th player selected, was released by the Packers on March 19.

A native of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Campbell earned four varsity letters as a UAlbany defender from 2001-04. He finished his career with 120 tackles.

Men's Lacrosse Places Ten Players on America East All-Conference Squad

University at Albany’s Frank Resetarits leads a group of 10 players who were voted to the 2007 America East All-Conference Men’s Lacrosse Team, as announced on Wednesday, May 2 by the conference office at the tournament championship banquet. Resetarits was chosen the America East Player of the Year, while Scott Marr was named Coach of the Year.

Resetarits, a senior attacker, leads the nation in goals and scoring with 65 points on 46 goals and 19 assists. He becomes the first Great Dane since Luke Daquino in 2003 to be picked as the conference’s top player. A native of Hamburg, N.Y., he has netted four or more goals against seven opponents this season. Resetarits, who makes his third consecutive appearance on the all-league first team, leads all NCAA Division I scorers with 227 career points (148 goals, 79 assists). His 45-game scoring streak is the second-longest nationally.

Merrick Thomson is a member of the all-conference squad for the fourth consecutive year. Thomson, a senior attacker from Stoney Creek, Ontario, has 39 goals and 10 assists entering postseason play. He scored five goals on three occasions this season. Thomson is third on the school’s all-time scoring list with 224 points (171 goals, 53 assists).

Jordan Levine, Brett Queener and Craig McDonald joined Resetarits and Thomson on the all-conference first team. Levine and Queener are on the first unit for the second straight year. Levine, a junior midfielder, has accounted for 18 goals, 12 assists and a team-leading 59 ground balls. Queener, who is in his second season as the program’s starting goalkeeper, has a 9.34 goals against average and a .514 save percentage. He also plays on the extra-man grouping as an attacker. McDonald, a junior defenseman who was a second-team selection in 2006, has 41 ground balls with a pair of goals.

Steve Ammann, Mike Ammann, Derek Dale, Garrett Pedley and Tom Trapani were each named to the All-America East second team. Dale, a junior attacker, is third on the team in scoring with 17 goals and 16 assists. Mike Ammann (9 goals, 14 assists) and Steve Ammann (11 goals, 7 assists) have been productive as junior midfielders. Trapani, a senior, and Pedley, a sophomore, are starters on defense that is allowing 9.21 goals per game.

In addition, Thomson, Pedley and the Ammann brothers earned a spot on the America East men’s lacrosse all-academic team. Freshman Kyle Brunk was selected to the all-rookie squad.

UAlbany’s Marr receives the conference’s top coaching award for the second time. Marr, who also was tabbed in 2002, led the Great Danes to a share of the America East regular-season crown. UAlbany established school records for most wins in a season (12) and the program’s all-time mark for consecutive victories (11), breaking a standard that had stood since 1972. The Great Danes have won 10 or more games in four of the last five seasons and made three NCAA appearances.

UAlbany Softball Sweeps Crosstown-Rival Siena in Non-Conference Action

Senior third baseman Kelly Ogden finished 6-for-8 with five runs scored, three RBI, a double, a triple and a home run to lead UAlbany to a doubleheader sweep of crosstown-rival Siena in non-conference softball action on Tuesday afternoon at Siena Field. The Great Danes won the opener, 8-1, and took the nightcap by a score of 11-4.

Ogden hit her 10th home run of the season in the first game, driving a two-run shot over the left field fence in the first inning. The Great Danes added another run in the top of the second, as designated player Marissa Powell led off the frame with a triple and was driven home by an RBI single by Kat Smith.

Senior hurler Casey Halloran, who earned her 15th win of the season, did not allow a run by the Saints until the fifth inning when Elyssa Michaels homered to left centerfield. Halloran finished with four strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work for UAlbany (28-14). Smith finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI in the game.

Ogden led five Great Danes with multiple hits in the nightcap, as UAlbany recorded 15 total hits. Centerfielder Nicole Kothe finished with two hits, including her third homer of the season, with two runs scored and three RBI. Freshman shortstop Shane Pais finished 3-for-4, scored two runs and drove in another for the Great Danes.

Powell earned her fourth win of the season, going four innings on the mound for UAlbany. Leah McIntosh tossed the final three innings in relief, fanning six.

Third baseman Jennifer Granato finished 4-for-4 with one run scored and one RBI for Siena (9-21). Senior Jannelle Iaquinto took the loss for the Saints, fanning three across six innings.

The Great Danes return to action this weekend, hosting Stony Brook in a conference series, starting with a doubleheader on Saturday.

UALBANY SOFTBALL SWEEPS MANHATTAN IN NON-CONFERENCE DOUBLEHEADER

Albany, N.Y - Sophomore shortstop Meagan Butsch recorded a grand slam to lead UAlbany to a 9-3 win over Manhattan in the second game of a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon. The Great Danes won the first game by a score of 8-0 in five innings.
Butsch's homer, her second of the day, paced a five-run third inning that gave UAlbany a 6-1 lead. The Great Danes increased their advantage to 8-2 with three runs in the fifth inning, led by a three-run homer by senior third baseman Kelly Ogden.
Manhattan (2-31) was led by senior first baseman Candice Sheridan, who hit two solo homers of her own in the game. Senior Liz Pennino took the loss for the Jaspers, fanning six. Freshman Marissa Powell earned her third win of the season for UAlbany, recording a six-strikeout, seven-inning performance.
UAlbany (22-11) scored a run in every inning in the early game as senior hurler Casey Halloran tossed a complete-game shutout, fanning nine batters.
The Great Danes started the game with a four-run first inning, led by a two-run double by Ogden followed by Butsch's first homer of the day over the centerfield fence. Freshman Michelle Connors recorded an RBI single in the second inning, and Butsch drove a triple to center to lead off the third.
UAlbany ended the game with two runs scored in the fourth, on a double by Ogden. The Jaspers were unable to score in the top of the fifth to end the game on account of the eight-run rule.
Senior Kristin Gelsleichter took the loss for the Jaspers, after fanning four in four innings pitched.
The Great Danes return to action on Saturday, as they host Hartford in a three-game America East Conference series.

Men's Lacrosse Ranked No. 2 in USILA poll for Sixth Straight Week

Baltimore, Md. -- After recording a pair of road victories last week, UAlbany remains among the top three in both national men's lacrosse polls. The Great Danes are No. 2 in the U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Coaches' Poll for the sixth straight week. UAlbany is No. 3 in the Nike/Inside Lacrosse media rankings.

UAlbany (11-0) broke two school records in last Saturday’s 14-7 America East Conference victory against Vermont. The Great Danes established the program’s single-season victory mark. The 10-win standard was set in 1992, 2003, 2004 and 2005. UAlbany has also won 11 straight, breaking the consecutive win record that had stood since 1972. The Great Danes meet No. 16 Syracuse on Friday, April 20 in the Carrier Dome at 7:30 p.m. The contest will be televised in the Capital Region on Time Warner Cable (TW3).

USILA Coaches Top 20 Poll

1. Cornell, 2. UAlbany, 3. Duke, 4. Virginia, 5. Princeton, 6. Georgetown, 7. Johns Hopkins, 8. Maryland, 9. Navy, 10. North Carolina, 11. Notre Dame, 12. Bucknell, 13. UMBC, 14. Loyola, 15. Drexel, 16. Syracuse, 17. Towson, 18. Delaware, t19. Hofstra, t19. Army.

Nike/Inside Lacrosse Media Poll
1. Cornell, 2. Duke, 3. UAlbany, 4. Virginia, 5. Princeton, 6. Georgetown, 7. Johns Hopkins, t8. Maryland, t8. Navy, 10. North Carolina, 11. Notre Dame, 12. Bucknell, 13. Loyola, 14. UMBC, 15. Drexel, 16. Syracuse, 17. Towson, 18. Delaware, 19. Colgate, 20. Hofstra.

UAlbany Men's Basketball Banquet Scheduled for Saturday, May 5

Albany, N.Y. – A second consecutive championship season will be celebrated at the 2006-07 University at Albany men’s basketball program’s annual postseason awards banquet, on Saturday, May 5 at the Crowne Plaza on State & Lodge Streets in downtown Albany.

The Great Danes earned a NCAA Tournament berth for the second straight year and captured their second consecutive America East Conference championship. UAlbany (23-10) posted back-to-back 20-win campaigns for the first time since 1990.

The dinner and awards program begin at 6:30 p.m. The cost for dinner, which includes food and beverage, is $35.00 per person. Reservations can be made by contacting Jeremy Friel at 518-442-3036. The reservation deadline is May 2.

UAlbany’s senior class of Jamar Wilson, David Bauman and Jason Siggers will be honored at the event. Head coach Will Brown will also present team awards and show a video of this year’s championship season.

New UAlbany Athletics Website

The University at Albany athletic department has launched a new website, www.UAlbanySports.com. The complete transition is in process, and in the interim, both sites will be accessible to Great Danes fans. Starting Wednesday, April 11, you can redirect your browser to www.UAlbanySports.com for the latest in Great Dane news, results and notes. New features will include top stories, new athletic merchandise store, fan polls, e-newsletter, photo galleries, The Dane Zone (coming soon) and much more!

UALBANY STILL RANKED AMONG TOP THREE IN BOTH NATIONAL MEN'S LACROSSE POLLS

After defeating 18th-ranked Stony Brook last Saturday, UAlbany remains in the top three in both national men’s lacrosse polls. The Great Danes are No. 2 in the U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) coaches’ poll for the fifth straight week. UAlbany is No. 3 in the Nike/Inside Lacrosse media rankings for the second week in a row.

UAlbany (9-0, AE 3-0) is off to its best start as a Division I program. The Great Danes have won nine straight, their longest string of wins since 1972. UAlbany travels to non-league opponent Yale on Wednesday for a 7:00 p.m. face-off.

USILA Coaches' Poll: 1. Cornell, 2. UAlbany, 3. Virginia, 4. Duke, 5. Georgetown, 6. Princeton, 7. Maryland, 8. Navy, 9. Johns Hopkins, 10. North Carolina , 11. Notre Dame, 12. Bucknell, 13. Loyola, 14. Towson , 15. UMBC, 16. Drexel, 17. Delaware , 18. Syracuse , 19. Fairfield , 20. Brown.

Nike/Inside Lacrosse Media Poll: 1. Cornell, 2. Virginia, 3. UAlbany, 4. Duke, 5. Princeton, 6. Georgetown, 7. Maryland, 8. Navy, 9. North Carolina, 10. Johns Hopkins , 11. Notre Dame, 12. Loyola, 13. Bucknell, 14. UMBC, 15. Towson , 16. Drexel, 17. Syracuse , 18. Delaware , 19. Stony Brook, 20. Rutgers.

Wilson is ready for pro audition

Former UAlbany guard at Portsmouth Invitational

Three weeks after playing his final game for the University at Albany, Jamar Wilson will resume his basketball career tonight for ... Norfolk Naval Shipyard?

It might sound obscure, but it's a first step Wilson hopes will lead to big things professionally. Wilson is participating in the Portsmouth (Va.) Invitational Tournament, an event that will allow the 6-foot-1 guard to showcase his skills for scouts from the NBA's 30 teams.

"I'm really excited," said Wilson, UAlbany's career scoring leader with 2,164 points. "I'm ready to get going. It's been a long (three) weeks since I played, so I'm going to put the shoes on again and get after it."

Wilson, one of 64 players invited to Portsmouth, will play for Norfolk Naval Shipyard in the eight-team event that began Wednesday night. Wilson is guaranteed at least two games and perhaps more if his team reaches Saturday's championship game.
The tournament gives Wilson a chance to measure himself against players from bigger basketball schools.

Wilson's teammates include University of Massachusetts forward Rashaun Freeman, a Schenectady native, and Ohio State guard Ron Lewis, who played in Monday's national championship loss to Florida.

Norfolk Naval Shipyard plays at 9 tonight against Norfolk Sports Club, whose roster includes Florida center Chris Richard and Big Ten scoring champion Adam Haluska of Iowa."It's going to be a high level of competition, and that's something I look forward to," Wilson said.

The odds are against Wilson reaching the NBA. Of the 64 players invited to Portsmouth last year, nine are on NBA rosters. Four were selected in the draft's second round, and five signed as free agents.

Wilson has hired an agent, Michael Whitaker of Washington, who said the goal is to play well enough to be invited to the more prestigious NBA predraft camp May 28-June 3 in Orlando.

"Unless he comes (to Portsmouth) and plays awful, I believe he will get an invitation to the (Orlando) camp, as well," Whitaker said.

Wilson also can earn invitations to individual workouts with NBA teams that begin on June 5 and run until the draft on June 28 in New York. "I think (Wilson) has a great chance of playing at the next level," Whitaker said.

Wilson, a combination guard in college, has to show NBA teams he can play point guard exclusively. He also said he needs to showcase his outside shot.
Wilson will be accompanied this week by UAlbany assistant Pat Filien and then coach Will Brown, who said Wilson needs to assert himself.

"He's got to go down there and be very aggressive and make plays," Brown said. "He's got to play like we're playing Vermont in the (America East) championship game. This is his time to shine."Wilson said he's not going to pressure himself because he knows playing overseas is an option. "I'll be playing somewhere next year and put some money in my pocket," he said.

UALBANY MEN WIN FOURTH AMERICA EAST TRACK & FIELD CROWN IN PAST FIVE YEARS

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Boston, Mass. - Junior David Parker (Niskayuna) set a school record in the heptathlon, finishing first in the event, as the UAlbany men's track and field team won the America East Conference Indoor Track & Field Championship for the fourth time in the past five years on Saturday. The Great Danes tallied 203.5 points in the meet, breaking the previous meet record of 202 points, set by Northeastern in 1991. The two-day meet was held at Boston University's Track & Tennis Center.
Parker, who tallied 4,914 points and qualified for March's IC4A meet, won the heptathlon's 55-meter hurdles in 8.16 seconds and the pole vault with a height of 15-feet, 2.75-inches, and tied for first in the high jump with a leap of 6-feet, 4.75-inches. The previous school record in the heptathlon was held by Fred Frese, who registered 4,849 points in 2004.
The Great Danes earned three other victories in track events, with sophomore Pat Weider winning the 200-meters in 21.57 seconds and sophomore Jean Juste taking the 55-meter hurdles in 7.52 seconds. In addition, Weider was a member of the first-place 4x400-relay team, which also consisted of sophomore Andrew Overbaugh, freshman Nick Lemp and senior Junior Burnett. The relay registered a time of 3:16.99.
Burnett finished second in two individual events, clocking in at 6.42 seconds in the 55-meters and at 21.63 seconds in the 200-meters. Elsewhere, freshman John Moore (Fonda-Fultonville) finished second in the 800-meters in 1:50.83, his best time as a collegian, while Lemp came in third in the 500-meters in 1:05.40. Another school record was set by the 4x800 relay team, as Jared Jupin (Shaker), Ricardo Estremera, Joe Belokopitsky (Shaker) and Moore placed second in 7:38.73.
In field events, sophomore Mike McCadney won the triple jump with a leap of 49-feet, 1.75-inches. Sophomore Freddie Wills, who won Friday's long jump, finished second in the high jump with a distance of 6-feet, 7.5-inches, and came in third in the triple jump with a leap of 46-feet, 7.25-inches. Wills, who totaled 27 points, also had a sixth-place finish in the hurdles. Junior Renauld Buck placed second in the shot put with a throw of 50-feet even.
"I told our team that it was a privilege to coach them and that they have continued a winning tradition," said UAlbany coach Roberto Vives, a member of the America East coaching staff of the year. "It was a team effort all the way, especially to score that many points in both the long jump and triple jump. David Parker has become a bonafide multi-event athlete after competing in the heptathlon for the first time just two weeks ago. Freddie Wills had an exceptional meet by scoring in four different events."

**********

AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
MEN'S TEAM STANDINGS
1. UAlbany 203.5, 2. New Hampshire 128.5, 3. Boston U. 114, 4. Binghamton 92, 5. Maine 79, 6. UMBC 74, 7. Stony Brook 64, 8. Vermont 23, 9. Hartford 1.

Academia and the University:

Academia and the University:

The University at Albany enrolls close to 20,000 students, ranking it among the higher university and college enrollments in the nation. Numerous colleges and academic programs within the University at Albany have been voted to be among the top in the nation. In terms of enrollment and quality of academics, the University at Albany resembles the top colleges and universities participating in the NCAA division I athletics.


Officially, the University at Albany was born in 1844, as the State Normal School. It has held a few names, but has adopted the official name of today, the University at Albany. The University at Albany was officially designated by Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller as a University Center and doctoral degree granting, research university in the State University of New York public university system.


The university comprises 10 colleges and schools: College of Arts and Sciences, College of Computing and Information, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, School of Business, School of Criminal Justice, School of Education, College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, School of Public Health, School of Social Welfare, and The Honors College.


In the US News and World Report magazine’s America’s Best Graduate Schools, Rockefeller College was ranked 10th overall, 4th in Information technology and management, and 6th in Public administration and management, out of 253 schools of public affairs. The School of Criminal Justice was formed in 1966, was ranked #2 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.


The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering is the first college in the world devoted exclusively to nanoscale science and engineering. Major companies in the various nanotechnology industries have offices and labs at the CNSE facilities- IBM, Infineon, AMD, GE, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, SEMATECH, DuPont, Kodak, DARPA, Honeywell, Intel, Lockheed Martin, M&W Zander, Philips, NASA, and Motorola. Dubbed Albany Nanotech, this consortium is unlike anywhere else in the world. It also has the only 300-mm wafer processing line in the academic world. The University at Albany, these industry partners, and the State of New York have invested more than $3 billion in this complex.


At the East campus, the University prides itself with the new Cancer Research Center, dubbed "Gen*NY*sis." Also located in this state-of-the-art facility is the Center for Functional Genomics, which facilitates research in the areas of microarrays, proteomics, molecular biology and transgenics.


UAlbany is home to one of the oldest independent college newspapers in the nation, the Albany Student Press. Published continuously since 1916, the newspaper has a circulation of more than 10,000 and serves the students and surrounding area.


The quality of the University is directly influenced by many factors. In order to have a top notch University, it is vitally important to be competitive in every aspect of the University environment. It is certainly crucial to have superior academics, but it is also imperative to have nationally ranked athletic programs, ones which compete at the highest levels in the country.

UAlbany's Gia Sanders and Janea Aiken Earn America East Weekly Honors

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – Senior forward Gia Sanders and freshman guard Janea Aiken earned America East Conference Player and Rookie of the Week honors, respectively, as announced by the conference office on Monday afternoon. It is the first honor of the season for both.

Sanders led the Great Danes to their third and fourth consecutive wins last week, as she averaged 13.0 points and 8.0 rebounds in the two games. In a 76-50 win over Boston U., Sanders scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds, going 6-of-10 from the floor, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range. In a 67-50 win over New Hampshire, Sanders recorded her fifth double-double of the season with an 11-point, 10-rebound performance. She also recorded five steals against the Wildcats. Sanders, who did not commit a turnover in the two games, is averaging 7.7 points and a team-high 6.9 rebounds on the season, and continues to lead the team with 41 steals and 32blocks.

Aiken also helped lead the Great Danes to an undefeated week in conference play, averaging 11.5 points and 4.0 assists per game, shooting a team-high 76.9-percent from the floor. Aiken scored 12 points to go along with six assists and two rebounds against Boston U., shooting 6-of-8 from the floor. In a win over New Hampshire on Sunday, Aiken scored 11 points, going 4-of-5 from the floor, including 2-for-2 from 3-point range. She added two assists and one steal in 21 minutes of action against the Wildcats. Aiken is scoring at a 7.5 clip for the Great Danes on the season.

UAlbany (8-14, AE 6-3) is currently tied with Vermont for second place in the conference standings. The Great Danes travel to Maine on Wednesday to close out the season series with the Black Bears.

University Links

THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBANY

University main page

University News

University Research

College of Nanoscale of Science and Engineering - Ranked #1 Nanotechnology college in the nation

School of Criminal Justice - Ranked # 2 in the Nation

Rockefeller College of Public Affairs - Ranked 10th in the Nation

University's Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics

ASP - Albany Student Press



UALBANY ATHLETICS


UAlbany Athletics Homepage

Athletics/Facilities

Athletics/Facilities:

The University has 19 varsity sports programs. The current affiliations and conferences are as follows… Affiliations: NCAA Division I (I-AA Football), ECAC… Conferences: America East Conference, Northeast Conference (football). The University upgraded to Division I, the highest level in college athletics, in all of its sports programs, with the exception of the football program, which moved to division I-AA. The University elevated its entire athletics program to the NCAA Division I level in September 1999.


It is obvious that the University is benefiting greatly by having the ability to offer athletic scholarships to athletes interested in enrolling at University at Albany and joining the sports program. Although offering scholarships is a key element to the growth and competitiveness of our sports programs, it is not the only one. An additional factor that will lead the University’s sports programs to higher levels of competition are the sporting facilities. The University already has several facilities of high quality. In turn, the sports programs that utilize these state of the art facilities have attracted much more notable athletes from around the nation, since moving to division 1 competition. The university is ready to begin construction of a new football stadium.


In the spring of 1992, the University opened the Recreation and Convocation Center (RACC), an $11 million state-of-the-art facility with 5,000 seats. The RACC is the home for UAlbany’s men’s and women’s basketball teams. The arena also serves as a major venue for community events such as rock and pop concerts, sporting events and University activities. It serves as a community bond.

The RACC contains a fitness center with Nautilus and Universal machines, rowing ergometers and exercise bikes; four racquetball/handball courts and four squash courts; athletic training and rehabilitation facilities with three whirlpool baths, a musculoskeletal evaluation device and other therapeutic machines. It has a .11 mile indoor track.

The RACC also houses numerous team and general use locker rooms, as well as an indoor practice facility for the women's golf team. Therefore, many of our sports programs benefit from this sporting facility.

The UAlbany men’s basketball program has had great success since entering the ranks of division I competition. The fact that the basketball team has had the privilege of using the RACC as their facility has attracted many athletes and has led to the signing of many highly talented American and foreign athletes.


In 2006 and 2007, the Great Danes captured the America East Conference tournament championship, earning an automatic berth into the NCAA tournament each year. They held the best record during the regular season during 2006, becoming the regular-season champions. The strength of the basketball program was evident when they almost upset #1 ranked UConn at the NCAA tournament while broadcast on ESPN . In early 2006, the University at Albany men’s basketball team played a nationally-televised game in the fourth annual BracketBusters competition. In 2007, the Great Danes played well, but fell to the University of Virginia in the NCAA March madness tournament.

We have become nationally competitive with the top Universities in the nation, with state of the art facilities like the RAAC.

Another athletic program that has enormous potential is men’s football. The University at Albany football program, for the first time in the program’s history, was ranked No. 23 in both The Sports Network and College Sporting News Division I-AA national polls this October, 2006. The Great Danes, who have posted victories over a pair of top-25 teams so far this year, defeated 23rd-ranked Central Connecticut State and defeated 11th-ranked Delaware. In national division I-AA mid major polls, UAlbany was ranked number one this season.

Over the past few years, the Great Danes football program has twice captured the Northeast Conference title. They were also crowned champion of the ECAC Football Classic.

For the past 11 years, the NFL’s New York Giants have trained in the Capital Region at the University at Albany facilities. This year’s camp was attended by 40,655 fans, the second highest amount of spectators since the Giants starting using UAlbany facilities. The annual event generates significant revenues for the local community already.

One of the goals of the athletic department is for the football program to move to division IA. With the luxury and convenience of having a new football stadium, the football program can attract top players in the nation. The University football program uses University field for home games.

Facilities Plan

Project 2010
1.Stadium: 14,000 Seats, 24,000 seating capacity
2.Track: 3500 seats, for soccer, field events, and practice
3.Synthetic turf fields: 2500 seats, for Lacrosse, field hockey
4.Tennis courts
5.Student Recreational Facility: Multi Purpose
6.Multi Use practice fields
7.Turf field / Stadium: 2500 seats, for soccer
8.Outdoor Practice Field: for football, soccer, and lacrosse
9.Baseball Field: 2500 seats
10.UAlbany Bowl
10.Cross Country Trails
11.Physical Education Bldg
12.SEFCU Arena: for basketball

Athletic Facilities Master Development Plan

Project 2010
1.Stadium: 14,000 Seats, 24,000 seating capacity
2.Track: 3500 seats, for soccer, field events, and practice
3.Synthetic turf fields: 2500 seats, for Lacrosse, field hockey
4.Tennis courts
5.Student Recreational Facility: Multi Purpose
6.Multi Use practice fields
7.Turf field / Stadium: 2500 seats, for soccer
8.Outdoor Practice Field: for football, soccer, and lacrosse
9.Baseball Field: 2500 seats
10.UAlbany Bowl
10.Cross Country Trails
11.Physical Education Bldg
12.SEFCU Arena: for basketball

UALBANY RALLIES IN FIVE GAMES TO WIN 2006 AMERICA EAST VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Albany, N.Y. – Kamisha Kellam had a career-high 19 kills and Ashley DeNeal added 13 kills and a career-best 37 digs, as UAlbany rallied from a huge deficit in a 3-2 victory over UMBC that captured the America East Conference Volleyball Championship on Sunday, Nov. 19. The Great Danes, who won by scores of 27-30, 22-30, 30-26, 30-18 and 15-12, receive an automatic NCAA berth as the conference tournament champion.

UMBC (16-15) looked in firm control after winning the opening two games and building a 22-16 lead in the third. Freshman Ashley Oscars, the conference’s rookie of the year, and Sarah Ball helped create that margin with 18 and 14 kills, respectively.

UAlbany (19-10) then turned the match around by running off 10 of the game’s next 12 points. Kellam, a sophomore, drew her team even at 24 apiece, before Shelby Goldman, an all-tournament selection who had 18 kills and 18 digs, finished off two attacks to put her team ahead.

DeNeal, the championship’s most outstanding player, helped UAlbany run off eight unanswered points to start the fourth game. She ignited the outburst with a kill off a blocker and ended the spree with a service ace. The Great Danes led by as much as 14 in the stanza.

In the fifth and deciding game, UAlbany jumped out to an 11-6 advantage when Kellam scored off a quick set and UMBC’s Sarah Fillmore hit an attack long over the end line. However, the Retrievers, who upset defending champion Binghamton in the semifinal round, would close the gap. Amanda Willey and Ball, who totaled 23 digs, blocked DeNeal’s attack to slice the margin to 13-12. But the Great Danes scored the last two points, including Goldman’s game-winning kill in the middle of the floor.

“(Ashley) DeNeal’s shoulders were big in the comeback,” said UAlbany coach Kelly Sheffield, whose team became the first to overcome a 2-0 deficit in the conference championship match. “She and Shelby (Goldman) came up huge. This senior class has been through everything; they stayed calm. I think they just got both irritated and competitive.”

Ashley Crenshaw added 12 kills for the Great Danes, who will make their second NCAA Tournament appearance after winning the 2004 America East title in another five-game championship.

“We just believe in ourselves and I am proud of our team,” offered DeNeal, whose squad last came back from two games down against Syracuse last November. “We played with some nerves in the first two games, but then we were aggressive in the moment. It feels good to come this far and then battle it out.”

UMBC’s Jessie Folk and Angela Anderson had 12 kills apiece. Anderson, a sophomore outside hitter, converted three attacks in the first game, which went back and forth with 14 ties and five lead changes. Folk’s kill off a block jump-started a run of four consecutive points that broke open game two.

“We do not play well when we are frustrated, so we just kept going point by point,” explained UAlbany setter Blair Buchanan, the America East player of the year. “We picked up our passes in the third game and that helped get the middle involved. I always have confidence in Ashley (DeNeal) that she will do whatever it takes to get the job done. She has the mentality that she’s not going to lose and wants the ball.”

*****************

2006 America East Conference Volleyball Championship

UAlbany def. UMBC, 27-30, 22-30, 30-26, 30-18, 15-12


America East Conference All-Championship Team

Morgan Sweany (Stony Brook), Megan Hoag (Binghamton), Kira Giles (UMBC), Sarah Ball (UMBC), Kamisa Kellam (Albany), Shelby Goldman (Albany), Ashley DeNeal (Albany)



Most Outstanding Player – Ashley DeNeal ( Albany )

UALBANY WINS SECOND STRAIGHT AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Orono, Maine -- Casey Halloran scattered six hits in seven strong innings on the mound to lead UAlbany to its second consecutive America East Conference championship with a 5-2 victory over Boston University on Saturday, May 13. The four-team, double-elimination tournament was held at the University of Maine’s Kessock Field.

UAlbany (36-11-1) also earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season with the conference’s automatic berth. The Great Danes, who set a school record for single-season wins, will find out their opponent on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET. The 64-team field will be announced on ESPNews with regional play scheduled for May 19-21.

Boston U. (29-29) set up the championship game by winning two games in the loser’s bracket earlier in the day. The Terriers, who were attempting to become the first No. 4 seed to win the conference title, eliminated UMBC, 2-1, as Christy Leath delivered a bases-loaded single in the seventh inning. In a 3-1 win over UAlbany, Leath had a two-run double in the third, while teammate Liz Alley smacked her 10th home run of the season.

In the championship, the second-seeded Great Danes broke up a 1-1 deadlock with a three-run fourth. Freshman Meagan Butsch put her team ahead with a sacrifice fly, but then a throwing error by the center fielder scored another run. Julie Gannon then belted her second homer of the spring, a solo shot, for a 4-1 lead.

Shortstop Maegan Larsen led off the fifth inning by drilling a 1-1 pitch over the left-field fence, her team-leading 10th home run. Larsen, who chased starting pitcher Cassidi Hardy with that blast, and second baseman Katrina Dunning both had two hits in the contest.

Meanwhile, Halloran cruised along with a seven-strikeout, no-walk performance to improve to 27-8 on the season. She was named the championship’s most outstanding player by posting a 3-1 record with 31 strikeouts in tournament play. UAlbany’s Ali Meacham, Amber Maisonet and Larsen joined her on the all-tournament squad.

“I thought going in that it would go two (games) today,” said UAlbany coach Chris Cannata, whose team faced Boston U. in the championship game for the third time in the last four years. “I was hoping that Casey (Halloran) would be fresh. You really have to ride your ace at the end and she certainly wants the ball every day.”

Leath, a freshman catcher, accounted for both of Boston University’s runs, as she went 3-for-3 at the plate in the final. She hit her fourth home run of the year in the first inning and added a RBI double in the sixth.

“We were nervous after the first game today,” offered Halloran, who became the school’s all-time strikeouts leader with 408 to break the previous mark established by Kelly Poynton from 1997-99. “But we realized it (the championship) was ours to win. It’s not like I threw a no-hitter out there. I gave up a bunch of hits and my team just made plays behind me.”

*****************

America East Conference Tournament - Championship

UAlbany (36-11-1) 100 310 0 - 5 8 0

Boston U. (29-29) 100 001 0 - 2 6 1

Casey Halloran and Ali Meacham.

Cassidi Hardy, Brittany Detweiler (5) and Christy Leath.

America East Conference Tournament - Third Round

Boston U. (29-28) 002 100 0 - 3 6 0

UAlbany (35-11-1) 000 100 0 - 1 3 0

Cassidi Hardy and Christy Leath.

Casey Halloran and Ali Meacham.



America East Conference Softball Championship Bracket
Thursday, May 11
Game 1: #2 Albany 8, #3 UMBC 0
Game 2: #4 Boston University 11, #1 Maine 1
Friday, May 12
Game 3: Albany 2, Boston U. 1
Game 4: UMBC 5, Maine 1 (Maine eliminated)
Game 5: Boston U. 2, UMBC 1 (UMBC eliminated)
Saturday, May 13
Game 6: Boston U. 3, Albany 1
Game 7: Albany 5, Boston U. 2 (Boston U. eliminated)

UALBANY MEN AND WOMEN ARE AMERICA EAST TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONS

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information
Release: 05/07/2006

Durham, N.H. - Joe Greene won two individual titles and was named the Most Outstanding Track Performer and Rookie of the Year as the UAlbany men were named the America East Conference champions on Sunday, May 7 at New Hampshire's Reggie F. Atkins Track Facility. The Great Danes earned their second consecutive title and third in the last four years with 199.5 points. The UAlbany women were also crowned champions as they took home their first-ever America East team title, finishing with a best-ever 180 points.

Greene became the first male to post winning performances in both the 400-meter dash and 400-meter hurdles at an America East championship. He is also the first Great Dane to win multiple individual titles at an outdoor championship since Teresa Covert took the 100m dash and hurdles in 2004. Greene was clocked in 47.53 seconds in the 400m dash, while covering the hurdles in 51.59 seconds, only nine-hundredths of a second off the school record.

Junior Burnett won the 200m dash and turned in a second-place showing in the 100m dash, setting UAlbany standards in both events. He captured the 200m title in 21.24 seconds and was followed by freshman Pat Weider, who crossed the line in 21.37. Burnett shaved 46-hundredths of a second off the previous school record in the event. He also covered the 100m dash in 10.64 seconds, with Weider following in third and clocking in at 10.81.

Greene and Burnett also teamed up to lead the men's 4x400m relay to a win in 3:10.86. Greene ran a 46.1 anchor split, while Burnett had a 46.6 split in the second slot. Jerry Wilson and Stephen Evans also contributed to the relay win.

Ray Gilman rounded out UAlbany individual men's winners with a first-place triple jump of 48-feet, 7.25-inches. That leap, which was more than one foot better than his nearest competitor, was Gilman's best of the year.

Freddie Wills was named the Field Performer of the Year, posting top-three finishes in three jumping events. Wills followed up his win in the long jump and third-place finish in the high jump on Saturday with a second-place showing in the triple jump in the meet's final day. Wills, who leaped 47-1.75 in that event, also took home the Coaches Award, given to the athlete who scores the most points for his team.

The Great Danes edged New Hampshire, which followed closely behind with 195.33 points in the two-day competition. Binghamton (129.5), UMBC (101.33) and Boston U. (95) rounded out the top five.

The UAlbany women were led by Jessica Ortman, who won the 1500-meter run in 4:36.78. Her twin sister Jenna finished second in the event, crossing the line in 4:38.80. Jessica and Jenna also posted third- and fourth-place finishes, respectively, in the 800m run.

Jessica Ortman, who set a school record in the 3,000m steeplechase on Saturday, also ran a 2:13.1 anchor split to lead the women's 4x800m relay to a victory. Danielle Trimpop and Adanna Andrews ran the first two legs, while Jenna Ortman was third with a 2:14.6 split.

Freshmen Kamilah McShine and Ritshell Verdier also turned in top performances for the Great Danes. McShine captured the 100m hurdles in 14.13 seconds, plus finished third in the heptathlon with 4,128 points. Verdier shattered the school record in winning the discus with a throw of 157-8. She posted a win margin of better than 30 feet and eclipsed her own UAlbany standard by nearly 19 feet.

The women, who finished fifth last year and were in third place after the first day of competition, finished 13.5 points ahead of Boston U. New Hampshire (121.5), UMBC (106) and Binghamton (95) followed to complete the top five.

"It was an exciting and tremendous meet," said UAlbany head coach Roberto Vives, whose staff received the women's coaching staff of the year award. "To win three championships in one year is unbelievable. I'm proud of these athletes. Everyone stepped up, and it was a total team effort."

**********

2006 America East Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championship
(The Reggie F. Atkins Track Facility, Durham, N.H.)
Final Results -- TEAM

MEN
1. UAlbany 199.50, 2. New Hampshire 195.33, 3. Binghamton 129.50, 4. UMBC 101.33, 5. Boston U. 95, 6. Maine 66.33, 7. Vermont 35, 8. Stony Brook 18, 9. Hartford 13.
WOMEN
1. UAlbany 180, 2. Boston U. 166.50, 3. New Hampshire 121.50, 4. UMBC 106, 5. Binghamton 95, 6. Vermont 88, 7. Maine 78.50, 8. Stony Brook 17, 9. Hartford 5.50