University of Albany's Ammanns are double trouble

Until they switched their hair styles, twins Mike and Steve Ammann were almost impossible to tell apart without their jersey numbers.

The senior midfielders look alike, play alike and even excel alike in the classroom. For the University at Albany lacrosse team, which is riding a four-game winning streak heading into tonight’s game against visiting Yale, two Ammanns are definitely better than one.

“We’ve had our fair share of pranks over the years,” said Steve Ammann, who is third on the team in scoring, with nine goals and eight assists. “There’s always been a lot of confusion with people trying to tell us apart, but the guys on the team know us too well.

“During spring break, we had an intrasquad scrimmage called the Spring Break Bowl. We switched jerseys, because we thought we could fool a few people. But when you’re around the guys so often, they know how we run and how we talk. Our team is a lot like a big brotherhood, anyway, so it’s hard to fool anyone on our team.”

UAlbany head coach Scott Marr isn’t fooled. He knows the twins well, and he’s extremely happy to have the talented tandem on the Great Danes’ roster.

“They are a pair of extremely athletic kids who are such good cit­izens,” he said. “They certainly lead the way with showing the younger kids on the team how everything works. They are helpful when it comes to sharing their knowledge with their teammates. They tutor some of the guys, and they live and breathe for the program. They do what they can, no matter what it is. It’s nice to have a pair of kids like that on this team.”

The Ammanns put up prolific scoring numbers and were two-time team captains at Putnam Valley High School. Mike Ammann scored 70 goals and added 31 assists as a senior, and Steve connected for 68 goals and 26 assists to lead their team to the Class C state semifinals.

The twins, who were at the top of their class academically, wanted to continue their education at a New England Small College Athletic Conference school, but their plans fell through.

“It’s funny how we got them,” said Marr. “I saw them play in high school and at the Empire State Games, so I knew who they were. When the NESCAC schools didn’t take them, their coach, who played at Johns Hopkins with me, gave me a heads-up, and we got together. When we had a chance to grab a pair of 6-foot-2 athletic kids, we jumped at it.”

“When we’re on the field together, there is a synergy between us,” said Steve Ammann. “It’s easy to set each other up for dodges, and we also know where each other will be for help on defense. We’re both similar in the way we play, because we both can play both ways on offense and defense. Actually, playing around and with each other so

much has helped develop each of our games.”

But the Ammanns aren’t clones. There are a few differences.

“My game is a little more speed and finesse, while Mike’s more of a power player. He lowers his shoulder and releases a harder shot,” said Steve Ammann, who spoke for the duo.

Academically, the twins, who are co-captains for the Great Danes, are just .01 apart. Steve Ammann has a 3.86 grade-point average in bus­iness administration, while Mike Ammann, who has three goals and five assists, owns a 3.87 GPA in accounting.

“I’m proud of both of them,” said Marr. “They are [America East Conference] academic all-stars, and they have received both the President’s Leadership Award and the Chancellor’s Award. They’ve been contributors ever since they came here.”

By Bob Weiner
Daily Gazette Reporter

UAlbany Announces Two-Year Contract Extension for Women's Basketball Coach Trina Patterson

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Tuesday, April 8 that head women's basketball coach Trina Patterson will receive a two-year contract extension. The agreement will extend the coach's contract through the 2009-10 season.

Patterson recently completed her sixth season as UAlbany's coach. She led the Great Danes to their most wins in America East Conference play with a 10-6 record and the program's second appearance in the conference postseason tournament's semifinal round. UAlbany won just one of its opening 12 games, but rebounded in the second half of the season to finish 13-18 overall. Patterson was voted the 2008 America East Coach of the Year.

"Trina Patterson and her staff did a fine job this season under difficult circumstances," McElroy said. "She kept the program together during a tough start to the season and her team excelled during the conference schedule. That effort was recognized by her peers when she was named the conference's top coach. The progress of the program has been significant."

Patterson was appointed as UAlbany's head coach on May 6, 2002. She became the ninth coach in team history. During her tenure, the Great Danes established the program's Division I record with 14 victories during the 2004-05 campaign. She led UAlbany to its first America East postseason appearance the previous year. Prior to her present position, Patterson was the head coach at William & Mary from 1991-99.

"I would like to thank the University at Albany and the entire athletic department for supporting women's basketball," said Patterson, who earned her second contract extension as UAlbany's basketball coach. "I have enjoyed my relationships and experiences with our coaching staff and student-athletes. The UAlbany program will continue to move forward in a positive direction that places emphasis on an uptempo offense and pressure defense. The staff and players were outstanding in making this season so special."

Marist Downs Baseball, 13-4, in Non-Conference Baseball Action

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Poughkeepsie, N.Y. – Richard Cary struck out three over five and two-thirds innings to lead Marist to a 13-4 non-conference baseball win over UAlbany on Tuesday, April 8at McCann Field.

UAlbany got on the board first with a pair of runs in the opening inning. Junior center fielder Dave West blasted a two-run homer over the fence in left field to start the scoring. Marist answered back with a run in the second and took the lead with four in the third. Following a walk and a hit batsman, Shane Kingsley singled with two outs in the second to drive in Kyle Meyer. In the third, the Red Foxes loaded with bases with one out on a single, a walk and an error. All three runners came around to score on two consecutive wild pitches and a passed ball. Meyer tallied the final run of the frame on another wild pitch.

Marist (11-12) tacked on three runs in the bottom of the fifth to take an 8-2 lead. The Red Foxes plated their first run of the inning as Bryce Nugent was hit by a pitch, the third of the inning, with the bases full to force in Kyle LaHonta. Meyer then scored his third run of the game as Kingsley hit into a double play. Richard Curylo followed with a single to right field to drive in Ben Henderson to give the Red Foxes the six run lead.

The Great Danes responded with two runs in the top of the sixth to narrow their deficit to 8-4. Junior shortstop Sean Donovan led off the frame with a single to left field. Following a pair of outs, junior Ryan Gugel walked and senior Tom Zink reached on an error by the third baseman to load the bases. Sophomore third baseman Pete Eichner then smacked a two-run single to right to plate Donovan and Gugel. After a walk to freshman Kyle Crean filled the bases, Kyle Putnam induced a fly ball to left to end the inning.

The Red Foxes scored four times in the sixth and once in the eighth to close out the game’s scoring. LaHonta doubled to center with one out in the sixth to score Brian McDonough from second. Following a walk, Henderson drove in LaHonta with a double to right. After a hit batsman and a UAlbany pitching change, Kenny Anderson plated Meyer with a single to left and Curylo knocked in Henderson with a groundout. In the eighth, Andrew Stanton led off the frame with a double, advanced to third on a single and crossed the plate on a wild pitch.

Cary picked up the win for the Red Foxes, yielding four runs (two earned) on six hits over 5.2 innings. Junior Nate Novak suffered his fifth loss of the season for the Great Danes, allowing seven runs (five earned) on six hits, while striking out five in four innings. West and Donovan each recorded two hits in the contest for UAlbany.

The Great Danes return to action on Friday, April 11 for the start of a four-game America East Conference series at Maine.
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UAlbany (5-23-1) 200 002 000 - 4 7 1
Marist (11-12) 014 034 01X - 13 13 1

UAlbany: Nate Novak (L, 0-5), Hunter Moffatt (5), Marco Rivera (6), Chris Ott (8) and Tom Zink.
Marist: Richard Cary (W, 4-0), Kyle Putnam (6), Tom Close (9) and Bryce Nugent, Andrew Stanton (9).

University of Albany's Laura Cummings Named America East Women's Track Performer of the Week

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – University at Albany’s Laura Cummings has been named the America East Conference women’s outdoor track performer of the week, as announced by the conference office for the week ending April 7.

Cummings, a junior from Bay Shore, N.Y., finished third in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in an ECAC and NCAA East Regional qualifying time of 10:40.49 on Saturday, April 5 at the Duke Asics Invitational at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C. The performance marked the second-fastest time in the event in the program’s history.

The Great Danes return to the track on Saturday, April 12 in Amherst, Mass. at the UMass Invitational.

UAlbany's Brian Caufield Named Lax.com & America East Conference Rookie of the Week

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany’s Brian Caufield has been named Lax.com’s Division I Rookie of the Week in men’s lacrosse as announced on Monday, April 7. Caufield also earned the America East Conference’s weekly rookie award as he accounted for eight goals and four assists in two victories.

Caufield, a freshman from Bay Shore, N.Y., exploded for career-highs in (7) and points (9), all in the first half, in last Saturday’s 14-11 conference triumph over Hartford. His totals were just off Merrick Thomson’s single-game freshman records of eight goals and 11 points that were established in 2004. Caufield added one goal and two assists in a 13-6 decision against crosstown-rival Siena on April 2.

Caufield, who has three or more points in four of his last five starts, is second on the team in scoring with 10 goals and eight assists.

UAlbany Softball Splits Doubleheader with UMBC in America East Action

Baltimore, Md. – Junior Meagan Butsch went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and drove in three to lead UAlbany to a 9-4 America East Conference softball victory over UMBC on Monday afternoon. The Great Danes split the doubleheader, falling to the Retrievers 6-1 in the first game.

UAlbany (15-11, AE 3-1) scored runs in the first three innings of the nightcap, including solo home runs from senior left fielder Amber Maisonet and sophomore second baseman Michelle Connors (Shenendehowa) to hold a 4-2 advantage heading into the bottom of the third. UMBC (15-19, AE 4-2) tied the game with two runs in their half of the frame, as Amanda Fefel doubled to centerfield to score Jessica Vetok and Dana Shepherd, who both drew walks to start the inning.

After a scoreless fourth, Nicole Kothe knocked a single to right field to start the following inning. Butsch then smacked her third home run of the season over the left field fence to put the Great Danes back on top by two, 6-4. UAlbany added three more runs in the top of the seventh. Fefel, who entered the game in relief, issued two straight walks to Kothe and Connors, and Butsch recorded her third RBI of the game, blasting a double down the right field line to score pinch runner Kristine Bill. In the next at bat, freshman designated player Gina Mason singled to the shortstop, driving in Connors, and Butsch came home on the throw to end the scoring rally.

Sophomore right-hander Leah McIntosh struck out ten Retrievers in a complete-game performance, improving to 9-3 on the season. Ashley Gray picked up the loss for UMBC after relieving Stephanie Weigman in the circle in the fourth inning.

UMBC had the hot bats in the early game, scoring six runs off 12 hits. The Retrievers took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Shepherd scored on a Fefel’s sacrifice fly. UAlbany tied the game in the top half of the fourth when Butsch homered to centerfield.

UMBC tacked on two more runs in the fifth, led off by a single up the middle by Gray. Catcher Kali Shirk doubled to left to advance the base runner, and Gray scored on an RBI single by Lauren Brummell. Shirk crossed home plate by way of a sacrifice bunt by center fielder Lynn Pronobis. Starting pitcher Marissa Powell struck out the next batter to work her way out of the inning.

The Retrievers added three more runs in the sixth, led off by designated player Alison Duff’s home run. UMBC then recorded three straight singles, with Shirk and Brummell driving in runs to give the Retrievers a five-run advantage heading into the final inning.

Designated player Bailey Van Deest recorded a single to left to give the Great Danes a scoring chance, but Gray induced the final two outs to seal the win for UMBC. Gray struck out seven in a complete-game performance. Marissa Powell took the loss for UAlbany, striking out one opposing batter in five innings of work. Reliever Brittany Rose (Schenectady) fanned two in the final inning.

UAlbany continues America East play on Wednesday, hosting Vermont in a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.

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UAlbany 000 100 0 - 1 5 2

UMBC 100 023 x - 6 12 1

UAlbany: Marissa Powell, Brittany Rose (6) and Leanne Tillman.

UMBC: Ashley Gray and Kali Shirk.



UAlbany (15-11, AE 3-1) 112 020 3 - 9 8 1

UMBC (15-19, AE 4-2) 202 000 0 - 4 6 1

UAlbany: Leah McIntosh and Kat Smith.

UMBC: Stephanie Weigman, Ashley Gray (4), Amanda Fefel (7) and Kali Shirk.

University of Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering aids global energy quest

ALBANY -- The University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering has been chosen to represent New York in a new international renewable energy consortium formed by the United States and Sweden.

The NanoCollege will join the state university system of Minnesota as well as the University of Georgia and the Georgia Institute of Technology in what is called the International Renewable Energy Technology Institute.

The NanoCollege's 10-year-old Energy and Environmental Technology Applications Center, also known as the E2TAC, will lead the school's participation in the institute. E2TAC is led by professor Pradeep Haldar.

The NanoCollege also will be aided by two state agencies, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation, and its architecture firm, Einhorn Yaffee Prescott Architecture & Engineering.

Alain Kaloyeros, chief administrative officer of the NanoCollege, said Sweden is well-known for its high-tech development and renewable-energy products, and the purpose of the institute will be to commercialize renewable-energy technologies in the United States and Europe. That means everything from fuel cells to solar energy and bio-mass technologies.

The school has assembled $10 million in private and public funding over the next three years to underwrite its participation in the institute, with more money possible in the future through additional sources like the U.S. Department of Energy.

Kaloyeros said the college's participation in the institute will mesh well with its plans to create a new $60 million zero-energy building that will subsist on its own nonpolluting energy sources and house its growing number of environmental and energy researchers.

That building is being planned for land the college owns north of its existing Fuller Road campus, on the opposite side of the Washington Avenue Extension.

Courtesy: LARRY RULISON

Kat Smith Leads UAlbany Over UMBC, 3-2, in America East Softball Action

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Baltimore, Md. – Sophomore catcher Kat Smith drove a home run to right centerfield to score the go-ahead run in the sixth inning in leading UAlbany to a 3-2 win over UMBC in America East Conference softball action on Sunday afternoon at UMBC Softball Stadium.

UAlbany (14-10, AE 2-0) scored first, as designated player Gina Mason hit her second home run of the season over the fence in left centerfield in the top of the second inning. UMBC (14-18, AE 3-1) responded in the bottom of the frame as first baseman Ashley Gray drove a homer of her own to center. The Retrievers went ahead, 2-1, in the next inning when second baseman Dana Shepherd hit a solo shot out of the park in left field.

Smith recorded one of her two RBI’s in the next inning, as she drove a double into right field that scored Meagan Butsch, who led off the inning by drawing a walk off starting pitcher Amanda Fefel. UMBC got a runner in scoring position in their half of the frame, but UAlbany’s Leah McIntosh struck out Stephanie Weigman to end the inning.

After a scoreless fifth, Smith drove her first homer of the season over the fence, giving the Great Danes a one-run advantage. McIntosh delivered six straight outs in the sixth and seventh to hold off UMBC and seal the win for UAlbany.

McIntosh tossed her 10th complete game, improving to 8-3 on the season, striking out nine over seven innings. Fefel fanned four for UMBC before being relieved by Weigman, who took the loss for the Retrievers. Weigman also struck out four opposing batters in 3.2 innings of work.

The teams will wrap up the conference series on Monday, playing a doubleheader starting at 12 noon.

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UAlbany (14-10, AE 2-0) 010 101 0 - 3 7 2

UMBC (14-18, AE 3-1) 011 000 0 - 2 6 0

UAlbany: Leah McIntosh and Kat Smith.

UMBC: Amanda Fefel, Stephanie Weigman (4) and Kali Shirk.

Josh Willimott Pitches UAlbany to America East Doubleheader Split with Hartford

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Josh Willimott allowed just four hits over six innings in the opening game to lead UAlbany to a doubleheader split with Hartford in America East Conference baseball action on Sunday, April 6 at Varsity Field. The Great Danes took the opener, 6-2, in seven innings, before falling in the nightcap, 3-1, in 11 innings.

Hartford (9-13, AE 3-1) scored twice in the first inning of the opening game to get on the board. Mike Amendola followed two-out hits by Bill Perry and Matt Walker with a single through the left side to plate both runners. After a scoreless second inning, the Great Danes evened the score with two runs of their own. Junior shortstop Sean Donovan drove in sophomore Ralph Rizzo for the first run with a groundout. Junior Dave West followed with a single to left center to score sophomore Brendan Rowland from third.

UAlbany (5-22-1, AE 1-3) took the lead with four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Junior Gary Pitcheralle doubled to lead off the frame and was followed by a Rowland single and a Donovan walk to load the bases. After a Hartford pitching change and a force out at home, senior Mike Konstanty singled through the left side to score Rowland and Donovan. With two outs, junior catcher Ryan Gugel singled to center field to knock in West and Konstanty with the final runs of the contest.

Willimott picked up his third win of the season, striking out four over six innings, while allowing just two runs on four hits. Junior Dave Noble inherited a runner in the seventh inning, but closed the door on the Hawks with three consecutive outs. Pete Moraski suffered the loss for Hartford, allowing five runs on six hits over four innings.

In game two, UAlbany jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the third inning on three consecutive singles with one-out by Rowland, Donovan and West. The Hawks broke through in the eighth inning with an unearned run to knot the score at one. Adam Bowser started the rally with a two-out double down the left field line. After a pitching change, Ben Sobocinski reached on a fielding error to allow Bowser to score from second.

The Great Danes loaded the bases with two outs in each of the eighth and ninth innings, but could not produce a run. In the 11th inning, Amendola blasted a two-run homer over the fence in left for the winning runs.

Freshman Dave Kubiak, who pitched 7.2 innings and struck out three, while only giving up three hits, did not allow an earned run for the second consecutive start. Junior Sean Gregory took the loss, giving up two runs in an inning on the mound. Steve Dabroski picked up the win in relief for the Hawks, registering one strikeout in two innings.

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Game One
Hartford (8-13, AE 2-1) 200 000 0 - 2 4 0
UAlbany (5-21-1, AE 1-2) 002 040 X - 6 8 1

Hartford: Pete Moraski (L, 1-1), C.J. Browne (5) and Adam Grap.
UAlbany: Josh Willimott (W, 3-1), Dave Noble (7) and Ryan Gugel.

Game Two
Hartford (9-13, AE 3-1) 000 000 010 02 - 3 7 2
UAlbany (5-22-1, AE 1-3) 001 000 000 00 - 1 6 2

Hartford: Marc Toomey, Zach Tarner (8), Justin DiConzo (9), Steve Dabroski (10, W, 1-0) and Mike Amendola.
UAlbany: Dave Kubiak, Dave Noble (8), Sean Gregory (11, L, 1-3) and Ryan Gugel.

UAlbany wins its fourth straight, beating Hartford 14-11 in America East Matchup

West Hartford, Conn. – Brian Caufield had a career-high seven goals and added two assists as UAlbany held off Hartford, 14-11, in America East Conference play on Saturday, April 5 at Al-Marzook Field. The Great Danes won for the sixth consecutive time in the series.

UAlbany (4-5, AE 2-0) took a 13-9 lead into the final period, but Hartford (0-10, AE 0-2) found the cage twice in a 48-second span to cut that deficit in half. Chris Griffin scored unassisted, before Brian Tilley netted his second of the game with 4:10 remaining. The Great Danes’ Dan McKeon, who relieved starting goalkeeper Brett Queener at the intermission, kept his team ahead with two of his six saves over the next two minutes. Senior midfielder Jordan Levine, who tied a career-high point total with two goals and three assists, sealed the outcome with 47 seconds left on the clock.

The Great Danes led 7-5 early in the second quarter, but Caufield tallied four of the game’s next five goals. After his team won a faceoff, the freshman attacker converted Steve Ammann’s feed to begin that run. Hartford’s Tilley, who totaled two goals and one assist, closed the gap to 9-6 midway through the period. Caufield, who did all of his scoring before the break, answered with his sixth and seventh goals, including one that came off a failed clearing attempt with 5:09 left in the stanza.

In the first quarter, UAlbany ran off three unanswered to break an early 1-1 tie. Caufield, whose number of goals was one off Merrick Thomson’s single-game freshman record established in 2004, converted Mike Ammann’s pass. Levine and Corey Small followed with goals 12 seconds apart. After Levine scored unassisted, midfielder Kevin Courtney collected the subsequent face-off to set up Small.

Robert Nosworthy, a freshman midfielder, had three goals for the Hawks, who opened the league schedule with a 7-5 loss to Vermont one week ago. Justin Bearse had two first-half goals and handed out one assist. UAlbany’s Small accounted for two goals and one assist, as his team won its fourth in a row and after opening with five consecutive defeats.

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UAlbany 14, Hartford 11

UAlbany – Scoring: Brian Caufield 7-2, Jordan Levine 2-3, Corey Small 2-1, John Alpizar 1-0, Derek Kreuzer 1-0, Chris Schongar 1-0, Mike Ammann 0-2, Steve Ammann 0-1, Mark Cometti 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Brett Queener (30:00, 1 save, 8 GA), Dan McKeon (30:00, 6 saves, 3 GA).

Hartford – Scoring: Robert Nosworthy 3-0, Justin Bearse 2-1, Brian Tilley 2-1, Michael Cudmore 1-2, Jacob Eustice 1-1, Chris Griffin 1-1, Tim Fallon 1-0, Tom Harris 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Jon McMahon (60:00, 12 saves, 14 GA).

UAlbany Shuttle Hurdle Relay Team Finishes Third at Florida Relays

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Gainesville, Fla. – The quartet of Jean Juste, Nick Assini, Garrett Askew and Daniel Avery finished third in the 110-meter shuttle hurdle relay to lead the UAlbany track and field team on the second day of competition at the Florida Relays on Saturday, April 5 at Percy Beard Track Facility.

The relay team combined for a time of 58.98 seconds, which marked the top time turned in by a collegiate team. It also marks the top time in the event in the program’s Division I history. The 4x800-meter relay team of Jared Jupin, Joe Belokopitsky, Andrew Overbaugh and Tyler Fogarty finished fifth in a time of 7:47.52. The Great Danes’ 4x100-meter relay team, consisting of Raphael Jean-Baptiste, Drew Harrison, Torshiro Jenkins and Dieuseul Joseph recorded an IC4A-qualifying time of 42.26 seconds.

In women’s competition, the Great Danes received a pair of ECAC-qualifying marks in the triple jump. Arina Gerasimova finished fifth with a leap of 40-feet, 6.25-inches, while Jenn Gurrant placed seventh at 39-feet, 7-inches.

The Great Danes return to action on Saturday, April 12 in Amherst, Mass. for a six-way meet with Boston College, Fairfield, Hartford, Central Connecticut State and Massachusetts.

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Men's Results
Shuttle Hurdle Relay: 3. Jean Juste, Nick Assini, Garrett Askew, Daniel Avery 58.98. 4x100 Meter Relay: 19. Raphael Jean-Baptiste, Drew Harrison, Torshiro Jenkins, Dieuseul Joseph 42.26 (IC4A). 4x800 Meter Relay (M): 5. Jared Jupin, Joe Belokopitsky, Andrew Overbaugh, Tyler Fogarty 7:47.52.

Women's Results
Triple Jump: 5. Arina Gerasimova 40-6.25, 7. Jenn Gurrant 39-7. 4x100 Meter Relay: 28. Kamilah McShine, Christen Griffin, Jenn Gurrant, Ashley Vives 49.09.

University of Albany's Laura Cummings Places Third in 3,000-Meter Steeplechase at Duke Asics Invitational

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Durham, N.C. – University at Albany’s Laura Cummings finished third in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase on the second day of competition at the 2008 Duke Asics Invitational on Saturday, April 5 at Wallace Wade Stadium. Cummings qualified for both the NCAA East Regionals and ECAC meet with a season-best time of 10:40.49.

Coastal Carolina’s Felicitas Mensing was first across the line in 10:32.72, while runner-up Kara McKenna, an unattached competitor, was clocked in 10:37.79. UAlbany’s Danielle Trimpop placed 10th in the same race with a time of 11:18.37.

In the men’s meet, Luke Schoen tied for third in the pole vault as he cleared the bar at 15-feet, 9-inches. Michael Dempsey and David Parker placed ninth and 10th, respectively, with marks of 15-3. Parker was sixth in Friday’s high jump event. Kyle Nadler took sixth place in the long jump with a leap of 21-9.

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Duke Asics Invitational

Women’s 3,000-Meter Steeplechase

1. Felicitas Mensing (Coastal Carolina), 10:32.72; 2. Kara McKenna (unattached), 10:37.59; 3. Laura Cummings (UAlbany), 10:40.49; 4. Patricia Loughton (Duke), 10:56.06; 5. Cristy Falcone (Mary Washington), 10:59.79. Other UAlbany Finishers: 10. Danielle Trimpop, 11:18.37, 14. Kristine Mum, 11:29.88.

Men’s Pole Vault

1. Yavgeniy Olhovsky (Virginia Tech), 17-5; 2. Shawn Francis (North Dakota State), 16-2.75; t3. Luke Schoen (UAlbany), 15-9; t3. Colton Weaver (Wilmington), 15-9, t3. Parker Smith (North Carolina), 15-9. Other UAlbany Finishers: 9. Michael Dempsey, 15-3, 10. David Parker, 15-3.

Men’s Long Jump

1. Trevor Barry (North Dakota State), 23-11, 2. Brandyn Mitchell (Wilmington), 13-5.50; 3. Julius Higginbotham (Heidelberg), 22-8, 4. Eric Tisdol (Cumberlands), 22-6.25; 5. Ricky Harris (Appalachian State), 22-2.50; 6. Kyle Nadler (UAlbany), 21-9.

Women's Lacrosse Falls to America East-Rival Vermont, 11-10, on Last-Second Goal

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Burlington, Vt. -- Sarah DeStefano’s unassisted goal with 1.8 seconds remaining, her second of the game, lifted Vermont to an 11-10 America East Conference victory over UAlbany on Saturday, April 5 at Moulton Winder Field. The Catamounts won for the first time since this series began in 2000.

UAlbany (7-5, AE 1-2) rallied from a 9-8 deficit with less than five minutes remaining. Kayla Best, who had three goals and two assists, connected off a Rory Redmond’s pass from behind the cage to draw her team even. Best extended her scoring streak to 24 consecutive games. Christine Grueniger put her team ahead with her 15th of the season, as she found a lane in the middle of the crease with 1:17 to play.

Vermont (6-5, AE 3-1) regrouped with a pair of goals in the last 45 seconds of regulation. Megan MacDonald tallied her career-high fourth goal of the game on a free-position attempt that tied the contest at 10 apiece. UVM’s Kristin Millar then forced Jodi Battaglia into a turnover with 13 seconds on the clock. DeStefano, a junior attacker, finished off the winning play by finding a hole in the middle field and sending a blast high into the net.

The Great Danes, who played without injured leading-scorer Tee Ladouceur, led by three in the opening half after Battaglia found the cage off a Stacey Brown’s feed. UAlbany still led 7-4 early in final period as Best and Brown converted back-to-back free-position opportunities. The Catamounts answered by scoring three times in a three-minute-and-34-second span. Millar, a junior midfielder who had one goal and three assists, tied the contest with her 27th of the year.

UAlbany’s Brown finished with two goals and one assist, while Brittany Scott and Battaglia each scored twice. Vermont’s Sara Buxton had two goals and one assist, while goalkeeper Meaghan Hanley made 11 saves. Eight of the nine meetings between these teams have been decided by two goals or less.

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Vermont 11, UAlbany 10

UAlbany – Scoring: Kayla Best 3-2, Stacey Brown 2-1, Jodi Battaglia 2-0, Brittany Scott 2-0, Christine Grueniger 1-0, Rory Redmond 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Katie Neer (60:00, 11 saves, 11 GA).

Vermont – Scoring: Megan MacDonald 4-0, Sara Buxton 2-1, Sarah DeStefano 2-0, Kristen Millar 1-3, Tori Wasson 1-0, Alison Haigh 1-0, Goalkeeper(s): Meaghan Hanley (60:00, 11 saves, 10 GA).

Defending America East Baseball Champions Meet Hartford in Saturday's Home Opener

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- With weather forecast improving by the hour, the defending America East Conference champion UAlbany baseball team will finally play its home opener on Saturday, April 5 at Varsity Field. The Great Danes take on conference-rival Hartford in a doubleheader that begins at 1:00 p.m. The two teams are scheduled to complete the four-game weekend series on Sunday with a 12 noon twinbill.

University of Albany's Daniel Avery Registers Program's Top Division I Time in the 110 Meter Hurdles at Florida Relays

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Gainesville, Fla. – Freshman Daniel Avery turned in the top time in the program’s Division I history in the 110-meter high hurdles to lead UAlbany on the first day of the Florida Relays at Percy Beard Track Facility on Friday, April 4.

Avery sprinted to an IC4A and NCAA East Regional-qualifying time of 13.96 seconds to win his heat of the 110-meter high hurdles and place 12th overall. Avery, who is also a defensive back on the UAlbany football team, turned in the top performance in the event by a UAlbany athlete since the Great Danes transitioned to the NCAA Division I level in 1999 and the fastest time by a freshman since Jeff York recorded a time of 14.23 seconds in 1992. Junior Jean Juste raced to an IC4A-qualifying time of 14.49 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles.

In the long jump, sophomore Valete Graham placed third with a leap of 23-feet, 1.25-inches in the “B” section of the event. The Great Danes quartet of Raphael Jean-Baptiste, Drew Harrison, Torshiro Jenkins and Jeffery Barnes placed ninth in the 4x200-meter relay in a time of 1:27.44.

On the women’s side, sophomore Zuliana Fontanez registered a time of 2:13.58 in the 800-meter run to place 14th. The team of Kamilah McShine, Christen Griffin, Melissa Lee and Ashley Vives recorded a time of 1:42.70 in the 4x200-meter relay.

The Great Danes wrap up competition at the Florida Relays on Saturday, April 5.

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Men’s Results
110 Hurdles: 12. Daniel Avery 13.96 (IC4A, NCAA East Regional), 26. Jean Juste 14.49 (IC4A), 36. Garrett Askew 14.90. 800 Meter Run (M): 16. Tyler Fogarty 1:52.78, 43. Joe Belokopitsky 2:04.05. Long Jump: 3. Valete Graham 23-1.25. 4x200 Meter Relay: 9. Raphael Jean-Baptiste, Drew Harrison, Torshiro Jenkins, Jeffery Barnes 1:27.44.


Women’s Results
100 Hurdles: 23. Kamilah McShine 14.29, 35. Christen Griffin 14.88. 800 Meter Run: 14. Zuliana Fontanez 2:13.57. 4x200 Meter Relay: 23. Kamilah McShine, Christen Griffin, Melissa Lee, Ashley Vives 1:42.70.

David Parker Places Sixth in High Jump at Duke Invitational

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Durham, N.C. – Senior David Parker placed sixth in the high jump to lead the UAlbany track and field team on the first day of the Duke Invitational on Friday, April 4 at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Parker cleared the bar at 6-feet, 4.75-inches to finish sixth in the high jump. Freshman Wilfredo de Jesus Elias recorded a toss of 169-feet, 6-inches in the hammer throw to place 10th.

In the women’s competition, freshman Octavia Clarkson came in third in the developmental 400-meter dash in a time of 59.28 seconds. Clarkson also finished 14th in the developmental 200-meter dash in a time of 26.45 seconds. Freshman Sandy Antenor registered a leap of 37-feet, 2.50-inches to place 14th in the triple jump.

The Great Danes complete competition at the Duke Invitational on Saturday, April 5.

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Men’s Results
200 Meter Dash Developmental: 21. Michael McCadney 23.30. High Jump: 6. David Parker 6-4.75. Hammer Throw: 10. Wilfredo de Jesus Elias 169-6, 25. Kevin Lee 139-8, Will Anger FOUL.


Women’s Results
200 Meter Dash Developmental: 14. Octavia Clarkson 26.45. 400 Meter Dash Developmental: 3. Octavia Clarkson 59.28. Triple Jump: 14. Sandy Antenor 37-2.50. Pole Vault: Krystal Myers NH. Hammer Throw: 36. Sineaid Corley 126-10, 39. Kadine Johnson 123-4, 41. Ritshell Verdier 119-1.

Heery International Inc. Selected to Study Proposed UAlbany Multi-Purpose Complex

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Friday, April 4 that Heery International Inc. has been selected to study a proposed on-campus multi-purpose stadium complex.

Heery's study, which will take four to six months to complete, will include a site analysis, developing a stadium concept, establishing a project budget and formulating fund-raising materials.

"Heery International's work is the beginning of an exciting project that will benefit the entire Capital Region," McElroy said. "As our Division I athletic program continues to grow, so does the facility needs of our 19 sports. The vision for this athletic complex is something that not only services our athletic programs, but campus, high school and community events. The results of this study will allow us to determine, with respect to funding, what our options will be in the future."

Heery International, an Atlanta-based company founded in 1952, is a full-service design, engineering and construction management firm with 1,100 employees located in 30 offices throughout the United States and Europe.

Heery's list of more than 250 collegiate sports projects and 50-plus collegiate stadiums include a recent renovation and expansion of the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas; eight renovations and expansions of the University of Georgia's Sanford Stadium; and a design for the renovation of the University of Texas' Memorial Stadium.

UAlbany Cruises Past Siena For An Easy Win @ a frigid John Fallon Field

UAlbany showed its dominance over Siena once again. Mid way through the final quarter, with a 12-3 lead, UAlbany was able to coast to the finish.

Albany, N.Y. – Corey Small matched a season-high with four goals, including two in each half, as UAlbany upended Siena, 13-6, in non-league play on Wednesday, April 2 at John Fallon Field. The Great Danes have won all six meetings since both teams have competed as Division I programs.

UAlbany (3-5) wiped out an early 1-0 deficit with four unanswered in the opening quarter. Freshman Kyle Crotty converted a drive from the right point as his team scored three times in a two-minute-and-39 second span. Small cut to the top of the crease in connecting off Alpizar’s pass from behind, before Brian Caufield sent a low shot into the net with 20.6 seconds left in the period on a transition play that started with a Siena turnover.

The Great Danes tallied three more goals in the second quarter in building a 7-2 halftime margin. Alpizar scored from left of the crease off a spin move. Nate Sullivan, who had a career-best three goals, found the cage on the man-advantage with 10:02 remaining in the stanza. Steve Ammann, who had a career-high point total with two goals and three assists, sent a long crossing pass to the right side that put Small one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

UAlbany used a five-goal third period to put together a commanding 12-3 lead. Small, who has 18 goals this year, scored twice in that outburst. He finished off a fastbreak after gathering in Alpizar’s short crossing pass and later spun to his right shoulder to score from the middle of the zone. In between, freshman Derek Kruezer drilled an underhanded shot and Ammann converted a drive from the right side.

“We were fortunate to get up on them early,” said UAlbany coach Scott Marr, whose team has won its last three after opening the season with five losses. “The man-up and fastbreak goals got us going and we used that fact that we are a little bigger and stronger to our advantage. This is a great rivalry for area lacrosse fans.”

Siena (6-4) responded in the final quarter with three consecutive goals, including a pair by sophomore midfielder Matt Leithead. Matt Girsh, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference preseason player of the year, added an extra-man goal, his second of the game. Brent Herbst, who ranks second nationally among the Division I leaders in save percentage, made 13 stops in the Saints’ cage. UAlbany’s Alpizar and Caufield each scored once and handed out two assists.

“We knew we had to match their intensity,” said UAlbany goalkeeper Brent Queener, who made 10 saves and moved into fifth place on the school’s all-time list with 382. “We gave our best effort because this game is about bragging rights and we are trying to build up after a slow start (to the season).”

Syracuse Pulls Away in Final Half to Post 21-11 Win Against UAlbany in Women's Lacrosse Play

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Halley Quillinan scored five goals and Katie Rowan added four as Syracuse, ranked fifth in both national polls, pulled away in the second half for a 21-11 victory over UAlbany on Wednesday, April 2 at John Fallon Field.

Syracuse (9-2) led 11-10 in the final period, but then reeled off seven unanswered in a span five minutes and nine seconds. Megan Mosenson converted Kristin Brady's feed in a free-position situation to begin that stretch.

Christina Dove, a sophomore midfielder, netted the first of her two goals during the outburst by finishing off a drive in the middle of the zone. Rowan, the nation's top scorer who had four goals and four assists, converted a free-position opportunity. After a UAlbany foul gave the Orange the following draw, Dove scored eight seconds later for a 15-10 advantage.

Quillinan, a sophomore attacker, tallied two of the next three goals to end the run. Brady added two scores in the final two minutes and ended up with career-highs in goals (5) and points (7). The Orange, who reached the 20-goal mark for the seventh time this season, own Division’s I top scoring attack.

UAlbany (7-4) wiped out an early 3-0 deficit with five of the game's next six goals. Kayla Best scored twice in that stretch, before Jodi Battaglia connected on an inside roll from the left side for a 5-4 lead. The Orange, who have won seven of their last eight outings, went back in front on Brady's bounce shot in transition. Awehiyo Thomas later found the net with 23.7 seconds left before halftime for a 10-7 lead at the break.

The Great Danes, who were hosting the highest-ranked opponent in the program’s Division I history, closed within one five minutes into the final half. Best scored unassisted with a blast inside the right post. Freshman attacker Tee Ladouceur, who scored three times with one assist, cut to the top of the crease to place Jane Bush’s feed from behind into the left side of the net.

Syracuse’s Mosenson totaled two goals and five assists, while freshman goalkeeper Liz Hogan stopped 14 shots. UAlbany’s Best had four goals, while Bush netted a pair and handed out one assist.

Powell and Rose Pitch UAlbany to Doubleheader Sweep of Iona

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Marissa Powell and Brittany Rose each pitched a complete game to lead UAlbany to a doubleheader sweep of Iona in non-conference softball action on Wednesday, April 2 at Albany Field. The Great Danes took the opener 4-0 and topped the Gaels 11-2 in five innings in the nightcap.

In the second inning of the opener, UAlbany jumped out to a 3-0 lead behind the efforts of senior Amber Maisonet. Following two walks and a pair of successful sacrifice bunts that put runners on second and third, Maisonet laced a triple down the right field line to plate Gina Mason and Jessica Bergen. During the next at bat, Maisonet stole home as the catcher was throwing the ball back to the pitcher.

The Great Danes tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Sophomore Michelle Connors doubled down the right field line with one out. Following an out, junior Meagan Butsch doubled to the gap in left center to knock in Connors.

Powell went the distance in the circle for the Great Danes, striking out nine, while allowing just four hits to pick up her fourth win of the season. Becky Riccitelli took the loss for the Gaels, allowing four runs on four hits, to go with six strikeouts.

In the nightcap, UAlbany exploded for nine runs in the first two innings. The Great Danes used five consecutive singles to start the first inning. Maisonet scored the first run of the frame as she stole third and advanced home on a throwing error by the catcher. Connors followed with a single to right field to plate Nicole Kothe. On a single up the middle by Mason, an errant throw by the centerfielder allowed Connors and Butsch to score and Mason to end up on third. Senior Leanne Tillman plated Mason with the Great Danes’ fifth run of the inning as she reached on a fielding error.

UAlbany (13-10) struck for four runs on four hits in the bottom of the second inning. Kothe and Connors led off the frame with a walk and a single. After a passed ball allowed the runners to advance a base, Butsch drilled a triple over the centerfielder’s head to drive home Kothe and Connors. Mason followed with a sacrifice fly to center to knock in Butsch. Following back-to-back singles by Tillman and Bergin and a wild pitch, sophomore Kat Smith grounded out to the pitcher to score Tillman.

Iona (6-18) cut into UAlbany’s lead with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning. The Gaels loaded the bases on two errors and an infield single. Paige Cauley then drew a walk to plate Lolli Mills. Amanda Glaser delivered a single to left to score Riccitelli.

The Great Danes got the two runs back in their half of the fourth. Tillman led off with a single down the left field line. After a wild pitch and a walk to Bergin, Smith executed a sac bunt to move Bergin and pinch runner Tara Dalton into scoring position. Pinch hitter Bailey Van Deest singled up the middle to drive in Dalton. Two batters later, Bergin scored on a wild pitch to deliver the final score.

Rose struck out a career-best 10 batters over five innings, yielding just two unearned runs on two hits, to record her second win of the season. Katie Jo Passero suffered the loss, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits in an inning of action.

The Great Danes return to action in America East play on Saturday, April 5 at UMBC at 1:00 p.m.

UAlbany Track's Daniel Avery and Luke Schoen Recognized by America East Conference

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – University at Albany’s Daniel Avery and Luke Schoen have been named America East Conference men’s outdoor track and field performers of the week, as announced by the conference office on Wednesday afternoon.

Avery, a freshman from Cooper City, Fla., has been selected as the track performer of the week. Avery, who is also a defensive back on the UAlbany football team, won the 110-meter hurdles in an IC4A-qualifying time of 14.31 seconds at North Carolina State’s Raleigh Relays on Saturday, March 29 at Paul Derr Track Stadium. He advanced to the event’s finals by sprinting 14.50 seconds in the preliminaries.

Schoen, a sophomore from Bohemia, N.Y., has been chosen as the field performer of the week. Schoen placed second in the pole vault with an IC4A-qualifying height of 15-feet, 11-inches in last Friday’s competition at the Raleigh Relays.

The Great Danes are in competition at a pair of meets on April 4-5, at the Florida Relays in Gainesville, Fla. and the Duke Invitational in Durham, N.C.

UAlbany Softball Splits Non-Conference Doubleheader With Marist

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Marissa Powell recorded a complete-game victory and freshman Taryn LaColla scored on a throwing error to lead UAlbany to a 4-3 extra-inning win over Marist in the second game of a non-conference doubleheader. Marist won the early game, 6-5.

In the nightcap, neither team was able to score until the seventh, when Marist plated a pair of runs in the top of the frame. Right fielder Jessica Green homered to left to drive in centerfielder Pamela de la Llave, who recorded a lead-off single to start the inning. The Great Danes responded in the bottom of the frame to extend the game, as third baseman Meagan Butsch knocked a triple to right center to drive in pinch runner Kristine Bill. UAlbany tied the game three batters later as senior Leanne Tillman hit an RBI single to send Butsch home.

Marist (11-17) regained the lead in the top of the eighth, as McCallion Campbell, who started the inning on second by way of the international tiebreak rule, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a fielding error by Powell. UAlbany turned a double play to end the inning, as shortstop Melissa Giordano grounded back to the pitcher, who flipped the ball to first baseman Gina Mason. Mason gunned down Alanna Woody at third to get the third out.

UAlbany’s Nicole Kothe, who was placed on second to start the bottom half of the inning, tied the game at 3-3, scoring on a passed ball. LaColla entered the game to pinch run for Andrianna Walraven, who was hit by a pitch during her at bat. LaColla advanced to second on a passed ball and managed to get to third on the same play. She came off the bag on a two-out pitch by Megan Rigos and scored on a throwing error by the catcher to end the game in UAlbany’s favor.

Powell struck out four opposing batters to earn the win, improving to 3-6 on the season. Rigos took the loss for Marist after relieving Caitlin Carpentier, who fanned seven in 7.1 innings of work.

UAlbany held a 4-2 lead in the top of the seventh inning in game one before de la Llave drove a grand slam over the centerfield fence to put Marist up, 6-4, in the final frame. UAlbany attempted a rally in the bottom half of the inning, led off by a solo homer by Jessica Bergin, but the Great Danes were unable to score any other runs.

Marist took the first lead of the game in the top of the second on a solo shot by Kate Molloy. UAlbany scored two runs in the bottom of the third to get in front and added a pair in the fourth on a two-run homer by Mason to take a 4-1 advantage. Molloy scored again for Marist in the fifth, leading off with a double and scoring on a groundout by Woody.

Sophomore Leah McIntosh went 5.1 innings in the circle, fanning nine and allowing the first two runs. Freshman Brittany Rose took the loss for the Great Danes in relief. Rigos struck out six in a complete-game performance for Marist.

UAlbany (11-10) will return to action on Wednesday, hosting non-conference opponent Iona in a doubleheader starting at 2:30 p.m.

University of Albany Football Rolls On

Football outlook bright for UAlbany

With 48 letterwinners and 12 starters returning from only the third Northeast Conference team to go undefeated in league play, the defending champion University at Albany football team began spring practice Sunday with plenty of confidence.

The Great Danes will have 15 NCAA-allowed spring workouts, and will use both the Alumni Turf Field (artificial) and Mara-Tisch Field (natural) as practice sites.

UAlbany won its third Northeast Conference title last fall with an overall 8-4 record. Tailback David McCarty, from LaSalle Institute in Troy, leads an offensive unit that ranked 20th nationally in rushing at nearly 209 yards per game. Named to the Sports Network All-America squad, McCarty ran for 1,503 yards, the third-highest single-season

total in team history. He ran for at least 100 yards on eight occasions, including a career-best 247 in the championship-clinching win over Central Connecticut State.

Quarterback Vinny Esposito also returns. He passed for the second-best single-season total in program history, with 1,810 yards, and also tossed 12 TD strikes.

Right tackle Raphael Nguti

(6-foot-6, 330 pounds), center Kevin Richards (6-2, 280), from Shenendehowa, and left tackle Justin

Tougas (6-6, 308), from Queensbury, anchor the offensive line.

UAlbany lost starting kicker Jason Fralicker from its special teams and all-time leading tackler Colin Disch from its linebacking corps.

“On defense, we have to improve in the red zone,” said UAlbany head coach Bob Ford, who owns a

225-162-1 career record in 39 varsity seasons. “It’s a matter of tightening things up and being more aggressive in our approach. These practices will also allow us to identify the pass rushers and swing people on the defensive line.

“Certain elements of our run offense need to be established, and we have to become consistent in the three-step pass game. We want to review our punt returners and long snappers on special teams.”

The Danes also announced the hiring of John Allen and Eric Evans as assistant coaches and Juan Torres as director of operations. Allen will coach the receivers, and Evans will work with the tight ends.

Courtesy: Bob Weiner
Schenectady Gazette Sports Reporter

UAlbany's Leah McIntosh Named America East Conference Softball Pitcher of the Week

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – UAlbany sophomore Leah McIntosh was named the America East Conference Softball Pitcher of the Week, as announced by the conference office on Monday afternoon. It is the third honor of the season for McIntosh.

McIntosh went 3-0 in three complete-game appearances last week. She led the Great Danes to wins over Kennesaw State, Siena and conference opponent Binghamton. McIntosh recorded her first career no-hitter in a 1-0 shutout win over Kennesaw State, tying a career-high with 12 strikeouts. She threw the first seven-inning, no-hit shutout by a UAlbany hurler since May 6, 2006.

McIntosh, who finished with 29 strikeouts for the week, also fanned nine batters in a 2-1 win over Siena and struck out eight in an 11-3 five-inning victory over Binghamton in the first conference game of the season.

McIntosh, a native of Whitby, Ontario, is 7-3 on the season with a 1.90 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 62.2 innings of work.

UAlbany's Best & Ladouceur Receive America East Conference Weekly Lacrosse Awards

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. -- University at Albany’s Kayla Best has been chosen America East Conference Player of the Week in women’s lacrosse, as announced on Monday, March 31 by the conference office. Freshman Tee Ladouceur was selected America East Rookie of the Week for the second time this season.

Best had 10 goals and one assist in two victories last week. She recorded career-highs in goals (6) and points (7) as her team rallied for a 17-12 league triumph at UMBC on March 26. Best, who sealed the outcome with back-to-back free-position shots in the final six minutes, became the first Great Dane to score six goals in a game since April 22, 2005. Best also scored four times and added a career-best five ground balls in Sunday’s 16-11 non-league victory against Longwood. Best, who has 26 goals and four assists this year, extended her scoring streak to 23 consecutive games.

Ladouceur, a first-team All-American on the high school level, also combined for 10 goals and one assist in last week’s two games. She had five of her career-high six goals in the second-half rally against UMBC. She netted a pair of unassisted goals that tied the contest at 12 apiece and scored her sixth, one off the program’s single-game freshman record, for a 14-12 lead. Ladouceur, who has a team-leading 29 goals this season, scored four times versus Longwood. She posted career-highs in draw controls (5) and caused turnovers (3) in that non-league win.

UAlbany (7-3) is off to its best since 1998 when the program competed at the NCAA Division II level. The Great Danes host Syracuse, ranked No. 5 in both national polls, on April 2 at 4:00 p.m.

University of Albany Women's Lacrosse Wins 16-11 in Non-League Contest Against Longwood

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- Kayla Best and Tee Ladouceur each had four goals in leading UAlbany to a 16-11 non-league victory over Longwood on Sunday, March 30 at John Fallon Field. The Great Danes, who improved to 7-3 overall, have won five of their last six games.

UAlbany led 9-6 at halftime, but then ran off four unanswered during the opening 10 minutes of the final period. Ladouceur converted a free-position attempt to begin that stretch. Freshman Nikki Branchini, who had a career-high three goals, later drove around a defender in the middle of the zone. Brittany Scott sent a free-position shot into the lower left corner, before Ladouceur drove to the cage and switched to her right hand for a seven-goal cushion with 20:07 to play. The freshman midfielder had a team-leading 29 goals.

Longwood (4-9) held a 2-1 advantage early in the first half after Liz Sellmayer cut to the top of the crease to finish off Christine Comeau’s feed. The Great Danes answered by scoring four consecutive times over the next five minutes. Jodi Battaglia drew her team even with a free-position goal and then set up Best on a right-to-left crossing pass with 23:11 left in the stanza. Scott, a senior midfielder, completed a fastbreak, before Ladouceur was credited with a goal after a Lancer defender misplayed a loose ball into her own net.

UAlbany was still on top, 8-4, after Jane Bush scored from the top of the crease, but the Lancers cut that lead in half with a pair of unassisted goals. Sellmayer netted her second of the game when she rotated inside two defenders from left of the cage. Carlie Nethken then found the net on a rebound after UAlbany goalkeeper Katie Neer stopped Sellmayer’s initial shot. The Great Danes took a three-goal margin to the break when Best, a sophomore midfielder, scored in transition by spinning to her left shoulder with 2:43 remaining.

“We made good adjustments against their defense and caused some turnovers by riding well,” said UAlbany coach Lindsey Hart, whose team is off to its best start since the 1998 campaign will host fifth-ranked Syracuse on Wednesday. “We didn’t execute the way we wanted for the full sixty minutes. We got away from a disciplined style at times and didn’t finish every play.”

Sophomore midfielder Paige Farmer totaled three goals and one assist for the Lancers, who are in their second season at the NCAA Division I level. Goalkeeper Eliza Coughter made 10 saves. UAlbany’s Neer and Emily Miller combined stop 13 shots in the cage.

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UAlbany 16, Longwood 11

Longwood – Scoring: Page Farmer 3-1, Liz Sellmayer 2-0, Amanda Bereznay 1-0, Carlie Nethken 1-0, Britt Fraquharson 1-0, Lauren Barnaba 1-0, Kesley Dean 1-0, Karli Brentlinger 1-0, Christine Comeau 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Eliza Coughter (60:00, 10 saves, 16 GA).

UAlbany – Scoring: Kayla Best 4-0, Tee Ladouceur 4-0, Nikki Branchini 3-0, Brittany Scott 2-0, Jodi Battaglia 1-1, Jane Bush 1-0, Taylor Frink 1-0, Stacey Brown 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Katie Neer (47:38, 9 saves, 7 GA), Emily Miller (12:22, 4 saves, 4 GA).

University of Albany Softball Defeats Binghamton, 11-3, in America East Action

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Leanne Tillman smashed a lead-off home run over the center field fence in a seven-run fourth inning that led UAlbany to an 11-3 win in five frames in America East Conference softball action on Sunday afternoon at Albany Field. The second game of the league doubleheader was called after nine innings due to darkness with the score tied at 3-3. The remainder of that game, along with the third contest of the series, will take place on Monday at 12 p.m.

Binghamton (3-16, AE 0-1) took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, as Emily Phillips knocked in two runs on a single to second base. Sandy Meadows, who led off with a single, and Sara Eppolito, who reached on an error, scored on the play.

UAlbany (10-9, AE 1-0) responded with two runs in both the second and third innings. Gina Mason recorded an RBI double to center field to score Meagan Butsch for the Great Danes’ first run. Kat Smith knocked a single to left later in the inning to send Mason home. In the bottom of the third, Butsch knocked in Michelle Connors and Bailey Van Deest to give UAlbany a 4-2 advantage.

The Great Danes compiled eight hits to score their seven runs in the bottom half of the fourth inning. After four consecutive singles, Connors and Van Deest recorded back-to-back doubles to give UAlbany a 9-2 lead. Connors drove in Maisonet, while Van Deest sent Connors and Kothe across home plate. Smith also recorded an RBI in the frame, driving in Bill, who came in to run for Van Deest.

Sophomore Leah McIntosh earned the win in the circle for the Great Danes, striking out eight batters in five innings. Patty Egan took the loss for Binghamton, fanning two in 3.1 innings of work.

UAlbany Tennis Sweeps Sacred Heart, 7-0, for 15th Win of Season

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Senior Aimee Kern won in straight sets at first singles and teamed for a doubles victory to lead UAlbany to a 7-0 sweep of Sacred Heart on Sunday, March 30 at the Bubble.

Kern topped Julianne Kasinow at No. 1 singles by scores of 6-3 and 6-0 for her 12th singles win of the season. She later teamed with freshman Susan Ma at first doubles to defeat Darcy Demers and Nicole Betz, 8-2. Ma was victorious in three sets at No. 2 singles over Demers, registering scores of 6-0, 2-6 and 10-7.

At third singles, junior Kim Weltman beat Betz in straight sets, 6-0 and 6-2. The tandem of Weltman and Charlotte Tatler won at No. 3 doubles by a score of 8-1 over Mandy Finkelstein and Britany Price. Tatler won her match at fourth singles over Elizabeth Harrington by a score of 6-1 in each set.

Freshman Laine Mackey defeated Jessica Schnell, 6-3, 6-1, at No. 5 singles, while senior Amanda Hall beat Ashley Amalfe at sixth singles, 6-0 and 6-4. The duo teamed for an 8-5 win at second doubles over Amalfe and Kasinow.

UAlbany (15-2) returns to action on Saturday, April 5 at Stony Brook at 1:00 p.m.

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Singles
1. Aimee Kern (UA) def. Julianne Kasinow (SHU) 6-3, 6-0
2. Susan Ma (UA) def. Darcy Demers (SHU) 6-0, 2-6, 10-7
3. Kim Weltman (UA) def. Nicole Betz (SHU) 6-0, 6-2
4. Charlotte Tatler (UA) def. Elizabeth Harrington (SHU) 6-1, 6-1
5. Laine Mackey (UA) def. Jessica Schnell (SHU) 6-3, 6-1
6. Amanda Hall (UA) def. Ashley Amalfe (SHU) 6-0, 6-4


Doubles
1. Kern/Ma (UA) def. Demers/Betz (SHU) 8-2
2. Mackey/Hall (UA) def. Kasinow/Amalfe (SHU) 8-5
3. Weltman/Tatler (UA) def. Mandy Finkelstein/Britany Price (SHU) 8-1

UAlbany Lacrosse Downs Binghamton, 8-2, in America East Opener at John Fallon Field

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Corey Small had two goals and two assists in leading UAlbany to an 8-2 victory over Binghamton in the America East Conference opener for both teams on Saturday, March 29 at John Fallon Field. The temperature at face-off was below 30 degrees while a stiff northwest wind blew across the field.

UAlbany (2-5, AE 1-0) led 2-1 midway through the second quarter, but rattled off three goals in a two-minute-and-16-second span. Steve Ammann converted a bounce shot off a drive from the left side to start that run. After goalkeeper Brett Queener cleared the ball following one of his six saves, Small finished off John Alpizar’s crossing pass to complete a perfectly executed fastbreak. Mark Cometti drilled an underhanded shot from the left side after being set up by Small for a four-goal lead with 3:26 left in the period.

The teams exchanged man-up goals early in the third quarter. UAlbany’s Nate Sullivan sent a blast into the top right corner. The Bearcats’ Steven Carlson rifled a shot into the net off a pass from behind the cage by teammate Stephen Smith. The Great Danes put the contest away with a pair of unassisted goals. Freshman midfielder Kyle Crotty scored his second of the game by driving from the right point past a defender. Small tallied his 14th of the season when he scooped up a ground ball in the middle of the zone, moved to his left, and netted a behind-the-head shot past Binghamton goalkeeper Larry Kline.

“It’s always important to win your first conference game,” said UAlbany coach Scott Marr, whose team was coming off an eight-day layoff since defeating 11th-ranked Princeton. “We were sloppy offensively and didn’t execute. I was disappointed we didn’t put more points on the board. Binghamton’s goalkeeper made some good saves. They play a controlled style and we were patient on defense and forced them into turnovers.”

The Great Danes held the visitors to the lowest goal by a conference opponent since April 6, 2002. Binghamton (2-4, AE 0-1) had just 17 shots on the cage and was forced into 26 miscues. UAlbany held a 2-0 lead after the opening period on goals by Brian Grodotske and Crotty. Binghamton’s Drew Wichmann cut that deficit in half when he cut to the top of the crease to finish off Chris Mulheron’s feed shortly after a UAlbany offside penalty had expired.

Kline, who is third among the national leaders in save percentage, stopped eight shots for the Bearcats, who posted a 9-8 win on their home field in last year’s matchup between these teams. UAlbany has won 27 of their 34 regular-season game against America East opponents.

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UAlbany 8, Binghamton 2

Binghamton – Scoring: Drew Wichmann 1-0, Steven Carlson 1-0, Chris Mulheron 0-1, Stephen Smith 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Larry Kline (60:00, 9 saves, 8 GA).

UAlbany – Scoring: Corey Small 2-2, Kyle Crotty 2-0, Mark Cometti 1-0, Nate Sullivan 1-0, Brian Grodotske 1-0, Steve Ammann 1-0, John Alpizar 0-1, Jordan Levine 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Brett Queener (55:29, 6 saves, 2 GA), Dan McKeon (4:31, 1 save, 0 GA).

UAlbany's Daniel Avery Wins 110-meter High Hurdles at Raleigh Relays

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Raleigh, N.C. – UAlbany freshman Daniel Avery won the 110-meter high hurdles to lead the Great Danes on the second day of the Raleigh Relays at Paul Derr Track Stadium on Saturday, March 29.

Avery, who advanced to the finals with a time of 14.50 seconds in Friday’s preliminary heats, crossed the finish line in an IC4A-qualifying 14.31 seconds. Freshman Wilfredo de Jesus Elias recorded a toss of 166-feet, 2-inches to place ninth in the hammer throw.

In women’s action, junior Laura Cummings placed seventh in the finals of the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 10:57.79. In section 2 of the 3,000-meter steeplechase, freshman Kristine Mun finished third in 11:21.96 and senior Danielle Trimpop came in fifth in 11:26.14.

UAlbany returns to action on Friday, April 4 at the Duke Invitational in Durham, N.C. and the Florida Relays in Gainesville, Fla.

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Men’s Results
110 Meter High Hurdles: 1. Daniel Avery 14.31 (IC4A). Hammer Throw: 9. Wilfredo de Jesus Elias 166-2. Triple Jump: 17. Dong Ning Hu 42-5.25.



Women’s Results
3,000 Meter Steeplechase (Section 1): 7. Laura Cummings 10:57.79. 3,000 Meter Steeplechase (Section 2): 3. Kristine Mun 11:21.96, 5. Danielle Trimpop 11:26.14. Javelin Throw: 22. Isabella Katsarelis 91-6.