UAlbany Tennis Wraps Up America East Tournament Play With Win Over Hartford

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

New Haven, Conn. – Charlotte Tatler and Kim Weltman each recorded straight-set victories in singles competition and teamed up for a victory at No. 3 doubles to lead fifth-seeded UAlbany to a 4-0 win over No. 6 Hartford in the consolation round of the America East Conference Women’s Tennis Championship on Saturday afternoon at Yale Tennis Center. The match ended after UAlbany achieved the four points needed to determine the winner.

Weltman recorded a 6-0, 6-0 win over Hartford’s Nikki Haynal at No. 3 singles while Tatler defeated Hali Dorfman, 6-0, 6-0, at the No. 4 position. The two teamed up to post an 8-0 victory over Jessica Ruggles and Michelle Tafur in doubles action.

UAlbany’s Aimee Kern and Susan Ma defeated Raquel Casino and Kasey Michaels, 8-1, at the top doubles spot, while Amanda Hall and teammate Laine Mackey defeated Haynal and Dorfman, 8-1 in the No. 2 doubles match. Hall recorded a 6-0, 6-0 decision over Tafur at No. 6 singles to win the final point needed for the Great Danes to secure the match win.

UAlbany finishes the season with an 18-7 record in match play, setting a new program record for wins.

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America East Conference Women’s Tennis Championship

(Yale Tennis Center, New Haven, Conn.)

#5 UAlbany 4, #5 Hartford 0

Singles (one team point for each win)

Aimee Kern (UA) led Raquel Casino (UH), 6-0, 3-0, DNF

Susan Ma (UA) led Kasey Michaels (UH), 6-0, 2-1, DNF

Kim Weltman (UA) def. Nikki Haynal (UH), 6-0, 6-0

Charlotte Tatler (UA) def. Hali Dorfman (UH), 6-0, 6-0

Laine Mackey (UA) vs. Jessica Ruggles (UH), DNS

Amanda Hall (UA) def. Michelle Tafur (UH), 6-0, 6-0



Doubles (one team point for best two-of-three)

Kern/Ma (UA) def. Casino/Michaels (UH), 8-1

Hall/Mackey (UA) def. Haynal/Dorfman (UH), 8-1

Weltman/Tatler (UA) def. Ruggles/Tafur (UH), 8-0

Northeast Conference Earns Automatic Access to Division I FCS Post-Season Bracket in 2010

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Somerset, N.J. — As a result of the NCAA Board of Directors’ approval of a new budget that allows for the expansion of the Division I Football Championship Subdivision post-season bracket, the Northeast Conference will gain automatic access into the Division I Football Championship beginning in 2010. NEC Football is also eligible for automatic qualification into the championship bracket during the 2008 and 2009 seasons if its champion meets specifications of the bridge program.

“This is great for the NEC and its student-athletes,” commented league commissioner Brenda Weare. “It provides greater opportunity for our league on numerous levels. It should bolster our recruiting efforts and overall competitiveness, while also helping us brand our league.”

The recently-approved budget contained a proposal from the Division I Football Championship Committee calling for an increase in the number of FCS playoff participants to 20, a 25 percent rise from its current 16-team format. The NEC will acquire one of the four added berths and be guaranteed an opportunity to play for the 2010 FCS Championship.

Currently, the playoff bracket grants eight FCS leagues an automatic qualifier while awarding eight additional schools with at-large bids. The expanded format maintains the 1-to-1 ratio of automatic qualifiers and at-large teams. In addition to the NEC, the Big South, which will be a championship eligible conference by 2010, will gain automatic access.

“This is great news for NEC Football,” stated Monmouth’s Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Marilyn McNeil, who serves as the chair of the NEC Athletic Directors. “I applaud the NCAA and its Presidents for a decision that will further the opportunity of our student-athletes. I thank Commissioner Weare for the tremendous work she has done in spearheading this expansion effort.”

The NEC’s automatic access could come sooner than 2010 if its champion meets each of three specified criteria. The Football Championship Committee has determined to award a guaranteed at-large position to any conference champion team that: 1) accrues at least eight Division I victories, 2) wins a minimum of two non-conference games against Division I teams from a league that has earned an automatic berth in that given year, and 3) ranks 16th or higher in an average of the last regular season media, coaches and/or computer polls.

The expansion of the football bracket is the first in 21 years. During that interval, sponsorship of the sport at the FCS level has increased by 28 teams.

“This is not just good news for the NEC, but it is good news for the entire landscape of FCS Football. It allows for more opportunities across the board and makes the championship stronger,” said Weare.

Founded in 1996, Northeast Conference Football has a current membership of eight teams including the addition of Duquesne for the imminent 2008 season. The league saw two of its teams, UAlbany and Central Connecticut State, crack both the Sports Network Top-25 Poll and the College Sporting News Top-25 Coaches’ Poll during the 2006 season. The NEC has yet to place a participant into the FCS playoffs, but numerous NEC teams have enjoyed other post-season opportunities throughout the years including the ECAC Bowl and the Gridiron Classic.

"This is significant for both the football program and athletic department," offered UAlbany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy. "This helps us in recruiting and scheduling, especially the non-conference portion of the season, and becomes a selling point to our alumni, students and fans. We will have to work hard to meet the requirements of the playoff model over the next two years, but the future is bright for UAlbany football."

Three UAlbany Relay Teams Break School Records at 114th Penn Relays Carnival

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Philadelphia, Pa. – Three UAlbany track relay teams broke school records on the second day of the 114th annual Penn Relays Carnival at Franklin Field on Friday, April 25.

In the shuttle hurdle relay, Jean Juste, Nick Assini, Garrett Askew and Daniel Avery combined for a time of 57.83 seconds to win the IC4A race, and break the previous school record of 58.62 seconds set in 1995. The men’s 4x200-meter relay team of Raphael Jean-Baptiste, Drew Harrison, Torshiro Jenkins and Jeffery Barnes turned in the first record-setting performance of the afternoon. The quartet raced to an 18th-place finish in 1:26.47 to qualify for Saturday’s IC4A final and break the 14-year old record of 1:26.52 set in 1994.

Freshman Michael Dempsey took second in the eastern pole vault by clearing the bar at an IC4A-qualifying height of 15-feet, 9-inches. In the eastern long jump, sophomore Valete Graham placed third with an IC4A and NCAA East Regional-qualifying distance of 24-feet, 1.50-inches. Avery also turned in an IC4A-qualifying performance in the 110-meter hurdles, hitting the tape in 14.31 seconds.

The women’s 4x200-meter relay team also established a school standard on their way to a 28th-place finish. Kamilah McShine, Melissa Lee, Jenn Gurrant and Ashley Vives finished in 1:40.67, topping the previous record of 1:42.42 established in 1999. Senior Arina Gerasimova took 12th in the triple jump championship with an ECAC-qualifying leap of 40-feet, 0-inches, while Gurrant placed fourth in the eastern triple jump with an ECAC-qualifying leap of 39-feet, 8.75-inches.

The Great Danes wrap up competition at the 114th Penn Relays on Saturday, April 26. In addition, UAlbany team members will compete at the Union Invitational.

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Men’s Results
110 Meter Hurdles: 18. Daniel Avery 14.31 (IC4A). 4x100 Meter Relay: 33. Raphael Jean-Baptiste, Drew Harrison, Torshiro Jenkins, Barnes 41.74 (IC4A). 4x200 Meter Relay: 18.Raphael Jean-Baptiste, Drew Harrison, Torshiro Jenkins, Jeffery Barnes 1:26.47 (School Record). Shuttle Hurdle Championship of America: 4. Jean Juste, Nick Assini, Garrett Askew, Daniel Avery 57.83 (School Record). 4x400 Meter Relay: 49. Andrew Overbaugh, Jeffery Barnes, Torshiro Jenkins, Joe Greene 3:18.85. Sprint Medley Relay Championship of America: 13. Raphael Jean-Baptiste, Jeffery Barnes, Drew Harrison, Tyler Fogarty 3:23.36. Shot Put: 23. Renauld Buck 44-3. Long Jump Eastern: 3. Valete Graham 24-1.50 (IC4A, NCAA East Regional), 18. Kyle Nadler 22-1.50. Pole Vault Eastern: 1. Michael Dempsey 15-9. Discus Throw: 29. Will Anger 137-5.

Women’s Results
4x200 Meter Relay: 28. Kamilah McShine, Melissa Lee, Jenn Gurrant, Ashley Vives 1:40.67 (School Record). Sprint Medley Relay Championship of America: 25. Kamilah McShine, Ashley Vives, Melissa Lee, Zuliana Fontanez 4:08.02. Triple Jump Championship: 12. Arina Gerasimova 40-0 (ECAC). Triple Jump Eastern: 4. Jenn Gurrant 39-8.75 (ECAC), 9. Tiffany Sprenkels 38-4.75.

Pitcheralle and Rowland Lead the University of Albany Over Vermont, 10-4, in America East Baseball Action

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Gary Pitcheralle and Brendan Rowland combined for six hits and seven runs batted in to lead UAlbany to a 10-4 America East Conference baseball win on Friday, April 25 at Varsity Field.

Vermont (18-15, AE 4-5) opened the game with a run on three hits in the first inning. Matt Duffy doubled with one out and scored two batters later on a single up the middle by Justin Milo. UAlbany answered back in the bottom of the second with two runs. Senior first baseman Mike Konstanty led off the frame with a blast over the wall in left field. Sophomore third baseman Pete Eichner then drew a walk and scored after a pair of outs on a single through the left side by Pitcheralle.

The Catamounts regained the lead in the top of the fourth with two unearned runs. Mark Micowski was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in Jeff Nolet, who reached on a leadoff single. Duffy followed with a groundout to score Corey Moylan, who drew a walk to reach base. The Great Danes responded again with two runs on three hits in the bottom of the inning. Junior catcher Ryan Gugel and Konstanty started the frame with consecutive singles. After a strikeout, senior Tom Zink singled through the left side to plate Gugel. With the bases loaded following a walk, Pitcheralle was hit by a pitch to force home Konstanty.

Vermont knotted the score at four apiece in the sixth with an unearned run. With one out, Kyle Massie reached on a throwing error, stole second and advanced to third on another throwing error. Brad Currier then singled up the middle to tie the game. UAlbany took the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth. Following back-to-back singles to right field by Zink and freshman second baseman Kyle Crean, Pitcheralle laced a double down the left field line to clear the bases.

UAlbany (10-29-1, AE 5-8) tacked on four runs over the last two innings to put the game out of reach. In the seventh, Rowland doubled down the left field line to open the inning. After a fly and a walk, Eichner reached on a fielding error to allow Rowland to race home from second. Rowland capped the game’s scoring in the eighth inning with a three-run homer over the left field fence in left.

Junior southpaw Cory Warrings tossed the opening 5.2 innings for the Great Danes, allowing four runs (one earned) and striking out four. Junior Sean Gregory picked up his third win of the season by retiring all ten batters he faced, including three by strikeout. Joe Serafin took the loss for the Catamounts, yielding seven runs (six earned) over seven innings.

The Great Danes and the Catamounts resume their four-game series on Saturday at 12:00 with a pair of seven inning contests.
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Vermont (18-15, AE 4-5) 100 201 000 - 4 6 1
UAlbany (10-29-1, AE 5-8) 020 202 13X - 10 13 3

Vermont: Joe Serafin (L, 4-3), Nate Matusick (8) and Jeff Nolet.
UAlbany: Cory Warrings, Sean Gregory (W, 3-4) and Ryan Gugel.

University of Albany Track Star Joe Green Returns For The Penn Relays

University of Albany track All-American Joe Greene will return to action today after missing 2 1/2 months with a high hamstring strain.

Greene, a junior, will compete on UAlbany's 1,600-meter relay team at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia this afternoon. Then he'll run in the 400 hurdles at the Union College Invitational in Schenectady on Saturday.

Greene finished fourth in the 400 hurdles at the NCAA outdoor track and field championships last June in a time of 49.92 seconds. UAlbany track coach Roberto Vives said Greene still has time to qualify for the NCAAs and a shot to win the school's first Division I national championship.

"That's still not out the window," Vives said. "He comes back quickly (from injury). He's a little behind this year, but he's more experienced, too." This year's championship is June 11-14 at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.

Greene injured his right leg during indoor track season at Boston University's Valentine Invitational on Feb. 9. "It'll take time to get the timing and rhythm," Vives said. "Everything will feel like new again."

Greene simply needs to post a time at Union on Saturday to qualify for the America East Conference championship May 3 and 4. He is the league's defending champion in the 400 hurdles. The ultimate goal, according to Vives, is to have Greene ready for the Olympic trials in Oregon, June 27-July 6.

"Hopefully, he'll be peaking at the right time," Vives said. "In reality, he's probably an Olympics away (2012), if he decides to stay in the sport."

Women's Lacrosse Falls to Defending Champion Boston University

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Boston, Mass. -- Traci Landy equaled a career-high with four goals, including two in each half, and Lauren Morton added three in leading top-seed Boston University to a 17-6 victory over UAlbany in the semifinal round of the America East Conference Tournament on Friday, April 25 at Nickerson Field. The Terriers, who are ranked No. 8 nationally by the IWLCA and Inside Lacrosse, posted their 12th consecutive win.

Boston U. (15-2) leaped to a 3-0 lead over the opening six minutes by dominating the draw. Landy, a sophomore midfielder, struck from the middle of the zone, before McKinley Curro scored from left of the cage to complete a wrap-around move. Sarah Dalton, the conference’s player of the year who had two goals and one assist, completed the outburst when she cut into the middle and connected inside the far post off Xan Weitzel’s feed.

Weitzel, a sophomore who tied a career-best for points with two goals and three assists, gave her team a 6-0 advantage with 18:39 remaining in the period. She worked her way around the net to place a low shot from the left past goalkeeper Katie Neer. UAlbany (8-9) got on the scoreboard when defender Tricia Primomo picked up a turnover in her defensive half of the field. Following a restart, Rory Redmond carried the ball up the left sideline and found freshman Jodi Battaglia who drove to net for the first of her two goals.

The Terriers, who have won the previous three America East tournament championships and made three straight NCAA appearances, tallied four unanswered to post a 10-1 margin. During that stretch, Steph Walker connected on a shot that went off the right post to finish a successful clearing attempt. Dalton cut to the middle to score off a pass from behind from Curro, who totaled two goals and two assists. Weitzel converted Landy’s pass in a free-position situation with 1:25 left in the period.

“The draw controls were huge,” said UAlbany coach Lindsey Hart, whose team lost 19 of 25 draws during the contest. “We knew we would have to win those and score on a large majority of our possessions. Boston U. is tenacious and aggressive and so experienced. They play with their heads and their bodies; their feet are always moving.”

The Terriers, who defeated UAlbany in last year’s championship final, led 11-2 at halftime, but then reeled off four straight goals to begin the second half. Molly Collins and Landy found the net nearly one minute apart after their squad won consecutive draws. UAlbany’s Kayla Best ended that run by connecting on a hard angle from the left side. She extended her goal-scoring streak to 30 consecutive games, the fifth-best mark among current Division I players. Meghan Merriam and Redmond would add second-half goals for the Great Danes, who dropped all 10 meetings in this series, including three league postseason games.

“They can receive and pass from anywhere in the eight-meter zone,” explained Best, who was named to the all-conference first team on Thursday. “If we want to challenge them in the future, we need to become more disciplined like them, run in the midfield and in transition, and finish shots.”

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America East Conference Tournament - Semifinal Round

#8 Boston U. 17, UAlbany 6

UAlbany – Scoring: Jodi Battaglia 2-0, Rory Redmond 1-0, Kayla Best, Molly Ortolano 1-0, Meghan Merriam 1-0, Stacey Brown 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Katie Neer (60:00, 4 saves, 17 GA).

Boston U. - Scoring: Traci Landy 4-1, Lauren Morton 3-0, Xan Weitzel 2-3, McKinley Curro 2-2, Darah Dalton 2-1, Steph Walker 2-0, Molly Collins 1-0, Alyssa Kovach 1-0, Jenny Taft 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Rachel Klein (60:00, 5 saves, 6 GA).

University of Albany Women's Track: Two Relays Qualify for ECAC Meet at 114th Penn Relays Carnival

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Philadelphia, Pa. – Jenn Gurrant and Ashley Vives led a pair of UAlbany women’s track relay squads to ECAC-qualifying marks at the 114th annual Penn Relays Carnival on Thursday, April 24 at the University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Field.

In the 4x100-meter relay, the team of Gurrant, Vives, Kamilah McShine and Christen Griffin raced to an ECAC-qualifying time of 48.28 seconds, the fastest time of the year in the event by the Great Danes. Gurrant and Vives later combined with Zuliana Fontanez and Melissa Lee in the 4x400-meter relay. The quartet turned in a season-best time of 3:50.87 to qualify for the ECAC meet in May. Gurrant also registered a season-best leap of 18-feet, 1-inch in the eastern long jump. In the 3,000-meter steeplechase, junior Laura Cummings placed third in her section with a time of 10:50.46, the third-fastest time in the program’s history.

In the eastern shot put, Ritshell Verdier placed 14th with a season-best toss of 41-feet, 8.75-inches, while Kadine Johnson finished 16th with a distance of 41-feet, 3-inches. Verdier also recorded a 13th-place finish in the discus throw with a distance of 137-feet, 9-inches. Senior Brenna Militello placed 17th in the eastern high jump with a height of 5-feet, 3.25-inches.

The Great Danes continue competition at the 114t annual Penn Relays on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26.

Women’s Results
4x100 Meter Relay: 59. Kamilah McShine, Christen Griffin, Jenn Gurrant, Ashley Vives 48.28 (ECAC). 4x400 Meter Relay: 46. Jenn Gurrant, Zuliana Fontanez, Ashley Vives, Melissa Lee 3:50.87 (ECAC). 3,000-meter Steeplechase Championship: 3. Laura Cummings 10:50.46. Shot Put Eastern: 14. Ritshell Verdier 41-8.75, 16. Kadine Johnson 41-3. High Jump Eastern: 17. Brenna Militello 5-3.25. Discus Throw: 13. Ritshell Verdier 137-9. Long Jump Eastern: Jenn Gurrant 18-1.

University of Albany's Kayla Best & Nikki Branchini on America East All-Conference Women's Lacrosse Team

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – University at Albany’s Kayla Best and Nikki Branchini have been named to the 2008 America East All-Conference Women’s Lacrosse Team, as announced on Thursday, April 24 at the championship tournament banquet. Best and Branchini were first-team selections.

Best, a sophomore midfielder, makes her second consecutive appearance on the all-conference team after earning second-team recognition last year. She leads the team in scoring with 44 goals and seven assists. Her goal total ranks sixth on the program’s single-season chart.

Best has scored at least one goal in 29 consecutive games, the fifth-best streak among current Division I players. She netted four or more goals against seven opponents, including a career-high six against UMBC on March 26.

Branchini, a freshman midfielder/defender, was also chosen to the America East All-Rookie Team. She is fourth among the league leaders in both draw controls (2.75 pg) and ground balls (2.69 pg). Branchini, the Capital Region’s top defensive player on the high school level last year, added nine goals, two assists and 17 caused turnovers.

Rory Redmond and Katie Neer were voted to the America East women’s lacrosse all-academic team. Redmond, a junior midfielder with a 3.58 cumulative grade point average in communication, accounted for five goals, three assists, 28 draw controls and 26 ground balls as a starter in 14 of 16 games. Neer, a junior goalkeeper who has a 12.02 goals against average with 136 saves, posted a 3.61 GPA in political science.

UAlbany (8-8) begins America East postseason play on Friday, April 25. The Great Danes meet top-seed Boston University, the nation’s eighth-ranked team, in the semifinal round at 1:00 p.m. The winner advances to the championship on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

University of Albany Field Hockey's Andy Thornton Named Assistant Coach of US National Indoor Squad

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany assistant field hockey coach Andy Thornton has been selected to be an assistant coach for the U.S. Women's National Indoor team. The team, which is comprised of players from across the United States, will begin training to compete in the 2008 Pan American Games in Argentina in November.

Thornton, who will enter his fifth season as an assistant coach with the UAlbany program this fall, has won seven National Indoor titles and played in seven Indoor European Cups, playing for his native Scotland. With his wealth of indoor field hockey experience, Thornton also brings several years of outdoor coaching experience to the table. Thornton was named the 2004 Scottish Coach of the Year for youth boys and was the 2003 Scottish Grass Roots Coach of the Year.

University of Albany @ America East Conference Women’s Tennis Championship

April 25-27, Yale Tennis Center-- New Haven, Conn.

Friday, April 25
Match 1 -- Opening Round #4 Stony Brook vs. #5 Albany, 1 p.m.
Match 2 -- Opening Round #3 Binghamton vs. #6 Hartford, 1 p.m.

Saturday, April 26
Match 3 -- Loser of Match 1 vs. Loser of Match 2, 1 p.m.
Match 4 -- Winner of Match 1 vs. #1 Boston U., 1 p.m.
Match 5 -- Winner of Match 2 vs. #2 UMBC, 1 p.m.

Sunday, April 27
Match 6 -- Winner of Match 4 vs. Winner of Match 5 (Championship), 11 a.m.*

University of Albany @ America East Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships

Courtesy: America East Communications

The 2008 America East Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be held at the University of Maine in Orono on May 3-4. Albany's men and women swept the titles at the 2007 America East Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

2008 OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

SATURDAY - Day One
10:00 a.m. Decathlon
*Men’s 100 Meter
*Men’s Long Jump
*Men’s Shot Put
*Men’s High Jump
*Men’s 400 Meter

10:30 a.m. Heptathlon
*Women’s 100 Meter Hurdles
*Women’s High Jump
*Women’s Shot Put
*Women’s 200 Meter

2:00 p.m. Women’s 100 Meter Hurdles Trials
2:10 p.m. Men’s 110 Meter Hurdles Trials
2:30 p.m. Women’s 400 Meter Trials
2:40 p.m. Men’s 400 Meter Trials
2:50 p.m. Women’s 100 Meter Trials
3:00 p.m. Men’s 100 Meter Trials
3:20 p.m. Women’s 400 Meter Hurdles Trials
3:30 p.m. Men’s 400 Meter Hurdles Trials
3:45 p.m. Women’s 3000 Meter Steeplechase Finals
4:05 p.m. Men’s 3000 Meter Steeplechase Finals
4:20 p.m. Women’s 200 Meter Trials
4:35 p.m. Men’s 200 Meter Trials
4:50 p.m. Women’s 10,000 Meter Finals
5:35 p.m. Men’s 10,000 Meter Finals

10:00 a.m. Men’s Hammer Throw Finals
11:00 a.m. Women’s Javelin Throw Finals
12:00 p.m. Women’s Hammer Throw Finals
1:00 p.m. Women’s Pole Vault Finals
1:00 p.m. Women’s Long Jump Finals
1:30 p.m. Men’s Javelin Throw Finals
3:00 p.m. Men’s Long Jump Finals
3:30 p.m. Men’s High Jump Finals
3:30 p.m. Men’s Pole Vault Finals

*Event will start no sooner than 30 minutes following the conclusion of the previous decathlon/heptathlon event.

SUNDAY - Day Two
9:00 a.m. Decathlon
*Men’s 110 Meter Hurdles
*Men’s Discus Throw
*Men’s Pole Vault
*Men’s Javelin Throw
*Men’s 1500 Meter

9:00 a.m. Heptathlon
*Women’s Long Jump
*Women’s Javelin Throw
*Women’s 800 Meter

11:00 a.m. Women’s 4x100 Meter Relay Finals
11:10 a.m. Men’s 4x100 Meter Relay Finals
11:30 a.m. Women’s 1500 Meter Final
11:45 a.m. Men’s 1500 Meter Final
12:00 p.m. Women’s 400 Meter Final
12:05 p.m. Men’s 400 Meter Final
12:15 p.m. Women’s 100 Meter Hurdles Final
12:25 p.m. Men’s 110 Meter Hurdles Final
12:35 p.m. Women’s 800 Meter Final
12:45 p.m. Men’s 800 Meter Final
12:55 p.m. Women’s 100 Meter Final
1:00 p.m. Men’s 100 Meter Final
1:10 p.m. Women’s 400 Meter Hurdles Final
1:20 p.m. Men’s 400 Meter Hurdles Final
1:30 p.m. Women’s 200 Meter Final
1:35 p.m. Men’s 200 Meter Final
1:45 p.m. Women’s 5000 Meter Final
2:05 p.m. Men’s 5000 Meter Final
2:30 p.m. Women’s 4x800 Meter Relay Final
2:40 p.m. Men’s 4x800 Meter Relay Final
2:50 p.m. Women’s 4x400 Meter Relay Final
3:00 p.m. Men’s 4x400 Meter Relay Final

10:30 a.m. Men’s Discus Throw Finals
10:30 a.m. Women’s Shot Put Finals
11:00 a.m. Men’s Triple Jump Finals
11:00 a.m. Women’s High Jump Finals
1:00 p.m. Women’s Triple Jump Finals
1:00 p.m. Women’s Discus Throw Finals
1:30 p.m. Men’s Shot Put Finals

*Event will start no sooner than 30 minutes following the conclusion of the previous decathlon/heptathlon event.

University of Albany Softball Sweeps Vermont, 1-0 & 5-1, in today's America East Conference doubleheader

UAlbany Softball Sweeps the University of Vermont, 1-0 & 5-1, in today's doubleheader More to come...

UAlbany Sends 38 Student-Athletes to 114th Penn Relays Carnival

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany’s track and field program will send 38 student-athletes, including 24 men and 14 women, to the 114th annual Penn Relays Carnival on April 24-26 at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Tyler Fogarty, who was named the most outstanding male performer at last Sunday’s New York Relays, will compete on the 4x800-meter and sprint medley relays. Fogarty posted an IC4A and USA Junior Nationals-qualifying time of 1:51.65 in the 800-meter run last week. He is joined by Bryan Lasky, Joe Belokopitsky and Jared Jupin on the 4x800 squad, which won the event at the New York Relays.

Jeffery Barnes and Torshiro Jenkins are members of four relay squads, including the 4x100-meter relay that turned in an IC4A-qualifying performance at the New York Relays. Raphael Jean-Baptiste joins the duo in the 4x100 and 4x200, while Dieuseul Joseph rounds out the 4x100 team and Drew Harrison completes on the 4x200 squad. Junior All-America Joe Greene will make his outdoor season debut as a member of the 4x400-meter relay.

Sophomore Luke Schoen, who placed third at the Penn Relays as a freshman, is entered in the championship portion of the pole vault. He recorded a height of 16-feet, 4.75-inches at the New York Relays, the fourth-best vault in school history. He was named the America East Conference men’s field performer of the week for his effort. Freshman Daniel Avery, who ran the fastest 110-meter hurdle time in the school’s Division I history at the Florida Relays earlier this month, is entered in the 110- hurdles and the shuttle hurdle relays.

Ashley Vives and Jenn Gurrant are each slated to compete in three events, including the 4x100-meter relay. Vives is also a member of the 4x400 and sprint medley squads, while Gurrant is competing in the eastern long jump and eastern triple jump, a pair of events that she recorded the second-longest distance in program annals last week. Kamilah McShine will join the duo in the 4x100 relay and will also compete on the sprint medley team. Senior Arina Gerasimova, who recently established a school record in the triple jump with a distance of 41-feet, 10.75-inches, is entered in that event’s championship division.

Laura Cummings will race in Thursday’s 3,000-meter steeplechase competition. The junior posted a time of 10:40.49 in the event at the Duke Invitational on April 5, the second-fastest time in the program’s history. Kadine Johnson and Brenna Militello, who each registered first-place finishes at the New York Relays, are in the shot put and high jump fields, respectively.

University of Albany Track's Schoen and Gerasimova Honored by America East Conference

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

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

Schoen, a sophomore from Bohemia, N.Y., has been chosen as the men’s field performer of the week. Schoen won the pole vault with an IC4A-qualifying and season-best height of 16-feet, 4.75-inches to lead the Great Danes to a first-place finish at the 13-team New York Relays on Sunday, April 20 at Icahn Stadium in New York City. The height also marked the fourth-best leap in the program’s history.

Gerasimova, a senior from Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine, has been selected as the women’s field performer of the week. Gerasimova won the triple jump with a school-record setting and ECAC and NCAA East Regional-qualifying leap of 41-feet, 10.75-inches to lead UAlbany to a first-place finish at the 11-team New York Relays. The leap surpassed the previous school standard of 41-feet, 2.25-inches set by Sarah Charles at the 2007 UAlbany Classic. Gerasimova also finished second in the long jump with a distance of 17-feet, 6-inches en route to being named the meet’s most outstanding female performer.

The Great Danes are in competition at a pair of meets this weekend, at the 114th Penn Relays in Philadelphia, Pa. on April 24-26 and the Union Invitational in Schenectady, N.Y. on April 26.

UAlbany Field Hockey to Host 4th Annual Alumni Game

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. - The University at Albany field hockey team will host the Fourth Annual Alumni Game on Saturday, April 26. The game, which will start at 1 p.m., will take place on Alumni Turf Field. Head coach Phil Sykes and the current members of the Great Danes' field hockey program welcome all alumni to participate in the game. Contact Coach Sykes for more information.

US Senator Schumer Announces Landmark Agreement that Forges First-Ever Federal Partnership with the University of Albany

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced a landmark agreement that will create the first-ever partnership between the federal government and University of Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) that will bring federal research expertise and resources to the nanoscale campus. In the wake of securing nearly $900,000 for the Center for National Competitiveness in Nanoscale Characterization (NC3) , which triggered an additional investment of nearly $15 million dollars, Schumer today announced he brokered an agreement between the Center and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) which will help further advance the already successful collaboration between NIST and CNSE by providing the framework for both organizations to share research, equipment, staff and other key resources.

This agreement marks the first formal partnership between the Albany Nano Campus and the Federal Government and is expected to help both organizations tackle some of the most critical challenges facing the nanotechnology industry, including obtaining precise measurements at the atomic and sub-atomic levels. As chips become smaller and smaller, this challenge grows.

Schumer, standing with Dr. James Turner, the head of NIST, Dr. Alain Kaloyeros, Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, and George Philip, Interim President at the University of Albany, announced the deal as the latest in efforts to ensure the Capital Region remains the driving force behind keeping the United States at the forefront of nanotechnology across the globe.

"This groundbreaking agreement will propel the Capital Region and our entire nation into the epicenter of an increasingly global nanotechnology sector," said Schumer. "This is a win-win for Tech Valley. The research will help keep the United State competitive in the global technology marketplace and it will help deliver federal funding and more private investment to the Albany area. After securing the initial money, we saw the great ability of UAlbany's Nano Center to grow as investments in their exciting research swelled to over $15 million. The partnership with NIST will allow UAlbany to combine the region's dynamic workforce and already cutting-edge research with federal expertise and resources that will solidify its spot as one of the best nano campuses in the world."

Dr. James M. Turner, the Deputy Director of NIST, said, "Our shared aim is to develop the measurement science infrastructure that is absolutely essential to U.S. innovation and economic competitiveness in nanotechnology. NIST is eager to forge a productive collaboration that leverages this impressive collection of intellectual and physical resources."

University at Albany Interim President George M. Philip said, "The creation of the New York Center for National Competitiveness in Nanoscale Characterization at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering further enhances the fast-growing global recognition of the University at Albany as a world leader in nanotechnology education and research. We are pleased to know that this initiative will provide still another critical resource for students and faculty at the University."

Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of CNSE, said, "We
are grateful to Senator Schumer, who continues to demonstrate his outstanding leadership and steadfast support for the educational and research programs at the UAlbany NanoCollege by securing funding for this world-class collaboration. We are privileged to work in partnership with our colleagues from the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop metrology innovations that will address the critical challenges facing nanoelectronics research and development, further establishing NIST, CNSE and New York State as global leaders in high-tech innovation and commercialization."

Founded in 1901, NIST is a non-regulatory federal agency within the U.S Department of Commerce. NIST's mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life. Prior to the creation of NIST, lack of standardized measurements complicated commerce in this country. For example there were several definitions for a liquid gallon and in Brooklyn alone there were four separate measurements for a foot. Standardization of those measurements and thousands of others has simplified commerce, improved products and brought reliability and integrity to our economic system.

In much the same way as it did one hundred years ago with a gallon of milk, today NIST is addressing the issues of standardization and precision in groundbreaking nanotechnology.

Companies from around the globe have come to UAlbany under Dr. Kaloyeros's leadership to do cutting-edge research in order to develop computer nanochips that are smaller, faster, better performing and more energy efficient. Partnering with NC3 will allow NIST to further develop measurement standards and tools that are critical to the United States's ability to compete in the global marketplace.

Schumer, teaming up with NIST and UAlbany, today announced a new partnership to enable a world-class research and development collaboration that is designed to accelerate the commercialization of advanced nanoelectronics innovations and strengthen U.S. competitiveness in the global high-tech economy.


In December, Schumer announced that he had secured $893,000 to establish NC3, and in the months since he has brokered an agreement resulting in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NIST and NC3. Working alongside University and industry researchers, NIST will help develop measurement standards and tools that are critical to the United States's ability to compete in the global marketplace


The initial seed money that formed the basis of the partnership between NIST and NC3 has already successfully leveraged $15 million in additional research, development and technology funding for CNSE and its university partners across the country. These investments include $4.0 million to the CNSE-based Institute for Nanoelectronics Discovery and Exploration awarded by the Nanoelectronics Research Initiative to which NIST belongs; $2.25 million from New York State; and, $7.75 million from six of the world's leading nanoelectonics corporations.

The MOU signed today will help further advance the already successful collaboration between NIST and CNSE by providing the protocols for both organizations to share research, equipment, staff and other key resources. Through NIST's Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology and NC3, leading scientists will work collaboratively to formulate and deploy pioneering techniques for the measurement of materials at the nanoscale - a critical element in the development of smaller and faster computer chips that offer higher performance and reduced power consumption for use in a wide range of industries, from health care, energy and telecommunications to military, aerospace and transportation.


The UAlbany CNSE is the first college in the world dedicated to research, development, education, and deployment in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience, nanoengineering, nanobioscience, and nanoeconomics. In May 2007, it was ranked as the world's number one college for nanotechnology and microtechnology in the Annual College Ranking by Small Times magazine. CNSE's Albany NanoTech complex is the most advanced research facility of its kind at any university in the world: a $4.2 billion, 450,000-square-foot complex that attracts corporate partners from around the world and offers students a one-of-a-kind academic experience.

The UAlbany NanoCollege houses the only fully-integrated, 300mm wafer, computer chip pilot prototyping and demonstration line within 65,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanrooms. More than 2,000 scientists, researchers, engineers, students, and faculty work on site at CNSE's Albany NanoTech complex, from companies including IBM, AMD, SEMATECH, Toshiba, ASML, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, Vistec Lithography and Freescale. An expansion currently underway will increase the size of CNSE's Albany NanoTech complex to over 800,000 square feet, including over 80,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanroom space, to house over 2,500 scientists, researchers, engineers, students, and faculty by mid-2009.

Senator Schumer's Contact:

University of Albany Women's Tennis Sweeps America East Conference Opponent Hartford in Dual Match

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

West Hartford, Conn. – Charlotte Tatler and Kim Weltman recorded straight set, 6-0, 6-0 victories in singles action and combined for a win at No. 3 doubles to lead UAlbany to a 7-0 win over Hartford in America East Conference action on Tuesday afternoon at the Hartford Tennis Courts.

Tatler defeated Jess Ruggles at No. 4 singles while Weltman recorded her straight-set win over Nikki Haynal at the third singles position. The pair posted an 8-0 victory over Gulay Ozdemir and partner Michele Tafur. Aimee Kern and Susan Ma combined for an 8-0 sweep of Raquel Casino and Kasey Michels at the top doubles spot. Kern recorded a 6-3, 6-1 defeat of Casino at No. 1 singles while Ma posted a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Michels at the second singles position.

Laine Mackey also recorded a singles victory for UAlbany, defeating Tafur, 6-0, 6-1, at No. 5 singles. Amanda Hall swept Ozdemir, 6-0, 6-0 at No. 6 singles and teamed with Mackey to defeat Haynal and Ruggles, 8-0, at No. 2 doubles.

UAlbany will return to action on Friday, as they travel to New Haven, Conn. for the America East Conference Championship at the Cullman-Heyman Tennis Center on the campus of Yale University.

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Singles

Aimee Kern (UA) def. Raquel Casino (UH), 6-3, 6-1

Susan Ma (UA) def. Kasey Michaels (UH), 6-2, 6-2

Kim Weltman (UA) def. Nikki Haynal (UH), 6-0, 6-0

Charlotte Tatler (UA) def. Jess Ruggles (UH), 6-0, 6-0

Laine Mackey (UA) def. Michele Tafur (UH), 6-0, 6-1

Amanda Hall (UA) def. Gulay Ozdemir (UH), 6-0, 6-0

Doubles

Kern/Ma (UA) def. Casino/Michels (UH), 8-0

Mackey/Hall (UA) def. Haynal/Ruggles (UH), 8-0

Weltman/Tatler (UA) def. Tafur/Ozdemir (UH), 8-0

UAlbany's Brian Caufield Named America East Conference Lacrosse Rookie of the Week

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. -- University at Albany’s Brian Caufield has been chosen America East Conference Rookie of the Week in men’s lacrosse, as announced on Tuesday, April 22 the league office. Caufield was honored for the second time this season.

Caufield, a freshman attackman from Bay Shore, N.Y., tallied eight goals in two games last week. He scored five times, his second-highest output of the season, in last Sunday’s 13-3 conference victory over Vermont and added three more in a 10-5 loss to top-ranked Syracuse on April 18. Caufield has accounted for three or more points in five of his last six starts.

Caufield is 22nd among the NCAA Division I leaders in scoring at 3.30 points per game. He is also second on the team with 33 points (22 goals, 11 assists).

UAlbany (6-7, AE 3-1) will host Stony Brook in the regular-season finale on Saturday, April 26 at 7:00 p.m. The game will be televised in the Capital Region on Time Warner Cable (TW3). Saturday’s winner will earn the second seed for the upcoming America East postseason tournament.

Women's Lacrosse Seeded Fourth for 2008 America East Conference Championship

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y – UAlbany has received the fourth seed for this week’s America East Conference Women’s Lacrosse Championship. Despite losing its regular-season finale to Stony Brook, the Great Danes made the tournament field through a tie-breaker formula. The championship will be held at Boston University’s Nickerson Field.

UAlbany (8-8) tangles with No. 1 seed Boston U. (13-2) in the semifinal round on Friday, April 25 at 1:00 p.m. The Terriers, who have been ranked in the IWLCA and Inside Lacrosse top-20 national polls for most of the season, captured the conference’s regular-season crown with a perfect 6-0 mark. Vermont (8-8) and New Hampshire (11-4) will meet in the second semifinal at 4:00 p.m.

Boston U. has captured three consecutive America East tournament championships. Sarah Dalton, a third-team All-America midfielder last year, leads an offense that is ranked sixth nationally at 14.47 goals per game. Dalton is the team’s top scorer with 49 goals and six assists. Lauren Morton, an all-region standout, contributes 43 goals and six assists. Molly Collins, who has 25 goals and 17 assists, was the most outstanding player at the 2007 conference tournament.

The Great Danes are making their fifth America East postseason appearance since joining the league in 2002. UAlbany reached last year’s championship final after upending top-seed Stony Brook in the semifinal round. Kayla Best is one of the conference’s leading scorers with 44 goals and seven assists. Her goal total ranks sixth on the program’s single-season chart. Freshman Jodi Battaglia (21 goals, 3 assists) and sophomore Christine Grueniger (18 goals, 6 assists) each have 24 points. Goalkeeper Katie Neer, who has made 136 saves in her first season as a starter, has a 12.02 goals against average.

Tickets for the tournament will be available at the gate throughout the weekend. All-session passes for adults are $15, while all-session tickets for youth (14-under) and America East students with a valid ID are sold for $4. Individual tickets are $8 for adults and $2 for youth (14-under) and America East students.

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2008 America East Conference Women’s Lacrosse Championship

(played at Boston University’s Nickerson Field)

Friday, April 25

Semifinal Round

No. 1 Boston University (13-2, AE 6-0) vs. No. 4 UAlbany (8-8, AE 2-4), 1:00 p.m.

No. 2 Vermont (8-8, AE 5-1) vs. No.3 New Hampshire (11-4, AE 4-2), 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 27

Championship, 1:00 p.m.

UAlbany Track and Field Teams Cruise to First-Place Finishes at New York Relays

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

New York, N.Y. – Senior Arina Gerasimova set a new school record in the triple jump and freshman Tyler Fogarty qualified for the USA Junior Nationals in the 800-meter run to lead the UAlbany men’s and women’s track and field teams to first place finishes at the New York Relays at Icahn Stadium. The men’s team cruised to victory with 291 points, while the women’s team recorded 233 points for a commanding win.

Gerasimova, also the program-record holder in the indoor triple jump, was named the meet’s Most Outstanding Female Performer after registering a first-place leap of 41-feet, 10.75-inches to establish the new record and qualify for the ECAC and NCAA East Regional meets. Junior Jenn Gurrant recorded a second-place leap of 41-feet, 2.50-inches to also qualify for the ECAC and NCAA East Regional meets and surpassed the previous school record set by Sarah Charles at the UAlbany Classic on April 21, 2007. Gurrant also placed first in the long jump with a distance of 17-feet, 6.75-inches and was a member of the second-place 4x100-meter relay team. Gurrant combined with Kamilah McShine, Christen Griffin and Sarah Lapierre for a time of 48.74 seconds.

The Great Danes’ 4x800-meter relay team of Danielle Trimpop, Zuliana Fontanez, Esperanza Blanco and Laura Cummings turned in an ECAC-qualifying time of 9:11.02 to place first. UAlbany also received first place finishes from freshman Kristine Mun in the 5,000-meter run (18:17.13), senior Brenna Militello in the high jump (5-3.75), freshman Kadine Johnson in the discus throw (136-1) and sophomore Sineaid Corley in the hammer throw (142-7).

On the men’s side, Fogarty was named the meet’s Most Outstanding Male Performer after winning the 800-meter run with a time of 1:51.65 to qualify for the IC4A and USA Junior National meets. Fogarty teamed with Andrew Overbaugh, Joe Belokopitsky and Jared Jupin to finish first in the 4x800-meter relay with a time of 8:02.39.

The Great Danes recorded first place and IC4A-qualifying performances from junior Jean Juste in the 110-meter hurdles (14.79), sophomore Valete Graham in the long jump (23-8), junior Michael McCadney in the triple jump (48-3.50), sophomore Luke Schoen in the pole vault (16-4.75) and freshman Wilfredo de Jesus Elias in the hammer throw (181-0.50). Junior Brian Yurkewecz won the 5,000-meter run with a time of 14:54.42, while the 4x100-meter relay team of Raphael Jean-Baptiste, Dieuseul Joseph, Drew Harrison and Jeffery Barnes took second place in an IC4A-qualifying time of 41.72 seconds.

UAlbany returns to action on Thursday, April 24 at the Penn Relays.

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Men’s Team Scores
1. UAlbany 291, 2. Kingsborough C.C. 76, 3. CCNY 60, 4. Hofstra 43, t5. Hunter 22, t5. Polytechnic (N.Y.) 22, 7. St. Francis (N.Y.) 13, t8. College of Staten Island 12, t8. New Paltz St. 12, t10. Queens (N.Y.) 10, t10. York (N.Y.) 10, 12. Columbia 8, 13. Bronx C.C. 3.

UAlbany Men’s Results
100 Meter Dash: 8. Dieuseul Joseph 11.11, 10. Raphael Jean-Baptiste 11.18, 15. Daniel Avery 11.22, 18. Drew Harrison 11.36. 110 Meter Hurdles: 1. Jean Juste 14.79 (IC4A), 2. Garrett Askew Jr. 14.85, 3. Nick Assini 15.52, 4. Anthony Assent 15.60, 5. Alfred Pryor Jr. 15.74, 7. Mohamed Kanu 16.53. 200 Meter Dash: 4. Jeffery Barnes 22.31, 5. Daniel Avery 22.46, 7. Raphael Jean-Baptiste 22.62, 14. Jean Juste 23.06, 19. Garrett Askew 23.44, 30. Anthony Assent 24.59. 400 Meter Dash: 10. Nick Lemp 51.30. 400 Meter Hurdles: 2. Nick Assini 55.45, 4. Mohamed Kanu 58.84. 800 Meter Run: 1. Tyler Fogarty 1:51.65 (IC4A, USA Junior Nationals). 5,000 Meter Run: 1. Brian Yurkewecz 14:54.42, 2. Jon Hilbert 15:43.11, 7. David Rothman 16:35.51. 4x100 Meter Relay: 2. Raphael Jean-Baptiste, Dieuseul Joseph, Drew Harrison, Jeffery Barnes 41.72 (IC4A). 4x800 Meter Relay: 1. Andrew Overbaugh, Joe Belokopitsky, Tyler Fogarty, Jared Jupin 8:02.39. High Jump: 2. Anthony Collica 6-4, 3. David Parker 6-4. Long Jump: 1. Valete Graham 23-8 (IC4A), 2. Fred Casimo 22-9, 5. Kyle Nadler 22-0.25. Triple Jump: 1. Michael McCadney 48-3.50 (IC4A), 4. Dong Ning Hu 45-3.50. Pole Vault: 1. Luke Schoen 16-4.75 (IC4A), 3. David Parker 15-5, 3. Michael Dempsey 15-5. Discus Throw: 4. Will Anger 133-3.50, 5. Renauld Buck 132-3, 6. Zach Murphy 124-6. Hammer Throw: 1. Wilfredo de Jesus Elias 181-0.50 (IC4A), 2. Will Anger 163-5, 4. Kevin Lee 130-4. Shot Put: 2. Renauld Buck 48-1.75, 5. Frank Fazzino 43-8.75, 7. Jordan Meikle 38-11.75. Javelin Throw: 3. Renauld Buck 142-11, 6. Frank Fazzino 109-6.

Women’s Team Scores
1. UAlbany 233, 2. Columbia 55, 3. CCNY 53, 4. York (N.Y.) 42, 5. College of Staten Island 39, 6. Bronx C.C. 35, 7. Hunter 16, 8. Hofstra 11, t9. Kingsborough C.C. 10, 10. C.W. Post 6, 11. New Paltz St. 5.

UAlbany Women’s Results
100 Meter Dash: 12. Sarah Lapierre 13.45, 13. Jessica Hunter 13.60, 16. Arielle Roberts 13.82. 100 Meter Hurdles: 2. Bryanna Hebenstreit 18.02, 5. Valerie Maignan 16.21, Christen Griffin NT. 200 Meter Dash: 11. Octavia Clarkson 26.80, 17. Corrine Porter-Stepney 27.16, 18. Jessica Hunter 27.37, 20. Laura Bolognino 27.55, 21. Lesan Mattis 27.82, 25. Arielle Roberts 28.32, 27. Jessica Panos 28.64. 400 Meter Dash: 2. Melissa Lee 57.95, 4. Corrine Porter-Stepney 58.77, 7. Octavia Clarkson 59.82, 10. Laura Bolognino 1:00.71, 12. Jessica Panos 1:04.39, 14. Lesan Mattis 1:05.29. 400 Meter Hurdles: 4. Rebecca Kelly 1:03.64. 1,500 Meter Run: 2. Ally Panos 5:03.37, 5. Briana McNamee 5:17.88. 5,000 Meter Run: 1. Kristine Mun 18:17.13, 2. Laine Sefick 18:59.99, 4. Kristin Grab 19:22.52. 4x100 Meter Relay: 2. Kamilah McShine, Jenn Gurrant, Christen Griffin, Sarah Lapierre 48.74. 4x800 Meter Relay: 1. Danielle Trimpop, Zuliana Fontanez, Esperanza Blanco, Laura Cummings 9:11.02 (ECAC). High Jump: 1. Brenna Militello 5-3.75, 2. Bryanna Hebenstreit 4-9.75, 3. Valerie Maignan 4-7.75, 4. Kamilah McShine 4-6, 5. Denise Parker 4-4. Long Jump: 1. Jenn Gurrant 17-6.75, 2. Arina Gerasimova 17-6, 3. Ashley Vives 17-5.25. Triple Jump: 1. Arina Gerasimova 41-10.75 (School Record, ECAC, NCAA East Regional), 2. Jenn Gurrant 41-2.50 (ECAC, NCAA East Regional), 6. Traequanda Brock 34-9.75. Discus Throw: 1. Kadine Johnson 136-1, 3. Ritshell Verdier 121-6.50, 4. Ashley Lewis 108-5. Hammer Throw: 1. Sineaid Corley 142-7. Shot Put: 2. Kadine Johnson 39-10.75. Javelin Throw: 3. Ashley Lewis 103-2, 7. Bryanna Hebenstreit 59-7.25.

UAlbany's Chris Cannata Records 400th Career Win as Head Softball Coach

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – With a 6-2 win over Hartford on April 19, University at Albany head softball coach Chris Cannata recorded her 400th career victory. In her 14th season at the helm of the Great Danes, Cannata has posted a 400-201-1 record, and has recorded more than half of her wins at the Division I level.

In the program’s eight seasons since moving to Division I, Cannata has led UAlbany to a 249-130-1 record, and has averaged over 32 wins per season. The Great Danes registered a program-record 36 wins in 2006, making their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance that season after claiming the America East Conference Championship. Last season, Cannata took the fourth-seeded Great Danes to their third consecutive championship title and guided the team to the NCAA Hempstead Regional final before falling to nationally-ranked Baylor.

UAlbany (23-13, AE 11-3) is currently second in the America East Conference standings. The Great Danes will continue conference play on Wednesday with a doubleheader at Vermont starting at 2 p.m.

University of Albany Men's Lacrosse's Brett Queener

ALBANY -- MARTIN BRODEUR WITH THE SAVE ... WAIT: THE GOALIE'S STICK-HANDLING UP ICE, BLOWING PAST THE FORWARDS AND SPLITTING THE DEFENSE ... HE SHOOTS ... HE SCOOOOORES!!

OK, that never happens. Ever.

Except in the dreams of every single goalie who's ever played hockey.

But Brett Queener, the senior goalie for the University at Albany lacrosse team, regularly takes off on such fanciful flights. The senior out of Penn Yan is a free spirit whom the crease can't contain.

Queener is a goalie in a constant search for payback. After a save, he often starts the breakout. Sometimes, he IS the breakout. He wants to attack.

Queener had a quiet game Sunday in a 13-3 win over Vermont. The game wasn't even that close: UAlbany (6-7, 3-1) had a 10-0 lead at John Fallon Field before the Catamounts scored with more than five minutes gone in the third quarter.

There was none of the end-to-end rushes that have marked Queener's career, no daring forays outside the cage that would terrify almost any coach.

Certainly there were no goals: Queener has two in his career, including a classic field-long dash against No. 1-ranked Johns Hopkins in 2006. His all-around skills are so good he plays attack when UAlbany is a man-up because of a penalty.

Queener is unique. So is Scott Marr. A professed "going for it on fourth down" type of guy, Marr is one of the few coaches who would let Queener get away with it.

"We are definitely more of a high-risk, push-the-ball type of team," Marr said. "It's very difficult to defend, having a goalie come out. ... It gives us an extra guy."

The most spectacular plays in sports come with risk, whether it's the stolen base or swinging for the fences in baseball, throwing a go pattern in football or attempting a baseline alley-oop in hoops.

But few gambles in sport rival your goalie 50 yards or more out of his net.

You have to embrace the risk. Queener has been doing that since he was a kid, when as the youngest brother he was the one put in a barrel and rolled down the sledding hill.

You know, to see if someone could survive.

"Growing up in a small town, with a lot of space around where no adult could see, you can find some crazy stuff to do," Queener said.

You know there were worse things. He's just not going to cop to them in print. His parents, he said, "know about most of them."

During one high school game, Queener broke into the open. He charged and found himself all alone. Twenty-yards out. Fifteen. Ten.

"He called timeout," Queener said.

As in the coach. As in Harry Queener. As in his own dad. A dream for every goalie ... snatched just a few steps short of realization.

"I was in trouble at home at the time," the son said, "so I understand." (Note to Dad: Diabolically brilliant.)

Harry, now an assistant coach with the Penn Yan Academy team, said there was also concern in part over injury from other teams taking cheap shots. Simply, goalies weren't allowed to shoot. But his son's play has made him change his mind on the tactic. Harry Queener said other coaches have told him they're thinking of doing the same thing: Embrace the risk.

"It's a Penn Yan tradition now," the dad said, "to let goalies run."

A goaltender's dream.

Mark McGuire

University of Albany's Brian Caufield Has Five Goals in Men's Lacrosse's 13-3 America East Conference Victory

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Brian Caufield had five goals and Joe Pompo added three in leading UAlbany to a 13-3 America East Conference victory over Vermont on Sunday, April 20 before 1,018 fans at sun-drenched John Fallon Field. The Great Danes moved into a tie for second place in the conference standings.

UAlbany (6-7, AE 3-1) was in complete control from the start. Derek Kreuzer, a freshman who had a career game with two goals and one assist, dodged a defender and converted a low shot from 10 yards away to get his team on the board. The Great Danes, who rebounded nicely from a loss to top-ranked Syracuse on Friday evening, scored 29 seconds apart to open up a 3-0 advantage. Caufield moved to the top of the crease through the defense after Alpizar came up with a ground ball. Pompo then netted a shot from the right side off a pass by Kreuzer from the point.

Caufield scored three times in a five-goal second quarter as his team posted an 8-0 halftime lead. The freshman attacker connected off a fastbreak feed from Jordan Levine following a Vermont turnover. After Nate Sullivan’s man-up goal, Caufield tallied a pair within a 55-second span. Levine found him on the crease with a long crossing pass from the left, and the rookie place a high shot in the cage. He than netted his fourth of the half when Alpizar drove from the left to set him up on the right crease.

The Great Danes, who clinched an America East postseason tournament berth for the seventh consecutive year, upped their margin to 10-0 early in the third quarter. Pompo, a freshman who started for injured leading-scorer Corey Small, hit an empty net after Alpizar broke up a clearing attempt and fed the 6-foot-4 attackman. Caufield scored his 22nd of the season with 12:35 remaining in the period off a crossing pass from behind the cage by Alpizar.

“We played well for four quarters,” said UAlbany goalkeeper Brett Queener, who made 10 saves in 41-plus minutes of action. “The defense was disciplined and the offense was effective. I was a little spent after Friday, but we will have to play two games in three days during our (postseason) tournament.”

Vermont (4-10, AE 1-3) did all of its scoring in the third period. Derek Lichtfuss, the team’s top scorer, broke up the shutout with a shot from the left side with 9:38 left in the stanza. Kyle Sminkey and Andrew Kelleher found the cage. Kelleher finished off a transition play following a turnover. Starting UVM goalkeeper Justin Lubas stopped 10 shots.

“We made a statement to ourselves,” UAlbany coach Scott Marr offered. “This was a huge win. We played at high level for the entire game. Even our reserves kept them off the scoreboard in the fourth quarter.”

UAlbany’s Levine tied a career-high with three assists and had a third-quarter goal, while Alpizar handed out a career-best four assists. Back-up goalkeepers Dan McKeon and A.J. Babnik combined on six saves, as the defense held its fourth opponent this season under the five-goal mark.

“We went out and played with a purpose,” said Alpizar, a junior midfielder. “Every game is a playoff game now. The defense has been doing a great job throughout the season, so the offense needs to step it up and score some goals.”

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UAlbany 13, Vermont 3

Vermont – Scoring: Andrew Kelleher 1-0, Derek Lichtfuss 1-0, Kyle Sminkey 1-0, Tommy Archer 0-1, Noah Miller 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Justin Lubas (45:00, 10 saves, 12 GA), Thomas Fuge (15:00, 4 saves, 1 GA).

UAlbany – Scoring: Brian Caufield 5-0, Joe Pompo 3-0, Derek Kreuzer 2-1, Jordan Levine 1-3, Kyle Crotty 1-0, Nate Sullivan 1-0, John Alpizar 0-4; Goalkeeper(s): Brett Queener (41:25, 10 saves, 2 GA), Dan McKeon (13:34, 3 saves, 1 GA), A.J. Babnik (5:01, 3 saves, 0 GA).



Note: A Capital District Youth Lacrosse League clinic took place on Sunday morning prior to the UAlbany-Vermont game at John Fallon Field ... nearly 60 boys, grades 3-8, were instructed on the basic elements of the game, including shooting, passing and stick work ... UAlbany coach Scott Marr, his staff and about a dozen UAlbany players took part in the clinic.

Schumer to announce 'landmark' agreement between federal government, University of Albany's NanoCollege

Sen. Charles Schumer is planning to announce what he called a "landmark agreement" that will create a partnership between the federal government and the University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering.

Schumer (D-NY) said the agreement, which he will formally announce on Monday at the college, will bring federal research expertise and resources to the Albany NanoTech campus where UAlbany's NanoCollege is located.

Schumer said the partnership will trigger a new wave of funding to Albany NanoTech. The senator said he had previously secured $900,000 for a new nanotech research center at Albany NanoTech. That funding, which he called seed money, will jump-start further investments in the center totaling $14 million.

Schumer said he brokers an agreement between the Albany NanoTech and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. He will be joined by James Turner, head of NIST, on Monday.

Schumer's spokesman Alex Detrick said the senator's announcement will include details on job training programs and tax credits.

Softball Falls to Hartford, 2-1, in Extra-Inning Contest

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

West Hartford, Conn. – Amanda Sais hit a two-out, walk-off single to send the winning run across home plate in the eighth inning to lead Hartford to a 2-1 win over UAlbany in America East Conference softball action on Sunday afternoon at the UH Softball Field.

Sophomore Amanda Dilworth reached base on a walk and then stole second to move into scoring position, before Sais knocked a base hit into right-center field to end the game.

Hartford (17-15, AE 6-8) scored first, as Sais smacked a triple into right field in the bottom of the first inning to take the early lead. Sais later scored on a sacrifice fly to right by third baseman Jackie Simonetty. UAlbany tied the game at 1-1 in the third after shortstop Andrianna Walraven walked to lead off the frame. She then stole second and scored on a base hit to center by third baseman Meagan Butsch.

The Great Danes got a runner into scoring position with one out in the seventh, as Kat Smith reached on an error and pinch runner Kristine Bill advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Nicole Kothe. Hartford hurler Brittney Stratton induced a pair of infield pop-ups from Amber Maisonet and Walraven to retire the side. Stratton fanned five in a complete-game performance. UAlbany’s Marissa Powell, who dropped to 9-8 on the season, struck out a career-high 11 opposing batters in 7.2 innings of work.

UAlbany (23-13, AE 11-3), which dropped to second in the conference standings behind Boston U., will return to action on Wednesday with a doubleheader at Vermont starting at 2 p.m.

-agate-

UAlbany (23-13, AE 11-3) 001 000 00 - 1 6 0

Hartford (17-15, AE 6-8) 100 000 01 - 2 4 3

UAlbany: Marissa Powell and Kat Smith, Leanne Tillman.

Hartford: Brittney Stratton and Lindsey Anrico.

America East Women's Lacrosse Championship Field Set

Courtesy: America East Communications

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.- Despite a 9-7 loss to Stony Brook on Saturday, Albany has earned the fourth and final berth for the 2008 America East Women's Lacrosse Championship, which begins on Friday, April 25 at Boston University's Nickerson Field.

The Great Danes (8-8, 2-4 America East) finished in a three-way tie for fourth with the Seawolves (8-6, 2-4 America East) and UMBC (4-12, 2-4 America East). Albany, which received the bid because it allowed the fewest goals in games involving the other two tied teams, will face the top-seeded Terriers (13-2, 6-0 America East) in the first semifinal on Friday at 1 p.m.

No. 2 Vermont (7-8, 4-1 America East) will take on No. 3 New Hampshire (11-4, 4-2 America East) in the other semifinal at 4 p.m. on Friday. The championship game will be played on Sunday, April 27 at 1 p.m. The game will be video streamed by Pack Network and available free of charge at AmericaEast.com.

Tickets for the tournament will be available at the gate on Friday and Sunday. All-session passes for adults will be $15, while all-session tickets for youths 14 and under and America East students with a valid ID will be sold for $4. Individual tickets will be $8 for adults and $2 for youths and America East students.

2008 America East Women's Lacrosse Championship
Semifinals - Friday, April 25
Game 1: No. 4 Albany at No. 1 Boston University, 1 p.m.
Game 2: No. 3 New Hampshire vs No. 2 Vermont, 4 p.m.

Final - Sunday, April 27
Game 3: Winner Game 1 vs Winner Game 2, 1 p.m.

Times Union Prints A Letter From UAlbany Stadium Supporter

Stony Brook grows; why not UAlbany?

Stony Brook University has just announced a $20 million renovation project for its indoor sports facility. I am waiting for the moral outrage from Times Union contributors and citizens of the Capital Region -- or is it just when UAlbany wants to expand?

Stony Brook just got a brand new football/lacrosse stadium and no one has a problem with this? UAlbany has brought much exposure to the university and the system by excelling on the field of play and in the classroom. Stony Brook has had only a modicum of success compared to Albany. It's time for the community and the legislators of this great state to get behind UAlbany in this project and make Stony Brook go through some red tape for once.

CRAIG MROCZKA

Rocky Hill, Conn.

University of Albany Softball splits doubleheader with Hartford

West Hartford, Conn. – Amber Maisonet and Nicole Kothe scored two runs apiece to lead UAlbany to a 6-2 win over Hartford in the first game of an America East Conference softball doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. Hartford claimed the second game by a score of 1-0, in an eight-inning pitcher’s duel.

UAlbany (23-12, AE 11-2) recorded a three-run fourth inning in the early game, as first baseman Leanne Tillman led off the frame with a walk. Tillman advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Kat Smith and scored on a Hartford error, which also allowed Kothe to reach base safely. Maisonet drew a walk and stole second before Andrianna Walraven knocked an RBI single to score Kothe. Maisonet scored the third run of the inning on a wild pitch by the Hawks’ Brittney Stratton.

The Great Danes added a single run in the fifth inning on a lead-off homer by Meagan Butsch, her fifth of the season. UAlbany added two more runs in the top of the sixth frame, loading the bases with a walk by Kothe and back-to-back singles by Maisonet and Walraven. Michelle Connors (Shenendehowa) singled up the middle to drive in Kothe and Maisonet.

UAlbany pitcher Marissa Powell, who improved to 9-7 on the season, took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before giving up solo home runs to Jackie Simonetty and Kristen Cericola. Powell fanned seven opposing batters in her complete-game performance. Stratton took the loss for Hartford, striking out four over six innings before being relieved in the seventh by Amanda Farnan.

Stratton recorded an eight-inning no-hitter in the second game to lead the Hawks to their extra-inning victory. Right fielder Amanda Sais broke up a scoreless tie by knocking a two-out, RBI single to left to score pinch runner Kayla Demarest and give Hartford (16-15, AE 5-8) the win.

UAlbany hurler Leah McIntosh took a no-hitter into the final frame before giving up three hits. McIntosh struck out a career-high 13 batters over 7.2 innings.

The two teams will meet in the series finale on Sunday, beginning at 12 p.m.

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UAlbany 000 312 0 - 6 8 1

Hartford 000 000 2 - 2 2 1

UAlbany: Marissa Powell and Kat Smith.

Hartford: Brittney Stratton, Amanda Farnan (7) and Lindsey Anrico.



UAlbany (23-12, AE 11-2) 000 000 00 - 0 0 0

Hartford (16-15, AE 5-8) 000 000 01 - 1 3 0

UAlbany: Leah McIntosh and Kat Smith.

Hartford: Brittney Stratton and Lindsey Anrico.

Women's Lacrosse Falls in Regular-Season Finale to America East-Rival

Courtesy: UAlbany Athletics

Albany, N.Y. – Melissa Cook had three goals and one assist in leading Stony Brook to a 9-7 America East Conference victory over UAlbany in the regular-season finale for both teams on Saturday, April 19 at John Fallon Field.

Stony Brook (8-6, AE 2-4) erased a two-goal deficit by scoring five consecutive times over the final 12 minutes of the opening half. Cook ignited that outburst by driving around defender from the right side, before Jenna Celano tied the contest at three apiece with a high blast from the middle of the zone. Amy Hallion’s free-position shot over the goalkeeper’s head put her team in front. After Hallion added another goal, Kaitlin Leggio completed the decisive run by cutting to the top of the crease to take Diana Caroleo’s pass from behind with 6.9 seconds left in the period.

The Seawolves, who avenged a home loss to UAlbany in last year’s conference tournament semifinals, upped their advantage to 9-4 with 12:09 to play. Cook was responsible for all of the scoring in run of three unanswered. She converted a drive from the right side and then fed teammate Samantha Djaha in transition. The fastbreak started after Mickey Cahill saved a free-position attempt. The freshman attack then rolled inside from the left to net her 34th of the season.

UAlbany (8-8, AE 2-4) made a comeback attempt against the visitors by scoring three straight times. Kayla Best went low inside the left post on a free-position opportunity for her fourth of the game. Brittany Scott and Rory Redmond added unassisted goals that were created out of free-position situations. The Great Danes were looking to get closer in the final three minutes when Stony Brook’s Leggio, last year’s conference player of the year, forced a turnover. The Seawolves were able to keep possession in the offensive end and work the clock from that point.

The Great Danes, who suffered their third straight loss, leaped to 3-1 lead over the opening 15 minutes. Best, who extended her scoring streak 29 consecutive games, found the cage twice, including a shot that went low into the left side of the net following a restart. The sophomore midfielder has 44 goals this spring.

Hallion, a senior midfielder from South Australia, had a pair of goals for the Seawolves, who have won four of seven meetings in this series. Goalkeeper Mickey Cahill made 11 saves. UAlbany's senior class of Stacey Brown, Teresa Strano and Scott were honored in a pre-game ceremony.

**********

Stony Brook 9, UAlbany 7

Stony Brook – Scoring: Melissa Cook 3-1, Amy Hallion 2-0, Diana Caroleo 1-1, Kaitlin Leggio 1-1, Jenna Celano 1-0, Samantha Djaha 1-0; Goalkeeper(s): Mickey Cahill (60:00, 11 saves, 7 GA).

UAlbany – Scoring: Kayla Best 4-0, Brittany Scott 1-0, Rory Redmond 1-0, Jodi Battaglia 1-0, Christine Grueniger 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Katie Neer (60:00, 2 saves, 9 GA).

Binghamton Scores Late-Inning Run to Top Baseball in America East Action

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Vestal, N.Y. – Kyle Klee drove in the winning run in the eighth inning to lead Binghamton past UAlbany, 5-4, in America East Conference baseball action at Varsity Field on Friday, April 18.

Binghamton (11-21, AE 4-5) jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the opening two innings. In the first, Joe Charron singled to center to plate Peter Bregartner, who had reached base via a wild pitch on a swinging third strike. Following a hit batsman and a groundout, Corey Taylor singled to right field to drive in Charron from third. Brian Ivan followed with an infield single to score Ryan Holley. The Bearcats added a single run in the second inning as Ryan James singled down the left field line with one out to knock in Jeff Abrams, who led off the frame with a double down the right field line.

UAlbany (9-25-1, AE 4-5) rallied for four runs in the top of the seventh inning to knot the score at four. Senior first baseman Mike Konstanty got the scoring started with a single to left field to drive home sophomore right fielder Brendan Rowland, who reached base on a fielder’s choice. Junior designated hitter Dave West followed with a single to center to score classmate Ryan Gugel, who singled with two outs to reach base. After a walk to sophomore third baseman Pete Eichner knocked Binghamton starter Zach Groh from the contest, freshman second baseman Kyle Crean singled to center to plate Konstanty and West with the tying runs.

The Bearcats took the lead in the eighth on a fielder’s choice by Klee. Abrams singled to lead off the frame and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Bregartner. James followed with an infield single to put runners on the corners. Junior Sean Gregory then intentionally walked Charron to load the bases. After Dave Noble took over on the mound for the Great Danes, Klee hit a grounder between second and third. The Great Danes were able to record an out at second, but Klee beat the relay throw to first, allowing Abrams to score the winning run.

Gregory took the loss in relief for the Great Danes, yielding a run on three hits over 1.1 innings. Junior southpaw Cory Warrings pitched the first six innings for UAlbany, striking out four, while allowing four runs on seven hits. Greg Lane earned the win for the Bearcats, pitching the final 1.2 innings, striking out a pair, while giving up just one hit.

The Great Danes and the Bearcats resume their four-game series with a pair of seven-inning contests on Saturday starting at 12:00 p.m.

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UAlbany (9-25-1, AE 4-5) 000 000 400 - 4 6 1
Binghamton (11-21, AE 4-5) 310 000 01X - 5 10 2

UAlbany: Cory Warrings, Sean Gregory (7, L, 2-4), Dave Noble (8) and Ryan Gugel.
Binghamton: Zach Groh, James Giulietti (7), Morgan Smith (7), Greg Lane (8, W, 3-2) and C.J. Lukaszweski.