University of Albany Men's Indoor Track & Field Stands First, Women Third After Day One of A-East Championships - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Boston, Mass. – Wilfredo de Jesus Elias, Kamilah McShine and Luke Schoen all won individual events to lead the UAlbany men’s and women’s indoor track and field teams at the first day of the America East Conference Championships hosted by Boston University on Friday, Feb. 20. In addition, the men’s distance relay team provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championship, shattering the meet and school records in the process. The Great Dane men stand in first place through five events, while the women are third after six events.

UAlbany’s men squad has 67 points, which outdistances second-place New Hampshire by 20 after the first day. The Great Dane women’s squad has 34.5 points, trailing only New Hampshire (68) and three-time reigning champion Boston University (45.50).

After setting the school record by seven seconds at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational on Feb. 6, the men’s distance relay team consisting of Aaron Lozier, Joe Greene, Tyler Fogarty and Ricardo Estremera took almost six more seconds off the program’s best time and finished the race in 9:42.99. The new championship meet record smashed the old one of 9:54.59 set by Boston University in 2007 and outdistanced the rest of the field by 11 seconds. Greene also ran the second-fastest time in the preliminary round of the 400-meter dash and clocked in a season-best mark of 47.66 seconds.

McShine, a co-captain, won the pentathlon for the second time in three years, recording 3,418 points. The school’s record holder in the event recorded the best mark among 16 competitors in the 55-meter high hurdles (8.12), long jump (17-6) and the 800-meter run (2:29.08). McShine also ran the fastest time in the preliminary round of the 55-meter hurdles, finishing in 8.03, while Jean Juste posted the best mark on the men’s side in the event with a time of 7.63.

de Jesus Elias and Schoen’s first-place showings in the weight throw and pole vault, respectively, highlighted the list of strong performances by Great Danes in the men’s field events. de Jesus Elias’ winning toss sailed 62-feet, 6-inches. Schoen cleared 16-6.75, while Mike Dempsey finished second with a mark of 15-9. UAlbany also had four of the top finishers in the long jump, led by Nasim Siddeeq’s second-place showing of 23-8.75 and Mike McCadney’s third-place leap of 23-6.75.

The women’s team also earned eight points for its second-place distance medley relay squad and had a pair of individuals place third in their respective field events. Laura Varble, Octavia Clarkson, Zuliana Fontanez and Laura Cummings combined for a season-best time of 12:16.84 in the DMR. Celine Cauderlier cleared 10-10 in the pole vault, while Jenn Gurrant leaped 17-10.75 in the long jump.

Fey Adaramola led the Great Dane women in the preliminary round of the sprinting events. She set a new school record for navigating the track in 24.46, eclipsing her mark of 24.80 set at the Great Dane Classic on Jan. 23 to advance to Saturday’s finals.

The America East Conference Championships will conclude tomorrow beginning at 10:00 a.m. The UAlbany men will aim to win their fourth consecutive title and sixth in seven years, while the women’s team hopes to win its first indoor championship in school history.

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Men’s Team Scores (Through 5 Events):

1. UAlbany 67, 2. New Hampshire 47, 3. Binghamton 36, 4. UMBC 14.50, 5. Vermont 10, 6. Maine 9.50, 7. Stony Brook 7, 8. Boston University 3, 9. Hartford 1.

Men’s Individual Results:

Weight Throw: 1. Wilfredo de Jesus Elias (UAlbany) 62-6 (IC4A), 2. Jeffrey Kaste (New Hampshire) 59-6.25 (IC4A), 3. Joanel Lopez (Binghamton) 56-4.50 (IC4A). Pole Vault: 1. Luke Schoen (UAlbany) 16-6.75 (IC4A), 2. Mike Dempsey (UAlbany) 15-9 (IC4A), 3. Robb Quiller (Binghamton) 15-9 (IC4A). Long Jump: 1. Spencer Shaw (New Hampshire) 24-0.25 (IC4A), 2. Nasim Siddeeq (UAlbany) 23-8.75 (IC4A), 3. Mike McCadney (UAlbany) 23-6.75 (IC4A). 5,000-Meter Run: 1. Chris Gaube (Binghamton) 14:45.27 (IC4A), 2. Nicholas Decrescenzo (New Hampshire) 14:46.63 (IC4A), 3. Brent Powers (New Hampshire) 14:56.42. Distance Medley Relay: 1. Aaron Lozier, Joe Greene, Tyler Fogarty, Ricardo Estremera (UAlbany) 9:42.99 (NCAA Provisional, Meet Record, School Record), 2. Binghamton 9:53.61 (IC4A), 3. Stony Brook 9:55.66 (IC4A).

Women’s Team Scores (Though 6 Events):

1. New Hampshire 68, 2. Boston University 45.50, 3. UAlbany 34.50, 4. Binghamton 33, 5. Stony Brook 14, 6. UMBC 13, 7. Maine 12, 8. Hartford 7, 9. Vermont 6.
Women’s Individual Results:

Pentathlon: 1. Kamilah McShine (UAlbany) 3,418 points, 2. Kaitlyn Dugan (New Hampshire) 3,156 points, 3. Rosie DeFino (Binghamton) 3,149 points. Weight Throw: 1. Ashlee Lathrop (New Hampshire) 57-3 (ECAC), 2. Rebecca Even 51-8.25 (Maine), 3. Quiteelia Boyd (UMBC) 48-11. Pole Vault: 1. Rita Ciambra (New Hampshire) 12-5.50 (Meet Record, ECAC), 2. Carly Gross (Binghamton) 10-10, 3. Celine Cauderlier (UAlbany) 10-10. Long Jump: 1. Edwina Clarke (Boston U.) 18-11.75, (IC4A), 2. Whitney Ford (Boston U.) 18-7 (IC4A), 3. Jenn Gurrant (UAlbany) 17-10.75. 5,000-Meter Run: 1. Andrea Walkonen (Boston U.) 16:04.49 (NCAA Auto, Meet Record), 2. Laura Huet (Stony Brook) 17:27.32 (ECAC), 3. Hayley Green (Stony Brook) 17:31.26 (ECAC). Distance Medley Relay: 1. New Hampshire 11:55.53 (ECAC), 2. Laura Varble, Octavia Clarkson, Zuliana Fontanez, Laura Cummings (UAlbany) 12:16.84. 3. UMBC 12:19.35.

University of Albany's Leah McIntosh Tosses Perfect Game on First Day of South Florida Tournament - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Tampa, Fla. – Junior pitcher Leah McIntosh tossed a perfect game to lead the UAlbany softball team to a 12-0 five-inning victory over Rhode Island at South Florida’s The Game Tournament on Friday, Feb. 20. Earlier in the morning, Eastern Michigan earned an 8-0 win over the Great Danes thanks to pitcher Michelle Hletko’s no-hit performance.

Against Rhode Island (0-1) in the second game of the day, UAlbany put four runs on the board in the bottom of the first inning. With two on and two out, Gina Mason doubled to right center which plated Meagan Butsch and Michelle Connors. Mason scored on the next play as Bailey Van Deest singled up the middle, and Kristine Bill doubled to left to score Van Deest. Bill tried to extend her hit to a triple, but was thrown out to end the inning.

The Great Danes doubled their lead in the third. Andrianna Walraven reached on an error to lead off the inning and scored an unearned run on the next play when Connors doubled to left. Butsch was then hit by a pitch to put two runners on. After two outs were recorded, Bill singled to left. A throwing error by the left fielder allowed Butsch and Connors to score, while Bill advanced to third. Kat Smith, who caught her first perfect game and fourth no-hitter, singled to left field on the next play and advanced to second on the throw home in attempt to gun down Bill, who scored the eighth run. Nicole flied out to end UAlbany’s scoring rally.

With a new pitcher in the ballgame for Rhode Island, UAlbany continued to hit the ball around the yard in the fourth and took advantage of several Ram miscues. After the first out was recorded, Kayla Cilley entered the game as a pinch hitter and drove the first pitch she saw to right center for a single. On the next play, Taryn LaColla reached on an error which pushed Walraven, who came in as a pinch runner, up to second. Both runners advanced another bag on a wild pitch, and Butsch drew a walk to load the bases. Stephanie Talerico then drew a free pass which plated Walraven. Batting with two down, Bill hit a bases clearing double, but was thrown out at third for the second time in the game before McIntosh ended the contest on consecutive strikeouts.

McIntosh, who hurled her third career no-hitter, became the first Great Dane pitcher to record a perfect game since Casey Halloran accomplished the rare feat on March 12, 2006 in a 6-0 win over Delaware State. The junior, who now has a 0.33 earned run average, struck out 12 of the 15 batters she faced to improve to 4-0 this season. Jayshree Narendran was credited with the loss for tossing three innings and surrendering eight runs, which included three unearned. Odalys Torres made a relief appearance for one inning, giving up two unearned runs and four total. Both Rhode Island pitchers walked two and fanned one.

In the Great Danes’ first game of the day, Eastern Michigan (0-1) scored two runs in the first inning and three in the second to jump out to a quick 5-0 advantage. With the bases loaded and two outs, Skodinski singled to plate two in the first inning. UAlbany pitcher Marissa Powell got out of any further trouble in the frame by forcing the next batter to ground out to Connors. The Eagles scored their first run of the second on a double steal, and two more unearned runs came in following a throwing error and a single to short by Jenny Scherer.

After Eastern Michigan scored another run in the top of the third to take a six-run lead, UAlbany had its best chance to score in the bottom half of the inning. With two outs, Nicole Kothe and Katie Wambold each drew walks to put two runners on for Walraven. However, the sophomore shortstop grounded out to third to end the inning. The Eagles added two more runs in the fourth to seal the final outcome.

Hletko recorded her first career no-hitter in the winning effort for the Eagles. She struck out two and walked three. Powell fell to 1-4 overall after being credited with the loss. Six of the eight runs she surrendered were earned, while the junior also recorded three strikeouts and three walks.

UAlbany (5-4) will face a pair of Big East Conference opponents which advanced to the 2008 NCAA Tournament on Saturday. The Great Danes will play Louisville, ranked 25th by USA Today/NFCA, at 9:30 a.m. and face South Florida, last year’s Big East regular-season champion, at 2 p.m.

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Eastern Michigan (1-0) 231 20 - 8 10 1

UAlbany 000 00 - 0 0 3

(game ended due to 8-run rule)

UAlbany: Marissa Powell and Kat Smith.

Eastern Michigan: Michelle Hletko and Allison Scherer.



Rhode Island (0-1) 000 00 - 0 0 3

UAlbany (5-4) 404 4x - 12 8 0

(game ended due to 8-run rule)

UAlbany: Leah McIntosh and Kat Smith.

Rhode Island: Jayshree Narendran and Marybeth Ball.

Kayla Best Scores Four Goals in Women's Lacrosse's 14-9 Loss to California in Berkeley

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Berkeley, Calif. – Freshman midfielder Vail Horn had four of her career-high five goals in the opening half to lead California to a 14-9 victory over UAlbany in a non-league women’s lacrosse game on Friday, Feb. 20 at Memorial Stadium.

California (2-1) led 6-5 in the first half, but then gained control with four unanswered to end the period. Horn tallied back-to-back goals, the first off a free-position opportunity and the second from Ghillie Little’s feed. The Golden Bears scored twice in the final 46 seconds before the intermission. Little, a senior midfielder, netted her second goal of the game, before Sam Price connected as the horn sounded.

The Golden Bears, who were coming off a 19-7 loss to third-ranked Duke five days ago, kept a working five-to-six goal margin in the final period. UAlbany’s Kayla Best scored an unassisted goal midway through the half, but Price answered nearly three minutes later for a 13-7 advantage. Price, a senior attacker, finished with four goals, the second time she has accomplished that feat this season.

In the first half, California jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the opening five minutes, but Best and sophomore Mel Rorie netted consecutive shots to cut into the deficit. Horn later gave her team a 6-4 cushion with 11:30 remaining in the half. UAlbany’s Jodi Battaglia answered back 41 seconds later with her fifth of the season.

Goalkeeper Morgan Dyson had eight saves for the Golden Bears, who finished 9-9 last season as a member of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. Little had two goals and two assists, while first-team all-conference midfielder Alyse Kennedy scored once and assisted on another.

UAlbany’s Best had three of her season-high four goals in the first half. She extended her goal-scoring streak to 33 consecutive games. Christine Grueniger added a pair of goals. The Great Danes, who fell to No. 17 Stanford two days, wrapped up their three-game California road trip.

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UAlbany (1-2) 5 4 - 9

California (2-1) 10 4 - 14

UAlbany – Scoring: Kayla Best 4-0, Christine Grueniger 2-0, Mel Rorie 1-0, Jodi Battaglia 1-0, Melanie Sosnowski 1-0, Julie Bush 0-2, Rory Redmond 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Katie Neer (48:12, 3 saves, 13 GA); Ashley Ross (11:48, 0 saves, 1 GA).

California – Scoring: Vail Horn 5-0, Sam Price 4-0, Ghillie Little 2-2, Tarra Arolla 1-2, Alyse Kennedy 1-1, Alex Tickner 1-0, DennaFaye Herald 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Morgan Dyson (60:00, 8 saves, 9 GA).

University of Albany Mens Lacrosse Determined To Venture Far Into NCAA Tournament

University at Albany lacrosse player Garrett Pedley remembers his senior teammates crying and head coach Scott Marr staring into the distance.

That was the emotional scene just moments after UAlbany had blown a nine-goal lead in a 14-13 loss at Maryland Baltimore-County in last year's America East championship game.

The crushing defeat cost the Great Danes a berth in the NCAA Tournament. It's an experience Pedley, now a fifth-year senior defenseman, is determined not to repeat.

"I think the first day of practice, the first hour after that game was over, you could tell there was sense of urgency to get back on the field and prove ourselves," Pedley said.

The Great Danes, ranked 17th in the latest Division I coaches' poll, will get that chance on Saturday at 1 p.m. against Denver in the season opener at UAlbany's John Fallon Field.

It will be UAlbany's earliest game and first opener on campus since upgrading to Division I in 2000.

The school has added 2,000 seats and a press box to the west side of Fallon Field, which debuted in 2006.

"First off, we're all very thankful to Denver for coming out and agreeing to play us this early," UAlbany coach Scott Marr said. "Not many teams want to come and play us in the Northeast at this tine of year. It's awesome. The kids have been so excited for it."

Denver (0-1) was ranked No. 15 before a 20-7 loss in its opener at North Carolina on Saturday. The Pioneers are now first among other teams receiving votes in the Top 20.

UAlbany is aiming for its fifth America East championship.

The Great Danes should be potent offensively as they return a pair of all-conference attackmen in senior Corey Small (34 goals) and sophomore Brian Caufield (27 goals).

There's also a strong defensive nucleus with Pedley and all-rookie pick Mike Banks.

Less certain are how UAlbany will perform with inexperience at midfield and in the net. The team must replace all-league middies Jordan Levine and Steve Ammann as well as Brett Queener, whose 467 career saves put him second in UAlbany's Division I history.

All-leaguer Chris Schongar of Shenendehowa will help stablize the midfield. Marr said he'll start freshman John Carroll in net.

"At this point in time, he's playing better than the other two (goalies)," Marr said. "He's a very good communicator, he's in command of the defense and he's a pretty good stopper."

Small said as the opener approaches, the memory of last year's title loss hasn't faded.

"In that America East final, seeing UMBC chip away at that lead, I haven't forgotten about that loss," he said.

Mark Singelais

SEMATECH Partners with Metrosol on Advanced Gate Stack Research at University of Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering

Albany, NY and Austin, TX - SEMATECH, a global consortium of chipmakers, and Metrosol, Inc., a leading developer, manufacturer and worldwide supplier of short wavelength optical metrology solutions, announced today that Metrosol has joined SEMATECH's Front End Process Technologies Program at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) of the University at Albany. The joint partnership will expand on current collaborative efforts to develop suitable inline metrology techniques to monitor the thickness and composition of various films in high-k dielectric gate and memory stacks.

As a member of this program, Metrosol will collaborate with experts in SEMATECH's Front End Processes (FEP) and Metrology divisions to develop and demonstrate an inline vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopic reflectometry (VUV-SR)-based platform that will provide the accurate characterization necessary for inline metrology of advanced logic and memory applications for future technology generations.

"Metrosol is positioned to make significant contributions to the development and production of advanced dielectrics for both logic and memory technologies," said Kevin Fahey, Metrosol's CEO. "Our VUV-SR technology offers the ability to simultaneously measure thicknesses and compositions of individual layers within the high-k dielectric stacks. Our high throughput provides advanced inline process control capability that allows for greater statistical sampling, more accurate information, and faster problem resolution."

"We are pleased to welcome Metrosol to the ever-expanding roster of leading industry partners engaged in cutting-edge nanoelectronics research and development at the UAlbany NanoCollege," said Richard Brilla, vice president for strategy, alliances and consortia at CNSE. "This new collaboration will enhance the world-class metrology and characterization capabilities at CNSE's Albany NanoTech, further demonstrating the success of the SEMATECH-CNSE partnership in accelerating nanoscale innovations, supporting pioneering education and fostering high-tech economic growth, all of which underscore New York's recognition as a global leader in nanotechnology."

Specifically, SEMATECH and Metrosol plan to build optical models for interfacial layers, high-k and metal gate films, and dielectric capping layers, so that reliable thickness and composition measurements may be performed inline using Metrosol's VUV-SR technology for different logic- and memory-based applications.

"This is another major step in developing practical and inline advanced physical characterization methods to support emerging technologies currently under development in SEMATECH's Front End Processes program," said Raj Jammy, SEMATECH vice president of emerging technology. "Metrosol is a strong, trusted partner, and its VUV measurement technology complements our own technical expertise, as we work together to extend CMOS logic and memory technologies."

Capable of handling multiple metrology modules on a single platform, Metrosol's VUV system provides flexibility and throughput. The platform's modular architecture and small footprint delivers high throughput inline measurement capabilities, even for advanced applications such as high N, SiON and HfO2 high-k dielectrics.

In 2007, Metrosol and SEMATECH demonstrated inline optical metrology for high-k dielectric composition, thickness, and ultra-thin interfacial layer thickness. The results, jointly presented at the 4th International Symposium on Advanced Gate Stack Technology, were obtained using Metrosol's VUV-SR metrology system and transistors manufactured with SEMATECH's HfSiOx gate technology. Rapid adoption of gate stack and memory dielectrics technology and of its use in high volume manufacturing requires suitable inline metrology techniques to monitor the thickness and composition of the various films in the dielectric stack.

The goal of SEMATECH's Front End Process Technologies Program at the UAlbany NanoCollege is to provide novel leading-edge materials, process, structural modules and electrical and physical characterization solutions to support the continued scaling of logic and memory applications.


About Metrosol:
Metrosol, Inc., a developer, manufacturer and worldwide supplier of short wavelength optical metrology solutions, delivers advanced thin-film measurement systems that solve the needs of next-generation semiconductor manufacturing. The company brings a unique and required capability to market for the semiconductor industry and continues to grow its patent portfolio. Its shortwave optical metrology technology offers the only commercially available platform capable of collecting reflectance data in the vacuum ultraviolet wavelength region down to 120 nm. This technology can help semiconductor manufacturers significantly reduce yield loss by detecting process excursions on product wafers. Based in Austin, Texas, Metrosol is a cohesive team of top-level scientists, sales/marketing personnel and executives with extensive experience in the semiconductor and other high-technology industries. Metrosol is a privately-held company. For information please go to http://www.metrosol.com/.

About CNSE:
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 enterprise of its kind at any university in the world: a $4.5 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. For more information, visit http://www.cnse.albany.edu/.

About SEMATECH:
For 20 years, SEMATECH® (www.sematech.org) has set global direction, enabled flexible collaboration, and bridged strategic R&D to manufacturing. Today, we continue accelerating the next technology revolution with our nanoelectronics and emerging technology partners.

Metrosol Media Contact:
Norbert Kappel
408-930-5108
Norbert.Kappel@metrosol.com

SEMATECH Contact:
Erica McGill, 518-956-7446
erica.mcgill@sematech.org

CNSE Contact:
Steve Janack, CNSE Vice President for Marketing and Communications
(phone) 518-956-7322 (cell) 518-312-5009
(e-mail) sjanack@uamail.albany.edu

#16 Stanford Defeats Women's Lacrosse, 15-10, on Second Game of California Trip

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Stanford, Calif. – Lauren Schmidt had three goals and two assists to lead nationally-ranked Stanford to a 15-10 victory over UAlbany on Wednesday. Feb. 18 at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium. The Cardinal is ranked 17th in the latest IWLCA coaches’ poll and is tied for 16th by Nike/Inside Lacrosse.

Stanford (3-0) trailed for the first time this season when UAlbany (1-1) took a 2-1 lead as Kayla Best scored from an angle off a free-position opportunity. The Cardinal then ripped off six unanswered to take control. Amanda Schwab and Dana Lindsay each scored twice in that outburst. Lindsay put her team ahead for good when she netted a rebound off Schmidt’s initial blast. Schmidt, a junior midfielder, converted from the left side in transition for a two-goal lead with 11:10 left in the period. Lindsay later finished off a crossing pass to hand her team a 7-2 halftime advantage.

The Great Danes, who won their opener against Saint Mary’s, Calif. three days ago, tried to climb back into the contest in the final period. Freshman Melanie Sosnowski sent a free-position shot low into the right side of the net, before Best connected on a fastbreak into the left corner that sliced the deficit to 12-8 with 8:33 remaining.

However, Stanford, who competes in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, ended the comeback attempt with back-to-back goals. Sophomore Ashley Aruffo tallied her first goal of the season from left of the cage. Julie Christy, a first-team all-league midfielder, then found the cage just over a minute later on a cut to the top of the crease.

Sarah Flynn added three goals for the Cardinal, who defeated Oregon (17-5) and Fresno State (20-1) to open their schedule. Goalkeeper Annie Read made six saves in a game that was played on a 67-degree day after being delayed 24 hours due to rain.

UAlbany’s Best finished with three goals and became the 11th player in the program’s history to reach the 100-career point mark. In addition, she extended her goal-scoring streak to 32 consecutive games. Jodi Battaglia and Taylor Frink each scored twice, while Mel Rorie had a career-best three assists. Katie Neer stopped 12 shots for the Great Danes, who wrap up their three-game road trip against California on Friday.

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UAlbany (1-1) 2 8 - 10

#17/16 Stanford (3-0) 7 8 - 15

UAlbany – Scoring: Kayla Best 3-0, Jodi Battaglia 2-0, Taylor Frink 2-0, Julie Bush 1-1, Christine Grueniger 1-0, Melanie Sosnowski 1-0, Mel Rorie 0-3; Goalkeeper(s): Katie Neer (60:00, 12 saves, 15 GA).

Stanford – Scoring: Lauren Schmdit 3-2, Dana Lindsay 3-1, Sarah Flynn 3-0, Julie Christy 2-0, Amanda Schwab 2-0, Leslie Foard 1-1, Ashley Aruffo 1-1, Claire Hubbard 0-3, Bess Siegfried 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Annie Read (60:00, 6 saves, 10 GA).

University of Albany Softball Splits Non-Conference Doubleheader with North Florida - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Jacksonville, Fla. – Junior pitcher Leah McIntosh struck out 13 opposing batters in a complete-game performance to lead UAlbany to a 1-0 win over North Florida in the first game of a non-conference doubleheader at the UNF Softball Complex on Wednesday afternoon. In the nightcap, senior catcher Ashley Battaglia went 2-for-3 with an RBI to lead the Osprey’s to a 4-1 win.

The Great Danes broke a scoreless tie in the third inning of game one, recording the only run they would need. Sophomore Kristine Bill recorded a base hit up the middle and advanced to second when Michelle Connors drew a walk off North Florida pitcher Devyn Findlay. Meagan Butsch also walked to load the bases for UAlbany. Findlay struck out Gina Mason, but then followed by issuing a walk to Jessica Bergin, sending Bill home.

North Florida had a scoring opportunity in the bottom of the sixth inning, as centerfielder Ariana Godwin made it to third on a single back to the pitcher by Kara Rutenbar. McIntosh got first baseman Caroline Torre swinging to work her way out of the inning. She then struck out two of four batters faced in the final frame to seal the win for the Great Danes.

UAlbany struck early in the second game, scoring one run in the top of the first. Bill, who was walked during her at bat, advanced on the base path and was brought home as three straight UAlbany batters were hit by pitches. The Ospreys responded in the bottom of the second inning, as Torre scored a single run on a fielding error.

Battaglia recorded her first RBI of the game in the third frame, driving in Godwin with a single to center field to give North Florida the one-run lead. The Great Danes were unable to capitalize on a scoring opportunity in the fourth as designated hitter Stephanie Talerico knocked a double to right center. Freshman pitcher Shaina Dent fanned Kat Smith to end the inning.

The Ospreys scored two insurance runs in the sixth inning, as Rutenbar got things started with a lead-off hit. She advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Torre and advanced to third on a passed ball. Freshman second baseman Amanda Moseley then knocked a two-RBI double to left center, scoring Rutenbar and Bailey, who walked earlier in the inning.

Dent tossed a complete-game, striking out three and allowing three hits for North Florida (4-10). Junior Marissa Powell fell to 1-3 on the season with four strikeouts over six innings of work.

UAlbany (4-3) will return to action on Friday as they take part in South Florida’s “The Game” Tournament in Tampa.

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UAlbany 001 000 0 - 1 3 1

North Florida 000 000 0 - 0 3 1

UAlbany: Leah McIntosh and Kat Smith.

North Florida: Devyn Findlay and Ashley Battaglia.



UAlbany (4-3) 100 000 0 - 1 3 3

N. Florida (4-10) 011 002 x - 4 7 0

UAlbany: Marissa Powell and Kat Smith.

North Florida: Shaina Dent and Ashley Battaglia.

University of Albany Track And Field - America East Championship Package Available

Info on the bus trip to the AE T&F Championship.
The price has been reduced to $25 due to an alumni donation. (check accuracy)

Some truly spectacular athletes on these teams. And if you haven't spent time around Coach Vives, it's worth it to make the trip.

UAlbany Athletic Department invites all students, alumni, family and friends to:

THE AMERICA EAST MEN’S & WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIP
AT BOSTON U. INDOOR TRACK & FIELD CENTER

Saturday, February 21, 2009
Bus leaving at 8 a.m.

Price: $35

Price includes:
Round trip Transportation on chartered bus
Continental Breakfast
Boxed Lunch
UAlbany Track & Field T-Shirt

WATCH THE MEN DEFEND THEIR CHAMPIONSHIP AS THE WOMEN WIN THEIR FIRST
Reserve your seats now!!!!!!!!
Contact Eric at 518-442- 4683

Please note admission to the Championship is $7.00 for Adults and $2.00 for UAlbany students with college ID and children under 14 years old.

Courtesy: Mcfan

Time Warner Cable Will Televise A-East Basketball Quarterfinal Games From SEFCU Arena

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – For the first time in its history, the America East Conference Men’s Basketball Championship’s quarterfinal round will be televised. America East Commissioner Patrick Nero and University at Albany Director of Athletics Lee McElroy jointly announced today that Time Warner Cable will air all four quarterfinal games on Saturday, March 7. UAlbany’s SEFCU Arena is hosting the conference championship tournament March 6-8, with the winner receiving an automatic NCAA berth.

Rodger Wyland, sports director at WNYT-TV, the NBC affiliate in Albany, and Frank Sullivan, America East associate commissioner and former Harvard University head coach, will handle the broadcasting duties for the entire day. The first quarterfinal begins at 12 noon. In addition, Time Warner Cable (TW3) will air a sports desk segment between the two games in the afternoon and again in the middle of the two evening contests, plus provide live cut-ins of postgame press conferences.

Time Warner Cable services more than 400,000 customers in the Capital Region. TWC’s Albany Division operates one of the most sophisticated cable systems in the nation and is home to New York’s first two-way digital network. Time Warner Cable’s America East Championship coverage will also have the ability to fiber connect with its Upstate New York partners in Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo.

Tickets are still available for the America East Conference Championship by contacting the UAlbany Ticket Office, at 518-442-4683. All-Session ticket prices are: Chairback Seat ($55.00), Reserved Seat ($45), Child Seat ($20), Student Seat ($20, America East students only). Individual session tickets are also on sale: Chairback Seat ($18.00), Reserved Seat ($15), Child ($10, 12 & under), Student ($10, America East students only).



2009 America East Conference Men’s Basketball Championship

Friday, March 6, SEFCU Arena
Game 1 – First Round, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 7, SEFCU Arena
Game 2 – Quarterfinal #1, 12:00 p.m. (Time Warner Cable)
Game 3 – Quarterfinal #2, 2:30 p.m.* (Time Warner Cable)
Game 4 – Quarterfinal #3, 6:00 p.m. (Time Warner Cable)
Game 5 – Quarterfinal #4, 8:30 p.m.* (Time Warner Cable)

Sunday, March 8, SEFCU Arena
Game 6 – Semifinal #1, 2:00 p.m. (America East TV Network)
Game 7 – Semifinal #2, 5:00 p.m. (America East TV Network)

Saturday, March 14, Home Court of Higher Seeded Team
Game 8 – Championship, 11:00 a.m. (ESPN2)

*time approximate

University of Albany Baseball Tabbed Fifth in America East Conference Preseason Poll - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – UAlbany has been chosen fifth in the 2009 America East Conference Baseball Coaches’ Preseason Poll as announced by the league office on Tuesday. Defending regular-season champion Binghamton was picked first in the poll, as voted by the conference’s head coaches with four first-place votes. Stony Brook, which claimed the tournament title last year, was picked second, followed by Maine and Vermont. UAlbany, Hartford and UMBC rounded out the seven-team poll.

Outfielder Brendan Rowland (Colonie Central) returns as the Great Danes’ only first-team all-conference honoree last year. Rowland led the league in hits (74) and was among America East leaders in several other offensive categories. Senior catcher Ryan Gugel, a second-team all-conference pick, also returns, while senior Josh Willimott looks to lead UAlbany on the mound. Right hander Alexander Beaulieu, an effective reliever, is back on hill after missing last season following shoulder surgery.

Head coach Jon Mueller returns for his tenth season at the helm of the Great Danes. Mueller will look for his team to rebound from a 17-37-1 record last season after claiming the 2007 America East Championship and NCAA Tournament berth. UAlbany has posted six seasons with 20 or more wins under Mueller’s guidance, including a school-record 37 wins in 2004.

The top four teams in the conference will advance to the America East Championship, held at the highest seed that has a field with lights, on May 21-23. The winner of the double-elimination tournament receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.

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2009 America East Conference Baseball Preseason Poll

1. Binghamton (4) 34; 2. Stony Brook (3) 33; 3. Maine 24; 4. Vermont 22; 5. UAlbany 12; t6. Hartford, UMBC 11.

University of Albany's Tyler Fogarty Named America East Conference Track Athlete of the Week - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Athletics

Cambridge, Mass. – UAlbany’s Tyler Fogarty (Shenendehowa) was named the America East Conference Track Athlete of the Week, as announced by the league office on Tuesday, Feb. 17. This marks the first time this season that the sophomore is being honored with the weekly award.

One week after running the 800-meter leg on the distance medley relay team that broke the school record by seven seconds, Fogarty provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championship in the 800-meter run at the Tyson Invitational hosted by the University of Arkansas on Friday, Feb. 13. In a meet that featured 14 of the 25 nationally-ranked men’s teams, including the top-ranked Razorbacks, he clocked in a fourth-place time of 1:49.60 in the Olympic Development division. It was also the best mark in America East this season by over two seconds. He became the first Great Dane to provisionally qualify for NCAAs in a track event this season and the third overall after Luke Schoen in the pole vault and Nasim Siddeeq in the triple jump.

Fogarty and the men’s and women’s indoor track and field programs will look to sweep the team titles for the first time ever at the America East Conference Championships hosted by Boston University on Feb. 20-21. The men’s team will also aim to win the program’s fourth straight championship and sixth in seven years.

AMERICA EAST CHAMPIONSHIPS AND NCAA TOURNAMENTS - NOTHING COMPARES

2006 AMERICA EAST CHAMPIONS
2007 AMERICA EAST CHAMPIONS

2006 NCAA TOURNAMENT VS UCONN
2007 NCAA TOURNAMENT VS VIRGINIA

University of Albany Women's Lacrosse Captures Season Opener in 14-9 Victory Against Saint Mary's, Calif. - UAlbany sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Moraga, Calif. – Kayla Best had two goals and two assists as UAlbany posted a 14-9 victory over Saint Mary’s, Calif. in the season opener for both women’s lacrosse programs on Sunday afternoon at Saint Mary’s Stadium.

Saint Mary’s, Calif., a member of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, trailed 8-5 early in the second half, but then sliced the deficit to one as senior midfielder P.J. Hainley scored back-to-back unassisted goals. Hainley, the Gaels’ leading scorer one year ago, finished with four goals and two assists.

UAlbany regrouped with four unanswered over a 10-minute span. Nikki Branchini and Melanie Sosnowski netted shots one minute and 14 seconds apart for a 10-7 advantage. Taylor Frink added an unassisted goal, before Best set up Mel Rorie for a five-goal cushion with 6:12 remaining.

Christine Grueniger converted a free-position shot and cashed in on another scoring chance in the final two minutes to give her squad a 14-8 lead. The Great Danes, who are in their 10th season at the Division I level, won an opening game for just the second time since 2000.

Julie Bush, a junior who has been sidelined most of the last two seasons with knee injuries, scored twice and assisted on another goal in the opening half, as UAlbany took a 7-5 lead to the locker room. Jodi Battaglia and Rorie each had two goals for the Great Danes, who dropped an 11-9 decision in their only other meeting with Saint Mary’s on April 13, 2003.

The Gaels’ Juliet Monroe, a freshman attack, added three goals and one assist. UAlbany goalkeeper Katie Neer made seven saves, while Best extended her consecutive goal scoring streak to 31 straight games. The Great Danes meet Stanford, ranked No. 18 nationally in the latest IWLCA Coaches’ Poll, on Tuesday. UAlbany completed its third-game swing against California on Feb. 20.

**********

UAlbany (1-0) 7 7 - 14

Saint Mary’s, Calif. (0-1) 5 4 - 9

UAlbany – Scoring: Kayla Best 2-2, Julie Bush 2-1, Christine Grueniger 2-0, Mel Rorie 2-0, Jodi Battaglia 2-0, Rory Redmond 1-0, Nikki Branchini 1-0, Melanie Sosnowski 1-0, Taylor Frink 1-0, Tricia Hurley 0-2, Renee Levitin 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Katie Neer (60:00, 7 saves, 9 GA).

Saint Mary’s, Calif. – P.J. Hainley 4-2, Juliet Monroe 3-1, Claire Purcell 1-0, Amy Daniels 1-0, Ciara Breckenridge 0-1, Maggie Schwab 0-1, Abbie Coleman 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Hilary Gardner (60:00, 6 saves, 14 GA).

#12 University of Albany Men's Lacrosse Beats #6 Georgetown In Saturday Scrimmage - UAlbany Sports

Hey, everyone. Last time I’m gonna write “scrimmage report” this year, I think. Just got back from Multi-Sport Field in D.C., where the Georgetown-Albany scrimmage, both team’s final warmup of the year, has ended. It was a tremendously fun afternoon of lacrosse that gave the fans in attendance lots of bang for their buck. The day started at 12:45 p.m. with situational drills and then about an hour later, a five-quarter scrimmage was held.

It’s an interesting itinerary — one that few other teams in the country would follow during a scrimmage day. But it makes sense, especially given that Albany traveled down to D.C. specifically for the scrimmage and both coaches wanted to take advantage of the training opportunity.

The situational drills were particularly fun to watch and gave fans a great chance to look at the different combos from each team (more on that below). The teams started with 10 minutes of six vs. six, with Albany’s D taking on the Georgetown offense at one end of the field and the converse at the other. After that, the defenses dropped a man and the teams practiced man-up/man-down for 10 minutes. Finally, it was time for face-offs. There were 15 face-off sequences taken, with each one ending only after the winning team managed to advance the ball into the opponent’s defensive box (unofficially, I had Georgetown winning 9 of the 15).

After that, the teams huddled in the end zones and came out for a five-quarter scrimmage. Georgetown coach Dave Urick told me before the game that the first quarter would really be the fifth quarter for both teams — that they would play the freshmen and backups while they were warm rather than having them wait for four quarters in (relatively) chilly temps.

So, with that caveat, here’s the unofficial score of the last four quarters...

Albany 12, Georgetown 11

Here are the goal and assist totals:

Albany
Brian Caulfield 2G, 2A
Joe Resetarits 2G, 1A
Derek Kreuzer 1G
John Carroll 1A
Mark Cometti 2G
Corey Small 2G
Joe Pompo 1G
John Alpizar 2A
Dave Brock 2G

Georgetown
Scott Kocis 2G, 1A
Andrew Brancaccio 1G, 2A (both on Kocis goals)
Dan D’Agnes 1G
Ricky Mirabito 2G
Todd Cochran 2G (one lefty shot)
Brett Weiss 1G
Craig Dowd 1G,2A
Zack Angel 1G (scored as attack)

Keep in mind, there were a lot of personnel wrinkles thrown out there today and players weren’t always matching up with the opposing team’s top units, so please take all scoring numbers with a grain of salt.

Here’s my team breakdowns for the day, along with postgame audio interviews:

Albany
Click below to listen to a postgame interview with coach Scott Marr

*As we noted in our preseason preview, Albany’s midfield had the most question marks of any Great Dane unit coming in, but there’s a lot of talent to work with. Junior Mark Cometti and senior John Alpizar were the main guys on line one. They don’t have too much size, but Alpizar in particular is a nifty dodger and had a sweet feed to sophomore Brian Caulfield for a behind-the-back goal in the fourth quarter.

*Sophomores Kyle Crotty, Joe Pompo, Derek Kreuzer and Herkimer junior transfer Dave Brock all saw some time with the top midfield unit. Brock’s two goals came against Georgetown’s backup goalie in the fourth quarter, but he had some opportunities that he didn’t finish earlier in the game against their starters. Also saw a bit of freshman Rocky Bonitatibus, who didn’t get as much run as I thought he would.

*Attack is the offense’s bread and butter. Freshman Joe Resetarits looked great and can shoot the lights out. Caulfield is the team’s go-to guy, though. He looks equally comfortable scoring and feeding. And then there’s Corey Small, who has great hands and can get his shot off from anywhere.

*I liked this man-up combo from Albany: Caulfield, Pompo, Kreuzer, Small, Brock and Resetarits.

*Defensively, this is a top notch unit. They played a combination of a matchup zone and some man-to-man throughout the day. Defensive guys were senior Garrett Pedley, sophomore Mike Banks, junior Brendan Gleason (LSM) and junior Mark Kelly. Senior Chris Schongar also got a lot of run at LSM and on wings and sophomore Scott Raffensperger, who coach Marr likes a lot, was the pole on Georgetown’s best middie during his time out there.

*Sophomore Mike Banks, our cover boy in October, was on Ricky Mirabito in man-to-man matchups and can cover a lot of ground quickly. He seems to be given the green light to be aggressive, too. At one point, he came out from goal-line extended to poke the ball away from a Georgetown midfielder before retreating into formation.

*Freshman GK John Caroll got the start in the first half, making (unofficially) 11 saves and allowing 6 goals. Pretty impressive stuff from him. He also got an assist on an errant clearance pass to midfield. It went too far and turned into a home run pass that sophomore attackman Brian Caulfield caught off the bounce and finished. He also pulled a Queener at one point, making an acrobatic catch on a clear at the top of the box and taking the ball over midfield.

*Senior GK Dan McKeon played in the second half, notching 5 saves, and redshirt Drew DiCioccio spelled him in the fourth quarter. In case you were wondering, McKeon played with the main d-unit in the six-on-six drills. Wonder who Scotty Marr will go with against Denver next week.

*Got to be careful about penalties, though. At one point, Gleason was charged with a tripping and a slashing penalty within one second. He went to the box for a two minute session.

*The one weak spot for Albany today was at the face-off X — Georgetown won 14 of the 22 face-offs, unofficially. Freshman Keith Olsen and junior Kevin Courtney were the main draw takers for the Great Danes.

*Albany drove down Friday night for the scrimmage — seven hours in total —and were getting on the bus to head back to the N.Y. capital as I left Georgetown’s campus. Good prep for later in the season, but for the time being, they’ll stay in Albany. Three of their first four games are at home.

by Jon Brand

University of Albany Tennis Splits Matches Over the Weekend - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Charlotte Tatler recorded a 6-0, 6-0 sweep of Emma Rudnik at No. 3 singles and teamed with Holly Smith to record an 8-1 win over Rudnik and Emily Maer in leading UAlbany to a 7-0 win over Holy Cross on Saturday afternoon at the UAlbany Bubble. The Great Danes then traveled to Massachusetts on Sunday, falling to the Minutewomen 5-2.

In Saturday’s match against the Crusaders, UAlbany earned the doubles points with three straight victories. Sophomores Susan Ma and Laine Mackey took an 8-0 win at No. 1 doubles over Kristen Miehl and Carolyn Chandlay. Tatler and Smith combined for the second doubles win, while Kim Weltman and Aubrey Brooks teamed up for an 8-0 sweep of Kathryn Wilkie and Paige Brown at the third position.

Ma posted a 6-3, 6-3 win over Miehl at No. 1 singles, while Weltman defeated Maer, 6-0, 6-2 at the second position. Mackey dropped just one set against Chandlay at No. 4 singles, winning with scores of 6-1, 6-0. Smith defeated Hailee Lange, 6-2, 6-1, while Melissa Coughlin wrapped up the singles victories with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Ivette Knopoch at No. 6.

The Great Danes posted two singles wins at Massachusetts on Sunday, with Mackey and Brooks coming away with victories. Mackey defeated Kaitlyn Carpenter at the fourth position, 6-4, 7-5, while Brooks recorded a 5-7, 6-2, 10-8 win over Lauren Mackay at No. 6 singles. The Minutewomen swept the rest of the points, despite Tatler forcing a third set against Maude Leclyuse, falling 6-4 in the first set and recording a 6-0 second before falling, 6-4, in the final. Weltman also went three sets at No. 2 singles against Candynce Boney, dropping a 6-2 first set and claiming a 6-3 win in the second. Boney earned the point for the Minutewomen with a 6-2 final set.

UAlbany (5-1) will return to action on Feb. 28, hosting NJIT at the UAlbany Bubble.

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UAlbany 7, Holy Cross 0

Singles

1. Susan Ma (UA) def. Kristen Miehl (HC), 6-3, 6-3

2. Kim Weltman (UA) def. Emily Maer (HC), 6-0, 6-2

3. Charlotte Tatler (UA) def. Emma Rudnik (HC), 6-0, 6-0

4. Laine Mackey (UA) def. Carolyn Chandlay (HC), 6-1, 6-0

5. Holly Smith (UA) def. Hailee Lange (HC), 6-2, 6-1

6. Melissa Coughlin (UA) def. Ivette Knopoch (HC), 6-2, 6-2

Doubles

1. Ma/Mackey (UA) def. Miehl/Chandlay (HC), 8-0

2. Tatler/Smith (UA) def. Maer/Rudnik (HC), 8-1

3. Weltman/Aubrey Brooks (UA) def. Kathryn Wilkie/Paige Brown (HC), 8-0



Massachusetts 5, UAlbany 2

Singles

1. Magdalena Ploch (UM) def. Ma (UA), 6-4, 7-5

2. Candynce Boney (UM) def. Weltman (UA), 6-2, 3-6, 6-2

3. Maude Lecluyse (UM) def. Tatler (UA), 6-4, 0-6, 6-4

4. Mackey (UA) def. Kaitlyn Carpenter (UM), 6-4, 7-5

5. Tanisha Hodgson (UM) def. Smith (UA), 7-6 (8-6), 6-4

6. Brooks (UA) def. Lauren Mackay (UM), 5-7, 6-2, 10-8

Doubles

1. Boney/Lecluyse (UM) def. Ma/Mackey (UA), 8-2

2. Hodgson/Ploch (UM) def. Tatler/Smith (UA), 8-6

3. Carpenter/Mackay (UM) def. Weltman/Brooks (UA), 9-7

Men's Basketball Slips to Seventh Place in America East Standings Following 78-59 Defeat

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Sophomore guard Alvin Abreu had 19 points to pace four players in double figures in leading New Hampshire to a 78-59 America East Conference victory over UAlbany on Sunday, Feb. 15 at SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes have dropped five straight, their longest losing streak since December 2005.

New Hampshire (10-14, AE 5-7) leaped to a 12-1 lead at the start and never trailed. Abreu, who added eight rebounds, five assists and three steals to his scoring total, hit a three-point field goal and layup after his theft to ignite that run.

UAlbany (13-13, AE 5-8) sliced a 13-point deficit to 26-20 in the first half when Will Harris and Anthony Raffa converted back-to-back driving layups. But the Wildcats responded with nine straight points to take control. Tyrece Gibbs, a 6-foot-3 senior who had 12 of his 16 points in the period, canned a three-pointer from the top of the arc to push the lead back to double digits. Tyrone Conley hit a long-range jumper from the right wing to end that outburst, as his team carried a 40-24 advantage to the intermission.

The Wildcats, who shot a season-best 56.8 percent, including 12-of-20 from beyond the arc, were never really in trouble in the second half. UAlbany closed within 53-41 midway through the stanza, but UNH tallied eight of the game’s next nine points to lock up the road win. Eric Gilchrese, who scored 11 off the bench, made a jumper in the lane. Abreu, a member of last year’s conference all-rookie team, added two free throws and another 3-pointer for a commanding 61-42 cushion.

“We were concerned about dribble penetration and the three-point line,” said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team slipped to seventh place in the conference standings. “We didn’t guard the perimeter well and we got down early. When there was an opportunity in the second half to climb back into it, we didn’t help ourselves by missing free throws.”

Conley, who was 4-of-6 from three-point range, finished with 17 points for the Wildcats, who won in this arena for the first time in three years. UAlbany’s Harris accounted for 18 points and seven rebounds. Jerel Hastings added 11 points, his second highest total of the season. The Great Danes have lost five in a row in America East regular-season play from the first time since the 2003-04 campaign.

“We got off to a great start and our defensive intensity was there,” offered New Hampshire coach Bill Herron, whose club posted season-highs in field goal percentage and three-pointers by a UAlbany opponent. “With five regular-season games left, we are trying to get our team to win the next one. We are not going to finish in the top three, but we are in a fight for positions four through eight (in the standings).”

UAlbany Softball Drops a 1-0 Decision to Stetson and Finishes Second at Hatter Invitational

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Deland, Fla. – Andrea Migliori singled up the middle in the bottom of the third inning to plate an unearned run which led Stetson to a 1-0 victory over the UAlbany softball team at Patricia Wilson Field on Sunday morning. With the victory, Stetson won the Hatter Invitational tournament title while the Great Danes settled for second place.

Stetson (7-3) scored the only run it would need in the bottom of the third inning with two outs. Carolyn Boyd singled up the middle to lead off the inning. Jillian Masucci then came in as a pinch runner and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Amanda Bailey. After Jesse Tucker reached on a fielding error, Amy Joyce singled to short to load the bases. Batting with two outs, Migliori, a preseason All-Atlantic Sun selection, followed with a single up the middle to score Masucci. UAlbany pitcher Marissa Powell got out of any further damage by forcing Katelyn Perna to line out to third for the final out of the frame.

After stranding a runner in scoring position in the fifth inning, the Great Danes made one last push to get on the scoreboard in the top of the seventh. Gina Mason earned a free pass to first with one out and was replaced by Diane MacDowell who stole second. After the second out was recorded, Bailey Van Deest was intentionally walked which put two runners on for Kat Smith. However, the catcher struck out swinging on a 2-2 count and the Hatters held on for the win.

Erica Demers, who had surrendered only two earned runs in her first four starts, improved to 4-1 with her third shutout of the season. In addition to giving up just two hits, she also fanned eight while walking only three batters. Powell took the loss and fell to 1-2, giving up six hits and one walk.

UAlbany (3-2) will be back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 18 when it travels to Jacksonville to face North Florida. The first pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 4 p.m.

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Hatter Invitational

UAlbany (3-2) 000 000 0 - 0 2 1

Stetson (7-3) 001 000 x - 1 6 0

UAlbany: Marissa Powell and Kat Smith.

Stetson: Erica Demers and Carolyn Boyd.

University of Albany's Gina Mason Leads Softball to Two Wins at Stetson Invitational - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

DeLand, Fla. – Sophomore first baseman Gina Mason went 2-for-4 with a triple and a run scored to lead UAlbany to a 7-3 win over Bethune-Cookman in the first game of the second day of play at the Stetson Invitational at Patricia Wilson Field. Mason also recorded a hit and scored a run in the Great Danes’ 2-1 win over the host Hatters in the second game of the day.

UAlbany jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first game by scoring two runs in each of the first two innings. Kristine Bill and Meagan Butsch both recorded stolen bases and scored unearned runs for the Great Danes in the first frame. Jessica Bergin started off the second inning with a lead-off single, followed by a stolen base. After Nicole Kothe drew a walk, the pair recorded a double steal to put themselves in scoring position. Bill then drove a triple into right field to send both baserunners across home plate.

Bethune-Cookman (1-7) pulled within a run, scoring three times in the bottom half of the fifth. Ashley Taylor drew a lead-off walk and advanced to second on a single by Ashton Hinds. The Wildcats loaded the bases on a UAlbany throwing error and scored the first run of the inning when first baseman Allison Garcia drew a walk off Marissa Powell. Liz Parrish completed the scoring by driving in two runs on a single to center. Powell was able to work out of the inning, striking out Taryn Hernandez.

UAlbany added a single run in the sixth, with freshman Katie Wambold crossing home on a throwing error by the Bethune-Cookman catcher. The Great Danes scored two insurance runs in the top of the seventh, with Mason driving her RBI-triple to left center to score Butsch, who reached on a single. Wambold followed with a double down the left field line, sending Mason across the plate.

Powell tossed a complete game, striking out six over seven innings. Hinds and Parrish both finished with two hits for Bethune-Cookman, while pitcher Chastity Sanders fanned five in a complete-game performance for the Wildcats.

Stetson broke a scoreless tie in the second game, scoring the first run of the game in the top of the fourth inning. After UAlbany pitcher Leah McIntosh recorded seven strikeouts throughout the first three innings, senior first baseman Andrea Migliori connected on a pitch for a home run over the left field wall. The Great Danes responded in the bottom half of the frame, as Mason recorded a stolen base and scored on an RBI single up the middle by Bergin.

The score remained knotted and went into extra innings before UAlbany plated a run to end the game. The Great Danes loaded the bases once, but Stetson ended the scoring opportunity by tagging Mason at home after Bailey Van Deest knocked a fielder’s choice to short. Bergin then drew a walk off Hatter hurler Amanda Lindsey to send Michelle Connors across home for the winning run.

McIntosh picked up the win in the circle for the Great Danes, striking out 16 and allowing just four hits in eight innings of work. Lindsey finished with nine strikeouts for Stetson (5-3).

UAlbany (3-1) will wrap up play at the Stetson Invitational with a 10 a.m. game versus the Hatters on Sunday.

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Stetson Invitational

UAlbany 220 001 2 - 7 9 3

Bethune-Cookman (1-7) 000 030 0 - 3 7 4

UAlbany: Marissa Powell and Kat Smith.

Bethune-Cookman: Chastity Sanders and Sabrina Ferguson.



Stetson (5-3) 000 100 00 - 1 4 0

UAlbany (3-1) 000 100 01 - 2 4 0

Stetson: Amanda Lindsey and Jessica Lokeinsky.

UAlbany: Leah McIntosh and Kat Smith.

University of Albany's Schoen & de Jesus Elias Earn Top-Three Finishes at Arkansas' Tyson Invitational - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Fayetteville, Ark. – University at Albany’s Luke Schoen placed second in the men’s pole vault and Wilfredo de Jesus Elias finished third in the men’s weight throw in leading their squad’s performance at the 10th annual Tyson Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 14. The two-day meet was held at the University of Arkansas’ Randal Tyson Track Center.

Schoen, the school record-holder in this event, cleared the bar at 17-feet, 0.75-inches to end up in the runner-up position. He missed on all three attempts at the winning height of 17-6.50. Indiana’s Jeff Coover won the competition by reaching the first-place mark on his first try. Texas’ Maston Wallace, the current NCAA outdoor champion, tied for seventh.

de Jesus Elias threw 60-feet, 0.50-inches, one of his best efforts of the season, on his second attempt. He placed behind LSU’s Walter Henning (72-3.75) and Oklahoma’s K.P. Singh (64-3). de Jesus Elias, a sophomore from Puerto Rico, eclipsed the school record at last week’s New Balance Collegiate Invitational in New York City when he posted a mark of 63-6.75.

In the women’s 800-meter run, Zuliana Fontanez ran an ECAC-qualifying time of 2:11.31 to earn ninth place. Nasim Siddeeq leaped 51-0.25 in the men’s triple jump, his second-best performance of the year, to finish eighth overall. Michael McCadney was 11th in the same event by jumping 48-9.25. Jenn Gurrant took 12th in the women’s triple jump (38-9.50).

UAlbany was eighth across the finish line in the men’s 4x400-meter relay. The Great Danes’ squad of Joe Greene, Pat Weider, Jeffrey Barnes and Alie Beauvais were clocked in 3:15.55. Arkansas, the host team, was first in 3:09.49.

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Tenth Annual Tyson Invitational

Men’s Weight Throw

1. Walter Henning (LSU), 72-3.75; 2. K.P. Singh (Oklahoma), 64-3; 3. Wilfredo de Jesus Elias (UAlbany), 60-0.50; 4. Eric Petersen (Nebraska), 58-8, 5. Matt Wernke (Florida State), 58-5-.25; 6. Adam Pinckney (Northern Iowa), 57-4.75.

Men’s 4x400 Relay

1. Arkansas, 3:09.49, 2. LSU, 3:10.93, 3. Kent State, 3:11.06; 4. Florida State, 3:11.26; 5. Northern Iowa, 3:11.62; 6. Auburn, 3:13.93; 7. Rend Lake C.C., 3:14.08; 8. UAlbany (Joe Greene, Pat Weider, Jeffrey Barnes, Alie Beauvais), 3:15.55, 9. South Carolina, 3:15.63.

Men’s Triple Jump

1. Shardae Boutte (Oklahoma), 53-5.75; 2. Will Claye (Oklahoma), 53-5.50; 3. Tydree Lewis (unattached), 53-3.75; 4. Nkosinza Balumbu (Arkansas), 52-9.50; 5. Christian Taylor (Florida), 52-4.50); 6. Alphonso Jordan (Georgia Tech), 52-0.50; 7. Clarence Smith (Penn State), 51-10.50; 8. Nasim Siddeeq (UAlbany), 51-0.25; 9. Austin Davis (North Carolina), 50-9.25.

Men’s Pole Vault

1. Jeff Coover (Indiana), 17-6.50; 2. Luke Schoen (UAlbany), 17-0.75; t3. Jordan Scott (Kansas), 17-0.75; t3. Phil Hanson (Northern Iowa), 17-0.75; t3. Josh Dominguez (LSU), 17-0.75; 6. Will Paine (Texas), 17-0.75: t7. Maston Wallace (Texas), 16-6.75; t7. Gonzalo Barroilhet (Florida State), 16-6.75; 9. Daniel Gooris (Northern Iowa), 16-6.75.

University of Albany's Kadine Johnson Leads Track & Field to Victory at Binghamton Triangular - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Vestal, N.Y. – University at Albany’s Kadine Johnson took first in both the shot put and weight throw to lead her team to victory in a triangular meet at Binghamton’s Events Center. The Great Danes scored 239 points to finish ahead of Binghamton and Syracuse. In the men’s competition, Binghamton edged UAlbany in the team standings by four points.

Johnson, the runner-up in the shot put at last year’s America East Conference indoor championship, threw a season-best 42-feet, 8.75-inches at the Binghamton tri-meet and won the weight throw with a toss of 52-feet. The Great Danes had five other individual champions, including pole vaulter Celine Cauderlier. She cleared the bar at 11-1.75, the second-best height in the program’s history. Laura Cummings was first in the mile run with a time 5:14.09. Sprinters Fey Adaramola (55-dash), Melissa Lee (400) and Esperanza Bianco (500) also posted victories.



In the men’s meet, Mike Dempsey won the pole vault with a personal-best mark of 16-feet, 0.75-inches. Dempsey, one of our individual winners, improved his IC4A qualifying standard. Brian Yurkewecz (Fonda-Fultonville) was first across the line in the mile run (4:19.01), while Nick Santos (Colonie Central) won the 800-meter run in 1:56.01. Freshman Jon Juleus went 2:34.10 in winning at 1,000-meters. Kyle Nadler (Colonie Central) qualified for the IC4A championships with a second-place mark of 23-0.75 in the long jump. Nadler was also second in the triple jump (44-4.75).


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MEN – 1. Binghamton 246, 2. UAlbany 242, 3. Syracuse 178.

Individual Winners: 55 – Dan Walker (B), 6.57; 200 – Cazal Arnett (B), 22.15; 400 – Christian Smith (B), 50.72; 500 – Jesse McCormick (B), 1:06.26; 800 – Nick Santos (A), 1:56.01; 1,000 – Jon Juleus (A), 2:34.10; Mile – Brian Yurkewecz (A), 4:19.01; 3,000 – Craig Coon (B), 9:04.91; 5,000 – Jon Peffley (B), 15:35.85; 55-Hurdles – Terry Marshall (S), 7.66; 4x400 Relay – Binghamton, 3:19.42; High Jump – Nelson Hall (B), 6-4.25; Pole Vault – Mike Dempsey (A), 16-0.75; Long Jump – Bernard Bush (S), 23-10; Triple Jump – Bernard Bush (S), 45-6.50; Shot Put – Joanel Lopez (B), 51-5.50; Weight Throw – Joanel Lopez (B), 57-11.



WOMEN – 1. UAlbany 239, 2. Binghamton 235, 3. Syracuse 173.

Individual Winners: 55 – Fey Adaramola (A), 7.32; 200 – Jess Conter (B), 26.14; 400 – Melissa Lee (A), 58.40; 500 – Esperanza Bianco (A), 1:19.00; 800 – Anastasia Boyle (S), 2:19.98; 1,000 – Olivia Beane (S), 3:08.87; Mile – Laura Cummings (A), 5:14.09; 3,000 – Lisa Giacometti (S), 10:31.87; 5,000 – Stefanie Slekis (S), 18:11.05; 55-Hurdles – Uhunoma Osazuwa (S), 8.35; 4x400 Relay – Binghamton, 3:57.93; High Jump – Uhunoma Osazuwa (S), 5-6; Pole Vault – Celine Cauderlier (A), 11-1.75; Long Jump - Uhunoma Osazuwa (S), 19-8.25; Triple Jump – Ieva Staponkute (S), 39-2.25; Shot Put – Kadine Johnson (A), 42-8.25; Weight Throw – Kadine Johnson (A), 52-0.

University of Albany's Ricardo Estremera Breaks Mile Run Record at Arkansas' 10th Annual Tyson Invitational - UAlbany sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Fayetteville, Ark. – University at Albany’s Ricardo Estremera and Aaron Lozier each broke the school’s mile run record that had stood for more than 17 years to highlight their team’s performance at the 10th annual Tyson Invitational on Friday, Feb. 13. The two-day competition is being held at the University of Arkansas’ Randal Tyson Track Center.

Lozier, a transfer from Hudson Valley Community College, broke the school mark in the mile run in the first heat of the day. Lozier, who finished sixth overall, ran 4:09.77 to eclipse Joe McMullen’s record of 4:10.57 that was established in 1992. Estremera lowered that standard in the second heat with a time of 4:08.43 en route to a fourth-place showing. Estremera was 14th in the mile run at last week’s New Balance Invitational in New York City.

In the men’s long jump, Valete Graham placed third with a school-record leap of 24-feet, 5-inch on his first attempt. Graham, who qualified for the IC4A indoor championships, went 24-3.75 at the Great Dane Classic on Jan. 23.

All-American Joe Greene and Kamilah McShine had season-best efforts in the men’s 400-meter dash and women’s 60-meter hurdles, respectively. Greene was clocked in 47.74 seconds to finish 14th overall and improve his existing IC4A qualifying standard. McShine, a two-time America East Conference 55-hurdles champion, sprinted 8.53 seconds in the preliminary round of her event and lowered her qualifying time for the ECAC meet in March.

In addition, Tyler Fogarty took fourth in the Olympic Development 800-meter run with an NCAA provisional qualifying time of 1:49.60. Joe Belokpitsky placed 12th in 1:53.61 and qualified for the IC4A championships. Jean Juste sprinted 8.07 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles preliminary round. He ended up in 12th place overall and bettered the IC4A standard.

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Tenth Annual Tyson Invitational

Men’s Mile Run

1. Jordan Powell (Oklahoma Christian), 4:06.63; 2. Silas Kisorio (Oklahoma Christian), 4:06.72; 3. Tony Jordanek (Kent State), 4:07.79; 4. Ricardo Estremera (UAlbany), 4:08.83; 5. Alan Sticker (LSU), 4:08.55; 6. Aaron Lozier (UAlbany), 4:07.77.

Men’s Long Jump

1. Will Claye (Oklahoma), 24-9.25; 2. Eric Walder (unattached), 24-9; 3. Valete Graham (UAlbany), 24-5; 4. Leron Williams (Nebraska), 24-0.75; 5. Scott Jorgenson (Nebraska), 23-9.25.

Men’s 400-Meter Dash

1. Torrin Lawrence (Georgia), 46.18; 2. Terrance Reid (unattached), 46.50; 3. Robert Simmons (LSU), 46.55. Top UAlbany Finisher: 14. Joe Greene, 47.74.

Men's Olympic Development 800-Meter Run

1. Carolos Phillips (Florida), 1:49.01; 2. Ken Jesensky (unattached), 1:49.10; 3. Kyle Smith (unattached), 1:49.58. Top UAlbany Finishers: 4. Tyler Fogarty, 1:49.60; 12. Joe Belokopitsky, 1:53.61.

Women’s 60-Meter Hurdles – Preliminary Round

1. Tiffany Ofili (Michigan), 8:05; 2. Nickiesha Wilson (adidas), 8.23; 3. Tiki James (Central Florida), 8.29. Top UAlbany Finisher: 18. Kamilah McShine, 8.53.

Men's 60-Meter Hurdles - Preliminary Round

1. Shawon Harris (unattached), 7.78; 2. Jerome Miller (unattached), 7.86; Kallinka Pitt (Florida), 7.88. Top UAlbany Finisher: 12. Jean Juste, 7.08.

University of Albany Softball Opens Season at Stetson Invitational - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Junior Leah McIntosh struck out 10 opposing batters in a complete-game performance to lead UAlbany to a 2-0 win over Bethune-Cookman in the first game of the Stetson Invitational on Friday afternoon at Patricia Wilson Field. The Great Danes dropped a 5-0 decision to the host Hatters in the second game.

In the first game of the day, the Great Danes did all of their scoring in the first inning. Junior second baseman Michelle Connors was hit by a pitch in her first at bat of the season, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Andrianna Walraven. Senior Meagan Butsch drove a home run over the left field fence to send Connors home and complete all the scoring UAlbany would need in the game.

Sophomore right fielder Jessica Bergin recorded two hits and two stolen bases to lead the Great Danes offensively. McIntosh allowed just three hits and two walks in her seven innings of work. Ashton Hinds, Simone Ceasar and Taryn Hernandez all recorded hits for the Wildcats. Allison Garcia struck out two in her complete-game effort.

In the nightcap, right hander Erica Demers shut down the UAlbany hitters, fanning 11 while allowing just three hits. The Hatters scored their first run in the opening inning, as shortstop Chelsey Trotto scored on a wild pitch after singling to reach base. Stetson tacked on two runs in the second frame on a homer by outfielder Amy Joyce, which also drove in Heather Barnes, who was hit by a pitch during her at bat. Barnes also scored an unearned run in the bottom of the forth inning, while defensive hitter Katelyn Perna crossed home plate on a double by Rachel Lowe.

Walraven recorded two hits for the Great Danes, while left fielder Nicole Kothe also hit a single. Hurler Marissa Powell struck out five Stetson batters while walking three.

UAlbany (1-1) will return to action on Saturday, taking on Bethune-Cookman at 1:30 p.m. and Stetson at 4 p.m.

University of Albany Surpasses Goal, Saves More Than a Quarter Million Dollars in Campus Energy Initiatives

The University at Albany announced today that it reduced energy costs by $280,000 as a result of its winter Intersession and Fall Energy Savings initiatives. The announcement was made at a lecture by leading environmental activist Denis Hayes, coordinator of first Earth Day in 1970. The event was a partnership between the University and National Grid, whose "The power of action" speaker series encourages people to save energy, manage energy costs and protect the environment.

Prior to the event, National Grid donated $5,000 to the University for its Change-A-Light campaign, launched last fall by UAlbany's Office of Environmental Sustainability. To date, more than 1,300 energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs have been distributed in residence halls.

"The University is taking action to advance sustainability efforts and develop innovative ways to use our resources wisely," said George M. Philip, Interim President. "I commend our facilities staff and the entire University for contributing to the success of these initiatives."

"We are fortunate to be able to collaborate with National Grid to work toward the common purpose of promoting energy efficiency and sustainability," Mary Ellen Mallia, UAlbany's Director of Environmental Sustainability.

"We congratulate the University at Albany for taking the initiative to educate and promote awareness on the benefits of energy conservation," said William Flaherty, regional executive director for National Grid. "We are happy to partner with UAlbany to affect real change on the campus and in the community."

During UAlbany's Intersession Energy Savings Initiative, which ran from Dec. 20, 2008, through Jan. 15, 2009, the University achieved a $266,140 cost savings, surpassing its $250,000 goal. The cost reduction represents a 19 percent decrease in utility costs from the same period a year ago. The initiative produced a reduction of roughly 900,000 gallons of water; 1.33 million kilowatt-hours of electricity; and 11.25 million British Thermal Units (BTUs) of heating fuel. There was also a 3.5 million pound reduction of carbon dioxide emission, which is the equivalent of taking 309 cars off the road for a year. To implement the initiative, the University reduced temperature and lighting throughout its buildings.

The University's third annual student Fall Energy Campaign boasted its most successful effort to date, with every residence hall reducing energy use for the first time, resulting in a $14,000 cost savings. During the campaign, which ran from September 3 through November 9, 2008, more than 100,000 kilowatt hours were saved in the residence halls, which resulted in a carbon dioxide emission reduction of 83.7 tons. Each year, the Fall Energy Campaign promotes conservation of electricity consumption throughout the campus residence halls (Indian, State, Dutch, Colonial, and Alumni Quads) and apartments (Empire Commons and Freedom Apartments).

UAlbany is committed to fostering and adopting an environment of sustainability. The University's ongoing "Go Green" efforts include:

Art Exhibition -- Through April 5, the University Art Museum will feature the work of artist Jason Middlebrook, whose "Live with Less" exhibit expresses his environmental goal to see beyond the unpleasant image of discarded materials and to re-imagine them as something beautiful and useful.

National Teach-In on Global Warming -- UAlbany students and faculty joined Rep. Paul Tonko to discuss presidential climate actions, as well as global warming policies and solutions.

Recyclemania -- Last spring's campaign resulted in a 30 percent increase in recycled materials over the previous year. Over ten weeks, students recycled roughly 13 pounds per person.

American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment -- Last May, the University joined more than 520 colleges and universities in pledging to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and become climate-neutral.

Local food purchases -- In a typical year, Chartwells, UAlbany's food service provider, purchases as much as $60,000 per semester in local produce. Most popular with students are New York apples, with about a ton consumed each week in the University dining rooms. Additionally, UAlbany hosts a Farmers' Market, giving students the opportunity to purchase locally grown fruits, vegetables and other foods.

Trayless dining halls -- Beginning last fall, Dutch, Alumni and Colonial Quad dining halls became tray-free in order to reduce food waste, use less water and energy.

Courtesy: University of Albany News

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