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

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

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

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

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

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

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



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

University of Albany's Melanie Sosnowski Named America East Conference Women's Lacrosse Rookie of the Week - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – University at Albany’s Melanie Sosnowski has been chosen America East Conference Rookie of the Week in women’s lacrosse, as announced on Monday, April 6 by the conference office. Sosnowski, a freshman attack from Massapequa Park, N.Y., was selected for the first time this season.

Sosnowski recorded career-highs in goals (3) and ground balls (4) in a 13-7 victory over Vermont on April 1. She netted back-to-back goals in a 35-second span to seal the outcome with 5:31 remaining. Sosnowski had two draw controls in last Saturday’s 17-11 win at Binghamton that moved the Great Danes into second place in the America East standings.

UAlbany (6-6) hosts crosstown-rival Siena (6-5) at John Fallon Field on Tuesday, April 7 at 7:00 p.m. Kayla Best ranks fifth among the conference scoring leaders with 34 goals and nine assists. She has scored a goal in 42 consecutive games, the nation’s third-longest mark.

For University of Albany's Leah McIntosh, The Standard is Perfection - UAlbany Sports 2009

By most pitchers' standards, it was a brilliant performance: 18 strikeouts, no walks, and five hits scattered over eight-plus innings.

However, University at Albany softball junior Leah McIntosh lost the game 3-1 to Boston University on March 28 when she allowed a two-run homer in the ninth. The defeat in extra innings was her only loss of the season, and McIntosh vented her frustration to her father, Dave, in Whitby, Ontario.

"She went ballistic," Dave McIntosh said. "She absolutely blamed herself, blamed her teammates, blamed her coaches. I got a text message from her that said, 'I don't want to go here anymore. Find me a new school.' "

After a day, McIntosh cooled off. And it didn't take long for McIntosh, who describes herself as "the biggest perfectionist," to meet even her own incredibly high standards. She threw her Division I-leading third perfect game of the season in a 6-0 victory over Hartford on Sunday.

McIntosh said she wasn't aware she'd retired all 21 batters she faced until pitching coach Jack Coons told her after the game. "It was one of the games where everything was working, and you can't complain about that," McIntosh said.

McIntosh struck out 12 and improved to 11-1 on the season with a 0.57 earned-run average. She had the third-lowest ERA in the nation through March 29, and her 12.2 strikeouts per seven innings ranked second.

"Nobody's hitting her at all," UAlbany coach Chris Cannata said. "Sometimes, they're not even fouling it off." McIntosh has dominated despite severe tendinitis in her right (throwing) wrist that prevents her from bending her hand back. She also has constant pain in both knees because of Osgood-Schlatter Disease, which has left her without cartilage.

"I live in the training room," said McIntosh, who is contemplating knee surgery after the season. "You get used to it." And yet Cannata said the 5-foot-10 McIntosh throws the ball "a lot harder" than former UAlbany standouts Casey Halloran, Andee Lindgren and Amanda Morin, who all won America East Conference Pitcher of the Year honors.

She also has unusual control for a power pitcher, with 11 walks in 86 innings.
"She could pitch just about anywhere (in the country)," Cannata said.

She learned to pitch in an unlikely place, the town of Whitby, located on Lake Ontario and known more for hockey and lacrosse than softball.

McIntosh gave up soccer for softball at age 7 under the tutelage of her father, who threw in fast-pitch leagues for 30 years. That's why McIntosh says she throws "like a guy," relying more on sheer arm power than the leg action and technique of most female pitchers.

McIntosh developed to pitch for Canada's junior national team, and UAlbany first noticed her in a tournament at Kent State.

McIntosh signed with the Great Danes and, except for her emotional outburst after the Boston U. loss, said she loves being at UAlbany.

"It's a family,'' she said. "I've never been on a team like this."
And it's possible UAlbany has never had a pitcher like this.

Career statistics
Year W L ERA IP K

2007 11 6 3.02 125 158
2008 17 6 1.57 1552/3217
2009 11 1 0.57 86 153
Total 39 13 1.83 3662/3528

Courtesy: Mark Singelais

University of Albany's Leah McIntosh Hurls Third Perfect Game of the Season in Softball Twinbill Against Hartford - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Junior pitcher Leah McIntosh hurled her third perfect game of the season and fifth no-hitter of her career in leading UAlbany to a 6-0 victory over Hartford in the first game of an America East Conference softball doubleheader at Albany Field on Saturday afternoon. The Hawks defeated the Great Danes in game two, 6-2, to salvage the split.

After McIntosh struck out the side in the top of the first inning of game one, UAlbany plated three runs in the bottom half of the frame. With two outs and runners on the corners, Gina Mason reached on an infield error which scored Andrianna Walraven. Jess Bergin followed up with an RBI-single to score Meagan Butsch from third. Bergin then stole second, and Mason came home for the Great Danes’ third run on the throw which tried to gun down Bergin.

UAlbany added three more runs in the fourth to seal the final outcome. Bergin walked and stole second to lead off the frame, and advanced to third when Katie Wambold grounded out on the next play. A sacrifice fly to left by Kat Smith scored Bergin. Nicole Kothe kept the inning going by singling up the middle. Walraven then singled up the middle, but an error by the center fielder allowed her to advance to third and Kothe to score. Bill singled in Kothe on the next play before Butsch popped up to end the inning a few batters later, and McIntosh took care of the rest by retiring the next nine batters.

“When your defense, hitting and pitching is all clicking at once, then that is when you see a perfect game,” said McIntosh, who was the only pitcher in the nation to have thrown multiple perfect games at the conclusion of the doubleheader. “It was our team’s perfect game. Our defense did a great job of tracking down the ball on a very windy day. (The weather) really wasn’t on our side.”

UAlbany’s McIntosh struck out 12 batters while improving to 11-1 this season. Hartford’s Siera Sheehan fell to 3-7 with the loss. She struck out four, issued two walks and gave six hits. Only one of the six runs she gave up was earned.

The wind continued to howl in the second game of the doubleheader, as the two teams combined to commit eight errors. UAlbany scored one run in the first and second frames to take a two-run advantage out of the gates. Butsch tripled in the first run down the right field line, and the second came in on a single by Smith.

Hartford (11-11, AE 4-1) knotted up the score at two runs apiece in the top of third. Sara Messinger and Rachel Klonick each had RBI singles, but the Great Danes got out of the inning when Smith gunned down Ann Kyzer who was trying to advance to third after Messinger scored.

The Hawks took the lead for good in the top of the fifth by taking advantage of two Great Dane errors. With the bases loaded and one out following the pair of UAlbany defensive miscues, Kyzer singled in two runs with a shot to left. A single by Kristen Cericola scored Amanda Sais before pitcher Marissa Powell forced Lauren Kamena to ground out. A home run by Messinger to left made it a four-run game in the seventh, and the Great Danes’ attempt to rally in the bottom of the seventh fell short.

UAlbany’s Powell, who had won five straight decisions, fell to 8-8 this year with the loss. She gave up eight hits, six runs, including three earned, and one walk while fanning six. Brittney Stratton improved to 8-4 with the victory. She struck out eight batters while allowing seven hits and two runs which were earned.

UAlbany (19-9, AE 2-2), which had its third game against Hartford tomorrow cancelled due to the threat of rain, will travel to Vermont for a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8.



PAW PRINTS: Leah McIntosh has pitched eight shutouts and three perfect games in her 12 starts this season ... At the conclusion of the team’s win over Hartford, she was the only pitcher in the nation to have thrown multiple perfect games this season ... Her others came against Rhode Island on Feb. 20 and Bowling Green on March 7 ... She now has five no-hitters in her career, which ranks first on the school's all-time list since the program upgraded to Division I in 2000 ... Casey Halloran is the only other Great Dane to pitch a perfect game in the school’s Division I era ... She accomplished the feat against Delaware State on March 12, 2006.

-agate-

Hartford 000 000 0 0 0 2
UAlbany 300 300 x 6 6 0

Hartford: Siera Sheehan and Lindsey Anricho.
UAlbany: Leah McIntosh and Kat Smith.



Hartford (11-11, AE 4-1) 002 030 1 6 8 4
UAlbany (19-9, AE 2-2) 110 000 0 2 7 4

Hartford: Brittney Stratton and Lindsey Anricho.
UAlbany: Marissa Powell and Kat Smith.

University of Albany Baseball Completes Series Sweep of UMBC in America East Conference Action - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Ryan Gugel went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and five RBI, hitting two home runs, including a grand slam, to lead UAlbany to a 10-7 win over UMBC in the finale of a four-game America East Conference baseball series on Sunday afternoon at Varsity Field. The Great Danes also defeated the Retrievers, 9-1, in the early game.

In the first game of the day, UAlbany got on the board with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. With two outs, senior centerfielder Dave West singled and advanced to second on a UMBC throwing error. Brendan Rowland recorded an RBI single to left to score West and stole second to move into scoring position. Gugel followed with a single to send Rowland across home and give the Great Danes an early advantage.

UAlbany added three runs in the fourth frame. UMBC pitcher Brian Klukowicz issued consecutive walks to Sean Donovan and Pete Eichner, who followed with a double steal. After another walk to Gary Pitcheralle, Donovan and Eichner scored on back-to-back wild pitches. Pitcheralle was able to make it across home plate before Kyle Crean was picked off trying to steal second to give the Great Danes a 5-0 lead.

Donovan hit an RBI single that scored West to kick off a four-run inning for UAlbany in the fifth. Rowland made it home on a ground out by Mike Tirri before Eichner knocked a double into right center to score Donovan and Gugel.

The Great Danes held UMBC scoreless and without a hit until the sixth inning behind the pitching of freshman right hander Zach Kraham. Kraham’s no-hitter was broken up with back-to-back singles by Brad Brainer and Shawn Retz to open up the frame. After loading the bases, Brainer was walked in before Kraham dealt out one of his six strikeouts to end the inning. The Retrievers attempted a late rally in the top of the seventh, but Kraham was able to work his way out of trouble to seal the win for UAlbany.

UMBC (4-18, AE 0-4) struck first in game two, as lead-off hitter Brainer hit a home run on the first pitch of the game. Freshman hurler Austin Chase settled down and got three quick outs to end the inning, including one of his four strikeouts. West responded in the bottom of the frame for UAlbany, smashing a homer over the left field fence to tie the game at 1-1.

The score remained knotted until the fourth, when the Great Danes scored three runs behind a homer by Tirri that sailed out to right. Gugel, who drew a lead-off walk, and Donovan, who knocked out a single, both scored on the play. UAlbany then loaded the bases in the fifth to set up Gugel’s first career grand slam. Crean singled through the right side and West was walked before Rowland juiced the bases with a single up the middle. UMBC brought in Travis Pearson in relief, and Gugel drove the first pitch over the right field wall to give UAlbany an 8-1 lead.

The Retrievers scored two runs in the top of the sixth, as Brainer was walked in. Centerfielder Wink Nolan scored the second run of the frame before the Great Danes turned a double play to end the inning. Gugel hit his second homer of the game in the bottom of the seventh, a solo shot to left center, putting UAlbany up by a score of 9-3.

UMBC challenged in the top of the eighth, scoring four runs to pull within 9-7. Designated hitter Max Himmelstein knocked a two-RBI single up the middle to score Retz and Nolan. Catcher Dave Warrenfeltz followed with a base hit to center, sending Himmelstein and Tom Meaney home. Reliever Jeff Kaier entered the game to take over for Dave Noble and got the final two outs to end the Retriever rally.

The Great Danes added one last insurance run in the bottom of the inning, as Crean hit a single up the middle to score Pitcheralle, who walked and stole second earlier in the inning. Closer Alexander Beaulieu took over in the ninth, giving up a single to Brainer, but getting Nolan to line out to Crean at second base. Crean connected with Tirri at first to turn the double play and clear the bases before Beaulieu induced a ground out by Meaney to get the save.

Chase earned his third win of the season in the game with a five-inning performance. He scattered five hits and walked two, while allowing three runs. Starter Kevin Clark took the loss for UMBC, allowing seven earned runs despite issuing six strikeouts in four innings of work.

UAlbany (9-16, AE 4-0) will return to action on Tuesday afternoon with a non-conference contest on the road at Marist.



UMBC 000 001 0 - 1 3 2
UAlbany 200 340 x - 9 7 0

UBMC: Marty Zawacki, Brian Klukowicz (4), Josh Dick (5), Scott Wildesen (6) and Rick Phillips.

UAlbany: Zach Kraham and Ryan Gugel.

UMBC (4-18, AE 0-4) 100 002 040 - 7 13 2
UAlbany (9-16, AE 4-0) 100 340 11x - 10 12 1

UMBC: Kevin Clark, Travis Pearson (5), Michael Pesci (7), Ryan Morse (8) and Dave Warrenfeltz.

UAlbany: Austin Chase, Dave Noble (6), Jeff Kaier (8), Alexander Beaulieu (9) and Ralph Keppler.

Younger Players Show Improvement in Sunday's UAlbany Intrasquad Football Scrimmage

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany head football coach Bob Ford and his coaching staff know what performances that will get from All-America tailbacks and all-conference linebackers. But the unknown are the younger players. Their opportunity to be evaluated and develop comes during spring practice.

“Hopefully they have paid attention as members of the look squad,” said Ford about the true freshman who are finishing up their first full season with the program after spending time running the opponents’ plays last fall. “This is where they can prove they belong on the bus and warrant a little closer look.”

In Sunday’s 60-play scrimmage at University Field, quarterback Andrew Smith and outside linebacker Jon Morgan certainly got Ford’s attention. Smith threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to fullback Justin Peterson and broke off a 44-yard scamper in the same offensive series. Morgan was active early in the intrasquad contest with three tackles and one pass break-up.

While competing for playing time behind starter Vinny Esposito, Smith is using the 15 NCAA-allowed spring workouts to improve his footwork and shorten up his strides when delivering the football. “I am getting more reps and starting to feel myself out,” offered Smith, who hails from Guilderland, N.Y. and was a second-team all-state selection as high school senior. “I am spending more time with Coach (Ryan) McCarthy working on protection calls and making my reads.”

UAlbany’s defense has seven starters returning from a unit that helped capture a second consecutive Northeast Conference championship, but there is plenty of room for another good linebacker. Morgan, who played in the 2008 Empire Challenge on the Long Island squad, is inching closer to earning a spot on the Great Danes’ travel roster for the opener against Georgia Southern in September.

“I am just starting to get all this stuff,” explained Morgan, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound athlete from Copiague, N.Y. “I was a nervous wreck at first and the first scrimmage this spring was not that great. I still have a lot to learn, but I feel more comfortable with my assignments and the pass drops.”

Smith and Morgan haven’t made any all-star teams, but their work has been recognized.


Paw Prints: The Great Danes have six more practices this month, including a tentatively scheduled spring game on Saturday, April 18 ... Bob Ford, the 2008 NEC Coach of the Year, has some concerns about the offensive line after losing two all-conference tackles, but is pleased with the progress of Vince Gonazles ... the 6-foot-4, 275-pound junior has worked at all three line positions over the last three years ... Eddie Delaney, a second-team All-NEC defensive end, had four tackles, one sack and one pass deflection during Sunday’s scrimmage ... defensive tackle Zach Gallo totaled three tackles, including one for a loss, and one pass break-up ... quarterback Vinny Esposito scored on a 15-yard scramble in a red-zone situation ... cornerback Ross Bertrand picked off a pass at midfield ... Herb Glass booted a pair of field goals, including a 45-yarder ...

University of Albany FCS Football Live Scrimmage Today @ 2:15pm - Open To Public

With many of its key skill-position players returning, University at Albany’s football team should be a good bet to win is third consecutive Northeast Conference championship this fall.

UAlbany head coach Bob Ford, the active FCS leader with 234 career victories, has 48 letterwinners, including 14 starters, returning from a 9-3 team that became the first NEC program to be crowned Gridiron Classic champion.

Ford received some unexpected news on the eve of his first spring practice as Tim Bush, a wide receiver from Saratoga Springs, received a sixth year of eligibility. Bush, a first-team All-NEC selection, received a medical hardship waiver based on an injury suffered when he was a member of the Hudson Valley Community College program. He set UAlbany’s single-season record with 67 receptions for 794 yards and five touchdowns last season.

But Bush won’t be the only weapon available for Ford, who will use the spring session to fill in several lineman positions on both sides of the ball.

“The spring will allow us to work on being more physical and our mental toughness,” said Ford, who was named the NEC Coach of the Year for the third time. “We need to look at our offensive line, but I think we have enough talent to get the job done. We will look at personnel and try packages for different players.

“On defense, we need to solidify our defensive tackle situation and who our fourth cornerback will be. On special teams, I want to take a look at field goals and identify another punt returner.”

The heart and soul of the UAlbany offense will be All-America tailback David McCarty (LaSalle) who rushed for a school-record 1,852 yards and 13 touchdowns. He reached the 100-yard plateau 11 times, including 271 against Jacksonville in the Gridiron Classic.

Justin Gannon, a second-team All-NEC kick returner, accounted for 973 all-purpose yards, including 200 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Quarterback Vinny Esposito tossed for 1,934 yards, the second-best figure in program history, and improved his accuracy to a 60.3 completion percentage. He also ran for 148 yards and 10 scores.

The Great Danes lost one All-American and two all-league performers on the offensive line but return center Kevin Richards (6-foot-2, 270 pounds), a second-team All-NEC selection, and left guard Andrew Stevens (6-4, 275).

Defensively, the Danes held six opponents to under 300 total yards, but they lost All-America defensive tackle Tom Pandolf to graduation. Trevor Anderson (6-2, 285), who made 37 tackles and recorded 2.5 sacks as a junior, Mike Kelly (52 tackles) and Tony Sparano (18 hits in half a season) were productive linemen a year ago, along with 6-6, 235-pound Eddie Delaney, who plays with one hand. Delaney made 37 tackles and deflected six passes.

Justin Brancaccio, the team’s leading tackler with 91, returns at inside linebacker along with Chris Simpson (38 tackles). Emerson Kinsey (25 tackles), Rich Duff (46 tackles and Dave Nicomini, who sat out last season after earning first-team All-NEC honors in 2007, round out a deep outside linebacker corps that also includes Chris Blais (31 tackles).

Al-ECAC standout Dave Casale, who intercepted seven passes and made 74 tackles, paces the secondary, which also includes Ross Bertrand (36 tackles), Jean Juste (27 tackles) and Daniel Avery (17 tackles, two interceptions).

Sophomore Herb Glass converted 33 of 36 PATs and 6 of 13 field-goal attempts for 51 points. The Great Danes will need to replace a record-setting punter.

By Bob Weiner
Gazette Reporter

University of Albany Track And Field Video From 2009 Pepsi Florida Relays - UAlbany Sports 2009

"From Coach Vives...

Here is a link to video of our 4 x 400m team that comes from behind to win the race against Alabama, Tennessee and Clemson. The team is wearing white and the legs are Alie Beauvais (47.4), Jeffery Barnes (46.9), Pete Rowell (48.9), Joe Greene (45.5 –fastest split in school history). Team ties school record at 3:08.86

Video 1

Here is a link to video for our 4 x 800m relay that shatters school record (7:26.67) and wins at the Florida Relays (1st relay win ever at a major Collegiate Invitational). The team is wearing purple and the legs are Joe Belokopitsky (1:52.2), Nick Santos (1:53.9), John Moore (1:49.6) and Tyler Fogarty (1:50.7). All runners were former Section 2 student-athletes

Video 2

Outstanding efforts by these teams. Particularly impressive are the John Moore and Joe Greene performances. Both come from behind against some big time athletes from big time schools.

In the 4x400 it's kind of funny at the end as the announcer refrences Albany wanting to come down and beat these SEC teams."

Courtesy: McFan

University of Albany Women's Lacrosse Moves Into Second in America East Standings in 17-11 Win Over Binghamton - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Vestal, N.Y. – Kayla Best scored four times and Taylor Frink added three goals and two assists in leading UAlbany to a 17-11 triumph over Binghamton in America East Conference play on Saturday, April 4 at Bearcat Sports Complex. The Great Danes, who have won five of their last six outings, moved into second place in the conference standings.

UAlbany (6-6, AE 3-1) led 13-10 with less than 10 minutes remaining, but then pulled away with four consecutive goals. After the Great Danes successfully cleared the ball from their defensive end, Best found Frink on the right side of the crease. Rory Redmond connected on a drive from the right in a free-position situation. Frink followed 48 seconds later when she moved across the top of the goal from the left after hauling in Julie Bush’s feed. Renee Levitin completed the decisive run when she circled from behind and scored from the left side of the cage.

The Great Danes used a first-half string of four unanswered goals to build a 9-3 lead with 8:43 remaining before the intermission. Olivia Jarem finished off a cut to the top of the crease to begin that outburst. Best, a junior who extended her goal-scoring streak to 42 games in a row, netted back-to-back shots in a one-minute span, including a blast that went inside the left post. Jodi Battaglia, who had two goals and one assist, scored from in front of the crease after gathering in a loose ball.

Binghamton (2-9, AE 0-3) regrouped by scoring three straight times to get back into the fray. Riley Newman and Meg Brown each converted free-position opportunities. Freshman attack Lis Zuern picked her way through a couple of defenders and shot across her body from the right side to close the gap. UAlbany’s Battaglia finished off a crossing pass from the left side of the crease to give her team a 10-6 halftime margin.

In the second half, UAlbany pushed out to a five-goal cushion twice, including 12-7 when Redmond hit the net from right of the crease. But the Bearcats rallied with three of the game’s next four goals. Ali Castiglie and Lisa Illig scored 49 seconds apart, as each player rolled inside a defender from the left side. Castiglie, a sophomore attack who did all of her scoring in the final half with three goals, cut the deficit to 13-10 as she dodged from left of the crease with 10:13 to play.

“We were a little inconsistent, but we did a good job of controlling the draw and clearing the ball at critical times,” said UAlbany coach Lindsay Hart, whose team won 20 of 30 draw controls. “The America East is wide open this year and we have put ourselves in a position to get into the tournament and anything can happen from there.”

Frink, a sophomore midfielder, established a career-high scoring total for the second straight game with five points. Mel Rorie added three goals and one assist, as the Great Danes have won three of their opening four conference games for just the second time since becoming a league member. Kate Tesi and Illig each had two goals for the Bearcats, who suffered their seventh straight setback.

UAlbany (6-6, AE 3-1) 10 7 - 17

Binghamton (2-9, AE 0-3) 6 5 - 11

UAlbany – Scoring: Kayla Best 4-1, Taylor Frink 3-2, Mel Rorie 3-1, Jodi Battaglia 2-1, Rory Redmond 2-0, Olivia Jarem 1-1, Julie Bush 1-1, Renee Levitin 1-0, Katie Neer 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Katie Neer (56:17, 7 saves, 10 GA), Ashley Ross (3:43, 1 saves, 1 GA).

Binghamton – Scoring: Ali Castiglie 3-0, Kate Tesi 2-0, Lisa Illig 2-0, Emily Thon 1-0, Meg Brown 1-0, Lis Zuern 1-0, Riley Newman 1-0, Lizzie Wright 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Emily Miller (60:00, 8 saves, 17 GA).

University of Albany Sweeps UMBC in America East Conference Baseball Doubleheader - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Senior centerfielder Dave West went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBI to lead UAlbany to a 15-4 win over UMBC in the first half of an America East Conference baseball doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Varsity Field. Senior shortstop Sean Donovan went 3-for-4 with four RBI in the nightcap to lead the Great Danes to a 10-9 comeback victory.

The Great Danes got their first run of the day in the second inning of game one, as catcher Ryan Gugel drove a home run over the wall in right center. Left fielder Gary Pitcheralle led off the third frame with a single to short before stealing second. He then advanced to third on a wild pitch, while Kyle Crean drew a walk off UMBC pitcher Ed Bach in the next at bat. West sent Pitcheralle home with a double down the right field line. Gugel reached on an error by the shortstop with the bases loaded, sending Crean across home plate to tie the game at 3-3. UAlbany took a one-run lead on a base hit by Sean Donovan to short, scoring West. Rowland and Gugel both scored runs on a single through the right side by Mike Tirri. Third baseman Pete Eichner then grounded out to the first baseman to end the five-run rally for the Great Danes.

UAlbany loaded the bases again in the bottom of the fourth with back-to-back singles by Crean and West, while Rowland drew a walk. Gugel recorded an RBI groundout to score Crean, giving the Great Danes a 7-3 lead after four. After being held without a run for two innings, UMBC got a solo homer from Tom Meany in the top of the fifth.

UAlbany scored four more runs in the bottom of the frame. Tirri knocked out a double while Pitcheralle reached on a fielding error. Crean was hit by a pitch to load the bases for the Great Danes before West drove a double to left center, sending two runners home. A single by Rowland scored Crean and West to give UAlbany an 11-4 advantage.

The Great Danes tacked on four additional runs in the sixth. Tirri put down a bunt that led to another UMBC error and allowed two baserunners to score. Tirri, who advanced all the way to third on the play, scored on a base hit by Eichner. Eichner later wrapped up the scoring for UAlbany, crossing home on a single by Crean.

Right hander Dave Kubiak went the distance for the Great Danes on the mound, striking out five to earn the win. Bach took the loss for UMBC, going five innings and fanning two.

In the second game, the Retrievers held a 3-1 lead heading into the bottom of the third before UAlbany rallied for four runs in the frame. The Great Danes started at the top of the order, recording four consecutive singles. Pitcheralle scored on an RBI hit by West, while Crean scored the second run of the inning when Gugel was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. West crossed home plate on a fly out by Tirri, while Rowland was sent home on a Donovan base hit.

UMBC responded in the top of the fourth, scoring five runs to take an 8-5 lead. Wink Nolan and Brad Brainer knocked out consecutive hits before UAlbany starter Josh Willimott issued two straight walks to bring in a run. First baseman Shawn Retz scored on a wild pitch from reliever Sean Gregory before Meaney made it home on a ground out by Justin Lamborn. Designated hitter Max Himmelstein, who hit a single during his at bat, crossed the plate on an RBI single by Rich Conlon to end the scoring.

The Retrievers added a single run in the top of the fifth on a Himmelstein single that brought in Retz. UAlbany started to rally in the bottom of the sixth. Eichner singled to lead off the frame and was sent home on a sacrifice fly by Crean. The Great Danes then added three runs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at 9-9. Rowland and Gugel completed a double steal to move into scoring position and went home on a double down the left field line by Donovan. Pitcheralle singled to third to send Donovan home. UMBC reliever Ryan Morse walked Crean to load the bases, but he worked a fly out to get himself out of trouble and end the inning.

Needing a run in the bottom of the eighth, Tirri knocked a double to center field with two outs. Donovan knocked out an RBI single, sending Tirri across the plate, but was out trying to stretch the hit to second. Gregory struck out two of four batters faced in the top of the ninth to seal the win for UAlbany.

Gregory earned the win with six strikeouts in 5.2 innings. Pearson took the loss for UMBC, allowing the winning run in his one inning of work. Starter Austin Drewyer went six innings, striking out four.

UAlbany (7-16, AE 0-2) will close out the four-game series with UMBC (4-16, AE 0-2) on Sunday with a doubleheader starting at noon.

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

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

University of Albany All-American Luke Schoen Breaks Outdoor Pole Vaulting Record at Duke Asics Invitational - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Durham, N.C. – Luke Schoen won the pole vault and broke his own school record in the event to lead the UAlbany men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams at the Duke Asics Invitational on Saturday, April 4. Ricardo Estremera met the standard for the NCAA East Regional Championship for the second straight time in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, while Ritshell Verdier qualified for the ECAC championship in the discus throw at the non-scoring meet.

Schoen cleared 17-feet, 6.5-inches, which surpassed his previous mark of 17-5 that he recorded twice last season. The All-American’s winning height met the regional qualifying standard and was also 5.75 inches better than the second-place finisher from North Carolina. He finished ahead of 10 student-athletes representing Atlantic Coast Conference institutions. Mike Dempsey placed seventh for clearing 15-7. His mark was better than five of six competitors from Duke.

Estremera, who broke the school record last week at the Raleigh Relays, turned in a third-place time of 8:57.87 in the steeplechase. Laura Cummings, who holds the women’s program standard in the event, also finished third overall for clocking in a time of 10:59.17.

Verdier became the first Great Dane to qualify for the ECAC championship in any field event by placing seventh in the discus throw with a mark of 143-5. Making her UAlbany debut, Catie Coxon (Duanesburg) set a personal record in the event with a toss that sailed 127-7.

Other notable performances were made by Rebecca Power and Dong Ning Hu. Power finished sixth in the javelin throw with a mark of 124-11, which moved her up to second on the program’s top-10 list behind Isabella Katsarelis. Hu led a pack of five Great Danes with a leap of 22-3 in the long jump to win his flight and tie for fifth among 29 competitors in the event.

The UAlbany outdoor track and field teams will travel to a pair of meets in two weeks. Select members will head to the UTECH Track and Field Classic in Kingston, Jamaica on Saturday, April 18, while others will go to Princeton’s Larry Ellis Invitational on April 17-18.

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UAlbany Men’s Results

800-Meter Run (Developmental): 5. Bryan Lasky 1:56.75. 3,000-Meter Steeplechase: 3. Ricardo Estremera 8:57.87 (NCAA Regional), 20. Chris Manico 9:47.56 . Long Jump: T-5. Dong Ning Hu 22-3, 7. Kyle Nadler 22-2.50, 8. Fred Casimo 22-2.25, 14. Nasim Siddeeq 21-4, 23. Jordan Pollock 19-9. Pole Vault: 1. Luke Schoen 17-6.50 (NCAA Regional, School Record), 7. Mike Dempsey 15-7. Discus Throw: 9. Michael Lynch 149-1, 10. Stephen Hassard 148-6, 16. Zach Murphy 135-3. Shot Put: 11. Cory Thomas 46-11.50, 17. Jordan Meikle 45-4.50, 24. Frank Fazzino 41-7.75.

UAlbany Women’s Results

400-Meter Dash: 20. Rebecca Kelly 1:04.34. 3,000-Meter Steeplechase: 3. Laura Cummings 10:59.17. High Jump: T-12. Ashleigh Whitfield 5-1. Long Jump: FOUL. Tiffany Sprenkels. Discus Throw: 7. Ritshell Verdier 143-5 (ECAC), 11. Ashley Lewis 129-2, 13. Catie Coxon 127-7, 16. Kadine Johnson 119-4. Javelin Throw: 6. Rebecca Power 124-11, 11. Ashley Lewis 112-9. Shot Put: 10. Kadine Johnson 38-6.75.

Four University of Albany Track Relays Surpass IC4A and ECAC Standards at Florida Relays; Two Meet School Records - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Gainesville, Fla. –Joe Belokopitsky (Shaker), Nick Santos (Colonie Central), John Moore (Fonda-Fultonville) and Tyler Fogarty (Shenendehowa) ran on the winning 4x800-meter relay team which shattered the school record by almost nine seconds to pace the UAlbany men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams at the Pepsi Florida Relays on Saturday, April 4. In addition, the men’s 4x400-meter relay matched the program standard, and a total of four relay teams qualified for the IC4A and ECAC championship meets.

The men’s 4x800-meter relay consisting of the same group of student-athletes which clinched the program’s first IC4A indoor team title crossed the tape in 7:26.67, easily surpassing the previous school record of 7:35.60 set in 2007 at the New York Relays. Belokopitsky led off the relay which qualified for the IC4A meet with a split of 1:52.2, while Santos ran the second leg in 1:53.9. Moore finished the third leg in 1:49.6, and Fogarty anchored the squad with a mark of 1:50.7.

The men’s 4x400-meter relay squad qualified for the NCAA East Regional Championship for winning its heat and finishing seventh in 3:08.86 to match the original program standard set at the 2007 NCAA East Regional Championship. Alie Beauvais started off the relay by running a split time of 47.6 seconds, and Jeffery Barnes (Albany) followed up with a personal-best mark of 46.9 on the second leg. Peter Rowell clocked in at 48.9 on the third leg, and Greene anchored the squad with a split time of 45.5, the fastest recorded in school history.

The men’s and women’s 4x100-meter relay teams each met IC4A and ECAC qualifying marks. The men’s squad consisting of Jean Juste, Mike McCadney, Felipe Reyes (Christian Brothers Academy) and Barnes placed second in its heat and 14th overall in 41.70, while Kamilah McShine, Jenn Gurrant, Quante Harris and Fey Adaramola combined for a time of 47.46 to finish second in their heat and 22nd in the field.

In addition, the women’s sprint medley relay team consisting of Adaramola, Gurrant, Melissa Lee and Zuliana Fontanez won its heat and placed sixth overall in 3:57.29. Most notably, Fontanez ran her fastest 800-meter split ever by navigating the track twice in 2:09.9. Gurrant also met the ECAC standard in the triple jump, placing fifth with a mark of 40-feet, 1.50-inches.

The UAlbany outdoor track and field teams will travel to a pair of meets in two weeks. Select members will head to the UTECH Track and Field Classic in Kingston, Jamaica on Saturday, April 18, while others will go to Princeton’s Larry Ellis Invitational on April 17-18.

UAlbany Men’s Results

Triple Jump: 12. Valete Graham 46-5.50. 4x100-Meter Relay: 14. Jean Juste, Mike McCadney, Felipe Reyes, Jeffery Barnes 41.70 (IC4A). 4x400-Meter Relay: 7. Alie Beauvais, Jeffery Barnes, Peter Rowell, Joe Greene 3:08.86 (NCAA East Regional, Ties School Record); 31. Andrew Overbaugh, Lynval Clarke, Nick Assini, Mohamed Kanu 3:22.83. 4x800-Meter Relay: 1. Joe Belokopitsky, Nick Santos, John Moore, Tyler Fogarty 7:26.67 (IC4A, School Record). Shuttle Hurdle Relay: 5. Garrett Askew, Joe Greene, Nicholas Assini, Jean Juste 1:00.18. Sprint Medley Relay: 8. Lynval Clarke, Felipe Reyes, Andrew Overbaugh, Aaron Lozier 3:28.83.

UAlbany Women’s Results

Triple Jump: 5. Jenn Gurrant 40-1.50 (ECAC), FOUL. Sandy Antenor. 4x100-Meter Relay: 22. Kamilah McShine, Jenn Gurrant, Quante Harris, Fey Adaramola 47.46 (ECAC). 4x400-Meter Relay: 35. Tenica Roberts, Tierra Chavis, Octavia Clarkson, Elia Francis 3:57.09; 37. Nyree Richardson, Jessica Hunter, Laura Bolognino, Jessica Panos 4:05.89. 4x800-Meter Relay: 13. Esperanza Blanco, Zuliana Fontanez, Jessica Panos, Allie Carlson 9:36.71. Sprint Medley Relay: 6. Fey Adaramola, Jenn Gurrant, Melissa Lee, Zuliana Fontanez 3:57.29.

University of Albany's Charlotte Tatler and Holly Smith Pace Women's Tennis in 7-0 Sweep Against Hofstra - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Charlotte Tatler and Holly Smith each won their singles matches and teamed up to post an 8-4 win at No. 2 doubles in leading the UAlbany tennis team to a 7-0 sweep against Hofstra at the UAlbany Bubble on Saturday, April 4.

The Great Danes, who improved to 9-0 at home, recorded victories in straight sets in the first five singles matches. Susan Ma posted a 6-2, 6-3 win over Lauren Clifton at the top singles slot. Kim Weltman defeated Christie Gattelaro, 6-0, 6-2 at No. 2 singles, while Tatler recorded a 6-2, 6-0 victory against Stacey Kent in the third spot. Smith claimed a 6-4, 6-0 win over Brooke Sailer at No. 4 singles, and Laine Mackey completed a 6-0, 6-0 sweep against Tracy Ferrar in the fifth spot. Aubrey Brooks recorded a default win at No. 6.

In doubles action, Clifton and Kent defeated Ma and Mackey by a 9-7 decision at the No. 1 slot, while Smith and Tatler won by an 8-4 score at second doubles over Gattelaro and Sailer. Weltman and Brooks claimed a default win for the final point at No. 3.

UAlbany (13-3) will travel to the West Coast for a pair of matches next week. The Great Danes will face Cal State Bakersfield at 5 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, April 9, and wrap up the trip against Cal State Fullerton at 4:30 p.m. Eastern on Friday, April 10.

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Singles

1. Susan Ma (UA) def. Lauren Clifton (HU), 6-2, 6-3

2. Kim Weltman (UA) def. Christie Gattelaro (HU), 6-0, 6-2

3. Charlotte Tatler (UA) def. Stacey Kent (HU), 6-2, 6-0

4. Holly Smith (UA) def. Brooke Sailer (HU), 6-0, 6-4

5. Laine Mackey (UA) def. Tracy Ferrar (HU), 6-0, 6-0

6. Aubrey Brooks (UA) def. Hofstra, def.

Doubles

1. Clifton/Kent (HU) def. Ma/Mackey (UA), 9-7

2. Smith/Tatler (UA) def. Kent/Gattalero (UA), 8-4

3. Weltman/Brooks (UA) def. Hofstra, def.

University of Albany Men's Basketball to face Syracuse in Coaches vs. Cancer Classic - UAlbany Sports 2009

UAlbany will open next season by meeting Syracuse in the Carrier Dome in the regional round of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, a source familiar with the contract confirmed Friday. The date was unavailable, although the regionals are held Nov. 9-13.

Then UAlbany will return home to SEFCU Arena to face three opponents in three consecutive days from Nov. 20-22 as part of the revamped Coaches vs. Cancer format.

Those three SEFCU Arena opponents will be Robert Morris, Detroit and Alcorn State, according to the Robert Morris Web site. UAlbany is guaranteed a total of four games.

UAlbany hasn’t faced Syracuse since a 72-55 loss at the Carrier Dome on Dec. 28, 2004. The Great Danes faced the Orange five times in their first six seasons of Division I competition, with Syracuse winning all five meetings.

The last time UAlbany played in the Coaches vs. Cancer event was to begin the 2005-06 season at the University of Florida. The Great Danes lost 83-64 to Florida in the regionals with a trip to the semifinals at Madison Square Garden at stake.

Under the new round-robin format, Syracuse will automatically advance to the semifinals at the Garden, no matter what happens, undoubtedly to ensure the largest possible crowds and television ratings. Syracuse hosts one regional while North Carolina, Ohio State and California host the others.

While UAlbany can’t advance to the Garden, this format does allow them to fill three home dates.

The Gazelle Group, which runs the tournament, isn’t expected to formally announce the rest of the field (including UAlbany) until this summer.

Future Basketballer Puk Gets Ready To Begin University of Albany Career

Forward John Puk of Waterloo, Iowa is excited about joining the UAlbany men’s basketball program next season, even though he won’t play a single minute.

Puk, who is 6-9, will pay his own way and redshirt next year with a promise of receiving a scholarship beginning in the 2010-11 season.

Puk verballed to UAlbany last August with the understanding at first that he’d go to prep school in 2009-10. But that plan changed when Puk visited Albany with his parents in October.

“We decided it would be a better situation if I just jumped in right away,” said Puk, who didn’t sign a letter of intent in the fall because he won’t be on scholarship next season.

Puk averaged 12 points and nine rebounds this season for Waterloo West, which went 11-8 for its first winning record in 16 years.

“He’s real nimble,” Waterloo West coach Courtney Henderson said. “He has good feet. He’s a work in progress because he has to gain a little more weight and get a little more physical. He runs the floor very, very well. He’s very athletic. He’s just a great kid who comes from a very good family.”

UAlbany first discovered Puk when he was in New York playing for the Martin Brothers AAU team, the same program that produced former Great Dane standouts Brent Wilson and Brian Lillis.

“I started talking to the coaches and I really liked how they thought,” Puk said. “I loved the campus and atmosphere. I felt like it was a good fit all the way around.”

Puk, who weighs 225 pounds, will be able to practice with the team next year while adding some bulk to his frame.

“They told us, `We’d really love to have John start with us (in 2009), learning the plays and proper nutrition,’ ” his mother, Donna, said. “It’s a win-win situation. We’re just thrilled.”

Donna Puk said some schools, including Denver, wondered why Puk would pay his own way to Albany when he could get a scholarship immediately somewhere else.

“I guess it just shows how Jon felt so strongly connected to the Albany coaches and kids,” she said.

UAlbany has filled its four available scholarships for next season with forward Gavin Glanton, swingman Ralph Watts, center Blake Metcalf and point guard Mike Black.

Donna Puk said her son, who will study pre-med, is receiving some academic scholarship money to offset the cost of his freshman year.

John Puk is also an avid tennis player, so it might be interesting to see a matchup with UAlbany coach Will Brown, who loves the sport.

By Mark Singelais

Three University of Albany Great Danes Eclipse NCAA Regional Standard in Intermediate Hurdles at Florida Relays - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Gainesville, Fla. – Alie Beauvais, Joe Greene and Kamilah McShine all qualified for the NCAA East Regional Championship in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles to lead the UAlbany men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams at the Pepsi Florida Relays on Friday, April 3. The men’s 4x200-meter relay team broke the school record by over one second, while the women’s squad ran the program’s second-fastest time in the same event.

McShine became the first member of the women’s team to qualify for the regional championship in any track or field event with an eighth-place mark of 1:00.27 in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles. She set a personal record by over four seconds, and was just 0.7 seconds shy of the school record set by Xiomara Davila Diaz in 1997. The senior co-captain who was named the America East Conference Field Athlete of the Year this past winter indoors also met the ECAC standard in the 100-meter high hurdles, clocking in a personal-best time of 13.96 seconds.

Greene met the regional qualifying mark in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles for the second time this spring in as many chances, while Beauvais eclipsed the standard for the first time of his career. Greene, an All-American in the event, placed third in 50.25, while Beauvais was eighth in 52.14. Four of the top six finishers in one of the most competitive races of the day represented Southeastern Conference schools.

Greene and Beauvais later teamed up with Jeffery Barnes (Albany) and Mike McCadney on the 4x200-meter relay which set a new school record for finishing ninth in 1:25.43, beating last year’s mark of 1:26.47 recorded at the Penn Relays. The women’s 4x200-meter relay squad consisting of Christen Griffin, Nyree Richardson, Tierra Chavis and Fey Adaramola crossed the tape in 1:40.79, which barely fell short of the school standard of 1:40.67 that was also set at the 2008 Penn Relays. In addition, Adaramola’s split time of 23.6 on the anchor leg was the fastest ever recorded by a Great Dane in the event.

UAlbany had four other men meet an IC4A standard at the non-scoring meet. In the long jump, Felipe Reyes (Christian Brothers Academy), the school’s record holder in the event, placed second with a mark of 23-feet, 9-inches. Valete Graham was fourth for leaping 23-4.50. Tyler Fogarty (Shenendehowa) placed fifth in the 800-meter run, crossing the tape in 1:51.09, while Jean Juste finished the 110-meter high hurdles in 14.46.

Select members of the UAlbany men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams will finish competing at the Pepsi Florida Relays on Saturday, April 4 beginning at 11:30 a.m.

PAW PRINTS: A total of five Great Danes have qualified for the NCAA East Regional Championship after today’s events at the Florida Relays ... Alie Beauvais, Joe Greene and Kamilah McShine have eclipsed the standard in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles, while Ricardo Estremera and Luke Schoen have met qualifying marks in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and pole vault, respectively ... The 2009 NCAA East Regional Championship will be he hosted by North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, N.C. from May 29-30.

UAlbany Men’s Results

110-Meter High Hurdles: 26. Jean Juste 14.46 (IC4A). 400-Meter Intermediate Hurdles: 3. Joe Greene 50.25 (NCAA Regional), 8. Alie Beauvais 52.14 (NCAA Regional), 31. Peter Rowell 55.08. 800-Meter Run: 5. Tyler Fogarty 1:51.09 (IC4A), 15. Joe Belokopitsky 1:53.02, 19. Nick Santos 1:53.44. 1,500-Meter Run: 22. Aaron Lozier 4:02.04, 28. Paul Lagno 4:06.64. Long Jump: 2. Felipe Reyes 23-9 (IC4A), 4. Valete Graham 23-4.50 (IC4A). 4x200-meter relay: 9. Alie Beauvais, Jeffery Barnes, Mike McCadney and Joe Greene 1:25.43 (School Record); 16. Jean Juste, Lynval Clarke, Garrett Askew and Mohamed Kanu 1:30.75.

UAlbany Women’s Results

100-Meter High Hurdles: 17. Kamilah McShine 13.96 (ECAC). 400-Meter Intermediate Hurdles: 8. Kamilah McShine 1:00.27 (NCAA Regional). 800-Meter Run: 36. Melissa Lee 2:18.00. 4x200-meter relay: 21. Christen Griffin, Nyree Richardson, Tierra Chavis and Fey Adaramola 1:40.79.

University of Albany's Celine Cauderlier Matches Program's Pole Vault Record at Duke Asics Invitational - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Durham, N.C. – Celine Cauderlier matched a school record in the pole vault and Traequanda Brock won her flight and placed third in the triple jump to pace the UAlbany men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams at the Duke Asics Invitational on Friday, April 3. The Great Danes had a total of nine student-athletes post a top-10 finish at the non-scoring meet.

Brock recorded a mark of 36-feet, 11.75-inches in the triple jump, which was the highest placement of the day by a Great Dane in any event. Jordan Pollock and Dong Ning Hu led the way in the same event for the men’s team. Pollock finished sixth for leaping 45-0.25, while Hu was eighth with a mark of 44-3.25.

Other notable performances in the field events were made by Cauderlier and Kadine Johnson. Cauderlier finished 10th in the pole vault for clearing 10-10 to match the school record set by Corinna Hengen, while Johnson held the same position in the hammer throw with a toss that sailed 151-2.

Four distance runners posted a top-10 performance in their respective races. Ada Lauterbach (Berne-Knox-Westerlo) placed sixth in the 3,000-meter run for clocking in a time of 10:35.99, and R.J. Sniffen (Shaker) was eighth in his section of the 5,000-meter run for finishing in 15:26.36. Ryan Florkiewicz and Ally Panos each finished 10th in the men’s and women’s 3,000-meter run with marks of 9:24.31 and 10:48.33, respectively.

Select members of the UAlbany men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams will finish competing at the Duke Asics Invitational on Saturday, April 4 beginning at 9 a.m.

UAlbany Men’s Results

3,000-Meter Run: 10. Ryan Florkiewicz 9:24.31. 5,000-Meter Run (Section C): 8. R.J. Sniffen 15:26.36. 10,000-Meter Run: 15. Brian Yurkewecz 32:12.15. Triple Jump: 6. Jordan Pollock 45-0.25, 8. Dong Ning Hu 44-3.25. Javelin Throw: 22. Erik Andersen 144-11.

UAlbany Women’s Results

400-Meter Intermediate Hurdles: 19. Brittany Eveleth 1:07.79, 23. Rebecca Kelly 1:09.02. 3,000-Meter Run: 6. Ada Lauterbach 10:35.99, 10. Ally Panos 10:48.33. 10,000-Meter Run: 13. Kristin Grab 39:32.32. Pole Vault: 10. Celine Cauderlier 10-10 (Ties School Record). NH. Emily Mino, NH. Krystal Myers, NH. Rebecca Power. Triple Jump: 3. Traequanda Brock 36-11.75, FOUL. Tiffany Sprenkels. Hammer Throw: 10. Kadine Johnson 151-2, 23. Sineaid Corley 127-11. FOUL. Isabella Katsarelis, FOUL. Ritshell Verdier.

#18 UAlbany @ #11 Johns Hopkins - Men's Lacrosse

Video Preview: Tomorrow: #18 UAlbany @ #11 Johns Hopkins

The University of Albany Sees Record Number of Applicants

The University at Albany has seen an increase in applicants this year, and had to limit the number of students accepted to fewer than 50 percent for the first time in over 10 years.

The university had to alter the amount of students accepted and enrolled, said Robert Andrea, UAlbany's director of admission and enrollment. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions also saw a 3 percent increase in applications.

"Our popularity is increasing," Andrea said.

With the boost in interest, the admissions office had to stop accepting applications a whole week earlier than last year.

Every year the popularity of the university grows. This year, UAlbany had over 22,000 applications, which has increased from the 21,892 that applied for the class of 2012.

The number for the class of 2013 has also attracted a much higher number of students interested in early action. Last year the number of students who applied early action was about 3,500. The class of 2013 had about 4,000 students applying early action. Early action allows applicants to apply to as many institutions as they wish and not finalize their enrollment decision until May 1, according to the UAlbany Web site.

UAlbany has also seen an increase in the academic quality of admitted students.

The average student for the class of 2013 has a high school GPA of 90.9 and an SAT score of 1178.

This has increased from the class of 2012, which had an average GPA of 90.6 and an average SAT score of 1170.

From the 4,000 students that applied early action, about one-third was wait listed, one-third was accepted, and the other one-third is denied.

"The students are not held to a higher standard. They must fit into the atmosphere," said Andrea, referring to students admitted by early action.

The class of 2013 and 2012 do have some similarities. Incoming freshman have been notorious for having "undecided" futures and a majority of them come in only with intended majors.

The intended majors among freshman has not changed either. Some of the most common majors are psychology, biology and the sciences, business and accounting, mathematics, communications and journalism, Andrea said.

The similarities don't end with intended majors.

The number of merit scholars and presidential scholarships has remained the same. The number of students receiving these awards is somewhere between 65 to 185 students.

The "target" number of students to be enrolled for the class of 2013 into the university is 2,250, Andrea said.

In previous years, enrolling more students was not a point to lose sleep over, he said. However, due to budget constraints this year has made it even more important to stay on the enrollment target.

"Last year we enrolled about 45 students over," Andrea said. "We are trying not to go over that much this year."

With the growing number of students wanted to apply to UAlbany, it seems that the student body, comprised of over 13,000 students, is not in jeopardy of seeing a decline any time soon.

By STEPHANIE WITKIN

University of Albany Interpreter Pamela Vargas Ramat Is A Symbol of Strength

Pamela Ramat connects with UAlbany students on a cultural level, serving as the only Spanish-speaking interpreter in UPD. (Photo Mark Schmidt)

University Police Department (UPD) interpreter Pamela Vargas Ramat's road to becoming a police officer hasn't been easy. And it's not yet complete. But, despite suffering a brain aneurysm and enduring several surgeries for a broken hip, the 45-year old continues her pursuit, in the hopes of one day wearing the badge.

In May 2007, Ramat entered the Zone 5 Police Training Center in Schenectady. She had been a stay-at-home mom to three kids for the past 12 years and wanted to get back into a career in criminal justice. Previously, Ramat worked as an investigator in the Schenectady County District Attorney's Office.

Halfway through police academy training, Ramat suffered a broken hip while completing a running test. Despite the setback, Ramat forged ahead and, after the first of three surgeries, returned to the Academy to finish her training.

But that was not to be. Last September, after suffering from debilitating headaches, Ramat was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm, requiring immediate surgery. Since then, Ramat has endured months of grueling speech and exercise therapies.

“Pamela is very talented and compassionate -- quite inspirational," said UPD Chief J. Frank Wiley.

Incredibly, Ramat recovered much more quickly than doctors expected. She's returned to UPD, working a few days a week in campus outreach. The position suits Ramat, who can easily connect with UAlbany students. She was once in their shoes, having pursued bachelor's and master's degrees at the University. She also connects with them on a cultural level, serving as the only Spanish-speaking interpreter in UPD.

"By reaching out to different groups on campus, in this case the Hispanic population, it allows them to feel represented, recognized and protected by us," said Ramat, who grew up spending summers with relatives in Colombia, her father's native country.

While Ramat has not yet resumed her police academy training, her dedication continues to inspire those around her.

"Pamela is the most courageous and resilient person I have ever met,” said Wiley.

Courtesy: UAlbany News

University of Albany's Alizpar's Goal Completes Lacrosse's Fourth-Quarter Comeback Against A-East Rival Hartford - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – John Alpizar scored twice in the fourth quarter, including the game-winner with just over two minutes remaining, as UAlbany rallied for a 9-8 victory over Hartford in America East Conference play on Wednesday, April 1 at John Fallon Field. The contest was the second half of a home lacrosse doubleheader, as part of Spring Stomp, the school’s spring homecoming event.

Hartford (0-9, AE 0-2) took the nation’s 18th-ranked team to the limit and erased a 6-3 halftime deficit with five unanswered in the third quarter. Ryan Compitello, who totaled three goals and one assist, drew his team even at six apiece with 8:07 to play. The freshman attack scored from right of the crease off a feed from behind the cage by Carter Bender.

The Hawks, who have not tasted victory since the 2007 season, went ahead in the late stages of period. Vinny Pellizzi tallied his sixth goal of the year when he connected on a jump shot from the right side. Defenseman Conor Flynn recorded an unlikely goal with 7.8 seconds remaining in the quarter. Flynn, using a long pole, fired into the scoring area from just over midfield. The ball skipped in front of the crease and went by goalkeeper John Carroll low into the net for an 8-6 advantage.

UAlbany (6-2, AE 2-0) scored twice in a 44-second span midway through the final period. Alpizar, a senior midfielder, worked around the backside of the cage and hit the top corner, his first goal since last May’s America East tournament semifinal. Sophomore Derek Kreuzer got the equalizer in an extra-man situation, when he connected from right of the crease off Dave Brock’s diagonal pass.

After a Hartford turnover in the Great Danes’ offensive end with three minutes left, Alpizar again came around the left side of the net but this time shot the ball to right side of goalkeeper Scott Bement. The Hawks, who now have been involved in seven decisions decided by two goals or less this season, had an opportunity to force overtime, but Pellizzi’s shot hit the right side of the cage with 18 seconds remaining.

“They played us tough for sixty minutes,” said UAlbany defenseman Garrett Pedley, whose squad has won six of its last seven starts. “They have gone through some rough years where they didn’t get the right bounces, but they are talented and getting better. You can’t take anyone lightly in this era of Division I lacrosse.”

In the second quarter, Hartford tied the game at three apiece, as Compitello took a pass, cutting right to left, and sent it into the net. The Great Danes ripped off three straight in a two-minute span to build their halftime margin. Joe Resetarits, a freshman who had three goals and one assist, broke the deadlock when Joe Pompo found him on the left side of the crease. Brian Caufield hit the lower right corner 46 seconds later. Resetarits delivered a laser-beam shot under the crossbar from the left side for a three-goal lead.

“They didn’t give up and they outworked us,” explained Resetarits, who totaled three-plus goals for the fourth time this season. “It seemed they wanted it a little more and played aggressive. Their goalie made some great saves in the third quarter. They are good; they are not a bad team.”

Hartford’s Bement finished with 18 saves, including seven in the final period. Caufield had two goals for the Great Danes, who have reached the win column in 32 of 40 America East regular-season games since joining the conference in 2002.

***********

Hartford (0-9, AE 0-2) 2 1 5 0 - 8
#18 UAlbany (6-2, AE 2-0) 3 3 0 3 - 9

Hartford – Scoring: Ryan Compitello 3-1, Conor Flynn 1-0, Michael Cudmore 1-0, Aiden Genik 1-0, Jacob Eustice 1-0, Vinny Pellizzi 1-0, Carter Bender 0-2; Justin Bearse 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Scott Bement (60:00, 18 saves, 9 GA).

UAlbany -- Scoring: Joe Resetarits 3-1, John Alpizar 2-0, Brian Caufield 2-0, Joe Pompo 1-1, Derek Kreuzer 1-0, Dave Brock 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): John Carroll (60:00, 5 saves, 8 GA).

University of Albany's Best & Sosnowski Each Score Three in Lacrosse's 13-7 America East Win Over Vermont - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Kayla Best and Melanie Sosnowski each scored three goals in leading UAlbany to a 13-7 America East Conference victory over Vermont on Wednesday, April 1 at John Fallon Field. The contest was the first half of a home lacrosse doubleheader, as part of Spring Stomp, the school’s spring homecoming event.

UAlbany (5-6, AE 2-1) led 8-5 midway through the final period, but then took control with three consecutive goals. Best, who tallied three or more goals for the seventh time this season, sent a free-position shot between the legs of goalkeeper Olivia Hatfield to start that run. Sosnowski then kept a clearing play alive that led to Julie Bush finishing a fastbreak. Nikki Branchini gave her team a six-goal cushion as she drove from the right point and went low into the cage with 8:29 remaining.

“I thought our defensive unit made some great stops and did a good job of getting to loose balls,” said UAlbany coach Lindsey Hart, whose squad held the visitors to season-low goal total by an opponent. “Sara Wolf and Tricia Primomo had great games. We keyed in on a couple of different people, played solid team defense and shifted as a unit.”

The Great Danes took a 3-1 lead early in the first half. Best, who extended her goal-scoring streak to 41 consecutive games, converted a free-position opportunity when she placed a shot into the upper left corner. Sophomore Jodi Battaglia later scored in transition after Mel Rorie carried the ball from the defensive end on a successful clear.

The Catamounts, who had won five of their last six starts entering the contest, closed the gap to one on three occasions after that point in the half. Kristen Millar worked through three defenders midway through the period. Sarah DeStefano connected on a bounce shot into the lower left side to slice the deficit to 5-4. Rorie drove from the top and hit the lower left corner for a two-goal advantage at the break.

In the second half, UAlbany pushed out an 8-4 lead on a pair of goals 36 seconds apart. Defender Sara Wolf broke up a clearing attempt that led to Best driving to the cage from the right side. Rorie followed by recovering a stick-check and connecting on a drive. Vermont (7-5, AE 2-1) came back three minutes later when Sara Buxton found the lower right corner on a free-position attempt.

Sosnowski, a freshman attack, posted a career-high scoring total, finding the net twice in the final six minutes. Frink matched a career-best four points by handing out three assists for the Great Danes, who have won four of their last five outings. UVM’s Buxton and Millar led their attack with two goals apiece. Hatfield, the current America East defender and rookie of the week, made 11 saves.

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Vermont (7-5, AE 2-1) 4 3 - 7
UAlbany (5-6, AE 2-1) 6 7 - 13

Vermont – Scoring: Sara Buxton 2-0, Kristen Millar 2-0, Allison Pfohl 1-1, Megan MacDonald 1-0, Sara DeStefano 1-0; Goalkeeper(s): Olivia Hatfield (60:00, 11 saves, 13 GA).

UAlbany -- Scoring: Kayla Best 3-1, Melanie Sosnowski 3-0, Mel Rorie 2-1, Julie Bush 2-0, Taylor Fink 1-3, Nikki Branchini 1-0, Jodi Battaglia 1-0; Goalkeeper(s): Katie Neer (60:00, 6 saves, 7 GA).

University of Albany's Pitcher Marissa Powell Records Two More Wins in Softball's Sweep Against Iona, 8-0 & 11-0, In Doubleheader - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

New Rochelle, N.Y. – Marissa Powell extended her winning streak in the circle to six games and Meagan Butsch fell just a double short of the cycle in the second game to lead the UAlbany softball team to a doubleheader sweep of Iona at the Rice Oval Softball Field on Wednesday, April 1. The Great Danes, who recorded five-inning victories by scores of 8-0 and 11-0, have now won five straight contests and nine of their last 10.

Powell, who has been credited with every victory during the Great Danes’ five-game winning streak, picked right up where she left off yesterday against Marist in game one. She struck out the side in the first inning, and followed up with two more in the second while keeping Iona (6-14) off the scoreboard.

The Great Dane offense rewarded Powell with two runs in the top of the third thanks to aggressive baserunning. Kat Smith led off with a single up the middle, and was sacrificed over to second by Nicole Kothe. Andrianna Walraven then singled through the left side and stole second, putting two runners in scoring position for Michelle Connors (Shenendehowa). The junior put the ball in play for a single, plating Smith and Walraven before she was thrown out while trying to advance to second.

UAlbany ballooned its lead by batting around and adding six more runs in the top half of the fourth. Butsch, who went a combined 4-for-6 with a home run in the two games, led off with a ground-rule double and stole third base. After Gina Mason was hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners for Jess Bergin, the sophomore tripled to double the lead. She scored on the ensuing play when Katie Wambold grounded out to short. Three batters later, Walraven hit a three-run shot over the fence in left field to make it 8-0, and that was all the insurance the team needed.

UAlbany’s Powell improved to 7-7 at the time with the win, tossing her second shutout of the season and third of her career. She only allowed two hits and one runner to reach second base. In addition, Powell struck out six while issuing just one walk. Iona’s Deanne Algeo fell to 1-7 on the season with the loss. She surrendered seven hits and eight runs which were all earned in 3.1 innings of work. Silva Kassondra pitched the remainder of the game, and did not allow any hits.

The Great Danes continued to manufacture runs in many different ways in the second game. After Walraven walked and Smith was hit by a pitch, the duo successfully pulled off a double steal in the top of the first. Walraven then came home on a passed ball by Silva for an unearned run. Connors walked and stole second to put two runners in scoring postion, but Silva settled down to retire the next three batters.

UAlbany scored seven more runs in the top of the third. Connors singled up the middle, and was plated courtesy of a triple to right center by Butsch. Due to an error in right field, the senior was able to circle the bases and score the Great Danes’ third run of the ballgame.

The Great Danes loaded the bases to keep the inning going, and Smith followed with a two-run single. Bailey Van Deest reached on an error to score two more, and the inning ended with the Great Danes ahead by eight.

Butsch led off the fourth inning with a home run which made it 9-0 in favor of UAlbany, and she drove in another run on a single in the fifth to put her team ahead by 10. She fell a double Mason drew a walk with the bases loaded for the 11th run before the frame ended when two runners left early.

UAlbany’s Powell picked up her sixth consecutive victory dating back to last week’s 2-0 win over Siena at Albany Field, hurling three shutout innings and only allowing one hit. She fanned two Iona batters en route to improving her record to 8-7 this spring. McIntosh relieved her in the fourth and finished with five strikeouts. Iona’s Silva went the distance in the losing effort to drop to 0-2.

UAlbany (18-8), which has won 15 consecutive regular season games at Albany Field, will host a three-game series against Hartford over the weekend. The teams will play a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, and conclude the weekend with single game at noon on Sunday, April 5.

-agate-

UAlbany 002 60 8 7 0
Iona 000 00 0 2 0

Game was called due to eight-run rule
UAlbany: Marissa Powell and Kat Smith.
Iona: Deanne Algeo, Kassondra Silva (4) and Melanie Gettins

UAlbany (18-8)107 12 11 8 2 Iona (6-14)000 00 0 1 3

Game was called due to eight-run rule
UAlbany: Marissa Powell, Leah McIntosh (4) and Kat Smith
Iona: Kassondra Silva and Melanie Gettins

University of Albany Tennis Sweeps Hartford, 7-0, In America East Action - UAlbany Sports

Albany, N.Y. –Aubrey Brooks and Kim Weltman posted 6-0, 6-0 victories in singles action and teamed up to record an 8-0 win at No. 3 doubles in leading the UAlbany tennis team to a 7-0 sweep against Hartford in its America East Conference opener on Wednesday, April 1, at the UAlbany Bubble.

Susan Ma posted a 6-4, 6-1 win over Kasey Michaels in No. 1 singles, while Weltman, Charlotte Tatler, Holly Smith, Laine Mackey and Brooks all recorded a 6-0, 6-0 sweep over their respective opponent in the remaining singles matches.

Ma and Mackey teamed up to defeat Michels and Kara Pease, 8-3, in No. 1 doubles, while Smith and Tatler recorded an 8-1 win in No. 2 doubles over Maggie Sabatino and Nikki HaHHaynal. Brooks and Weltman blanked Margaret Potkay and Gulay Ozdemir, 8-0, in the final doubles match of the day.

UAlbany returns to action when it entertains Hofstra on Saturday, April 4 at 1 p.m.

Singles

1. Susan Ma (UA) def. Kasey Michels (UH), 6-4, 6-1
2. Kim Weltman (UA) def. Kara Pease (UH), 6-0, 6-0
3. Charlotte Tatler (UA) def. Maggie Sabatino (UH), 6-0, 6-0
4. Holly Smith (UA) def. Nikki Haynal (UH), 6-0, 6-0
5. Laine Mackey (UA) def. Margaret Potkay (UH), 6-0, 6-0
6. Aubrey Brooks (UA) def. Gulay Ozdemir (UH), 6-0, 6-0

Doubles

1. Ma/Mackey (UA) def. Michels/Pease (UH), 8-3
2. Smith/Tatler (UA) def. Sabatino/Haynal (UH), 8-1
3. Brooks/Weltman (UA) def. Potkay/Ozdemir (UH), 8-0

Baseball Falls To Manhattan, 9-4, In Non Conference Action

Riverdale, N.Y. – Kevin Nieto went 2-for-4 with a pair of home runs to lead Manhattan over UAlbany, 9-4, in non-conference baseball action at Van Cortlandt Park on Wednesday, April 1. The Jaspers plated runs in each of the first four innings and were able to hold off the Great Danes’ attempts to rally the rest of the way for the five-run win.

Manhattan (12-9) took an early lead by pushing across three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Batting with the bases loaded and no outs, Chad Salem grounded out to short which brought in the first Jasper run. Three batters later, Austin Sheffield singled in two more with a shot to center.

UAlbany threatened to score in the top half of the second inning by loading the bases with nobody out, but Manhattan pitcher Matt Jordan settled down by fanning the next two batters and forcing Gary Pitcheralle to ground out to the shortstop. Nieto first of two home runs in the next half inning and an RBI-double to right one frame later by Sheffield extended the Jasper advantage to five runs through three frames.

The Great Danes came back by scoring two runs in the top of the fourth. Sean Donovan doubled to center field before Mike Tirri, who drove in three of the four runs for UAlbany, followed up by going yard for the second time of his career with a shot that sailed over the fence in right. However, Manhattan jumped ahead by six in the bottom half of the same inning when Nieto blasted his second home run of the afternoon with two runners on base. Tirri hit an RBI-single and was singled in by Pitcheralle two batters later to trim the deficit to four in the sixth inning, but that was as close as UAlbany would come the rest of the way.

UAlbany’s Ryan White got the nod to start and fell to 0-2 with the loss. He surrendered four hits and four runs which were all earned while striking out three. He was relieved by Jeff Kaier to start the third, who gave up four runs which were earned. Chris Ott, Dave Noble and Alexander Beaulieu combined to surrender one run which was earned over the next 4.1 innings to close out the game. The Great Dane pitching staff recorded 10 strikeouts in eight innings, and issued only three walks.

Manhattan’s Jordan picked up the win on the mound to improve his record to 2-2. He gave up only one hit in three innings of work. Mike Tibbets surrendered two earned runs in the next two innings, while Costigan gave up one earned run and two overall. Mike Giordano, Mike Gazzola and Tom Moran each pitched one scoreless inning to seal the victory.

UAlbany (5-16) opens up America East Conference action when it welcomes UMBC to Varsity Field for a pair of doubleheaders on April 4-5. The first game each day is slated to begin at noon.

University of Albany Men's Lacrosse Seeks To Dominate At Homecoming Tonight - UAlbany Sports

University of Albany lacrosse will hold its "Spring Stomp" tonight, a homecoming event which is that sport's answer to the "Big Purple Growl" for basketball in the winter.

UAlbany coach Scott Marr hopes his team can live up to the name with a decisive win over winless Hartford at 7 p.m. on John Fallon Field.

"We definitely want to stomp them," Marr said. "I'd like to get a good resounding win. It'd be nice to start putting things together for a full 60 minutes. We really haven't done that yet."

The Great Danes (5-2 overall, 1-0 America East) will play its third straight game without all-league attackman Corey Small, who is recovering from surgery on March 16 to relieve compartment syndrome in his right calf.

He has since developed an infection, according to Marr, who said there's a slim chance Small could play at Johns Hopkins on Saturday.

"The surgery went great, he was feeling good, there was no swelling in his leg, but now the incision got infected," Marr said.

Junior Kyle Brunk, who will start in Small's place, scored two goals in a win over Binghamton last Saturday.

The Great Danes have won their past six meetings with Hartford (0-8, 0-1). But the Hawks have six losses this season by two goals or fewer.

"In this sport right now, you can't count anybody out," Marr said. "They have quality players. If they come out ready to play and we're not ready to play, it could certainly be a battle."


By MARK SINGELAIS