University of Albany Women's Soccer Defeats Sacred Heart 3-2 in Overtime - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Senior Chrissy Klepper took a long pass from Rebecca Lee and redirected it into the left side of the goal with 18 seconds remaining in overtime to give UAlbany a 3-2 victory in the first women's soccer game of 2011, on Friday afternoon at Varsity Field.

The Great Danes scored two early goals in the first half. Sophomore Aubrey VanGorder tallied her first goal of the game just over five minutes into play, collecting a failed clear by the Sacred Heart goalkeeper and finding the back of the net. Van Gorder added her second tally of the day five minutes later, taking a pass from Klepper into the box, and putting a shot over the keepers head into the right side of the goal.

Sacred Heart responded in the 17th minute, getting an unassisted goal by Ashley Moore to cut the Pioneers' deficit to one. Amanda Stiles tied the game at 2-2 with just 45 seconds left in regulation, as Maggie O'Callaghan connected with Stiles on a corner kick that slipped past UAlbany goalkeeper Dani Britt.

The teams battled through most of the overtime until Lee found Klepper wide open up the field. Klepper collected the pass and redirected the ball past Sacred Heart's Talia Schwartz to give the Great Danes the sudden victory.

UAlbany outshot Sacred Heart, 22-8, while the Pioneers recorded an 8-2 advantage in corner kicks. Sydney Judkins, who started in net, made two saves, while Schwartz played the remainder of the game between the pipes, also stopping two shots for Sacred Heart (0-1). Britt went the distance for UAlbany, making three saves in goal.

UAlbany (1-0) was scheduled to return to action on Sunday at Rhode Island, but that game has been postponed due to Hurricane Irene. Rescheduling information for that game can be found on www.ualbanysports.com. The Great Danes' next scheduled match is Friday, Sept. 2 at St. John's.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Announces 2011-12 Basketball Non-League Schedule; Women Travel to Iowa & Florida

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Thursday, Aug. 25 the school's women's basketball non-conference schedule for the 2011-12 season. The team will host five non-conference opponents at SEFCU Arena in the early part of the season, while also making trips to Iowa, Ohio and Miami, Fla. as a participant in a tournament hosted by Florida International.

The Great Danes open up the season on Nov. 11, visiting Fordham. The home slate begins on Sunday, Nov. 13, welcoming LaSalle to the 4,538-seat SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes then embark on a three-game road swing, venturing to Iowa City on Wed., Nov. 16, for a match up with Big Ten Conference opponent Iowa before visiting Brown in Providence, R.I. on Sat., Nov. 19. UAlbany wraps up the swing with a trip to Toledo on Nov. 22. The Great Danes return to their home court on Sun., Nov. 27, hosting St. Francis (N.Y.) and finish off the month of November with a contest at Long Island on the 30th.

UAlbany takes the short drive to downtown Albany's Times Union Center on Dec. 3 to take on crosstown-rival Siena. Two straight home games follow, as the Great Danes host Niagara (Dec. 6) and Sacred Heart (Dec. 18) in return games from last season's schedule. Before breaking for the holidays, UAlbany will visit Canisius on Dec. 22. The Great Danes will close out 2011 portion of the schedule at Florida International's Sun and Fun Classic, where they will face off against the host Panthers on Dec. 29 and either Auburn or Charlotte on Dec. 30.

Head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson returns all-conference performers Ebone Henry and Julie Forster from a team that finished the 2010-11 campaign with a record of 16-14, capping the highest win total in 14 years and the most in its Division I history. Nine of these wins were achieved during America East Conference play, another record number for the program. Henry, an America East Conference first-team member, was the league's defensive player of the year after finishing third in the conference in scoring, averaging 14.4 points a game, and second in the conference in steals with 2.6 per game. Forster led the America East Conference in rebounds, averaging 9.8 boards a game, and was ranked as high as 15th nationally in that category.

Courtesy: UAlbany Athletics

UAlbany Chosen First in 2011 America East Conference Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany, the defending America East Conference regular-season and tournament champion, has been chosen first in the 2011 Preseason Poll, as announced on Thursday, Aug. 18 by the league office. The Great Danes, who claimed their fifth title in the last seven years a year ago, earned three first-place votes and 33 total points, just edging out last season's runner-up UMBC, who also garnered three first-place votes and 31 points.

Binghamton took home the final first-place nod to earn the third position in the poll with 25 points, followed by Stony Brook in fourth with 23 points. New Hampshire (15 points), Hartford (14 points) and Providence (6 points) rounded out the seven-team poll.

UAlbany finished 22-9 overall last season with a 10-2 record in conference play, plus advanced to NCAA Tournament play. The Great Danes lost 2010 Player of the Year Teresa Coppiellie, but return the previous season's Player and Setter of the Year Brooke Stanley, who will return to the court after missing all of last season with a knee injury. Senior middle blocker and all-conference first-team member Casey Wright is also back after leading the America East with a .344 hitting percentage while averaging 3.30 kills and 1.04 blocks per set. Three-time Defensive Specialist of the Year Laurie Gonzalez, a preseason COBRA All-America selection, averaged a league-high 5.16 digs per set last fall.

The top four teams during the regular season will compete at the 2011 America East Volleyball Championship on either November 18-19 or 19-20 at the top seed's home court. The winner of the tournament will earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Championship.

UAlbany will kick off the 2011 season on Friday, Aug. 26 at the Florida State Invitational with matches against Kentucky, Tulsa and the host school.

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2011 America East Conference Preseason Volleyball Poll
1. UAlbany (3), 33 points
2. UMBC (3), 31 points
3. Binghamton (1), 25 points
4. Stony Brook, 23 points
5. New Hampshire, 15 points
6. Hartford, 14 points
7. Providence, 6 points
first-place votes in parentheses


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany, Defending America East Champions Ranked 17th in Kookaburra/NFHCA Preseason Coaches’ Poll 2011

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany has been ranked in the 2011 preseason Kookaburra/NFHCA Division I National Coaches Poll, as announced on Tuesday by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association. The Great Danes are No. 17 in the poll.

UAlbany will look to its two seniors, Christina Patrick and Erin Crosson, and seven other returnees to lead a large group of newcomers in the 2011 season. Patrick led the team in scoring (16 goals and 9 assists) and Crosson was a strong back for the Great Danes' defense. Among the returning are last season's America East Conference Rookie of the Year Corrine McConville and Goalkeeper of the Year Kristi Troch.

Added to the roster are graduate student Katharina Helling from Germany and Michigan State transfer Chantae Miller, both of whom will add to the offense. Having a rich history with Lehighton High School in Pennsylvania, this year's squad added two more graduates, midfielders Echo Bretz and Jordan Homyak, each coming off strong careers. International students, Karlijn van Dijsseldonk and Amy Nicklin, along with Alyssa Brand and Chloe Pachuilo are expected to contribute as well.

The season officially begins this coming Saturday, Aug. 27, as UAlbany meets Robert Morris for a 1:00 p.m. start in Spring City, Pa. The home opener will take place at Alumni Turf Field on Wednesday, Aug. 31 as the Great Danes host Stanford, ranked No. 20 in the NFHCA preseason poll.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Basketball Announces Non-League Schedule; Pittsburgh & Maryland Among Opponents

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Wednesday, Aug. 17 the school's men's basketball non-conference schedule for the 2011-12 season. Pittsburgh, last year's Big East Conference regular-season champion, and Atlantic Coast Conference member Maryland top the list of opponents. UAlbany plays in the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off, beginning with the opening two rounds on Nov. 14-15.

The Great Danes will start their schedule on the road against a Big East Conference team for the third time in the last four years with a matchup at Pittsburgh on Friday, Nov. 11. The Panthers made their 10th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance last year, advancing to the third round and finishing with a 28-6 record. Head coach Jamie Dixon has an All-Big East guard returning in Ashton Gibbs, who averaged 16.8 points per game. UAlbany travels to the 12,508-seat Petersen Events Center for the second time, having previously played there on Nov. 28, 2003.

UAlbany meets an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent for the fifth time in the last six seasons with a trip to Maryland's Comcast Center, a 17,950-seat facility. The Terrapins, who posted a 19-14 record last year, have a new coach. Mark Turgeon, who previously coached at Texas A&M, has led three Division I programs to a combined 250 wins and five NCAA tournaments. Sophomore guard Terrell Stoglin was a member of the 2011 All-ACC Freshmen Team. The Great Danes previously played ACC members Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Duke and Virginia.

In the NIT Season-Tip-Off, UAlbany faces Ivy League member Brown in the opening round on Monday, Nov. 14 as part of a doubleheader at Syracuse's Carrier Dome. The Orange, who twice has won the NIT Season Tip-Off, tangles with Manhattan, of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, in the other contest. Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim led last year's squad to a 27-win campaign and the SU program to the NCAAs for the 34th time.

In the first-ever meeting between the teams, the Great Danes open their home schedule against Navy on Friday, Nov. 25. Former Penn State mentor Ed DeChellis has taken over the reins of the Midshipmen's program. UAlbany returns to SEFCU Arena two days later against Fairleigh Dickinson.

In addition to those two games, UAlbany has home dates against Colgate (Dec. 7) and Dartmouth (Dec. 23). The Great Danes and Colgate, of the Patriot League, are meeting for the second year in a row. The Big Green last traveled to the Capital Region on Dec. 30, 2004.

UAlbany and Siena will continue their crosstown-rivalry on Monday, Dec. 5 at Times Union Center in the 51st meeting. The two teams are tangling for the 11th time as Division I programs. UAlbany also travels to Cornell (Dec. 17), St. Francis, N.Y. (Dec. 19) and Mount St. Mary's (Dec. 31).

UAlbany coach Will Brown returns four starters from last year's squad. Logan Aronhalt and Mike Black, a pair of All-America East Conference guards, each scored in double figures. Luke Devlin, who led the team in rebounding, was voted to the conference all-rookie team. Blake Metcalf, a 6-foot-9 junior, and John Puk, a 6-foot-10 sophomore, bolster the baseline.

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2011-12 UAlbany Men's Basketball Non-Conference Schedule
Nov. 11 (Fri.), at Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Nov. 14 (Mon.), Brown, Syracuse, N.Y. (NIT Season Tip-Off)
Nov. 15 (Tue.), Syracuse or Manhattan, Syracuse, N.Y. (NIT Season Tip-Off)
Nov. 21-23, Consolation or Championship Rounds (NIT Season Tip-Off)
Nov. 25 (Fri.), Navy, SEFCU Arena
Nov. 27 (Sun.), Fairleigh Dickinson, SEFCU Arena
Dec. 5 (Mon.), at Siena, Albany, N.Y.
Dec. 7 (Wed.), Colgate, SEFCU Arena
Dec. 17 (Sat.), at Cornell, Ithaca, N.Y.
Dec. 19 (Mon.), at St. Francis, N.Y., Brooklyn Heights, N.Y.
Dec. 23 (Fri.), Dartmouth, SEFCU Arena
Dec. 28 (Wed.), at Maryland, College Park, Md.
Dec. 31 (Sat.), at Mount St. Mary's, Emmitsburg, Md.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Chosen to Finish Second in America East Conference Preseason Field Hockey Poll

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany, the defending America East Conference champions, have been voted to finish second in the 2011 league standings as announced on Tuesday, Aug. 16 by the conference office. Despite receiving two of the five possible first-place votes, the Great Danes (21 points) were just two points behind the Terriers of Boston University, who garnered three first-place votes in the America East Preseason Field Hockey Poll.

Tied for third with 16 points are University of Maine and University of New Hampshire. The Wildcats, who captured last year's regular-season champion title, received the last first-place vote. Fairfield University and University of Vermont are tied at a fifth place finish with seven points each, completing the six-team poll.

The top-finishing team in the regular season will host the 2011 America East Field Hockey Championship on November 4 and 6. The league's top four teams will compete for the tournament title with an automatic berth to the NCAA Championship on the line.

Courtesy: UAlbany Athletics

Football Picked Fourth in NEC Poll; Three Great Danes on Preseason All-Conference Team

Somerset, N.J. - According to a preseason poll of Northeast Conference head football coaches, the University at Albany has been chosen to finish fourth in the 2011 standings. Central Connecticut State was selected to capture the NEC championship with five first-place votes. Duquesne had two first-place votes and was picked second, while defending champion Robert Morris took third in the poll. The results were announced during Wednesday's NEC media teleconference (Aug. 3).

"If you can't run the ball and can't stop the run, you will not be playing in December," offers head coach Bob Ford, the active NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) leader with 247 career victories. "We have an opportunity to make a run at the title. This will be a better football team."

The Great Danes, who have won or shared four NEC championships since 2002, have 14 starters, including seven on offense and seven on defense, returning. UAlbany finished with a 6-5 record last season to establish a program record with its fifth consecutive winning campaign.

The Northeast Conference champion will receive an automatic berth in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. In 2010, the FCS playoff field was expanded from 16 to 20 teams. This season's national championship with be played in Frisco, Texas on Jan. 7, 2012.

In addition, UAlbany's Eddie Delaney, Ryan Kirchner and Paul Layton were voted to the NEC preseason all-conference squad. Delaney, a 6-foot-6, 245-pound defensive end from Holtsville, N.Y., was named to the all-conference second team for the second time in his career as a junior. He totaled 41 tackles, including 4.5 hits for a loss last year. Kirchner, a junior wide receiver from Rumson, N.J., had 50 receptions, the fifth-best mark in program annals, for 504 yard and one touchdown. He also averaged 10.4 yards per punt return. Layton, a sophomore punter from Burnt Hills, N.Y., averaged 40.1 yards per attempt last fall and ranked 31st among the FCS national leaders. He had 12 punts of 50 yards or longer.

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2011 Northeast Conference Football Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Central Connecticut State (5), 2. Duquesne (2), 3. Robert Morris (1), 4. Albany. 5. Bryant (1), 6. Monmouth, 7. Wagner, 8. Sacred Heart, 9. Saint Francis, Pa. ( ) - first-place votes.

Paw Prints: UAlbany's Herb Glass is one of 15 Division I FCS placekickers who have been nominated for the Fred Mitchell Award ... the Mitchell Award honors those kickers who have combined excellence on the field with community service ... Glass, a senior from Miller Place, N.Y., is among the school's all-time scorers with 164 points and is second in career field goals (26) ... UAlbany opponents Colgate, Central Connecticut State and Robert Morris are receiving votes in the College Sporting News 2011 Preseason Top 25 ... the FCS national championship game will be televised by ESPN2 on Jan. 7, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany's Basketball Program Will Play in 2011 Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off

New York, N.Y. - University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Wednesday, July 20 that the school's men's basketball program has been chosen to play in the 2011 Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off. UAlbany will compete in the North Regional, hosted by Syracuse University at the Carrier Dome.

The 27th annual tournament field will feature Syracuse (Big East), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (SWAC), Brown (Ivy), Colorado State (Mountain West), Florida International (Sun Belt), Fresno State (WAC), George Mason (Colonial), Manhattan (MAAC), Monmouth (Northeast), Oklahoma State (Big 12), Oral Roberts (Summit), SMU (Conference USA), Stanford (Pac-12), Texas-San Antonio (Southland) and Virginia Tech (ACC).

"We are excited to participate in the NIT Season Tip-Off," said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose squad made the second-best improvement in program history with a 16-16 record last season. "It gives us an opportunity to compete in a tournament and for a championship early in the season. The NIT is an exempt event so we get to play additional games. The proximity of traveling to Syracuse is beneficial for our season ticket holders, fans, students and alumni."

The first- and second-round doubleheaders will be played November 14-16 on the campuses of the four highest-seeded teams -- Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma State and Stanford. The winners of the preliminary rounds advance to the semifinals, which take place in New York City's Madison Square Garden November 23. The consolation and championship games will be played November 25.

The remaining teams will play third- and fourth-round doubleheaders November 21-22 on the campuses of the three highest remaining seeds. Participating teams will not play any team twice, and the third- and fourth-rounds will be assigned to the most geographically compatible site.

The sites and pairings are as follows: The North Regional will take place at Syracuse, where the Orange will host Manhattan and UAlbany squares off against Brown. The East Regional will be held on the campus of Virginia Tech and the Hokies will meet Monmouth, with George Mason facing Florida International. The Midwest Regional will be played at Oklahoma State, with the Cowboys taking on Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Oral Roberts battling Texas-San Antonio. Stanford is the host team in the West Regional and will play Fresno State in one half of the doubleheader, while Colorado State takes on SMU.

Syracuse, a two-time NIT Season Tip-Off champion, is coming off a 27-8 campaign and the program's 34th NCAA Tournament appearance. Hall of Fame Coach Jim Boeheim owns an 856-301 career record. Kris Joseph, a 6-foot-7 senior, earned All-Big East third-team honors while averaging 14.3 points. Scoop Jardine, an honorable mention all-conference guard, added 12.5 points per game.

UAlbany will meet an Ivy League opponent for the eighth consecutive season in the first-round match-up with Brown. Head coach Jesse Agel returns Tucker Halperin, an honorable mention All-Ivy performer who scored at a 12.6 clip. Sean McGonagil (11.8 ppg) was named the 2011 Ivy League Rookie of the Year.

Manhattan, a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, hired former Louisville assistant Steve Masiello as its head coach last spring. George Beamon, a 6-foot-4 swingman, averaged 16.3 points and was picked to the All-MAAC third team as a sophomore. If UAlbany and Manhattan square off in the second round, it will be the first meeting between the programs since Feb. 4, 1939.

The Great Danes return four starters off last year's team, including All-America East Conference guards Logan Aronhalt (14.6 ppg) and Mike Black (12.3 ppg). Luke Devlin, who averaged 7.4 points and 6.9 rebounds, was voted to the conference all-rookie team. Blake Metcalf, a 6'9" junior, contributed 4.0 points and 4.8 rebounds.

ESPN will provide coverage throughout the event, televising games on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3.com. Games on ESPN and ESPN2 will be simulcast on ESPN3.com. For updated coverage of the NIT, go to www.nit.org.

Paw Prints: Syracuse ranked second nationally in attendance last year by averaging 22,312 at the Carrier Dome ... UAlbany last played Syracuse on Nov. 9, 2009 in the first round of the 2K Sports Classic, benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer ... the Great Danes, who appeared in the 2010 Legends Classic, are part of an in-season tournament field for the third consecutive year.

Courtesy: UAlbany Athletics

UAlbany's Laurie Gonzalez Named to COBRA Magazine's Preseason All-America Volleyball Team

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany's Laurie Gonzalez has been chosen to COBRA Magazine's Preseason All-America Women's Volleyball Team, as announced on Friday, July 15 by the national publication. Gonzalez, a defensive specialist and libero, was named to the second team and was one of 45 players selected.

Gonzalez was voted America East Conference Defensive Specialist of the Year for the third consecutive season as a junior. She ranked first in the conference and 29th among the NCAA Division I leaders with a 5.16 dig average. Gonzalez, who was also fifth in the America East in service aces, established the program's single-season record with 583 digs.

A senior from Carolina, Puerto Rico, Gonzalez has been named to All-America East second team on three occasions, including last year when she totaled a season-best 31 digs against Yale. She recorded 20 or more digs in 15 of 31 matches played. Gonzalez is third on the school's all-time list with 1,510 career digs.

In 2010, Gonzalez earned a spot on the America East all-championship team after leading UAlbany to its fifth conference tournament championship. The Great Danes, who finished with a 22-9 record, advanced to the NCAA Tournament to play Stanford, a team that eventually reached the national quarterfinals.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

University of Albany's Nikki Branchini Selected America East Conference Lacrosse Scholar-Athlete of the Year - UAlbany Sports 2011

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Nikki Branchini has been chosen America East Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year in the sport of women's lacrosse, as announced on Wednesday, July 6 by the conference office.

Branchini, the first UAlbany female athlete to earn All-America recognition on the field and in the classroom at the Division I level, graduated with a 3.83 cumulative grade point average in history and a minor in education. She was selected to the Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-America At-Large national second team and was named the 2011 Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Division I Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

In May, Branchini was tabbed America East Conference Woman of the Year for combining excellence in athletics, academics, service and leadership. A three-time America East all-academic team selection, she was awarded an ECAC Merit Medal as the school's top senior female student-athlete and was the recipient of the Chancellor's Scholar-Athlete Award. Branchini has interned at the Albany County District Attorney's Office and at the Albany City School District as a tutor for special education students. She plans to attend law school.

Branchini made her second straight appearance on the IWLCA All-America Team as a second-team defensive midfielder. She was also voted to the Synapse Sports All-America Team and earned first-team All-Northeast Region honors. During her career, she won or shared America East Player of the Year twice and became the third player in conference history to win multiple top player awards. Branchini is the first UAlbany player to be voted all-region three times and first-team all-conference in all four years. She was voted UAlbany's Female Athlete of the Year for second time during her career.

A native of Guilderland, N.Y., Branchini led UAlbany to its first America East Conference championship and the NCAA Tournament's quarterfinal round, losing to eventual national champion Northwestern. UAlbany (18-1) was ranked in the top 10 nationally in both polls for the first time, including No. 8 in the final IWLCA rankings.

Paw Prints: UAlbany's Nikki Branchini is the fifth Great Dane to receive America East Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year in women's lacrosse since the program joined the conference in 2002 ... Olivia Jarem (2010), Kate Fontana (2007) and Theresa Masse (2002, 2003) were also honored.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany First Baseman Gina Mason Named to 2011 ECAC Division I Softball All-Star Team - UAlbany Sports 2011

Centerville, Mass. - University at Albany's Gina Mason has been named to the 2011 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division I Softball All-Star First Team, as announced by the conference on Thursday, July 7. Coaches within the ECAC membership voted on the teams and individual awards.

Mason, an All-America Conference first-team infielder, led the Great Danes to their fourth conference championship and an NCAA Tournament this season. The senior from Sacramento, Calif. was also recently named to the National Fastpitch Coaches' Association All-Region Team.

The first baseman, who led UAlbany in all major offensive categories, batted .404 this season, with 55 hits, 27 runs scored and 29 RBI. She led the team with 11 doubles and five home runs, while also posting a .640 slugging percentage and going 4-for-4 on stolen base attempts. A .317 career hitter, Mason ranks second in RBIs (129) and doubles (36) among the school's all-time leaders, plus tied for second in home runs (26).

A journalism major who will be attending Iona College next fall for graduate school, Mason maintained a 3.38 cumulative grade point average en route to being named to the America East Conference All-Academic Softball Team.


Courtesy: UAlbany Athletics

Stephanie Klein Named an NGCA Division I All-American Scholar-Athlete

Coral Springs, Fla. - University at Albany's Stephanie Klein has been named to the 2010-11 National Golf Coaches Association Division I All-American Scholar-Athlete team, as announced by the organization on Monday. A total of 566 women's collegiate golfers, across all three NCAA divisions were recognized. The criteria for selection to the NGCA All-American Scholar Team are some of the most stringent in all of college athletics. The minimum cumulative GPA is 3.50.

Klein finished with a three-round total of 254, including a team-best round of 80 on the final day of play, to lead UAlbany to a fourth-place finish at the 2011 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Golf Championships. She finished the spring averaging 87.18 over nine rounds of play. Klein was also second on the team in the fall season, posting an 85.20 average in six tournaments.

Klein, who was also named to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Academic Honor Roll, maintains a 4.00 cumulative grade point average as a pre-medicine major.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Lacrosse All-America Nikki Branchini Chosen America East Woman of the Year - Ualbany sports 2011

Portsmouth, N.H. - University at Albany's Nikki Branchini has been selected the 2011 America East Woman of the Year, as announced on Tuesday, June 7 by Interim Conference Commissioner Shonna Brown. The honor recognizes the conference's senior female student-athlete who has best distinguished herself throughout her collegiate career in the areas of academic achievement, athletic excellence, service and leadership.

As America East Woman of the Year, Branchini's nomination will be forwarded to the NCAA Women of the Year selection committee, who will select the top 10 winners in each NCAA division (I, II and III). From among those 30 honorees, the committee will determine the top three in each division. Finally, the members of the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics (CWA) will vote from among the top nine to determine the 2011 NCAA Woman of the Year.

Branchini, a defensive midfielder on the women's lacrosse team, led UAlbany to its most accomplished season since the program became a varsity sport in 1992. The Great Danes won their first America East Conference championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament's quarterfinal, losing to eventual national champion Northwestern. UAlbany (18-1) was ranked in top 10 nationally in both polls for the first time.

A senior from Guilderland, N.Y., Branchini has a 3.83 cumulative grade point average in history with a minor in education. She was named to the Capital One/CoSIDA District I Academic All-America squad and has made the America East All-Academic Team on three occasions. She was recently awarded an ECAC Merit Medal as the school's top senior female student-athlete and was the recipient of the Chancellor's Scholar-Athlete Award. She has interned at the Albany County District Attorney's Office and at the Albany City School District as a tutor for special education students.

Branchini made her second straight appearance on the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-America Team as a second-team selection. She was also voted to the Synapse Sports All-America Team and earned first-team All-Northeast Region honors. During her career, she won or shared America East Player of the Year twice and became the third player in conference history to win multiple top player awards. Branchini is the first UAlbany player to be voted all-region three times and first-team all-conference in all four years. In 2011, she had 21 goals and three assists, plus ranked second nationally in draw controls at 5.26 per game.

Three finalists, which were announced on May 25, were selected from a pool of the nine America East institutional nominations. To be nominated, student-athletes must have completed intercollegiate eligibility in her primary sport by the end of the 2011 spring season, received her undergraduate degree prior to the conclusion of the summer 2011 term and had a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.500 (4.000 scale).

In conjunction with the changes in the nomination process for the NCAA Woman of the Year award, the America East Woman of the Year award was established for the 2005-06 athletic season. Beginning in 2006, the CWA started receiving conference-designated nominees in lieu of the previous institution- and state-based nomination format.

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Year-by-Year America East Woman of the Year Honorees

2011 - Nikki Branchini, Albany (lacrosse)
2010 - Emily Pallotta, Boston U. (soccer)
2009 - Kristen Millar, Vermont (lacrosse)
2008 - Sarah Hudak, Boston U. (field hockey)
2007 - Marisa Ryan, Boston U. (cross country/track & field)
2006 - Ashlee Reed, Albany (volleyball)

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Nikki Branchini & Taylor Frink on 2011 IWLCA All-America Squad as Second-Team Selections

Grand Lake, Colo. - University at Albany's Nikki Branchini and Taylor Frink have been chosen to the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Association Division I All-America Team. Branchini and Frink were each voted the IWLCA All-America second team.

A senior defensive midfielder, Branchini makes her second consecutive appearance on the IWLCA squad after earning third-team recognition last year. She was named first-team All-Northeast Region last week. During her career, Branchini won or shared America East Conference Player of the Year twice and became the third player in conference history to win multiple top player awards. A native of Guilderland, N.Y., Branchini is the first UAlbany player to be voted all-region three times and all-conference on four occasions. She totaled 21 goals and three assists and finished second nationally in draw controls at 5.26 per game this spring.

Branchini, who was also voted to the Synapse Sports All-America team, finished her career ranked first in draw controls (284), second in caused turnovers (85) and tied for tenth in ground balls (168) on the program's all-time lists. She added 44 goals and eight assists.

Frink was selected to her third All-America team this season after being chosen by WomensLax.com and Synapse Sports. She led the nation in assists (2.58 pg) and was tenth in scoring at 4.76 points per game as a senior. A first-team IWLCA all-region selection, she established program single-season records for assists (49) and points (83). Frink became the first UAlbany player to be nominated for the Tewaaraton Award as the nation's top player.

A native of Baldwinsville, N.Y., Frink completed her collegiate career as one of the top attackers in school history. She is fifth in scoring with 171 points, first in assists (82) and tied for 10th in goals (89) among UAlbany's all-time leaders.

Branchini and Frink helped UAlbany (18-1) capture the conference's regular-season and tournament championships, plus register a school record for single-season victories. UAlbany made its first NCAA Tournament appearance since the program became a varsity sport in 1992, before losing to eventual national champion Northwestern in the quarterfinal round. The Great Danes were ranked in both the IWLCA and deBeer/Inside Lacrosse national polls for most of the 2011 campaign.

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2011 Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association All-America Team
First Team - Allyson Carey, Jr., Vanderbilt, Midfield; Kitty Cullen, So., Florida, Attack; Brittany Dipper, Jr., Maryland, Goalkeeper; Jackie Doherty, Sr., Notre Dame, Defense; Corey Donohoe, Sr., North Carolina, Attack; Leslie Foard, Sr., Stanford, Midfield; Grace Gavin, Sr., Loyola, Attack; Emma Hamm, Jr., Duke, Attack; Mia Hurrin, Sr., North Carolina, Defense; Kristin Igoe, Sr., Boston College, Midfield; Christie Kaestner, Sr., Duke, Attack; Logan McCraw, Sr., Georgetown, Defense; Laura Merrifield, Sr., Maryland, Midfield; Sarah Mollison, Sr., Maryland, Attack; Katie Schwarzmann, So., Maryland, Midfield; Shannon Smith, Jr., Northwestern, Attack; Taylor Thornton, So., Northwestern, Defense

Second Team - Shaylyn Blaney, Sr., Notre Dame, Midfield; Nikki Branchini, Sr., Albany, Defense; Erin Brennan, Jr., Pennsylvania, Attack; Kat Collins, Sr., Dartmouth, Attack; Liz Downs, Sr., Virginia, Defense; Lizzie Drumm, Sr., Princeton, Midfield; Taylor Frink, Sr., Albany, Attack; Katie Gallagher, Sr., Maryland, Defense; Kristen Giovanniello, Fr., Dartmouth, Goalkeeper; Grace Golden, Sr., William & Mary, Midfield; Becky Lynch, Jr., North Carolina, Attack; Shannie MacKenzie, Sr., Dartmouth, Defense; Alayna Markwordt, Jr., Ohio State, Attack; Abby Rehfuss, Sr., Loyola, Midfield; Kat Thomas, Jr., Duke, Midfield; Kim Wenger, Jr., Duke, Midfield; Brittney Zerhusen, Sr., Ohio State, Attack

Third Team - Casey Ancarrow, So., James Madison, Attack; Ashley Bruns, So., Florida, Attack; Lindsey deButts, Jr., Princeton, Defense; Lauren Dykstra, Sr., Lehigh, Midfield; Bergan Foley, Sr., Louisville, Attack; Alex Frank, Jr., Northwestern, Midfield; Julie Gardner, Jr., Virginia, Attack; Ana Heneberry, Jr., Loyola, Defense; Sarah Jonson, Sr., William & Mary, Defense; Jackie Lyons, Sr., Massachusetts, Attack; Colleen Magarity, Sr., Northwestern, Defense; Lauren Schmidt, Sr., Stanford, Midfield; Maggie Tamasitis, Jr., Notre Dame, Attack; Sophia Thomas, So., Georgetown, Midfield; Erin Tochihara, Sr., Princeton, Goalkeeper; Brittany Wilton, Jr., Boston College, Attack; Laura Zimmerman, Jr., North Carolina, Midfield

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany's Dave Kubiak Selected by Tampa Bay Rays in Major League Baseball Draft

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany's Dave Kubiak became the seventh player in the baseball program's history to be chosen in the Major League Baseball Draft when the Tampa Bay Rays took him in the 36th round on Wednesday, June 8. Kubiak, a senior pitcher, was the 1,109th player selected in the 2011 MLB Draft.

Kubiak, a 6-foot-7, 245-pound right hander, was the Great Danes' ace pitcher, starting 14 games on the mound this season. He recorded a 4.72 ERA as a senior, and led the UAlbany pitching staff with 73 strikeouts, which tied for fourth on the single-season chart. He threw five complete games, including one shutout, and allowed just 43 earned runs in 82 innings of work. Kubiak finished his four-year career as the UAlbany program leader with 227 strikeouts and 278 innings pitched. His 82 innings this season was good for second on the single-season record board.

"We are very excited for Dave and his family as he takes on his next challenge," said UAlbany head coach Jon Mueller. "We wish him the best of luck in the future."

Kubiak, a native of Southold, N.Y., becomes the first UAlbany player chosen in the MLB Draft since first baseman Mike Konstanty in 2008. Konstanty was drafted in the 39th round by the Cincinnati Reds, following Tom Hill, who was picked by the Kansas City Royals in the 34th round of 2007's draft. Terry Kenny was the first Great Dane to be drafted in 1974, when San Francisco selected him in the ninth round. In the Division I era, Steve Checksfield (Houston, 10th round) was drafted in 2001, Mike Grasso (Atlanta, 11th round) was picked in 2002 and Adam Kroft (San Diego, 30th round was chosen in 2004.

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UAlbany Baseball in the MLB Draft (Division I era)

2001 - Steve Checksfield, Houston, 10th round

2002 - Mike Grasso, Atlanta, 11th round

2004 - Adam Kroft, San Diego, 30th round

2007 - Tom Hill, Kansas City, 34th round

2008 - Mike Konstanty, Cincinnati, 39th round

2011 - Dave Kubiak, Tampa Bay, 36th round

University of Albany Women's Lacrosse Advances to NCAA Quarterfinals After 10-7 Victory Over Dartmouth - UAlbany Sports 2011

Hanover, N.H. - Jodi Battaglia and Persy Sample keyed a second-half run in leading UAlbany to a 10-7 victory over Dartmouth in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, May 15 at rain-soaked Scully-Fahey Field. The unbeaten Great Danes advanced to meet second-seeded Northwestern in the NCAA quarterfinals on May 21 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

Dartmouth (11-5) erased a 5-4 deficit in the final period with consecutive goals. Hana Bowers curled from the left to the middle and sent a blast over the goalkeeper's head to tie the contest. After Kristen Giovanniello made a save leading to an offensive possession, the Big Green went ahead as Sarah Parks found Hilary Smith in the middle of the zone with 17:03 remaining.

UAlbany (18-0) regain the lead with three straight goals over a four-minute stretch. Nikki Branchini, who moved up to offense from her defensive midfielder position, sent a free-position attempt into the right side of the cage to start the decisive run. Sample, a freshman attacker, curled from the left and fired a low shot into the far right corner. Battaglia then made a full-extended catch of Sample's feed from behind to find the net and record an 8-6 advantage.

The Great Danes, who entered NCAA play as the only undefeated team at the Division I level, padded their margin in the final minutes. Jess Antelmi forced a turnover that led to an offensive possession where Allie Phelan drove from the right from a spread attack to beat the goalie low to the left side. Taylor Frink added an empty-net goal for a 10-6 cushion after Dartmouth received a yellow card during a defensive double-team.

"We had some pre-game jitters, but then we stepped it up," said Battaglia, who recorded her 23rd career hat trick with three goals and set a school-record in that category. "We have always grown from adversity this season. Someone has stepped up at different times and in different ways."

Dartmouth raced to a 3-0 lead in the opening five-plus minutes. A pair of Great Dane turnovers led to the first two goals. Sarah Plumb set up Greta Meyer, who faked and scored from right of the crease. Meyer later finished off a transition play with a bounce shot after Parks gathered in another miscue. Kirsten Goldberg later drove around a defender from the right point and placed a shot to the left of the goalkeeper.

UAlbany regrouped by scoring four times in a span of 13 minutes and 11 seconds. A cutting Amanda Pollock deposited a Rachael Burek feed. Battaglia tallied back-to-back goals, the second when she sent a free-position shot inside the left post. Phelan, a freshman midfielder, put the America East Conference champions in front, 4-3, by driving from the right point and moving across the top of the crease.

"We had an early case of nerves," offered first-year UAlbany coach John Battaglino, whose team is ranked No. 8 in the IWLCA coaches' poll and No. 6 by deBeer/Inside Lacrosse. "But the theme of the year has been to find a way. This team has stayed together and found a way to overcome."

Meyer had three goals and Bowers added a pair for the Big Green, who earned an NCAA at-large berth and were making their 12th tournament appearance. UAlbany goalkeeper Anna Berman matched a career-high with nine saves. Sample tied a career-best point total with one goal and two assists.

"Someone new has played well each game," stated Branchini, who scored a goal for the first time since April 16 and has 21 on the season. "That's why we have been successful. The team needed me to move to offense and it gave their defense a different look."

Paw Prints: UAlbany is the third America East Conference program to win an NCAA first-round game ... Boston U. accomplished the feat in 2005 and 2008 ... the Great Danes are the 17th team to enter the NCAA Tournament play undefeated or untied ... UAlbany made its first NCAA appearance since the women's lacrosse became a varsity sport in 1992 ... Jodi Battaglia set the program's single-season record for goals (54), breaking a mark previously held by Rafaela Nikas, who scored 51 in 1998 ... Persy Sample's matched her career-high points total (1 goal, 2 assists) ... the freshman had three goals against Niagara on March 11 ... Taylor Frink is the school's career assists leader with 82 ... UAlbany has had three programs record NCAA Division I Tournament wins, including men's lacrosse and softball in 2007 ...

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NCAA Tournament - First Round

#8 UAlbany 10, #11 Dartmouth 7

UAlbany - Scoring: Jodi Battaglia 3-0, Allie Phelan 2-0, Persy Sample 1-2, Taylor Frink 1-1, Rachael Burek 1-1, Nikki Branchini 1-0, Amanda Pollock 1-0; Goalkeeper(s): Anna Berman (60:00, 9 saves, 7 GA).

Dartmouth - Scoring: Greta Meyer 3-0, Hana Bowers 2-0, Kirsten Goldberg 1-0, Hilary Smith 1-0, Sarah Parks 0-2, Sarah Plumb 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Kriste Giovanniello (60:00, 4 saves, 10 GA).

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Softball Captures America East Championship By Sweeping Boston University - UAlbany Sports 2011

Boston, Mass. - Brittany MacFawn was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after pitching a complete-game two-hitter and leading UAlbany to the 2011 America East Conference Softball Championship title, as the Great Danes defeated Boston U., 3-1, on Saturday afternoon at the BU Softball Field. It is UAlbany's fourth league championship title, and first since 2007.

UAlbany broke a scoreless tie with three runs in the top of the third inning. After Mel Herndon scored on a Boston U. error, Katie Wambold, who was named to the all-tournament team for her efforts, recorded a two-RBI single that bounced off the arm of Boston U. pitcher Holli Floetker and went into right field. Diane MacDowell and Andrianna Walraven came home on the play. The three runs would be all the Great Danes would need, as Boston U. got one run back in the fourth on an RBI-double by Megan Volpano that scored Jayme Mask.

MacFawn, who was also joined on the all-tournament team by Walraven and fellow pitcher Brittany Schweiger, did not issue a walk and struck out eight opposing batters in the game, her third appearance of the weekend. Floetker took the loss on the mound for Boston U. (34-18).

"We had great pitching all weekend long," said UAlbany head coach Chris Cannata, who has now led the Great Dane program to four tournament and regular season titles, and is now just four games shy of her 500th career win. "Our pitching was key - we only allowed one run each game. We got great performances from both of the Brittany's [MacFawn and Schweiger] and we all came together at the right time."

The Great Danes, who have now earned their fourth NCAA Tournament berth, will find out where they will travel for the first round of NCAA Regional play on Sunday evening at 10 p.m. The NCAA Softball Selection Show will be televised on ESPNU, and the UAlbany team, coaches and supporters will gather in the SEFCU Arena Hall of Fame Room to watch the program.

University of Albany Track's Luke Schoen & Wilfredo de Jesus Elias Win Titles at IC4A Track & Field Championships - UAlbany Sports 2011

Princeton, N.J. - University at Albany's Wilfredo de Jesus Elias and Luke Schoen won titles in the hammer throw and pole vault, respectively, at the 135th IC4A Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 14 at Princeton's William Weaver Track & Field Stadium. After the second day of competition, the Great Danes are second in the team standings with 30 points, while Duke leads with 44.50.

de Jesus Elias finished first in the hammer throw on his sixth and final attempt with a toss of 208-feet, 6-inches. Princeton's Craig Pearce, who posted a mark of 207-4 on his first throw, led the competition heading in the final round. A senior from Arroyo, Puerto Rico, de Jesus Elias was third in this regional championship one year ago. He captured his second IC4A title after claiming the indoor weight throw in March.

Schoen, a senior from West Islip, N.Y., cleared the bar at 16-feet, 10.75-inches on his final attempt to win the pole vault. Liberty's Kolby Shepherd was second and made a height of 16-6.75. Schoen placed fourth at the 2009 IC4A meet and was second at the 2008 championship.

In addition, Fred Casimo was the runner-up in the long jump, as he leaped a season-best 24-feet, 2.50-inches. His teammate, Kadeem Howell, was seventh with a mark of 23-0.75. Duke's Curtis Beach won the event (24-3.50). UAlbany's Matthew Catera was 10th in the decathlon with 6,201 points.

Greg Kiley and Nick Santos each advanced to Sunday's 800-meter run final. Kiley was timed in 1:50.24, while Santos ran 1:50.46. Paul Lagno (3:49.19) and Chris Burke (3:49.29) moved through the preliminary round of the 1,500-meters to the championship race. Tristan Akong anchored the 4x100-meter relay to the third-fastest time (41.21) in qualifying.

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IC4A Outdoor Track & Field Championships (after second day)
1. Duke 44.50, 2. UAlbany 30, 3. Liberty 21, 4. Navy 18, 5. Rutgers 15, t6. Princeton 14, t6. UMBC 14, 8. Massachusetts 13, t9. Dartmouth 11, t9. Virginia 11 (34 scoring teams).


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Track's Kadine Johnson & Yushanni Durrant Set School Marks at ECAC Track & Field Championships - UAlbany Sports 2011

Princeton, N.J. - University at Albany's Kadine Johnson and Yushanni Durrant established school records in the hammer throw and long jump, respectively, at the 28th ECAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 14 at Princeton's William Weaver Track & Field Stadium. After the second day of the meet, UAlbany is 10th in the team standings with 12 points. Duke is in first place with 29.75.

Johnson, a senior from New Rochelle, N.Y., finished fourth in the hammer throw and broke her own school record on the final attempt with a mark of 188-feet, 9-inches. Johnson, who improved her standing nineteen positions after placing 23rd at this championship one year ago, previously set the UAlbany standard with a toss of 180-5.50 at the West Point Open on April 16.

A native from Montego Bay, Jamaica, Durrant recorded a fourth-place showing in the long jump by eclipsing a UAlbany record that had stood since 2004. She went 19-feet, 9.75-inches to shatter Teresa Covert's previous jump of 19-5.50.

Catie Coxon, a junior from Delanson, N.Y., was seventh in the discus and threw a distance of 150-11 on her fifth attempt. Rebecca Kelly ran career-best 59.75 seconds in 400-meter hurdles qualifying. Her time was the fifth-fastest in the preliminary round.

Alli Rogers and Christen Griffin advanced to Sunday's finals in the 400-meter dash and 100-meter hurdles, respectively. Rogers, who set the 400m school record last week at the America East Conference championship, was clocked in 55.01. Griffin cleared the hurdles in 13.98 seconds.

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ECAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships (after second day)
1. Duke 29.75, 2. Virginia 23, t3. Brown 21, t3. Connecticut 21, 5. Princeton 20, 6. James Madison 19, 7. Cornell 16, 8. Navy 15, 9. Columbia 12.33, 10. UAlbany 12 (37 scoring teams).



Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Three Great Danes Named to All-America East First Team; Mason Honored for Fourth Time - UAlbany Sports 2011

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Gina Mason and Andrianna Walraven, a pair of seniors, and freshman Brittany MacFawn, were all named to the All-America East Conference Softball first team in softball, as announced by the league on Wednesday afternoon. It is the fourth time Mason has been honored by the conference, including her second consecutive appearance on the first team.

Mason, a first baseman, leads the team as a senior with a .419 batting average. She has recorded a team-high 52 hits, including 10 doubles and five home runs, and has scored 26 runs while driving in 27 more. A native of Sacramento, Calif., Mason has also posted a .669 slugging percentage and is 4-for-4 on stolen base attempts. She was an all-conference second-team member as a sophomore and was named to the all-rookie team as a freshman.

Walraven, who has started all 45 games at shortstop for the Great Danes, earned her first all-conference first -team honor after posting a .318 batting average as a senior. The native of Thompson Ridge, N.Y., who was an all-rookie team member as a freshman, is first on the team with 31 runs scored, second with 41 hits and second with 21 stolen bases. She has recorded 19 RBI, along with five doubles, three triples and three home runs.

MacFawn, who received the league's pitcher of the week award three times as a freshman, was a first-team honoree and earned a spot on the all-rookie squad. She has a staff-low 2.31 ERA and leads the Great Dane pitchers with 125 strikeouts in 133.1 innings of work. MacFawn, who hails from Orlando, Fla., has posted a 13-6 record, while making 30 appearances, including 18 starts. She has thrown a team-high 12 complete games, including six solo shutouts and two combined, and threw one perfect game and one no-hitter. MacFawn has also recorded three saves and holds opponents to a .227 batting average.

UAlbany (25-21, AE 14-4) earned a share of the America East regular-season title, and will face Binghamton in the first round of the league championship tournament starting on Thursday at Boston U.

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2011 America East Softball All-Conference Teams

First Team: Brittany MacFawn, P, UAlbany; Holli Floetker, P, Boston U.; Deannie Plemon, C, Binghamton; Gina Mason, 1B, UAlbany; Lauren Brummell, 2B, UMBC; Andrianna Walraven, SS, UAlbany; Terren Hall, 3B, Maine; Jessica Phillips, OF, Binghamton; April Setterlund, OF, Boston U.; Kali Burnham, OF, Maine; Nicole Springer, DP, Hartford, Katie Ferguson, Util., UMBC.

Second Team: Eric Schuppert, P, Boston U.; Stephanie Weigman, P, UMBC; Amy Ekart, C, Boston U.; Chelsea Kehr, 1B, Boston U.; Lisa Cutrona, 2B, Binghamton; Lauren Maloney, SS, Stony Brook; Megan Volpano, 3B, Boston U.; Meghan Tucker, OF, Binghamton; Jayme Mask, OF, Boston U.; Julia Culotta, OF, UMBC; Meghan McLain, DP, Maine; Jessica Combs, Util., Stony Brook.

All-Rookie: Brittany MacFawn, UAlbany; Jessica Bump, Binghamton; Lisa Cutrona, Binghamton; Brittany Clendenny, Boston U.; Amy Ekart, Boston U.; Holli Floetker, Boston U.; Chelsea Kehr, Boston U.; Megan Volpano, Boston U.; Meghan McLain, Maine; Jessica Warner, UMBC; Jessica Combs, Stony Brook.

UAlbany Will Make First NCAA Appearance in First-Round Matchup at Dartmouth on May 15

Albany, N.Y. - In making its first NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Tournament appearance, the University at Albany will travel to Dartmouth for a first-round matchup on Sunday, May 15 at 1:00 p.m. The Great Danes, who are the NCAA's seventh seed, earned the America East Conference's automatic berth with an 11-4 victory over UMBC in the conference tournament final.

UAlbany (17-0) enters NCAA post-season play as the lone undefeated team at the Division I level. In his first season, John Battaglino, the America East Coach of the Year, led the program to a school record for wins and a national top-10 ranking in both polls.

"I am proud to see them up there (on the bracket) with all those other teams," offered Battaglino, who served as UAlbany's associate head coach last year and previously was a Syracuse assistant. "They have accomplished something together and they forever hold a common bond."

Nikki Branchini, the program's first Division I All-American, was named the America East's top player for the second consecutive year. Tewaaraton Award nominee Taylor Frink, a first-team all-conference selection, is among the nation's scoring leaders with 33 goals and 48 assists. Frink and Jodi Battaglia are one-two on the program's single-season scoring list. Battaglia, who has 51 goals and 15 assists, is a first-team All-America East attacker. Ariana Parker (43 goals, 3 assists) and Michelle Primomo (10 caused turnovers), a pair of freshman, were also on the all-league first team.

"This is great and worth the wait," said Battaglia, whose team was ranked No. 8 in last week's IWLCA poll. "We were crossing our fingers (to see who we would play). We are happy to be here and now waiting for the next game."

Dartmouth (11-4) was No. 10 in last week's IWLCA poll. The Big Green, who are members of the Ivy League, own a double-overtime win over top-ranked Maryland, a 9-8 decision that dropped the Terrapins from the list of unbeatens. Kat Collins, the Ivy League Player of the Year, has 33 goals and 10 assists. Greta Meyer leads the team in scoring with 45 points (31 goals, 10 assists). Freshman goalkeeper Kriste Giovanniello, who has a .517 save percentage, was voted Ivy League Rookie of the Year.

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NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Tournament Bracket (First Round)
Saturday, May 14
Navy (15-5) at #1 Maryland (18-1), 12:00 p.m.
Virginia (9-8) at #3 North Carolina (13-5), 1:00 p.m.
Stanford (16-2) at #4 Florida (15-3), 1:00 p.m.
Massachusetts (17-2) at #6 Loyola, Md., 1:00 p.m.
Princeton (11-6) at #8 James Madison (15-3), 1:00 p.m.
Boston College (12-6) #2 Northwestern (17-2), 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 15
#7 Albany (17-0) at Dartmouth (11-4), 1:00 p.m.
Pennsylvania (11-5) at #5 Duke (13-4), 2:00 p.m.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Co-Regular Season Champion UAlbany Heads to Boston for America East Softball Championship - UAlbany Sports 2011

Cambridge, Mass. - After a three-game sweep of Stony Brook over the weekend, UAlbany earned a share of the America East Conference regular season title, and the second seed in the upcoming conference championship tournament, hosted by top-seeded Boston U. on May 12-14.

The Great Danes, earning their fourth regular-season title since 2004, have won 20 of their last 26 games since starting the season 5-15. UAlbany won three straight league titles from 2005-2007 and became the first America East program to advance to an NCAA Regional Final in 2007. The Great Danes will face third-seeded Binghamton in the first round of the conference tournament on Thursday, May 12 at 3:30 p.m. Binghamton (22-21, AE 10-7) is making its first-ever tournament appearance. The Bearcats' 10 conference wins is the second-highest total in program history.

Boston U. (32-16, AE 14-4) earned the tournament's top seed after taking two of three games on the road at Binghamton over the weekend. The Terriers held the tiebreaker over UAlbany after a three-game sweep of the Great Danes last weekend, and will look to become the first host school to win the tournament since 2004. Boston U. will take on fourth-seeded UMBC (25-23, AE 8-10), which claimed the final spot in the tournament after missing the field last season. The Retrievers completed their season last week, but earned the final spot after Hartford took two of three games from Maine over the weekend.

Boston U. and UMBC will play the first game on Thursday at 1 p.m., followed by the UAlbany/Binghamton matchup. The two winners will face each other in the double-elimination tournament at 11 a.m. on Friday, followed by the first elimination game at 1:30 p.m. and the second at 4 p.m. The championship game will take place Saturday at 12 p.m., with another slated for 2:30 p.m. if necessary.

2011 America East Softball Championship
BU Softball Field (Boston, Mass.)

Thursday, May 12

#1 Boston U. vs. #4 UMBC, 1 p.m.
#2 UAlbany vs. #3 Binghamton, 3:30 p.m.

Friday, May 13

Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 11 a.m.
Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 1:30 p.m. (elimination game)
Loser Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 4 p.m. (elimination game)

Saturday, May 14

Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 12 p.m. (championship game)
Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 2:30 p.m. (if necessary)


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Men's Track Finishes First at America East Outdoor Championship for Seventh Consecutive Year - UAlbany Sports 2011

Baltimore, Md. - University at Albany's Nasim Siddeeq set a meet and school record in the triple jump to lead his team to its seventh consecutive title at the America East Conference Men's Outdoor Track & Field Championship on Sunday, May 8 at UMBC Stadium. The Great Danes scored 204 points to finish 33 ahead of runner-up Binghamton.

Siddeeq, a senior from New Hampton, N.Y., leaped 52-feet, 1.25-inches on his final attempt to break a conference standard that had stood since 1991. Siddeeq, who competed for the first time during the outdoor season on April 23rd due to injury, also eclipsed Mike McCadney's UAlbany record of 51-4.25 that was established two years ago.

Greg Kiley was a winner in the 800-meter run with a season-best and IC4A-qualifying time of 1:51.55. He also ran the opening leg on UAlbany's second-place 4x800-meter relay. Peter Rowell also met the IC4A standard in winning the 400-meter intermediate hurdles. He is the fourth Great Dane in the last six years to win the event.

Stephen Hassard placed second in the discus and improved his IC4A mark with a toss of 162-feet, 6-inches. Tristan Akong was second in the 100-meter dash by sprinting 10.64 and was nine-hundredths of a second behind champion R.J. Page, of Boston University. In addition, Akong anchored the 4x100 relay to a second-place showing in 41.22. Paul Lagno and Matthew Catera registered third-place efforts in the 1,500-meters and decathlon, respectively. Cattera scored 6,637 points in the 10-event competition to break James Nixon's 1994 school record and qualify for next weekend's IC4A championship.

Luke Schoen, one of UAlbany's seven individual champions, was named Field Performer of the Meet. He won the pole vault on the first day by clearing the bar at a meet-record height of 17-feet, 3.50-inches. Kareem Morris, a freshman from Albany, N.Y., earned Rookie of the Meet recognition. He was third in the 100-dash, ran on the runner-up 4x100 relay, took sixth in the long jump and was seventh in 200-dash. Roberto Vives and his assistants received America East Men's Coaching Staff of the Year.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Women's Outdoor Track Capture Third Straight America East Conference Outdoor Track Championship - UAlbany Sports 2011

Baltimore, Md. - University at Albany's Alli Rogers set a school record in winning the 400-meter dash in the process led her team to its third straight league title at the America East Conference Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championship on Sunday, May 8 at UMBC Stadium. The Great Danes, who have won six of the last seven outdoor conference crowns, totaled 174 points, while second-place Boston University had 151.

A sophomore from Amherst, N.Y., Rogers reached the finish line in 54.62 seconds to claim a narrow victory over runner-up Jessica Henning of Binghamton, who was clocked in 54.87. Rogers set a UAlbany record, breaking Ellakisha Williamson's previous mark of 55.14 that was established in 1997. In addition, Rogers was fourth in the 200-meter dash (24.68) and ran the anchor leg on the second-place 4x100 relay that hit the tape in 46.56.

Catie Coxon, a junior from Delanson, N.Y., recorded her second consecutive America East discus throw title with a toss of 152-feet, 1-inch. She was one of four Great Danes who won individual events. Rebecca Kelly ran a season-best time of 1:00.55 in winning the 400-meter intermediate hurdles and improved her ECAC-qualifying standard.

After winning her first conference hammer throw title on the first day, Kadine Johnson placed third in the shot put with a mark of 42-feet, 7.50-inches. Yushanni Durrant was second in the triple jump with a leap of 40-9. UAlbany racked up 23 points in the triple jump with Great Danes placing in the third through eighth positions.

Christen Griffin, a senior from Waldorf, Md, was responsible for accumulating 19 points in three events and helping win eight more by running the second leg on the 4x100 relay. Griffin was second in the 100-meter hurdles in 13.90 seconds and third in the 200-dash in 24.45. She also finished fourth in the 100-dash (12.28). Roberto Vives and his assistants were awarded America East Women's Coaching Staff of the Year.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Womens Lacrosse Wins First America East Championship; Jodi Battaglia Leads Unbeaten Great Danes - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Jodi Battaglia had five goals and two assists in leading UAlbany to an 11-4 victory over UMBC and capturing its first-ever America East Conference championship on Saturday, May 7 at John Fallon Field. The Great Danes, who are ranked No. 8 in the IWLCA poll and No. 5 by deBeer/Inside Lacrosse, earned the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance at the Division I level.

UAlbany (17-0) broke open a tight game in the first half with a string of five unanswered goals over a span of six minutes and 49 seconds. After UMBC (11-7) tied the contest at two apiece, Nikki Branchini won the following draw to set up the offensive possession. Battaglia, the championship's most outstanding player, cut to the right of the crease and scored off Taylor Frink's pass from behind the cage.

Amanda Pollock and Ariana Parker added unassisted goals for a 5-2 advantage. Pollock bounced a free-position attempt through the goalkeeper's legs. Jess Antelmi's caused turnover and ground ball led to a successful clear by Parker, and the freshman drove to the net for the goal. Frink, who became the school's career assists leader in the contest, was involved in the next two scoring plays. She set up Battaglia by knifing a diagonal pass from behind the net to the right of the crease. The senior attacker then sent a free-position shot inside the right post with a sidearm delivery.

The Great Danes, who will make the NCAA field as the nation's only unbeaten squad, scored three more times in the opening eight minutes of the final period to build a 10-2 margin. Battaglia, who tied a season-best with seven points, rolled inside a defender from the left side, before finding a cutting Rachael Burek one minute and three seconds later. Working from a spread attacker, Parker, who had two goals and one assists, moved in from the left to deposit a shot on the near side.

Meanwhile, UAlbany's defense held the Retrievers off the scoreboard for more than 46 minutes. Freshman goalkeeper Anna Berman had four saves and robbed Alicia Krause, the conference's fifth-leading scorer, at point-blank range during that sequence. UMBC finally ended the drought when Ashley Stodter finishing off a clearing play by placing a shot into the left side with 2:10 remaining.

"They had momentum after defeating Boston University in overtime (in the semifinals)," explained Branchini, a senior defensive midfielder who won 13 draw controls in the two tournament games. "We made good decisions and came out and performed. I love looking back to see the ball in her (Berman's) stick. She didn't play like a freshman today."

The Great Danes, who were competing in the championship final for just the second time since joining America East in 2002, were fighting off the past to make history. UMBC upended regular-season champion UAlbany is last year's tournament semifinals.

"We have seen them before and we knew how to handle it," said Battaglia, as her team also posted a 12-11 win against UMBC to decide this season's regular-season title and top seed just one week ago. "We were ready for the game and focused."

The Retrievers' Amanda Pappas scored a pair, including a free-position goal that tied the contest in the opening half. UAlbany's Frink, who joined Battaglia, Branchini and Parker on the all-championship squad, had one goal and three assists.

"This is fantastic and it doesn't get old," said first-year UAlbany coach John Battaglino, who was promoted to the position after one season as the program's associate head coach and was previously a Syracuse assistant. "I have coached a lot of teams. But when you look at that fact that we were missing three starters (due to injury), this performance is one of the best."

Paw Prints: UAlbany will find out its NCAA Tournament opponent on Sunday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. ... the NCAA bracket will be unveiled on www.ncaa.com ... Taylor Frink (81) and Jodi Battaglia (66) are one-two on the program's single-season scoring chart ... Frink moved past Andrea Esposito (2000-03) as the UAlbany's career assists leader (81) ... Battaglia climbed to seventh on the school's career scoring list with 149 points ... the Great Danes have won 46 conference championship and 18 teams have made NCAA appearances since upgrading to Division I in 1999-2000.



Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Battaglia & Parker Each Score Five Goals For University of Albany Women's Lacrosse In America East Conference Semifinal Win - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Jodi Battaglia and Ariana Parker each scored five goals to power UAlbany to an 18-7 victory over New Hampshire in the America East Conference Tournament's semifinal round on Thursday, May 5 at John Fallon Field. The Great Danes advanced to Saturday's championship and will meet UMBC, a 12-11 overtime winner against Boston University.

UAlbany (16-0) reversed an early 1-0 deficit by scoring nine consecutive times. Parker put her team in front by converting a bounce shot in a free-position situation. Battaglia tallied two of her team's next three goals, each off a feed from Taylor Frink. Amanda Pollock, who had a career-high four goals, all in the opening period, ended that outburst when Jess Antelmi caused a turnover that led to an offensive possession.

New Hampshire (8-9) came back with a pair of goals. Amber Casiano connected on a free-position shot, before Hayley Rausch moved from behind the cage to score from the left side. The Great Danes, who are the tournament's top seed after winning the regular-season crown, responded with the final five goals of the period to take a 14-3 lead to the locker room. Pollock, a junior midfielder, scored twice in that stretch, including a transition play where defender Jenn Primeau caused a turnover and drove the ball from her own end.

The Great Danes, who advanced to the championship for just the second time in the program's history, scored twice in the opening four minutes of the second half. Battaglia, who recorded her 21st career hat trick, found the net with a free-position opportunity. Frink, who netted a pair and tied a tournament-record with five assists, faked and scored from left of the crease.

"We set the tone right away," said Battaglia, whose team had lost their previous three meetings with New Hampshire in conference postseason play. "We pushed the pedal and there was no backing down."

Rausch, who earlier this season netted an overtime shot to defeat Boston U., led the Wildcats with three goals, including her 26th of the season. UAlbany's Parker, a freshman midfielder, added one assist to her five-goal offensive output. The Great Danes, who are the lone unbeaten team at the NCAA Division I level, are ranked No. 8 in the IWLCA poll and are No. 5 by deBeer/Inside Lacrosse.

"We had a great start," offered Pollock, whose team lost in the America East semifinals one year ago after running the table in the regular season. "Coach (Battaglino) expects the best from us. We had that (losing last year) in the back of our heads and it is an awful feeling."

In the second semifinal, UMBC came from four down midway through the second half to draw even in regulation on goals by Lindsay Cox and Amanda Pappas. The Retrievers tallied 20 seconds into the extra period as Emily Coady circled from behind the cage and scored from right of the crease.

Paw Prints: UAlbany advanced to the America East Conference championship game for the first time since 2007 ... the Great Danes are the tournament's No. 1 seed for the second consecutive year ... All-America Nikki Branchini broke her own single-season record for draw controls (82) and is third nationally in that category at 5.13 per game ... Jodi Battaglia has 46 goals, the fifth-best single-season total in UAlbany annals ... Ariana Parker's 41 goals is the second-best mark by a freshman ... Tewaaraton Award nominee Taylor Frink scored seven or more points for the sixth time this season ... Frink needs two assists to break the program's career record, held by Andrea Esposito who had 79 from 2000-03 ... Amanda Pollock also scored four goals on two occasions against Vermont, including April 6, 2011.

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#8/5 UAlbany 18, New Hampshire 7

New Hampshire - Scoring: Hayley Rausch 3-0, Amber Casiano 1-0, Jenny Simpson 1-0, JoJo Curro 1-0, Kate Keagins 1-0; Goalkeeper(s): Kate Gunts (60:00, 3 saves, 18 GA).

UAlbany - Scoring: Ariana Parker 5-1, Jodi Battaglia 5-0, Amanda Pollock 4-0, Taylor Frink 2-5, Rachael Burek 1-0, Allie Phelan 1-0, Persy Sample 0-1, Jenn Primeau 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Anna Berman (56:43, 4 saves, 6 GA), Brett Yenger (3:17, 0 saves, 1 GA).


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Womens Lacrosse's Nikki Branchini Voted America East's Top Player; John Battaglino Chosen Coach of the Year - UAlbany Sports 2011

Cambridge, Mass. -- University at Albany's Nikki Branchini has been voted America East Conference Co-Player of the Year in women's lacrosse, as announced on Wednesday, May 4 by the conference office. Branchini was one of five Great Danes named to the all-league first team. John Battaglino was chosen America East Coach of the Year.

Branchini, who was the America East's top player last year, becomes the third athlete to win multiple conference player of the year awards, joining Boston University's Chrissy Lombard (1999-2001) and Sarah Dalton (2008-09). A defensive midfielder from Guilderland, N.Y., she is also the first UAlbany player to earn first-team All-America East recognition four times.

Branchini, a third-team IWLCA All-American as a junior, ranks third among the NCAA Division I leaders in draw controls at 4.93 per game, plus averages 1.2 caused turnovers and 2.0 ground balls. She also had her best offensive season as a collegian with 20 goals and three assists. During the regular-season, she was named conference defensive player of the week on three occasions and chosen league player of the week once. She is the NCAA's active career leader in draw controls with 258.

Battaglino, who is in his first season after being promoted from the program's associate head coach position, led the Great Danes to the America East Conference regular-season crown and a 15-0 record. The Great Danes, who are ranked No. 8 nationally in the IWLCA poll and No. 5 by deBeer/Inside Lacrosse, became the first America East program to go undefeated overall through regular-season play in conference history. UAlbany is the only unbeaten team at the NCAA Division I level.

Taylor Frink and Jodi Battaglia, a pair of senior attackers, join Branchini on the all-conference first team. Frink, one of 24 nominees for the Tewaaraton Award as the nation's top player, is fifth nationally in scoring at 4.67 points per game and second in assists (2.67 pg). She has established UAlbany single-season records for assists (40) and points (70). Frink is sixth on the school's career scoring chart with 158 points. Battaglia makes her second appearance on the first team after earning the honor as a sophomore. She is third among the league leaders in goals (2.73 pg) and fourth in points (3.60 ppg). Battaglia is sixth on UAlbany's single-season scoring list (54) and ninth among the career scorers with 137 points.

In addition, UAlbany placed two freshmen on the first team. Ariana Parker totaled 36 goals and one assist from her midfield position. She is fifth in the conference in goals (2.4 pg) and has the third-best season goal total by a UAlbany freshman. Michelle Primomo, a defender, has 14 ground balls and 10 caused turnovers. She keys a defensive unit that is among the nation's leaders in goals allowed at 6.87 per game.

Parker and Primomo are also members of the America East All-Rookie Team along with Allie Phelan and Anna Berman. Phelan, a midfielder, totaled 13 goals, one assist, 29 draw controls and 18 ground balls. Berman, a goalkeeper, is second nationally in goals against average (7.03) and has a .496 save percentage.

Branchini led a group of four UAlbany players who were picked to the America East All-Academic Team. Branchini, who is on the all-academic unit for the third year in a row, has a 3.83 cumulative grade point average in history. She recently received an ECAC Merit Medal as the school's top senior female student-athlete. Battaglia is also on the academic squad with a 3.55 GPA in business administration. Amanda Pollock, a junior midfielder, owns a 3.53 in accounting, and Rachael Burek has a 3.62 in business administration.

UAlbany begins postseason play on Thursday, May 5 when the Great Danes host New Hampshire in the conference tournament semifinals at 1:00 p.m. Boston U. and UMBC meet in the second semifinal at 3:30 p.m. The winners will play for the championship at UAlbany's John Fallon Field on Saturday, May 7 at 1:00 p.m. For tickets, call 518-442-4683.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Mens Lacrosse's Resetarits on All-America East First Team; Thompson Named League Rookie of the Year - UAlbany Sports 2011

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Joe Resetarits has been chosen to America East Men's Lacrosse All-Conference Team, as announced on Tuesday, May 3 by the conference office. Resetarits, a junior midfielder, was a member of the first team. Freshman Miles Thompson was named the league's rookie of the year.

Resetarits, who missed almost all of last season due to injury, makes his second appearance on the all-conference first team. He is fourth in the America East in goals (2.07 pg) and also fourth in scoring at 2.93 points per game. A native of Hamburg, N.Y., Resetarits has 31 goals and 13 assists. He had three goals and handed out an assist in his team's upset of fifth-ranked Massachusetts in March.

Resetarits owns the nation's longest goal-scoring streak at 33 consecutive games. He has scored at least one point in 34 straight contests, the sixth-longest streak among the NCAA Division I leaders. Resetarits recently reached the 100-career point mark and has 78 goals and 25 assists.

Thompson, who hails from Nedrow, N.Y., is the third UAlbany player to be named America East Rookie of the Year, joining Merrick Thomson (2004) and Kevin Rae (2002). Thompson is sixth among the conference leaders in scoring at 2.73 points per game. He finished with 29 goals and 12 assists. Thompson was tabbed conference rookie of the week on four occasions. He tallied three or more points against eight opponents, including a career-high five goals and two assists against nationally-ranked Stony Brook.

Ty Thompson, a freshman from Hogansburg, N.Y., and his cousin Miles were each picked to the America East All-Rookie Team. Ty accounted for 26 goals and four assists. He netted three or more goals on four occasions, including a career-high four against Harvard. Kyle Crotty, a senior midfielder, earned a spot on the conference all-academic team for the second consecutive year. Crotty, who received UAlbany's Presidential Scholar-Athlete Award as the senior with the highest grade point average, has a 3.87 GPA in accounting with a minor in business administration.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany FCS Football's Defensive Tackle Trevor Anderson Chosen in Fifth Round of United Football League Draft - UAlbany Sports 2011

Virginia Beach, Va. - Former University at Albany defensive tackle Trevor Anderson was chosen in the United Football League Draft by the Virginia Destroyers on Monday, May 2. Anderson was taken in the fifth round as the 25th overall selection.

General Manager and Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer contacted Anderson personally to inform him the team had drafted him. Schottenheimer, who is in his first year with the UFL franchise, was previously the head coach with four National Football League teams, including Cleveland, Kansas City, Washington and San Diego. He also once served as the New York Giants' defensive coordinator.

Anderson, a native of Warnersville, N.Y. and a Cobleskill-Richmondville High School graduate, earned first-team All-Northeast Conference recognition on two occasions. He accounted for 45 tackles and had two sacks and three pass break-ups as a senior in leading UAlbany to its fifth consecutive winning campaign. The 6-foot-2, 295-pound defensive lineman participated in the Division I FCS Senior Scout Bowl.

As a collegian, Anderson earned four varsity letters and played on the school's 2008 Gridiron Classic and NEC championship team. He totaled 146 tackles, 10.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for a loss during his career.

The United Football League Draft was conducted over 10 rounds and had 52 players selected. The UFL season begins in September and runs through the end of November.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Women's Lacrosse Ranked #5 In deBeers Poll, Will Host America East Tournament - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - The University at Albany will host the America East Conference Women's Lacrosse Championship on May 5 and 7 at John Fallon Field. The Great Danes, the championship's top seed, earned the right by winning the conference regular-season title for the second consecutive year. UAlbany (15-0) is the only undefeated team at the NCAA Division I level.

UAlbany tangles with New Hampshire in the first semifinal on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. Boston University, the second seed and six-time defending champion, meets UMBC in the second semifinal at 3:30 p.m. The winners will play for the America East championship and an NCAA Tournament automatic berth on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The championship final will be streamed live for free at the America East Zone in partnership with Pack Network.

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America East Conference Women's Lacrosse Championship
(John Fallon Field, Albany, N.Y.)

Thursday, May 5
#1 UAlbany (15-0, AE 6-0) vs. #4 New Hampshire (8-8, AE 3-3), 1:00 p.m.
#2 Boston University (8-8, AE 4-2) vs. #3 UMBC (10-6, AE 4-2), 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 7
America East Conference Championship, 1:00 p.m.

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Albany, N.Y. - After defeating UMBC to finish regular-season play, UAlbany is ranked No. 8 in the IWLCA coaches' poll for the second straight week. The Great Danes moved up two positions to No. 5 in the deBeer/Inside Lacrosse media rankings.
UAlbany (15-0, AE 6-0) is the only undefeated NCAA Division I program after top-ranked Maryland was upset on Sunday by Dartmouth in double overtime. The Great Danes recently secured their second consecutive America East Conference regular-season crown. As the No. 1 seed, UAlbany will host the America East Championship on May 5 and 7 at John Fallon Field. The Great Danes meet New Hampshire in the semifinal round on Thursday at 1:00 p.m.

Paw Prints: UAlbany is the first America East Conference program to go undefeated through the regular season since the conference began in 1996 ... Tewaaraton Award nominee Taylor Frink leads the nation in assists at 2.67 per game and is fifth in scoring at 4.67 points per game ... the senior attacker has already set UAlbany's single-season records for points (70) and assists (40) ... Nikki Branchini is third nationally in draw controls (4.93 per game) ... the Great Danes are ranked second among the Division I leaders in scoring defense, allowing 6.87 goals per game.

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IWLCA Poll: 1. Maryland, 2. North Carolina, 3. Northwestern, 4. Florida, 5. Duke, 6. Stanford, 7. Pennsylvania, 8. Albany, 9. Loyola, 10. Dartmouth, 11. James Madison, 12. Boston College, 13. Virginia, 14. Princeton, 15. Syracuse, 16. Georgetown, 17. Penn State, 18. Ohio State, 19. Vanderbilt, 20. Massachusetts.

deBeer/Inside Lacrosse Poll: 1. Maryland, 2. Northwestern, 3. Florida, 4. North Carolina, 5. Albany, 6. Pennsylvania, 7. Duke, 8. Loyola, 9. Stanford, 10. James Madison, 11. Boston College, 12. Dartmouth, 13. Virginia, 14. Ohio State, 15. Syracuse, 16. Massachusetts, 17. Penn State, 18. Georgetown, 19. Princeton, 20. Vanderbilt.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information