University of Albany's Blaze Riorden Added to Rochester Rattlers Active Roster, Makes MLL Debut - UAlbany Sports 2016

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Graduated UAlbany goalkeeper Blaze Riorden has been added to the active roster of the Rochester Rattlers and will make his Major League Lacrosse (MLL) debut today, May 28th. Riorden was taken in the 2016 MLL First-Year Player Draft by the Rattlers 51st overall in the 6th round back in February. This is Rochester’s first game since the conclusion of UAlbany’s season. Recently named a USILA Third Team All-American, Riorden finished his UAlbany career as the program’s all-time saves leader in Division I play, starting in goal for the past four years. The 2016 Tewaaraton nominee and America East Defensive Player of the Year saved 54% of shots in his career, including 56.5% as a senior. He won 12 games in 2016, allowing 9.68 goals per game. Rochester hosts the Chesapeake Bayhawks tonight at 6 p.m. The Rattlers are 0-3 to start the season and are coming off a bye week. Riorden joins John Maloney, Tim Cox and Matt Garziano as UAlbany players making their MLL debuts in 2016.

Derrick Eccles to Compete in 75th USILA/Nike North-South All-Star Game - UAlbany Sports 2016

RADNOR, Pa. – UAlbany redshirt senior midfielder Derrick Eccles has been selected to play in the 75th USILA/Nike North-South All-Star Game on Friday, May 27th at Cabrini College. The annual North-South game, which was established in 1940, takes some of the sport’s top men's lacrosse collegiate seniors in the DI and DII levels to play in an exhibition. 33 players from across the two divisions are chosen for each team. Eccles is UAlbany’s representative on the North team, which will be coached by Marist’s Keegan Wilkinson. The game will be played at Cabrini College in Radnor, Pennsylvania on May 27th at 5:30 p.m. The 2013 America East All-Rookie Team member was a fixture in UAlbany’s midfield the past four seasons. A team captain the past two years, the Syracuse native finished with 29 goals, 16 assists and 62 ground balls in his collegiate career.

Men’s Soccer’s Carlos Clark Called to Join Puerto Rico Men’s National Team - UAlbany Sports 2016

BAYAMON, PUERTO RICO – University at Albany men’s soccer rising sophomore midfielder Carlos Clark was selected to the Puerto Rican Men’s National Team for three upcoming contests. Clark takes the pitch for the first time this Sunday in Puerto Rico, followed by two Second Round Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Caribbean Cup matches on June 1 and June 4. Clark is one of six collegiate members of the Puerto Rican National Squad, and one of just two at the midfield position. Clark reported to train earlier in the week. Head coach Jack Stefanowski named Clark to the 21-man roster on Tuesday, ahead of a Sunday noon EST friendly against the United States Men’s National Team in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The game will be broadcast on FoxSports1 in the U.S. Following Sunday’s game, Clark and the team will venture to Grenada for the first match of the Caribbean Cup against Grenada on Wednesday, June 1. Stefanowski & co., then host Antigua & Barbuda on Saturday, June 4 at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium. Group play of the 2016 Scotiabank CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup includes five three-team round robins, with Puerto Rico sitting in Group 1. Competing nations include Antigua & Barbuda, Bermuda, Curaco, Dominica, Dominican Republic, French Guyana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique, Puerto Rico, St. Kitt’s & Nevis, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname and the U.S., Virgin Islands. The Caribbean Cup is a qualifying event for the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Men’s Gold Cup and FIFA Confederation Cup.

John Maloney Added to Chesapeake Bayhawks Active Roster, Makes MLL Debut This Weekend - UAlbany Sports 2016

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Former UAlbany midfielder John Maloney will make his professional debut this weekend, being added to the active roster of the Chesapeake Bayhawks of Major League Lacrosse (MLL). Maloney was drafted by in the third round and 22nd overall by the Bayhawks in the 2016 MLL Collegiate Draft back in January and was eligible to join the team with the conclusion of his collegiate career. Maloney will join Matthew Bertrams, a UAlbany graduate of 2015, in the Chesapeake midfield. He is the third Great Dane to be on the Chesapeake active roster at some point this season, along with Matt Garziano. The Bayhawks are currently 2-1 on the season coming off a 13-11 defeat to Boston. Maloney will make his debut in Annapolis, the home of Chesapeake, on Saturday, May 21st at 7:30 p.m. at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium against the Denver Outlaws, the current team of UAlbany graduate Tim Cox. Maloney graduated from UAlbany last week, finishing his collegiate career with 76 goals, 45 assists and 127 ground balls. He was a team captain as a senior and was a primary member of the first midfield most of his collegiate career.

#9/8 UAlbany Men’s Lacrosse Pushes #6/4 Syracuse to the End, Narrowly Falls 11-9 in NCAA First Round

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The #9/8 UAlbany men’s lacrosse team battled #6/4 Syracuse all game and led 6-2 at the half, but fell to the Orange 11-9 in the NCAA First Round in the Carrier Dome on Sunday night. UAlbany (12-4) outshot 8-seed Syracuse (12-4) 21-12 in the first half to lead 6-2 at the break. After Syracuse rallied to tie the game at seven after three, UAlbany struck first in the fourth off a John Maloney goal to go up 8-7. A following 3-0 run put Syracuse up for good and UAlbany got back to within one with 6:48 left but could not bridge the gap. UAlbany had fallen to Syracuse by nine in its first game of the year, falling by just two in the final contest of the season. UAlbany’s season comes to end in the program’s fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. The Great Danes finished with 12 wins, the fourth straight year with double digit victories.

University of Albany Women’s Tennis Hits the Trail for First NCAA Tournament Match-up at No. 12 Oklahoma State - UAlbany Sports 2016

STILLWATER, OKLA. – University at Albany women’s tennis (14-7) will face the No. 12-seeded Oklahoma State Cowgirls (24-4) out of the Big 12 on Friday, May 13 in the NCAA First Round. The 2:00 PM EST match winner meets the winner of the earlier match between Arkansas (16-13) and Tulsa (21-4). The Great Danes enter Friday’s competition having shut out five of their last six opponents, defeating Stony Brook 4-2 in the America East final for their first Division I conference title and NCAA automatic bid. Gordon Graham & co., have six-straight wins, the most consecutive victories for the squad since the 2007-08 campaign. Freshman Jovana Kenic took America East Player and Rookie of the Year honors, after dominating the No. 1 singles spot throughout the season. Dajana Ognjenovic, Alba Sala and Paulina Torres joined Kenic on the America East All-Conference team, and Torres garnered Most Outstanding Player in the tournament recognition. The Cowgirls are No. 12 in the Oracle/ITA rankings, behind ITA Player to Watch Vladica Babic. Head Coach Chris Young and the Pokes have yet to lose at home this year (16-0) and enter Friday on a 13-match winning streak.

University of Albany's Women’s Track Earns 8th Consecutive America East Conference Title - UAlbany Sports 2016

BURLINGTON, V.T.—The University at Albany women’s track & field program continued their streak of championship titles, winning the America East Conference Championship for the 8th consecutive season along side the men winning their 12th consecutive title. The Great Danes finished competition in first place with 173 points, followed by New Hampshire placed second with 165 points, and UMBC was third with 114 points.

University of Albany's Men’s Track Captures 12th Consecutive America East Conference Title - UAlbany Sports 2016

BURLINGTON, V.T.—The University at Albany men’s track & field program added another championship title under their belt this weekend, winning the America East Conference Championship for the 12th consecutive time alongside the women winning their eighth consecutive title. UAlbany placed first with 219 points. UMBC followed in second with 145 points, and Binghamton placed third with 133 points.

University of Albany Men's Lacrosse; Tim Cox Joins Denver Outlaws Active Roster in MLL - UAlbany Sports 2016

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Former UAlbany midfielder and current volunteer assistant coach Tim Cox has joined the Denver Outlaws in Major League Lacrosse (MLL) and will make his professional debut this weekend.

University of Albany's Kubiak Signs With New York Yankess - UAlbany Sports 2016

ALBANY, N.Y.— Former UAlbany baseball player, David Kubiak ’11, has officially been signed by the New York Yankees, after playing independent league baseball for four years. Kubiak will report to Double-A Trenton Thunder on Friday. “To be honest, I don’t want to make a big deal out of it because the work is not done yet.” Said Kubiak “It’s a step in the right direction and exciting, but it just means I’m doing my job. I’m pumped it’s the Yankees being a New York kid and having my whole family be Yankee fans is awesome.” Kubiak, out of Riverhead, N.Y., last played at UAlbany in 2011, a year where he was selected by the Tampa Bays Rays in the Major League Baseball Draft in the 36th round. UAlbany baseball head coach Jon Mueller on his former pitcher, “David is a fierce competitor and it would not surprise me one bit if he makes it to the bigs. He was a weekend starter from day one and was one of the biggest competitors I have ever met.” In his senior season, Kubiak started 14 games, putting together a 6-7 record with a 4.72 ERA and threw five complete games and one shutout in 82.0 innings of work. He finished is four-year career as the UAlbany program leader with 227 strikeouts and 278 innings pitched. His 82 innings his senior season was good for second on the single-season record board. “Give some credit to Mules and Pearce for sticking with a kid who didn’t work as hard as he could have in college but always told me never give up on something you love.” said Kubiak “It’s been a long road so far but it’s just starting to get fun.” Kubiak started off with the Princeton Rays and GCL Rays of Rookie League within the Tampa Bay Rays organization. Here, he we went 2-2 with a 3.20 ERA in 15 appearances, including three saves when playing with Princeton. The following year, Kubiak entered independent league with the Evansville Otters of the Frontier League, where he pitched in 19 games and finished with a 1-1 record and a 3.90 ERA. In 2014, he played a short stint with the Southern Illinois Miners, going 4-1 with a 1.47 ERA in 13 appearances and was traded to the Joliet Slammers, finishing with a 3-1 record and a 1.51 ERA in 20 games. Kubiak played his final season with the Slammers in the summer of 2015, going 7-6 with a 2.16 ERA and a career high of 92 strikeouts. “David Kubiak has proven to be an extremely reliable reliever for us. We’re glad he was able to take this opportunity to pitch for the Bridgeport Bluefish in the Atlantic League and catapult himself into a very promising position with the New York Yankees. It was a pleasure to watch him pitch here and we wish him the best of luck going forward,” stated Paul Herman, Senior Director of Baseball Operations & Public Relations of the Bridgeport Bluefish. This past year he played for the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Before getting signed to the Yankees, Kubiak went 1-1 with a 3.17 ERA in five appearances out of the bullpen. “It’s just proof that all you have to do is put in the work and let the universe know what you want.” added Kubiak “Anyone can do this, not just me, it’s just what you’re willing to sacrifice to get it done that separates people from succeeding and not.” Kubiak reports to Trenton on Friday as the take on the Harrisburg Senators, starting at 7 p.m. Kubiak is likely to come out of the bullpen as a middle relief pitcher. The game can be seen on MiLB.TV and will take place at Trenton’s home field at ARM & HAMMER Park.

University of Albany Men's Lacrosse's Connor Fields, Blaze Riorden Honored as 2016 Tewaaraton Nominees - UAlbany Sports 2016

WASHINGTON – UAlbany men’s lacrosse players Connor Fields and Blaze Riorden have been selected as 2016 Tewaaraton nominees, the Tewaaraton Foundation announced on Friday night. Fields and Riorden are two of 25 male 2016 Tewaaraton Nominees for the player of the year trophy. The male and female nominees were announced on ESPNU at halftime during the first game of the ACC Tournament semifinals. Fields and Riorden each become Tewaaraton nominees for the first time in their collegiate careers. UAlbany has had at least one Tewaaraton nominee each of the past four seasons. Lyle Thompson was a nominee from 2013-15 while Miles Thompson was in 2014. The pair of brothers shared the Tewaaraton Trophy in 2014 while Lyle was selected for the trophy outright in 2015. Going into the weekend, Fields stand fifth in Division I with 4.77 points per game. The sophomore attack leads UAlbany with 62 points, off 36 goals and 26 assists, and has 150 points in his career. This season, he has had seven games with at least five points and three with eight. Riorden is second in all of DI in save percentage at 59.1% and third in saves per game with 13 a contest. The senior goalkeeper has started every game for UAlbany, allowing 9.2 goals per game. He has saved at least 14 shots in eight games including victories over Yale, Harvard and Cornell. The list of 25 will be narrowed to five finalists on May 12th. Those five finalists will be invited to the 16th annual Tewaaraton Award Ceremony in Washington D.C. on June 2nd.

UAlbany Announces Joanna Bernabei-McNamee As Head Coach Of Women’s Basketball

ALBANY, N.Y. -- University at Albany Director of Athletics Mark Benson announced Friday the hiring of Joanna Bernabei-McNamee as the 11th head women’s basketball coach in program history and fourth head coach in the Great Danes’ Division I era. Bernabei-McNamee (pronounced Bern-uh-BEE Mac-Na-MEE), a native of Weirton, W.Va., comes to UAlbany after three seasons as the head coach of the University of Pikeville in Pikeville, Ky. There, McNamee racked up 63 wins and led the program to back-to-back National Tournament berths, including a program-record 26 victories and an NAIA Final Four appearance in 2016. McNamee was named the 2016 Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) NAIA Regional Coach of the Year, and was also named the 2015 Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year.

University of Albany CAA Football To Open 2017 Season At Old Dominion, 2018 At Pittsburgh - UAlbany Sports 2016

ALBANY, N.Y. -- University at Albany Director of Athletics Mark Benson announced Thursday that the Great Danes will open the 2017 football season at Old Dominion University and the 2018 season at the University of Pittsburgh. The meetings will mark UAlbany’s third and fourth Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) games. In the program’s first FBS clash, the Great Danes took on Buffalo of the Mid-American Conference in the 2015 opener. UAlbany will also play the Bulls for the first game of 2016. The Great Danes’ 2017 debut versus Old Dominion will be played Sept. 2 at Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium in Norfolk, Va. The contest will serve as a homecoming of sorts for Benson, who spent nearly two decades at ODU before becoming UAlbany’s athletic director in August of 2014. “Our scheduling philosophy as a football program is to play one FBS game per season,” said Benson. “These games give our student athletes, coaches and fans an exciting competitive opportunity. Playing programs such as Pitt and ODU also brings tremendous national exposure to UAlbany.” UAlbany has met the Monarchs once before in 2013 when ODU was transitioning from FCS to FBS as a member of Conference USA, and the Great Danes were competing in their first season in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). ODU came away with a 66-10 win in front of a sold-out crowd of 20,118. “First and foremost, it’s starting to show us as a true CAA member,” said Head Coach Greg Gattuso. “Obviously, it’s a challenge to play them, but it’s great for our players. The kids are excited to play BCS games. It helps in recruiting and it’s just a positive for the overall general health of our program to play up.” UAlbany’s meeting with Pitt of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) will take place Sept. 1, 2018 at Heinz Field, which is also home to the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers. “Our kids are getting an opportunity to play at some great venues, and Heinz Field is one of the best we’ll ever get a chance to play in,” said Gattuso. “I’m excited about it. It’s home. There’s a lot of connection for me personally.” A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Gattuso served as an assistant for the Panthers from 2005 to 2010, and was the head coach of Duquesne University, also located in the Steel City, from 1993 to 2004. “Ultimately, these games are good for the team,” added Gattuso. “It’s good for us budget wise, it’s good for us motivationally, it’s good for recruiting, and it’s good for our kids. They’re really excited about the challenge.” UAlbany football 2016 season tickets are currently on sale. To purchase, visit UAlbanySports.com/tickets or call 518-442-DANE.

University of Albany Women Basketball's Shereesha Richards Earns Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America Honors

NEW YORK CITY – Shereesha Richards has cemented herself as one of the top women’s basketball players in the nation, being named an Honorable Mention All-American for the second straight year by the Associated Press. Richards was the first ever Division I All-American in UAlbany women’s basketball history last year and now is the program’s first ever two-time All-American. Rainny Lesane was a Division III All-American for UAlbany for the 1985-86 season. The senior forward was selected as the America East Player of the Year for the third straight season, also being named to the America East All-Conference First Team and All-Defensive Team. She was recently named to the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-Region 1 Team and is currently eligible for All-America with the WCBA as well. She also was named to the Naismith Trophy Midseason 30 Team earlier this year.

12-Seed UAlbany Women’s Basketball Battles to the Finish at 4-Seed Syracuse, Ends Historic Season in NCAA Second Round after 76-59 Defeat

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The 12-seed UAlbany women’s basketball team had its greatest season in program history come to a close on Sunday afternoon in the Carrier Dome as the Great Danes fell to 4-seed Syracuse 76-59 in the NCAA Second Round. UAlbany earned its first-ever DI NCAA Tournament victory as a program this year and tied its program record single season wins total, finishing with a 28-5 record. The Great Danes also made history as the first basketball team in the America East, women’s or men’s, to win five consecutive conference tournament titles.

University of Albany CAA Football Announces 2016 Schedule Featuring FBS Opponent And First-Time Meeting; Season Tickets On Sale Now

2016 UALBANY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Sept. 2 – at Buffalo Sept. 10 – at Rhode Island* Sept. 17 – HOLY CROSS Sept. 24 – ST. FRANCIS (Pa.) Oct. 8 – RICHMOND* Oct. 15 – at Maine* Oct. 22 – at Villanova* Oct. 29 – ELON* Nov. 5 – DELAWARE* Nov. 12 – at New Hampshire* Nov. 19 – STONY BROOK * *CAA game

University of Albany Men's Lacrosse: John Maloney, Blaze Riorden Taken in 2016 MLL Collegiate Draft - UAlbany Sports 2016

BALTIMORE – UAlbany seniors John Maloney and Blaze Riorden have been selected in the 2016 Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Collegiate Draft. Maloney, a midfielder, was selected 22nd overall by the Chesapeake Bayhawks and will join UAlbany alum Matthew Bertrams on the team. Riorden, a goalkeeper and native of Fairport, will play for his hometown team the Rochester Rattlers after being selected 51st overall and joins alum Ty Thompson. “It is an honor to get drafted by the Bayhawks, and I owe it all to my coaches and teammates,” said Maloney. “I look forward to being able to play lacrosse after I graduate, and am extremely grateful.” “I’m just excited for the opportunity to play at the next level, especially in the place I call home,” said Riorden. “I couldn’t have done it without my teammates and coaches, and especially my father Mike, my mother Jeannie and brother Connor.” The MLL is the professional field lacrosse game with nine teams. The league’s draft was held during the Lacrosse Convention in Baltimore. With the draft picks today, at least one UAlbany player has been drafted into the MLL in nine of the last 10 years. In all, including Maloney and Riorden, 19 UAlbany players have been drafted and/or played in the MLL since 2007. Last year, UAlbany alumni Lyle Thompson, Miles Thompson, Ty Thompson, Brett Queener, Matthew Bertrams and Ryan Feuerstein all played in the league. Maloney, a fixture in UAlbany’s first midfield the last three years, earned America East All-Conference Second Team honors in 2015 as well as a place on the America East All-Academic Team. Going into his senior year, Maloney has scored 56 goals and 27 assists for 83 points, adding 88 ground balls and 18 caused turnovers. Last season, he finished with 16 goals, 20 assists, 54 ground balls and 13 caused turnovers. Riorden, the starting goalkeeper the past three seasons, is a three-time America East All-Conference player, including First Team honors in 2014 and 2015. Starting in 55 games in his career, Riorden has saved 53.3% of shots against him with an 11.04 goals allowed average. As a junior, Riorden was first in the America East with a 9.93 goals allowed average and saving 56% of shots, also scoring an end-to-end goal against Cornell. Maloney and Riorden will be eligible to play in the MLL after their senior season concludes at UAlbany. Last season, Lyle Thompson was the first overall pick in the MLL to the Florida Launch.

University of Albany Men's Basketball Challenge #/1 Kentucky In 78-65 Season-Opening Defeat

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Opening the season on the road at Rupp Arena, the University at Albany men’s basketball team gave the No. 2/1 University of Kentucky Wildcats a run, but ultimately fell 78-65 Friday night with a crowd of 22,080 in attendance. “You have to give a lot of credit to Kentucky. They’re obviously very talented and well coached with terrific guards,” said head coach Will Brown. “We knew coming in here that this was going to be a tremendous challenge for us, but it was a challenge that we were excited about.” While UAlbany never trailed by more than 21 points and got as close as 12 in the final minutes, the Great Danes struggled to sink shots. Shooting 43.1 percent from the field (25-58), UAlbany went 1-for-14 (7.1 percent) behind the arc and 14-22 (63.6 percent) from the free throw line. “I wasn’t expecting us to shoot 1-for-14 from the 3-point line and miss as many free throws as we did in the first half,” said Brown. “The one thing you can’t do when preparing for Kentucky, or at least we can’t, is simulate their length and their athleticism. You can’t do it.” Redshirt senior Peter Hooley led the Great Danes with 18 points going 7-for-16 from the field, followed by senior Evan Singletary’s 17-point effort (6-for-15) and sophomore Greig Stire’s nine points and team-high four rebounds. With a career-high four steals, junior Mike Rowley led the UAlbany squad that turned Kentucky over 20 times in the contest. “Albany, if they make any shots, like any, they beat us,” said Kentucky head coach John Calipari. “They didn't make any shots. Now, and that's a team that's a good shooting team. They're well coached. They had less turnovers than us and we pressed the whole game. And they played zone and backed away and played pack line.” Kentucky shot 56 percent (28-for-50) from the field and won the battle of the boards 34-28 in the win. After losing six players to the NBA from last season’s Final Four team, freshman Jamal Murray scored a game-high 19 points in his collegiate debut, as four Wildcats reached double figures in scoring. Junior Derek Willis followed with 14 points, scored all in the first half, while junior Marcus Lee and sophomore Tyler Ulis each finished with 12. In the first half, the Wildcats scored the season’s first points, taking a 4-0 lead before Stire got the Danes on the board with a jumper. UAlbany kept the margin within six points through the first nine minutes of the game and within single digits until Willis hit a jumper and followed it up with a three to give Kentucky a 25-14 advantage at the eight-minute media timeout. Willis gave the ‘Cats its largest lead of the half, 14 points, on another three to make it 30-16 with 5:59 to go in the opening stanza. However, the gritty Great Danes held Kentucky at bay, cutting the margin to nine, 30-21. Hooley recorded a steal in transition and Richard Peters finished the play with a lefty layup before Hooley was fouled on a runner which fell through the net, and the Adelaide, Australia native completed the three-point play at the line at the 4:56 mark. To the close the first half, Kentucky went up by 13 on Mychal Mulder’s jumper, but junior Jamir Andrews, making his debut for the Danes, hit two free throws with 11 seconds left to send UAlbany into the break trailing 38-27. To start the second half, Stire slammed down a dunk and Singletary knocked down a jumper from the top of the key to cut it to seven, 38-31. However, that would be as close as the Great Danes would get the rest of the way. Kentucky went on a 9-0 run to take a 45-31 lead on Murray’s dunk with 15:34 to go. Picking up the offensive pace, the Wildcats took their largest lead of the game when Murray hit a free throw as part of an and-one play, giving the hosts a 64-43 advantage with 8:33 remaining. UAlbany did not roll over, however, picking up the pressure in the backcourt. Hooley and Singletary tripped up Murray in transition, leading to Hooley’s layup that cut the deficit to 15, 68-53, with just under six minutes to play. Off the bench, freshman Joe Cremo layed one off the glass and Singletary split the UK defenders with a highlight reel behind-the-back layup, making the score 71-59 with four minutes to go. Murray’s emphatic dunk on the break erupted the Rupp Arena crowd, but Hooley answered right back with a pair of free throws to keep the game within 12, 73-61, with 2:26 left. But, the Wildcats held off the tenacious Danes, putting the game away with Ulis’ three-pointer at the one-minute mark. UAlbany ended the contest wit a 4-0 run, as Hooley hit a pair of foul shots and Cremo scored his sixth point of the game with a layup to close the clash. Up next, UAlbany (0-1) travels to take on Boston University on Monday at 7 p.m.

University of Albany Women’s Soccer Earns First-Ever America East Title with 2-1 Comeback Victory at Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The UAlbany women’s soccer team earned its first-ever league title in dramatic fashion on Sunday afternoon, rallying with two goals in the final nine minutes to notch the 2-1 victory at Hartford to win the 2015 America East Championship. UAlbany (11-8-1), which has earned its winningest season in its Division I history and tying the most-ever in 1981 with 11 victories, has earned a berth into the 2015 NCAA Tournament and will find out its first opponent during the selection show on Monday, November 9th at 4:30 p.m. on NCAA.com. The Great Danes were down 1-0 with nine minutes remaining against Hartford (11-4-4) at Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium. Allison Carhart netted a goal in the 82nd minute off a Caitlyn Paltsios free kick, then Kelly Kempf scored the eventual game-winner off a scrum from long range in the 88th minute. Carhart and Kempf, each seniors, came off the bench during the game and earned their goals. “Winning the America East title feels incredible, and it was a collective effort,” said UAlbany head coach Caitlin Cucchiella, who takes the Great Danes to a league title in her third season at the helm. “The team decided, no matter what the situation, that they would stay focused and get the win.” Kempf, the tournament MVP, Paltsios, Caroline Kopp and Savanah Courtney were named to the 2015 America East All-Tournament Team. “I know a ball went up into the air, and I just took my chance and went for it,” said Kempf of her game-winning goal. “We knew we had to stay positive to come back, and it is the best feeling in the world to win.” “It feels absolutely amazing, and it is one of the happiest moments of my life,” said Carhart. “We have worked so hard this year and put a lot past us, and it feels great.” UAlbany will enter the 2015 NCAA Tournament having won its last five games, including two comeback wins in the America East Tournament. In the game, UAlbany outshot Hartford 13-6, including 10-1 in the second half. Alana Olivieri earned her fifth straight victory in goal, playing all 90 minutes. Aaliyah Ingram scored Hartford’s goal in the 6th minute off an arc shot off a feed from Kylie Hoang. Jessica Jung got the loss in goal, saving four shots in 90 minutes. In the first half, UAlbany primarily played with possession while Hartford went for quick strike counter attacks. UAlbany got the first look on a slow counter as Shelby Belak got a pass to Vivian Vega just outside the goal box in the fourth minute. Vega tried a quick turnaround shot, missing wide of the post. In the sixth minute, Ingram got the feed outside the box near the right corner from Hoang. Ingram kicked a high-arcing shot over the jumping Olivieri inside the right post to make it 1-0 Hartford. UAlbany picked up the pace as the minutes went on, putting some pressure on the Hartford back line. Mariah Williams and Krista Fitzpatrick each tried to connect on crosses, but the Great Danes could not get shots on either. Paltsios took a corner kick in the 21st minute and placed the feed just outside the goal box. Williams put a header on the ball, just missing above the crossbar. Williams almost had another chance on a later feed from Belak, but the ball was picked up by Hartford before a shot came off. Hartford had another counter attack in the 35th minute as a blocked shot eventually turned into a corner. After UAlbany defended against the corner, Elise Galipo tried a ground ball shot from outside the box, missing left. The two teams went into halftime with Hartford leading 1-0. Early in the second half, UAlbany pressed and got four corner kicks in less than eight minutes. On the fourth, Hartford cleared outside the penalty box. Kopp blasted the ball back in towards the left post, missing just left in the 54th minute. On a fifth attempt, Fitzpatrick’s feed bounced in the box to Paltsios. Paltsios kicked off the second touch as Jurg made the stop. UAlbany kept getting possession but was unable to penetrate the Hartford back line on crosses. Kiana Rugar got a look in the 70th minute and had a long curling shot towards the right corner of the goal, missing high. Minutes later, Williams shot a line drive to the left post with a falling Jurg saving the ball. The chances kept coming for UAlbany as on a free kick, Kopp got the feed alone in the penalty box. She got tangled with a defender and lost the ball as the chance ended. Hartford got a look the other way as the Hawks went for a quick strike. Sidney Spremullo fired hard at the net from long range, sailing the ball high. In the 82nd minute, Paltsios sent a free kick into the box. The ball got loose as the keeper went forward. Carhart got a tap on the ball, turned around and put it into the net for the score, tying the game at 1-1. The home team looked to attack in the coming minutes. UAlbany’s defense held and did not allow a shot in that time period. Back the other way, UAlbany went quickly to the offensive end. As the ball approached, the goalie moved up as the ball came out to a scrum. As a Hartford defender tried to clear out the ball, Kempf emerged and kicked towards the goal with her left foot, scoring on the open net with 2:17 left to give UAlbany the lead 2-1. Hartford had a final gasp with a corner kick in the 89th minute. Julia Carr’s curl went out of bounds on the near post to end the threat. UAlbany took home the 2-1 comeback victory over Hartford.

University of Albany Field Hockey Downs No. 19 Maine 2-0 to Take America East Tournament Crown

ALBANY, N.Y.- No. 8 University at Albany field hockey (19-2) captured its second consecutive and fifth overall America East title on Sunday afternoon in a 2-0 victory over Maine (19-4). The Great Danes out-scored their opponents 14-1 in the America East tournament to earn the league’s automatic NCAA bid. “To get back to the championship with the new conference alignment and the depth of our competition was awesome,” said head coach Phil Sykes. “We definitely wanted to take it one day at a time, because anything can happen with eight teams in a tournament. This is a great Maine team we played; I’m proud of the way we battled and we’re looking forward to the NCAA Tournament.” With nerves and wind a factor early in the game, Liza Morgan registered the only shot on goal in the first 10 minutes. Paula Heuser adjusted quickly to being heavily marked in the middle of the field, earning herself a penalty stroke in the 10th minute. The defending NFHCA National Player of the Year buried the stroke for a 1-0 UAlbany lead. Momentum in hand, Bottino, Heuser and Morgan continued to press forward. But the Black Bears battled back to earn two penalty corners. The first was blocked at the defensive line, and Maxi Primus thwarted the second with a glove save. Just as Maine began to pick up the pace up front, UAlbany responded with a second goal. Bottino worked her way to the right end line, firing up a pass towards the cage. Fellow sophomore Kelsey Briddell stood ready at the far post, and she beat the Maine goalkeeper to make it 2-0 UAlbany with less than five minutes to go in the first half. The Danes earned all three of their second-half penalty corners in the first 20 minutes of the period. Frederike Helmke had a shot saved in the 46th minute, and the Purple & Gold continued searching for an extra insurance goal. Maine briefly found a loophole to earn a penalty corner with seven minutes to go. A save by Primus and a clear off the stick of Jaclyn Hibbs kept the Black Bears at bay. After Josette Babineau pulled her goalkeeper with less than four minutes left, UAlbany retained possession for the win. The Purple & Gold sealed the America East automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, set to begin on Nov. 11 with Play-In games. The No. 8 Danes took their fifth overall, second consecutive America East title and third in the last four seasons. Field hockey’s fifth title marks the 77th America East and 84th overall conference championship for UAlbany in the Division I era. Anna Bottino got the Most Outstanding Performer nod with 10 points in the tournament. She joined teammates Paula Heuser, Jaclyn Hibbs and Fiori Van Rijswijk on the All-Tournament team. Taylor Schwoyer was named the Elite 18 Award winner for the second consecutive season. Phil Sykes & co., will learn their fate in the NCAA Tournament tonight at 10:00pm. The NCAA selection show will be broadcast on NCAA.com. AMERICA EAST CHAMPIONSHIP ACCOLADES: Most Outstanding Performer: Anna Bottino, So., M All-Championship Team: Anna Bottino, So., M Paula Heuser, Jr., M Jaclyn Hibbs, Jr., D Fiori Van Rijswijk, Sr., D Elite 18 Award: Taylor Schwoyer, 3.94, Human Biology

Dominant 4th Quarter Leads University of Albany Women’s Basketball to 64-49 Season Opening Win vs. Pepperdine

ALBANY, N.Y. – With Imani Tate and Shereesha Richards scoring 20+ points, the UAlbany women’s basketball team outscored Pepperdine 16-4 in the final quarter to take the 64-49 victory to open the season at the SEFCU Arena. In the first year of the four-quarter format, UAlbany (1-0) had its best play over Pepperdine (0-2) in the first quarter, outscoring the Waves 17-6, and the fourth, outscoring its opponent 16-4. Pepperdine took the lead in the third off strong play from the Ogwumike sisters, then UAlbany charged ahead late in the third and did not look back. With the win, UAlbany has won its last three season openers, all in the Capital District. “Our first game, we had some jitters, and it showed in the first half,” said UAlbany head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson. “The second half, we had a lot more patience and poise.” Tate led the UAlbany offense and nearly had a double-double with 24 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals. Richards shot 7-11 from the field with 21 points and seven rebounds. Zakiya Saunders also nearly had a double-double with six points, eight assists and nine rebounds. In her first collegiate game, Veronika Lavergne hit three field goals in four chances, scoring eight points and grabbing six rebounds. “I had to step up, as a lot of people were nervous in the first game,” said Tate. “I had to be the upperclassman and lead the way.” For Pepperdine, Erica Ogwumike tallied 20 points and four boards, while sister Olivia had 12 points and three assists. Allie Green scored 10 points, with eight of them in the second half. UAlbany attacked with layups and pressure defense early. The Great Danes earned the first three baskets with three different players to take a 6-0 lead. The Great Danes kept the pressure and primarily went into the paint for its shots. Richards and Tate made baskets, with Lavergne adding a layup on a putback, as UAlbany led 17-6 at the end of the first quarter. Pepperdine continued to fire for three for its attempts as the scoring stayed even at the start of the second quarter. The visitors saw Olivia Ogwumike get open underneath the basket as the Waves chipped away at the deficit. As UAlbany struggled on offense, the Ogwumike sisters helped push the Waves ahead in the last minute of the half. Tate hit a runner in the final seconds to give UAlbany a 28-27 at the break. In the first 3:08 of the third quarter, Pepperdine started getting hot from the perimeter. Using quick offense, the Waves hit five field goals in six attempts, including three from downtown, to take a 40-32 lead. Coach Abe called a timeout as UAlbany started to come back. Following a couple of layups, Erin Coughlin buried a wing three to put UAlbany back ahead. Lavergne added another layup from Tate as the Great Danes led 43-40. The visitors went back up with a Paige Fecske three and a Green jumper on the baseline. In the final minute of the third, Richards hit a layup and then a kick-out three up top of the arc to push UAlbany up 48-45 going into the fourth quarter. Defense dominated the start of the fourth quarter. With 7:16 left, UAlbany led 51-47. At the 5:21 mark, UAlbany went on a long possession off free throws and offensive rebounds, slowly using clock and picking up points. With Richards netting free throws, the Great Danes kept possession for almost a minute-and-a-half and leading 57-47. UAlbany continued the run, adding layups from Tate and Saunders. The team did not allow a field goal until Keitra Wallace hit a layup with 1:07 left. UAlbany took the 64-49 win. UAlbany will hit the road for its next four games, taking on Boston University on Wednesday, November 18th at 7 p.m.

University of Albany Athletics Receives $10 Million Gift

ALBANY, N.Y. -- University at Albany President Robert J. Jones, Foundation President George R. Hearst III and Athletic Director Mark Benson announced that the University has received a $10 million gift to support the football stadium and other facilities, expand scholarships for student-athletes, and address additional priorities in athletics. The gift was made by The Bernard and Millie Children’s Foundation, which was established by the son of Bernard and Millie Duker, William Duker ’75, of Westerlo and New York City, his wife Sharon (Casey) Duker, and their son William "West" Duker. The stadium will be named Tom & Mary Casey Stadium, in honor of Sharon (Casey) Duker’s parents. "This gift reflects the wonderful values Tom and Mary Casey instilled in their children about the importance of education and service to community,” said University at Albany President Robert J. Jones. “We are deeply grateful to the Bernard and Millie Children’s Foundation for this investment, which will have a positive impact on our athletics programs, our student-athletes, and the UAlbany experience for many years to come.” The Casey family has a long legacy at UAlbany, Tom and Mary’s son, Thomas Casey, is a member of the Class of 1978 and their daughter Melissa (Casey) Faas has a graduate degree from the Class of 2001. One grandchild, Meghan (Casey) Wilkinson, has a Bachelor’s degree from the Class of 2009, while grandson Michael Faas is currently a UAlbany freshman. "Our parents passed down enduring family values," said siblings Thomas Casey ‘78, Sharon (Casey) Duker, and Melissa (Casey) Faas ’01. "We wanted this gift to represent those values and strong sense of community as well as their appreciation for academics and athletics, which they impressed upon all of us. We are pleased to support UAlbany’s tradition of academic and athletic excellence and proud to see our parents’ names attached to a great facility that is a valuable University and community resource. " The stadium was completed in September 2013. The stadium’s opening marked a signature moment for UAlbany athletics as its football program entered the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), one of the nation’s top Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) conferences. The stadium’s field was named in honor of Bob Ford, who served as head coach of UAlbany’s football team for 44 years. The football facility will now be known as Bob Ford Field at Casey Stadium. "Our mission is to provide our student-athletes with a world class collegiate experience that starts with nationally ranked academic programs; continues with our championship coaches, administrators, staff and is complemented by our first class facilities." said UAlbany Athletics Director Mark Benson. "This transformational gift will enable us to improve that student-athlete experience for many years to come. The Casey and Duker families share our vision for the future of our athletic program and we offer our heartfelt thanks and gratitude for their generosity and valued commitment to the University." Benson added, that the gift will impact all 450 of UAlbany’s student athletes, coaches, staff, alumni and fans throughout the Capital Region. Part of the gift will be endowed for Casey Stadium with the purpose of providing upgrades and maintenance. An academic endowment for student athlete scholarships will also be established. The remainder will be utilized for athletic department initiatives and priorities including the development of an athletics facility plan and renovations to SEFCU arena. “Our hope is this gift will inspire others to invest in our campus community and athletic department,” commented Benson. “We will work to attain both public and private support to initiate these improvements.”

University of Albany Women’s Golf Trumps Siena In 21-Stroke Win

ALBANY, N.Y. – Hosting crosstown rival Siena College Sunday at Albany Country Club, the University at Albany women’s golf team overcame the Saints by 21 strokes with a team score of 326. “It wasn't our best team score of the season for sure, but it was our ultimate goal to beat Siena for the second year in a row and that's what we accomplished,” said Head Coach Colleen Cashman-McSween. “Everyone had a contribution today and it truly was a team effort.” Sophomore Annie Songeun Lee led the Great Danes with a 79, followed by junior Rosy Hearns’ 81. Rounding out UAlbany’s scorers, junior Paige Fujihara and senior Yoorim Kang each shot an 83. “At the beginning of the week, I wasn't even sure we would get this match in with the rain and impending hurricane coming,” said Cashman-McSween. “But we practiced hard in the pouring rain and cold and it turned out to be a great day after all. “I’m proud of how the team stuck together and worked hard all week. Albany Country Club is a difficult place to play on a perfect day. Throw in some very difficult pin placements and very thick rough and I think we did ok,” added Cashman-McSween. For Siena who shot a combined 347, Kristen Bromley led the Saints with an 85. “It is always hard to win on your home turf in front of friends and family and with high expectations,” said Cashman-McSween. “We will take this win today and we will continue to build on it in our final two tournaments of the season.” Up next, UAlbany competes in the Quinnipiac Classic Oct. 12-13 at New Haven Country Club in Hamden, Conn. October 4, 2015 Albany Country Club UALBANY 326 Annie Lee 79 Rosy Hearns 81 Paige Fujihara 83 Yoorim Kang 83 Natalie Yamamoto 89 SIENA 347 Kristen Bromley 85 Divya Manthena 86 Sara Riso 88 Ashley Nguyen 88 Stephanie Sullivan 91

#7 University of Albany Field Hockey Hands No. 8 Maryland Third Straight Loss 2-1 in 2014 NCAA Second Round Rematch

COLLEGE PARK, MD. – Proving last year’s NCAA Second Round win was no fluke, No. 7 University at Albany field hockey (4-0), downed No. 8 Maryland 2-1 in College Park on Friday afternoon. Paula Heuser had one goal and one assist in the victory. Anna Bottino notched one goal for the second-straight contest. Maxi Primus proved the star of the game with 13 saves. “Since our NCAA run last year, everyone is excited for our success which is a great feeling,” said head coach Phil Sykes. It was important to remember today that we’re a new team, and this is a new year. This was an impressive performance for us, because it was a really important defining moment for our team identity this season. I was particularly proud of the way our defense played today.” UAlbany took advantage of a quick Maryland miscue to open the game, as Kelsey Briddell turned in the circle to shoot wide left. The Terrapins countered, maneuvering past Maxi Primus. Freshman defender Annie Klinger slid across to clear the ball away and maintain a 0-0 score. The Terrapins earned their first penalty corner at the 10-minute mark. Maryland found the back of the cage, but the attempt was called off on a dangerous play. Both teams struggled to settle their offense in the early-going. On a restart deep in the UAlbany defensive end, the back line was caught off-guard, but Primus slid in across two Maryland players to cut off any shot on goal. The junior made another big stop on the ensuing penalty corner. The Danes regained possession, but Maryland responded with a three-on-two opportunity downfield. Primus came out of the cage for her fourth save of the game with just 13 minutes past. Behind a number of penalty corners, the Terrapins continued to knock on the door mid-way through the period. UAlbany’s defense held off Maryland, despite six corners. The Purple & Gold had its best look on net with 13 minutes left in the half on its first penalty corner. Fiori Van Rijswijk inserted to Laura Page for the stop. Heuser wound up for the shot, but Maryland recovered. As the game became more physical towards in the end of the first, Heuser garnered a green card. Phil Sykes & co., maintained control, despite being one player down for two minutes. In a bit of confusion through the midfield, Maryland lost track of the ball. Anna Bottino streaked up the left side looking for help. Liza Morgan ran to the circle, but the senior couldn’t turn and fire to end the half. At the break, Maryland held a 14-2 advantage in shots and a 6-1 edge in penalty corners. But the Danes emerged from the locker room ready to take control. Less than three minutes into the second half, Heuser took the ball down the right side to the corner. With Maryland trying to avoid a penalty corner, the defending NFHCA National Player of the Year passed the ball across the circle to Bottino. Bottino spun and flicked a backhanded shot into the lower left corner. The Terrapins, fearing their third-straight loss, tightened up in the midfield. Three shots and one penalty corner came up empty for Maryland. Missy Meharg called timeout to regroup in the 57th minute, but UAlbany charged on. Heuser gathered the ball on the left side, and fired a rocket from the top of the circle into the upper-right corner. The junior made it 2-0 Danes with 10 minutes left to play. Maryland began applying pressure, but UAlbany earned a penalty corner late. Megan Ma inserted, and eventually looked to tap one in on the back side. The freshman fired wide with eight minutes to play. The Terrapins didn’t back down, and eventually put one past the Danes with seven minutes left. Meharg pulled her goalie Sarah Holiday, but the extra player wasn’t enough for the equalizer. UAlbany downed Maryland for the second time in College Park, having upset the then-No. 2 Terrapins in the NCAA Second Round in November last season. Maryland has now lost three straight for the first time since 1998. The Danes are just the second team to ever beat Maryland on its home turf in back-to-back seasons, since the establishment of the Field Hockey & Lacrosse complex on campus in 2003. Phil Sykes & co., will carry their momentum into another top-10 match-up this weekend. UAlbany hosts No. 2 North Carolina (4-0) on Sunday at Alumni Turf. The Danes are set for a 1:00 p.m., start.

University of Albany Women’s Track Wins Seventh Consecutive Outdoor Title

ALBANY, N.Y. – For the seventh time in as many years, and for the 10th time in 11 years, the University at Albany women’s track & field program has won the America East Outdoor Championships. The women scored 227 points to win the team competition. UMBC placed second with 169 points, and New Hampshire placed third with 153.16 points. After the first day of competition, the UAlbany women scored 49 points, ranking second in the team standings. New Hampshire ranked first with 72.16 points, and Binghamton ranked third with 40.33 points. Veleisha Walker who took the title in the javelin on Saturday, was the women’s only champion on day one, and the first Great Dane to win a title for either the women or the men at the meet. Events kicked off at 9:30 a.m. with the continuation of the heptathlon. After the first four events, contested on Saturday, Paige Vadnais ranked third in the standings with 2,892 points, and Mary Adeyeye ranked sixth with 2,729 points. In Sunday’s first event, the long jump, Vadnais placed fifth in 16’-11.25”, and Adeyeye placed 10th in 14’-10”. In the javelin, Adeyeye placed fourth in 93’-2”, and Vadnais placed ninth in 54’-7”. In the seventh and final event of the heptathlon, the 800, Vadnais placed first in 2:24.37, and Adeyeye placed 10th in 2:33.89. In the final rankings, Vadnais placed third overall, scoring 4,487 points. Adeyeye placed fifth with 4,253 points. Both totals are personal bests. Field events began at 10:00 a.m. with the discus and the triple jump. Zoe Doolittle won the discus in 133’-0”, a personal best by nearly 16 feet, leading a one-two-three UAlbany sweep in the event. Walker, coming off her school record victory in the javelin Saturday, placed second in the discus in 132’-2”. Lauren Lopano placed third in 131’-8”. Additionally, Janice Johnson placed eighth in 121’-2”. In the triple jump, Alexx Baum placed second with a wind-legal season-best mark of 40’-11.5”. Track events began at 11:00 a.m. with the 4x100 relay. The team of Kahlia Taylor, Chanel Smith, Taahira Butterfield, and Grace Claxton won in a season best mark and facility record 46.08. Additionally, the mark is a school record, surpassing the previous mark of 46.27 set in 2010 by the team of Allison Rogers, Christen Griffen, Quanté Harris, and Feyisara Adaramola. Schuyler Pruyn placed fourth in the 1,500 in a personal-best 4:32.92. Indoor 400 champion Claxton won the 400 in a collegiate-best mark of 53.35, setting a new championship meet record, outdoor school record, and facility record in the process. The previous championship record was 53.55 set in 2004 by Northeastern’s Ahndraea Allen. The previous outdoor school record was 53.92 set in 2013 by Allison Rogers. Halie Snyder placed third in 55.74, after setting a season-best mark in Saturday’s preliminary round. Kamilah Williams placed fifth in a season-best 56.44. Michelle Anthony won the 100 hurdles in a personal-best 13.85. Dominique Claudio placed second in the 800 in 2:12.06. Smith placed fourth in the 100 in 11.86. Taylor placed sixth in 11.89. Both marks are personal-bests. The final field event to be contested was the shot put. Johnson placed first in 48’-1.25”. The mark is a school record, surpassing the previous record of 46’-7.25” set in 2014 by Samantha Kosa. Doolittle placed sixth in a personal-best 42’-7”, and Chinwe Igwe placed seventh in a personal best 41’-8”. Claxton earned her third overall and second individual title, winning the 400 hurdles in a championship, school, and facility record time of 58.51. The time breaks her own school record by one-hundredth of a second, and surpasses the previous championship mark of 58.71 set in 1993 by New Hampshire’s Alison Poulin. Aderinsola Ajala placed fifth in 1:02.34. Taylor placed fourth in the 200 in 24.74. Smith placed sixth in 24.93. Anthony placed seventh in 25.03. Molly Pezzulo placed third in the 5,000 in 17:23.26. Jessica Donohue placed fifth in 17:30.25. Hannah Smith placed seventh in 17:46.11. All three times were personal bests. The meet concluded with the 4x800 and the 4x400 relays. The 4x800 team of Nira Lovick (2:18.7), Cummings (2:18.7), Claudio (2:13.0), and Pruyn (2:13.8) placed first in 9:04.36. The 4x400 team of Ajala (57.2), Williams (55.5), Snyder (56.4), and Claxton (55.3) placed second in 3:44.46. The women’s team won the Coaching Staff of the Year award following their victory. In total, the women claimed victory in eight events. Women’s competitors across all schools set five new championship records and 11 new facility records. UAlbany women set five new school records, and share in their title with their teammates on the men’s team, who won their 11th consecutive title. With conference championships now over, the Great Danes look ahead to continuing deeper into the championship season. The first step will be to remain home for one more weekend, when UAlbany will host the Purple & Gold Last Chance Meet. Later in May, the team will visit Princeton for the ECAC Championships, and then North Florida for the NCAA East Regional Championships.

University of Albany Men’s Track Wins 11th Consecutive Outdoor Championship

ALBANY, N.Y. - The University at Albany men’s track & field program won its 11th consecutive America East Outdoor Championship meet, and its 12th in the last 13 years. The men scored 192.5 points to win the team competition. UMBC was second, scoring 126 points, and Binghamton placed third, scoring 113.5 points. After the first day of competition, the UAlbany men ranked first in the team standings with 52.5 points. Vermont ranked second with 38.5 points, and New Hampshire and Binghamton found themselves tied for third with 29 points each. Nathan Hiett, who successfully defended his pole vault title on Saturday, was the men’s first champion of the meet. The men’s decathlon began all Sunday events, starting at 9:00 a.m. UAlbany did not field any competitors in the event, so the Great Danes’ first events were the shot put and high jump at 10:00 a.m. In the shot put, Eric Del Vescovo placed fourth in 51’-7”. UAlbany swept the top two places in the high jump. Matthew Campbell placed first, clearing a height of 6’-10.25”, and Kingsley Ogbonna placed second, clearing 6’-8.25”. Track events began at 11:00 a.m. with the 4x100 relay. The team of Mande Semon, Jaymen Teemer, Taariq Jones, and Cherron Royal placed second in 41.56, just two hundredths of a second behind champion UMBC. Chris Buchanan placed fourth in the 1,500 in a personal-best 3:49.81. UAlbany swept the top two places in the 400. Last year’s champion and indoor 400 champion Taariq Jones successfully defended his title, crossing the line first in a facility record 47.35, just three hundredths of a second off his personal best. Jason Tomlinson, who won the 500 at indoor championships, placed second in 47.92. Devon Willis placed fourth in the 110 hurdles in a personal best 15.00. Kervens Dorsainvil placed seventh in 15.44, after setting a personal best in Saturday’s preliminary round. Youness Benzaid placed fifth in the 800 in 1:53.10. The final field events to be contested were the triple jump and the discus. In the triple jump, Willis placed first jumping a season-best 49’-10.5”. Jordan Crump-King placed second, recording a season-best mark of 49’-6.5”. Colonel Fakarode placed fourth, jumping a season-best 46’-8.75”. In the discus, Jonathan Eustache placed second in 155’-11”. Teemer won the 100 in a personal-best 10.72. Royal placed sixth in 11.08. Semon placed seventh in 11.09. Jeremiah Obeng-Agyapong placed third in the 400 hurdles in 53.09, two-hundredths off his season best mark form the preliminary round on Saturday. Teemer earned his second title of the day in the 200, finishing first in 21.46, just one-hundredth of a second behind his personal best. Royal placed third in 21.92. Jones placed seventh in 22.44. The Great Danes did not field a competitor in the 5,000, leaving only the 4x800 and 4x400 relays to close out the meet. The 4x800 team of Harold Lamour (1:55.5), Peter Schweitzer (1:58.6), Benzaid (1:53.2), and Simon Nwana (1:58.3) placed fourth with a time of 7:45.86. In the men’s 4x400, second runner Tomlinson pulled up around the first turn, ending the race for UAlbany. In addition to the team title, the men took home three championship awards, including Coaching Staff of the year for the men’s coaches, Most Outstanding Rookie for Devon Willis, and the Coaches’ Award for the highest point-scorer for Jaymen Teemer, who scored 22 points in three events. The men claimed victory in six events. Competitors across all schools set 10 facility records. The UAlbany men share in their title with their teammates on the women’s team, who won their seventh-consecutive title. With conference championships now over, the Great Danes look ahead to continuing deeper into the championship season. The first step will be to remain home for one more weekend, when UAlbany will host the Purple & Gold Last Chance Meet. Later in May, the team will visit Princeton for the IC4A Championships, and then North Florida for the NCAA East Regional Championships.

University of Albany Track & Field Men First, Women Second After Day One Of Outdoor Championships - UAlbany Sports 2015

ALBANY, N.Y. – For the first time ever, the University at Albany is hosting an America East championship in track & field, with the running of the 2015 Outdoor Championships on the Great Danes’ University Field this Saturday and Sunday. After the conclusion of the first day of events, the UAlbany men lead the team competition with 52.5 points, followed by Vermont in second with 38.5 points and New Hampshire and Binghamton tied for third with 29 points apiece. The women rank second in the team standing with 49 points, behind New Hampshire in first with 72.16 points, and in front of Binghamton in third with 40.33 points. Day One featured 13 scoring events between the men and the women, four track finals and nine field finals. The first finals events were the women’s hammer throw and women’s javelin. Veleisha Walker became the first champion for UAlbany in the meet, winning the women’s javelin with a personal-best mark of 146’-8”, a mark which also breaks Walker’s own school record. In the women’s hammer, Briana Cherry-Bronson placed second with a mark of 178’-7”. Lauren Lopano placed third with a personal best mark of 169’-8”. And Chinwe Igwe placed sixth in 147’-10”. Kaytlin Mack placed fifth in the women’s pole vault, clearing a height of 10’-11.75”. Paige Vadnais, who was also competing in the women’s heptathlon, placed sixth in 10’-6”. In the women’s long jump, Aiyanna James placed fourth in 19’-0.5”. Alexx Baum, who won this event last year while competing for Binghamton, placed fifth in 18’-9.25”. Finally, Solène Bastien placed eighth in 17’-10.75”. The men got in on the action with a few finals events of their own. Jonathan Eustache placed sixth in the men’s hammer in 158’-4”. Phillip Udeogu placed fourth in the men’s javelin in 191’-6”. In the men’s long jump, Mande Semon placed second in 23’-3.25”, and Colonel Fakarode placed fifth in 22’-5.75”. The final two scoring field events of the day were the women’s high jump and the men’s pole vault. The women were shut out in the high jump. Rochelle Reid was the highest Great Dane finisher, placing just outside of a scoring position in ninth place, clearing a height of 5’-3”. Min Pacella, who placed 11th, cleared the same height. Men’s pole vault defending champion Nathan Hiett successfully defended his title, clearing a height of 16’-4.75” to claim first place. Justin Farrenkopf placed fifth and Donald DiBari seventh, both clearing 14’-11”. Two events on the track saw finals on Day One. First was the 3,000 steeplechase. The women did not field a competitor in the event, but on the men’s side, James Sommer placed second in 9:12.16, just off his personal best of 9:12.00. Tyler Ranke placed fifth in 9:25.55. The last final event of the day was also the event that closed the first day of competition. Jessica Donohue placed fourth behind a top-three sweep for New Hampshire worth 24 points in the women’s 10,000. Donohue’s time was 36:18.53. New Hampshire also took sixth place in the event, for a takeaway of 29 points. Kyle Gronostaj took fourth place in the men’s race, beating to the line a collection of Binghamton runners that placed fifth through eighth. Gronostaj finished in 31:45.35. Day One saw the first round of events for the men’s decathlon and the women’s heptathlon. UAlbany did not field an athlete in the decathlon, but fielded two, Vadnais and Mary Adeyeye. The heptathlon, which consisted of a field of 11 competitors, opened with the 100 hurdles, where Vadnais placed third in 14.87 and Adeyeye placed sixth in 15.99. Vadnais won the next event, the high jump, in 5’-3.25”. Adeyeye placed sixth in 4’-11.75”. Adeyeye won the shot put in 39’-7.25”, and Vadnais placed seventh in 28’-9.75”. In the final event of the day, the 200, Vadnais placed second in 25.56 and Adeyeye placed seventh in 27.09. After the first four events, Vadnais is third with 2,892 points, and Adeyeye is sixth with 2,729 points. In first is Binghamton’s Daniella Olusoga with 3,014 points, and in second is Vermont’s Sara Roderick with 2,957 points. The heptathlon will conclude tomorrow with the long jump, the javelin, and the 800. Every other event contested on Day One was a preliminary round for a Sunday final. Schuyler Pruyn qualified in the sixth position in the women’s 1,500 in 4:47.38. Chris Buchanan qualified in the 10th position 3:59.35. Defending champion Michelle Anthony qualified first in the women’s 100 hurdles in 13.99. Devon Willis qualified sixth and Kervens Dorsainvil qualified seventh in 15.18 and 15.31 respectively in the men’s 110 hurdles. Willis was running the event for the first time since the first meet of the outdoor season in March. Grace Claxton qualified in the second position in the women’s 400 in 55.16. Halie Snyder qualified in the third position in 55.08. Kamilah Williams qualified in the fourth position in 56.71. Defending champion Taariq Jones qualified first in the men’s 400 in 47.64. Jason Tomlinson qualified third in 48.57. Dominique Claudio qualified first in the women’s 800 in 2:11.01. Breanna Cummings qualified in the fifth position in 2:14.11. Youness Benzaid qualified in the fourth position in the men’s 800 in 1:54.51. Kahlia Taylor qualified in the fourth position in the women’s 100 in 11.95. Chanel Smith qualified in the eighth position in 12.22, and Taahira Butterfield qualified in the ninth position in 12.29. Jaymen Teemer qualified in the second position in the men’s 100 in 10.81. Cherron Royal qualified in the sixth position in 10.94. Semon qualified in the eighth position in 11.01. Claxton qualified second in the women’s 400 hurdles in 1:01.12. Aderinsola Ajala qualified fifth in 1:01.71. Jeremiah Obeng-Agyapong qualified first in the men’s 400 hurdles in 53.07. UAlbany qualified four into the women’s 200 final. Taylor qualified fourth in 24.57. Smith qualified fifth in 24.70. Anthony qualified seventh in 24.84. Butterfield qualified ninth in 25.05. The men qualified three into their 200 final. Teemer qualified in the second position in 21.66. Royal qualified in the third position in 21.75. And Jones qualified in the sixth position in 21.89. Sunday’s events begin at 9:00 a.m. with the continuation of the men’s decathlon. At 9:30 a.m., the women’s heptathlon continues. Field events start at 10:00 a.m. with the women’s discus, men’s shot put, women’s triple jump, and men’s high jump. Track events begin at 11:00 a.m. with the women’s 4x100 relay.

University of Albany's Parker Signs NFL Free Agent Deal With San Diego Chargers - UAlbany Sports 2015

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Following Saturday’s NFL Draft, University at Albany tight end Brian Parker signed an undrafted free agent deal with the San Diego Chargers. With the signing, Parker became UAlbany’s 12th player to ink an NFL contract. Parker, a native of Henrietta, N.Y., totaled 1,006 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in his career at UAlbany. The 6’4 tight end was named Third-Team All-CAA in his senior season, totaling 500 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 39 receptions. A member of UAlbany’s squad from 2010 to 2014, Parker helped UAlbany win back-to-back Northeast Conference championships (2011-12) and to the program’s first NCAA Division I Playoff in 2011. Parker also played a key role in the Great Danes’ jump to the Colonial Athletic Association in 2013 and to 2014’s seven-win season. UAlbany has now had four players in the last three years sign NFL deals. Most recently, offensive lineman Kadeem Williams signed with the Arizona Cardinals following the 2014 NFL Draft and in 2013, Jon Morgan and Drew Smith signed free agent contracts with the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills, respectively. In 2007, Rashad Barksdale was taken in the sixth round of the National Football League Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. Barksdale, who was the 201st player selected, marked the second UAlbany football player to be chosen in the NFL Draft. He was released by the Eagles and immediately signed by the Kansas City Chiefs off waivers. Barksdale became the first Great Dane to play in an NFL regular-season game on Oct. 7, 2007 against Jacksonville. Barksdale, a defensive back for the Arena Football League’s Kansas City Command in 2011-12 and currently on the Tampa Bay Storm roster, played just one season for the Great Danes as a cornerback. He came to the program as a walk-on prior to the 2006 campaign after earning two varsity letters as an outfielder on the UAlbany baseball squad. Barksdale, who was named to the Football Gazette mid-major All-America team, accounted for 39 tackles and three interceptions. Also in 2007, Andre Coleman and Jacob Hobbs signed as free agents with the San Diego Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles, respectively. Coleman, who spent three seasons on the Chargers’ practice squad and played during the 2009 regular season, was a consensus first-team mid-major All-America defensive end. Previously, offensive tackle Geir Gudmundsen joined the Buffalo Bills as a free agent in 2005. Split end Dan Gmelin (San Diego Chargers) and tight end Seth Thomas (Carolina Panthers) signed as free agents in 1997. Defensive end Matt Caliandro inked a free-agent deal with the Tennessee Titans the following year. Kurt Campbell was the first UAlbany player taken in the NFL Draft. He went in the seventh round to the Green Bay Packers in 2005. Campbell, a former UAlbany captain, also spent time with Oakland and Tennessee and was signed by the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders in May 2009. UALBANY NFL SIGNEES 1997 Dan Gmelin San Diego Free Agent 1997 Seth Thomas Carolina Free Agent 1998 Matt Caliandro Tennessee Free Agent 2005 Kurt Campbell Green Bay Drafted - 7th round 2005 Geir Gudmundsen Buffalo Free Agent 2007 Rashad Barksdale Philadelphia Drafted - 6th round 2007 Andre Coleman San Diego Free Agent 2007 Jacob Hobbs Philadelphia Free Agent 2013 Jon Morgan Detroit Free Agent 2013 Drew Smith Buffalo Free Agent 2014 Kadeem Williams Arizona Free Agent 2015 Brian Parker San Diego Free Agent

University of Albany Men’s Lacrosse Takes Down Stony Brook 22-9 for Third-Straight America East Title - UAlbany Sports 2015

ALBANY, N.Y. – The #7/7 UAlbany men’s lacrosse team secured its second America East Tournament three-peat in dominating fashion on Saturday, crushing rival #17/16 Stony Brook 22-9 in the conference title game at Bob Ford Field. UAlbany (15-2) earns its third-consecutive America East title and seventh overall under coach Scott Marr, all coming in the past 13 years. In addition, the Great Danes have won their last 22 games against America East opponents, including all 16 regular season and six tournament games the past three years. Up 8-5 midway through the second quarter against Stony Brook (13-5), UAlbany went on a 5-0 tear in the next 15 minutes to essentially seal the game. Leading 16-9, the Great Danes put together a 6-0 streak in the final 10 minutes to end the game. "I can't say enough about the preparation this team put in and the hard work they did,” said Marr. “The defense was great today, and we knew we could score a lot of goals, and it was a complete effort today." With the victory, UAlbany earns the automatic qualifier into the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA selection show will air live on ESPNU on Sunday, May 3rd at 9 p.m. UAlbany is in the running for a seed and potential home game in the NCAA First Round. Lyle Thompson was named the Most Outstanding Player of the America East Tournament, scoring five goals today all in the first half. He added an assist for six points on Saturday, totaling 15 points over the two UAlbany games. “It feels real good [to win the America East Tournament], and I feel better about this one, maybe because it is my last year, and Stony Brook is a big rival,” said Thompson. Along with Thompson, Cason Liles, Blaze Riorden and Mike Russell were named to the All-Championship Team from UAlbany. On the offensive end, Connor Fields led UAlbany with eight points, just one away from a career-high, on four goals and four assists. Fields has 77 points this year, the eighth-highest single season points tally in UAlbany history. Seth Oakes tied a career-high seven points on four goals and three assists while John Maloney notched a goal and three assists. With 22 goals on Saturday, outshooting the Seawolves 48-25, it is the eighth time this season UAlbany has netted at least 20 goals. “I went into halftime without a goal,” said Fields. “I took Lyle’s advice, trying to dodge and find the lane. I was just trying to get open.” Riorden, with nine saves in 56:34 of playing time, led a defense that improves to 10-0 when holding UAlbany to under 10 goals. JD Colarusso finished the game with a save and no goals allowed in the final 3:26. “I preached that, we need a stop, we need a stop, and everyone played well on this side,” said Riorden. “We always preach that it is not how you start, but how you finish.” Liles took all faceoffs for UAlbany, winning 20 out of 33 of them. Including Thursday the freshman went 32-48 from the faceoff-X. With today’s win, UAlbany’s Justin Berger has been part of the last four America East Tournament winners, transferring from Stony Brook after the 2012 season to UAlbany and being with the Great Danes the last three years. For Stony Brook, Challen Rogers netted three goals, while Mike Rooney had a goal and three assists. Hayden Johnstone got the loss on Saturday in goal, saving 11 shots and allowing 22 goals. Stony Brook got off to a quick start in the first quarter with the game’s first two goals. Thompson took control of the offense, taking an Oakes pass and scoring while faking out the keeper, adding another with a rocket after stepping in front of his defender and then adding another on a spin move and long range shot. Later, Maloney drew a double team to free up Kyle McClancy for the point blank shot and score. After Ryan Bitzer scored on the catch and shoot, Liles won a faceoff on a violation, leading to Adam Osika going towards the cage, firing while wide open and scoring in the quarter’s closing seconds to make it 5-3 UAlbany. Osika’s goal started a run into the second quarter as Oakes went around a screen set by Thompson for throw and score. Then Thompson added two goals in a span of 33 seconds off a jumping shot and score and another on a shovel shot from around the cage to make it 8-3. Stony Brook scored twice in the span of a minute; Jeff Reh put in a rebound from Rooney and Rogers sprinted from the far side to inside his defender and score close range. After a Riorden save, UAlbany again scored in transition as Tim Cox went around the screen and buried the shot long range with 5:42 left. Neither side the rest of the half as UAlbany led 9-5. Riorden and the defense held strong while down two men as James Burdette caused a turnover on Alex Corpolongo to end the threat. UAlbany got its own 6-on-4 chance minutes later and scored on it, passing around from Oakes to Jake Cullen for the point blank score. UAlbany continued the attack, adding three goals in the next 2:30: Derrick Eccles raced around the cage for a score, a catch and shoot from Thompson to Fields and McClancy with a perfect pass to Fields in front of the goal circle for a goal, completing a 5-0 run. The Seawolves got two back off Rogers hitting a shot in man-up and Jake Sheets adding another on a transition play. UAlbany got the goals back off a transition attack from Fields to a jumping Oakes and Ky Tarbell shaking a defender to open the passing lane to Fields for the goal. Stony Brook added a Rooney goal before the end of the period to make it 15-8 after three. Oakes earned a highlight-reel goal, coming from behind the cage and flinging the ball with one hand over the goalie’s shoulder. Rogers scored 43 seconds later as the score stood at 16-9 with 12:12 left. From there, UAlbany scored the last six goals and never looked back. Cullen scored man-up, Fields used a stutter step and passed to Maloney for the fire and score then scored himself on the one-hand throw inside the post, Oakes on an open space pepper shot, McClancy on the catch and shoot from Maloney and Bennett Drake adding a man-up goal from Eccles. Colarusso got the late save on a Reh shot as UAlbany took the 22-9 victory. UAlbany drew a crowd of 2,146 for the title game at Bob Ford Field. 2015 America East All-Championship Team Lyle Thompson, UAlbany (Most Outstanding Player) Cason Liles, UAlbany Blaze Riorden, UAlbany Mike Russell, UAlbany Dylan Curry, Stony Brook Lucas Rock, Stony Brook Kevin Sanna, Hartford Ryan Vanderford, Hartford Ian MacKay, Vermont Cam Milligan, Vermont

#18 University of Albany Women’s Lacrosse Advances to America East Title Game - UAlbany Sports 2015

STONY BROOK, N.Y. – After going down 5-1 in the early going, University at Albany women’s lacrosse (14-3) outlasted a tough Vermont (11-7) squad 14-13 in OT, earning a spot in the America East final on Sunday at noon. Junior Rachel Bowles notched the game-winner with time winding down in the first overtime period. “This was certainly not our best game,” said head coach John Battaglino. “But it showed a lot about our team and our leaders to come back from an early deficit. We have a lot to work on before Sunday.” The Danes started the game playing from behind, going down 2-0 in the early going off of quick transition goals by the Catamounts. The go-to tandem of Offensive Player of the Year Maureen Keggins and Dakotah Savitcheff put the Danes on the board 2-1 with just over five minutes gone. Despite winning six consecutive draws, the Danes committed four early turnovers to go down 5-1 with 17 minutes left in the first half. Nichole Eamer put UAlbany within striking distance, 5-2 with a shot down the middle that snuck past the goalkeeper. Eamer kicked off a five-goal rally that gave John Battaglino& co., its first lead of the game 6-5. The Purple & Gold fired off five goals in eight minutes. Sarah Martin would tally the next two, with assists credited to Bowles and Eamer. The sophomore All-Conference Second Team pick then forced a crucial turnover off the draw to set up the game-tying goal to Bowles. Bowles scored unassisted for her 50th tally of the season. Keggins connected with Savitcheff for the go-ahead goal at the seven-minute mark of the first half. UAlbany held Vermont scoreless for 11 minutes before the Catamounts tied the game at six. Keggins would dish to Bowles for a 7-6 UAlbany lead at the break. At halftime, UAlbany had a 12-1 advantage on the draw. The second half began with the teams trading goals in rapid succession, but less than 10 minutes in the Catamounts had regained the lead, 10-9. UAlbany responded with two straight goals from Katherine Sweeney and Savitcheff for an 11-10 edge. Vermont called timeout, but Savitcheff made it a two-goal cushion, 12-10 with 13 minutes to play. The Danes aimed to slow the pace after continuing to dominate on the draw, and a wide open goal for Keggins appeared to put the game out of reach for Vermont. Jessica Roach and Vanessa VanderZalm sent the contest to overtime with goals less than 30 seconds apart. With the winning team taking a spot in the America East Final, UAlbany continued to take the draw. Eamer forced a turnover at midfield to set up Keggins and Bowles for shots thwarted by Vermont. Eamer came up big for the Danes after the teams switched sides in overtime. The senior stole the draw again, allowing the Purple & Gold to set up a play for Bowles. The junior swept through the fan to fire on target down the middle with 39.7 seconds on the clock. The 14-13 result would stand, sending UAlbany to meet Stony Brook in a battle for the America East crown. Sarah Martin (7) and Alie Jimerson (5) both recorded a career-high in draw controls. Bowles finished with five points on three goals and two assists. Keggins scored one goal to go with five assists, while Dakotah Savitcheff notched four tallies and Martin had three. UAlbany and Stony Brook will meet in the America East Women’s Lacrosse Championship game for the fourth consecutive season on Sunday at noon. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3.