UALBANY WINS SECOND STRAIGHT AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Orono, Maine -- Casey Halloran scattered six hits in seven strong innings on the mound to lead UAlbany to its second consecutive America East Conference championship with a 5-2 victory over Boston University on Saturday, May 13. The four-team, double-elimination tournament was held at the University of Maine’s Kessock Field.

UAlbany (36-11-1) also earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season with the conference’s automatic berth. The Great Danes, who set a school record for single-season wins, will find out their opponent on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET. The 64-team field will be announced on ESPNews with regional play scheduled for May 19-21.

Boston U. (29-29) set up the championship game by winning two games in the loser’s bracket earlier in the day. The Terriers, who were attempting to become the first No. 4 seed to win the conference title, eliminated UMBC, 2-1, as Christy Leath delivered a bases-loaded single in the seventh inning. In a 3-1 win over UAlbany, Leath had a two-run double in the third, while teammate Liz Alley smacked her 10th home run of the season.

In the championship, the second-seeded Great Danes broke up a 1-1 deadlock with a three-run fourth. Freshman Meagan Butsch put her team ahead with a sacrifice fly, but then a throwing error by the center fielder scored another run. Julie Gannon then belted her second homer of the spring, a solo shot, for a 4-1 lead.

Shortstop Maegan Larsen led off the fifth inning by drilling a 1-1 pitch over the left-field fence, her team-leading 10th home run. Larsen, who chased starting pitcher Cassidi Hardy with that blast, and second baseman Katrina Dunning both had two hits in the contest.

Meanwhile, Halloran cruised along with a seven-strikeout, no-walk performance to improve to 27-8 on the season. She was named the championship’s most outstanding player by posting a 3-1 record with 31 strikeouts in tournament play. UAlbany’s Ali Meacham, Amber Maisonet and Larsen joined her on the all-tournament squad.

“I thought going in that it would go two (games) today,” said UAlbany coach Chris Cannata, whose team faced Boston U. in the championship game for the third time in the last four years. “I was hoping that Casey (Halloran) would be fresh. You really have to ride your ace at the end and she certainly wants the ball every day.”

Leath, a freshman catcher, accounted for both of Boston University’s runs, as she went 3-for-3 at the plate in the final. She hit her fourth home run of the year in the first inning and added a RBI double in the sixth.

“We were nervous after the first game today,” offered Halloran, who became the school’s all-time strikeouts leader with 408 to break the previous mark established by Kelly Poynton from 1997-99. “But we realized it (the championship) was ours to win. It’s not like I threw a no-hitter out there. I gave up a bunch of hits and my team just made plays behind me.”

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America East Conference Tournament - Championship

UAlbany (36-11-1) 100 310 0 - 5 8 0

Boston U. (29-29) 100 001 0 - 2 6 1

Casey Halloran and Ali Meacham.

Cassidi Hardy, Brittany Detweiler (5) and Christy Leath.

America East Conference Tournament - Third Round

Boston U. (29-28) 002 100 0 - 3 6 0

UAlbany (35-11-1) 000 100 0 - 1 3 0

Cassidi Hardy and Christy Leath.

Casey Halloran and Ali Meacham.



America East Conference Softball Championship Bracket
Thursday, May 11
Game 1: #2 Albany 8, #3 UMBC 0
Game 2: #4 Boston University 11, #1 Maine 1
Friday, May 12
Game 3: Albany 2, Boston U. 1
Game 4: UMBC 5, Maine 1 (Maine eliminated)
Game 5: Boston U. 2, UMBC 1 (UMBC eliminated)
Saturday, May 13
Game 6: Boston U. 3, Albany 1
Game 7: Albany 5, Boston U. 2 (Boston U. eliminated)

UALBANY MEN AND WOMEN ARE AMERICA EAST TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONS

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information
Release: 05/07/2006

Durham, N.H. - Joe Greene won two individual titles and was named the Most Outstanding Track Performer and Rookie of the Year as the UAlbany men were named the America East Conference champions on Sunday, May 7 at New Hampshire's Reggie F. Atkins Track Facility. The Great Danes earned their second consecutive title and third in the last four years with 199.5 points. The UAlbany women were also crowned champions as they took home their first-ever America East team title, finishing with a best-ever 180 points.

Greene became the first male to post winning performances in both the 400-meter dash and 400-meter hurdles at an America East championship. He is also the first Great Dane to win multiple individual titles at an outdoor championship since Teresa Covert took the 100m dash and hurdles in 2004. Greene was clocked in 47.53 seconds in the 400m dash, while covering the hurdles in 51.59 seconds, only nine-hundredths of a second off the school record.

Junior Burnett won the 200m dash and turned in a second-place showing in the 100m dash, setting UAlbany standards in both events. He captured the 200m title in 21.24 seconds and was followed by freshman Pat Weider, who crossed the line in 21.37. Burnett shaved 46-hundredths of a second off the previous school record in the event. He also covered the 100m dash in 10.64 seconds, with Weider following in third and clocking in at 10.81.

Greene and Burnett also teamed up to lead the men's 4x400m relay to a win in 3:10.86. Greene ran a 46.1 anchor split, while Burnett had a 46.6 split in the second slot. Jerry Wilson and Stephen Evans also contributed to the relay win.

Ray Gilman rounded out UAlbany individual men's winners with a first-place triple jump of 48-feet, 7.25-inches. That leap, which was more than one foot better than his nearest competitor, was Gilman's best of the year.

Freddie Wills was named the Field Performer of the Year, posting top-three finishes in three jumping events. Wills followed up his win in the long jump and third-place finish in the high jump on Saturday with a second-place showing in the triple jump in the meet's final day. Wills, who leaped 47-1.75 in that event, also took home the Coaches Award, given to the athlete who scores the most points for his team.

The Great Danes edged New Hampshire, which followed closely behind with 195.33 points in the two-day competition. Binghamton (129.5), UMBC (101.33) and Boston U. (95) rounded out the top five.

The UAlbany women were led by Jessica Ortman, who won the 1500-meter run in 4:36.78. Her twin sister Jenna finished second in the event, crossing the line in 4:38.80. Jessica and Jenna also posted third- and fourth-place finishes, respectively, in the 800m run.

Jessica Ortman, who set a school record in the 3,000m steeplechase on Saturday, also ran a 2:13.1 anchor split to lead the women's 4x800m relay to a victory. Danielle Trimpop and Adanna Andrews ran the first two legs, while Jenna Ortman was third with a 2:14.6 split.

Freshmen Kamilah McShine and Ritshell Verdier also turned in top performances for the Great Danes. McShine captured the 100m hurdles in 14.13 seconds, plus finished third in the heptathlon with 4,128 points. Verdier shattered the school record in winning the discus with a throw of 157-8. She posted a win margin of better than 30 feet and eclipsed her own UAlbany standard by nearly 19 feet.

The women, who finished fifth last year and were in third place after the first day of competition, finished 13.5 points ahead of Boston U. New Hampshire (121.5), UMBC (106) and Binghamton (95) followed to complete the top five.

"It was an exciting and tremendous meet," said UAlbany head coach Roberto Vives, whose staff received the women's coaching staff of the year award. "To win three championships in one year is unbelievable. I'm proud of these athletes. Everyone stepped up, and it was a total team effort."

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2006 America East Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championship
(The Reggie F. Atkins Track Facility, Durham, N.H.)
Final Results -- TEAM

MEN
1. UAlbany 199.50, 2. New Hampshire 195.33, 3. Binghamton 129.50, 4. UMBC 101.33, 5. Boston U. 95, 6. Maine 66.33, 7. Vermont 35, 8. Stony Brook 18, 9. Hartford 13.
WOMEN
1. UAlbany 180, 2. Boston U. 166.50, 3. New Hampshire 121.50, 4. UMBC 106, 5. Binghamton 95, 6. Vermont 88, 7. Maine 78.50, 8. Stony Brook 17, 9. Hartford 5.50

UAlbany Men's Indoor Track Capture 2006 AE Championship

The Albany men finished the meet with 193 points, while UMBC (148) and the University of New Hampshire (127.50) finished at second and third, respectively. In fourth place was Boston University with 100 points, followed by Binghamton University (86.50)and University of Maine (50). Stony Brook University (30), University of Vermont (22) and University of Hartford(20)rounded out the nine-team field.

On the women's side, Boston University (195) took the meet over second-place Albany (165.50) by 30.5 points. Maine (91) and New Hampshire (84.50) finished third and fourth, respectively. They were followed by UMBC(84), Binghamton (71), Vermont (53), Stony Brook (33) and Hartford (3).

Boston U.’s Robyn Jonhnson was named coach of the year for the women, while UMBC’s David Bobb won the award for the men.

Albany's Andrew Allstadt captured the 3,000-meter run title with a time of 8:25.28. Allstadt went on to win the 5,000-meter crown with an ECAC qualifying time of 14:26.99. Allstadt's efforts were rewarded by being named the 2006 America East Track Performer of the Year and the winner of the Coaches Award, given to the athlete who scores the most points for his team.

Other champions for Albany were Pat Weider in the 200-meter (21.77), Gered Burns in the 800 (1:52.22), the 4x800 relay made up by Jared Jupin, Ricardo Estremera, Joseph Belokopitsky and Burns. For field events, Kamar Elliot took the titled in the triple jump with a leap of 48-10.75.

The Boston U. women started out with a first in the mile with Abby Sadowski breaking an America East record from 1995 with a time of 4:51.97. The previous record was held by Boston U.'s Christine Stief (4:44.98). Sadowski went on to capture the 1,000-meter crown with a time of 2:51.10. Sadowski finished the meet by anchoring the winning distance medley relay (11:42.16), that broke the previous America East standard from 2003. Sadowski was named the America East Track Performer of the Year for her efforts. Teammates Marisa Ryan, Erin Cadden and Claire Robson ran the other three legs of the 4x800 relay.

Boston U.'s Ryan also took first in the 3,000-meter with a record breaking time of 9:40.21. Fellow Terrier Andrea Walkonen contributed to the record breaking by taking the 5,000-meter race with a time of 16:13.80, over 14 seconds faster than the previous America East standard. High jumper Nikki Hill won the event for the Terriers with a jump of 5'05.75", while Tahari James won the long jump with a 19" leap. James would go on to win the triple jump crown by jumping 40"04.25. James was named the Field Performer of the Year and also won the coaches award for gathering the most points.

Albany’s Joe Greene placed second in the 400-meter (48.50) and was on the second place 4x400 relay to help him earn the Rookie of the Year award. Vermont’s Jan Carlson took the 55-meter dash title with a time of 7.283, fifth in the 200-meter (25.28) and was named Rookie of the Year on the women’s side. Binghamton’s Hasani Hampden won the heptathlon with 4,910 points and placed second in the 55-hurdles (7.72). and was named Field Performer of the Year.

UALBANY SOFTBALL CAPTURES AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP

Great Danes Down Stony Brook, 4-0, to Earn Automatic Berth in NCAA Tournament

Stony Brook, N.Y. – Junior right-hander Amanda Morin fired a one-hit shutout to lead top-seeded UAlbany to a 4-0 victory over fourth-seeded Stony Brook in the America East Conference Softball Championship at Stony Brook’s University Field on Saturday, May 14.

UAlbany (35-12) earns the conference’s automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. The softball team is the second UAlbany women’s program to earn a Division I NCAA Tournament bid. The field of 64 will be announced Sunday at 7:30 p.m. on ESPNews. The top 16 teams will host four-team regionals on May 20-22.

Morin, who was named the tournament’s most outstanding player, hurled her seventh one-hitter and eighth shutout of the season. The Gansevoort, N.Y. native walked one and struck out seven to improve to 16-2 overall.

"It was nice for the team to come out strong and score some runs," said Morin, whose team had won its second straight America East regular-season title. "It made it easier to pitch with a cushion. We deserve to be in the NCAA Tournament because the whole team played all out all season long."

The Great Danes, who set a program record with 35 wins at the Division I level, gave Morin all the run support she needed with four runs in the first. Amber Maisonet and Kelly Ogden delivered consecutive singles. Maisonet later scored on a throwing error before Ashley Rios smacked a single to plate Ogden. Erika Enocksen added a RBI double to right field and scored on the Seawolves’ second error of the inning.

"This is the next step we have been looking to take for the last couple of years," said UAlbany coach Chris Cannata, whose team made its second appearance in three years in the title game. "The NCAA Tournament is going to be a great experience for the players. They have worked hard all year. We have been focusing on Selection Sunday since day one."

Maisonet, Ogden, Rios and Casey Halloran joined Morin on the all-tournament team.

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#4 Stony Brook (22-36) 000 000 0 - 0 1 4

#1 UAlbany (35-12) 400 000 x - 4 8 1

Stony Brook – Angela Andrews and Rachael Vogl.

UAlbany –Amanda Morin and Ali Meacham.

UALBANY CAPTURES THIRD STRAIGHT AMERICA EAST LACROSSE TITLE WITH 16-7 VICTORY

Albany, N.Y. – Chris Martocchia scored a career-high six goals and Merrick Thomson added five goals and one assist in leading UAlbany to its third consecutive America East Conference men’s lacrosse championship with a 16-7 victory over Stony Brook on Saturday, May 7 at University Field. The Great Danes earned their third straight NCAA berth as the conference’s tournament champion.

UAlbany (10-5) opened the contest with four unanswered goals. Thomson cut to the top of the crease and deposited Luke Daquino’s pass from behind the cage with just one minute and 42 seconds elapsed. Brendan Russell, who had three goals, then scored back-to-back on a pair of bounce shots. His 15-yard blast following an intercepted clearing attempt gave his team a 3-0 lead. Meanwhile, the championship’s most outstanding player Kevin Rae, a senior goalkeeper, made eight of his 14 saves in the first quarter to ensure that UAlbany got off to that good start.

Stony Brook (10-6), who upset top-seed UMBC in the semifinal round, was still within striking distance midway through the second period, when Adam Marksberry tallied an extra-man goal to close the gap to 6-3. But the Great Danes reeled off three consecutive goals and were never in trouble after that point. Freshman Jordan Levine hit the top left corner while running free in the middle of the field after a failed clear. Martocchia scored twice in a 40-second span, the second goal on a shot from the left side in a man-advantage situation.

The Great Danes, who led by six at halftime, would use another three-goal run in the final seven minutes of the third quarter to seal the verdict. Daquino, who had one goal and four assists, finished off Frank Resetarits' crossing pass, before Martocchia and Thomson added goals for a commanding 13-5 margin.

"Our attitude and approach to this game was excellent," said UAlbany coach Scott Marr, whose team reached the 10-win mark, a school record, for the third consecutive season. "This group has learned how to win. They played together and our defense was awesome."

Bo Tripoldi and Rhys Duchs each had two goals for the Seawolves, who had won five of their last seven games entering the championship final. Jason Cappadoro added three assists. UAlbany’s Resetarits handed out a career-best six assists for an attack that scored 10-plus goals for the tenth time this season.

"We didn’t settle for anything but a championship," said Russell, who joined Rae, Daquino, Thomson and defenseman Patrick McSweeney on the all-tournament team. "Our seniors represent Coach Marr’s first recruiting class, so we were on a mission this week. I tried to be more assertive, and it always helps when you make that first shot of the game."

The Great Danes, who played Princeton and last year’s national champion Syracuse in their previous two NCAA appearances, will find out their opponent on Sunday evening when the tournament field in unveiled.

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America East Conference Men’s Lacrosse Championship

UAlbany 16, Stony Brook 7

Stony Brook – Scoring: Bo Tripoldi 2-0, Rhys Duchs 2-0, Adam Marksberry 1-1, Chris Tracey 1-0, Michael Trojanowski 1-0, Jason Cappadoro 0-3, Gregory Karanzalis 0-1, Sean Chamberlain 0-1, Goalkeeper(s): Matt Ural (30:00, 3 saves, 10 GA), Brendan Callahan (27:51, 4 saves, 6 GA), Errol Wilson (2:09, 0 saves, 0 GA).

UAlbany – Scoring: Chris Martocchia 6-0, Merrick Thomson 5-1, Brendan Russell 3-0, Luke Daquino 1-4, Jordan Levine 1-0, Frank Resetarits 0-6, Craig McDonald 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Kevin Rae (60:00, 14 saves, 7 GA).

UAlbany Men’s Outdoor Track Claims Its 2nd America East Championship In Three Years

Vestal, N.Y. – Gered Burns and Kamar Elliott finished first in their respective events to lead the University at Albany men’s track and field team to the 2005 America East Conference Championship at Binghamton University’s Track Stadium. Burns won the 1,500-meter run with a time of 3:53.63 to set a facility record, while Elliott posted a distance of 47-feet, 5.75-inches to take first place in the triple jump.

The Great Danes, who finished the competition with 192.83 points, had six individual champions. Jonathan Jones, Marc Pallozzi, Eric Opuana and Andy Allstadt all finished first in their respective events on the first day of competition to help UAlbany to the team championship. Elliott also placed second in the long jump on Saturday.

Allstadt, who won the 10,000-meter run, also placed third in the 5,000-meter run on the second day with a time of 15:07.12. Michael Lynch placed second in the shot put with a distance of 48-feet, 4.75-inches. Sheldon Gomes also posted a second-place finish in the triple jump with a leap of 47-feet, 3-inches.

"This was really gratifying because it was a total team effort," said UAlbany coach Roberto Vives, whose squad was edged out for the title at last year's outdoor championship by one-half point after winning the 2003 crown. "We learned how to close out in a meet that was competitive right to the end. We had several people step up their performances, including Sheldon Gomes coming back from hernia surgery to take second in the triple jump. That kind of effort helped our team score."

The UAlbany women finished fifth in the team standings by scoring 83 points. Alyssa Lotmore paced the Great Danes, placing second in the 5,000-meter run with an ECAC-qualifying time of 17:17.53. Lotmore also finished fourth in the 1,500-meter run in 4:37.94.

Joy Williams led the team in the field events, finishing second with a 42-foot, 5.25-inch performance in the shot put.

Northeastern, with 192 team points, won the women’s championship, followed by Boston U. , New Hampshire and Binghamton .

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MEN

1. UAlbany 192.83, 2. New Hampshire 177, 3. UMBC 110, 4. Binghamton 98.5, 5. Maine 86, 6. Northeastern 76.67, 7. Boston U. 58, 8. Stony Brook 23, 9. Vermont 21, 10. Hartford 6.

WOMEN

1. Northeastern 192, 2. Boston U. 124.5, 3. New Hampshire 113, 4. Binghamton 95.5, 5. UAlbany 83, 6. Maine 76, 7. UMBC 72, 8. Vermont 60, 9. Stony Brook 25, 10. Hartford 12.

UALBANY CAPTURES AMERICA EAST VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP IN FIVE-GAME THRILLER

Albany, N.Y. – Ashley Hunter had a tournament-record 28 kills and Shelby Goldman added 25, as UAlbany rallied past Maine, 3-2, to win its first-ever America East Conference Volleyball Championship on Saturday, Nov. 20 at University Gymnasium. The Great Danes, who won by scores of 30-20, 28-30, 22-30, 30-20 and 15-13, became the first women’s program in school history to earn an NCAA Division I Tournament berth.

UAlbany (27-6) had to come from behind for the first time this season, trailing 2-1 after three games. Hunter, the championship’s most outstanding player, helped draw her team even with nine kills in the fourth. She nailed a pair of winners in a four-point run that snapped a 9-9 tie. Goldman, who was also on the all-tournament team, nailed four kills in sending the final to a fifth and deciding game.

Maine (17-11) took a 13-12 lead in the fifth, when Carmen Morgan, who recorded a double-double with 18 kills and 15 digs, blasted a shot off a blocker. The Great Danes responded with three consecutive points to win the title. Ashley Green spun a service ace to the right sideline to give her team the lead. Goldman then delivered the game-winning point, when she sent back Morgan’s dig that just cleared the net.

"This is just amazing for our seniors to get a conference championship," said UAlbany coach Kelly Sheffield, whose team won just four of 24 matches in 2001. "We kept our composure and stayed positive. Our ball control got better after the third game, and Hunter just got on a roll."

Maine’s Brittany Howe, a 6-foot senior, had six of her 16 kills in the third game, when her team seemed to take control of the match. All-Conference outside hitter Kaili Jordan totaled 13 kills and 10 digs for the Black Bears, who handed UAlbany its lone conference regular-season loss eight days ago.

"I really can’t explains how this feels," said America East Player of the Year Blair Buchanan, who had 62 assists and 13 digs from her UAlbany setter position. "This was our goal all year. I never thought we would lose. Hopefully, this will be a stepping stone for what we can accomplish in the future."

UAlbany’s Ashlee Reed added her sixth double-double of the season with 10 kills and 13 digs. The Great Danes, who have won 21 of their last 22 matches, will await the NCAA pairings to be announced on Nov. 28.

WOMEN’S GOLF CAPTURES FIRST-EVER AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP

Hebron, Conn. - Diane Onofry fired an 88, the best round of the day, in leading UAlbany to the America East Conference Women’s Golf Championships on Tuesday, May 4 at the Anderson’s Glen Course of the Blackledge Country Club. The Great Danes finished with a 36-hole score of 723, and won by 20 strokes over second-place Boston University.

Onofry, a junior who won medalist honors, carded an 84 to take the first-day lead, and finished with a two-round score of 172 on the par-72, 5,458-yard course. UAlbany's Jill Friedman finished four strokes behind Onofry in second place with a total of 176 (86-90). Albany head coach Richard "Doc" Sauers had three golfers among the top-five finishers, as Anne Lyons was fifth with rounds of 88 and 96.

Haley Goucher was Boston U's top golfer by shooting a pair of 91s. She was one stroke better than teammate Leah Johnson, who turned in a championship score of 183 (94-89).

Lauren Bruce placed 11th with a total of 193 (91-102) and senior Diane Wasileski carded a 196 (96-100) for the Great Danes, who grabbed a 21-shot lead after the opening round. The America East Championship, the first for the women in league history, was conducted as a stroke play event with the top four of team's five golfers counting toward the team score in each round.

******

2004 America East Women’s Golf Championships

(Anderson’s Glen Course of the Blackledge Country Club - Hebron, Conn.)
Team: 1. UAlbany 349-374--723, 2. Boston U. 370-373--743, 3. Hartford 401-392--793
Individual: 1. Diane Onofry, UAlbany, 84-88-172, 2. Jill Friedman, UAlbany, 86-90-176, 3. Haley Goucher, Boston U., 91-91-182, 4. Leah Johnson, Boston U., 94-89-183, 5. Anne Lyons, UAlbany, 88-96-184, 6. Nicole Saad, Hartford, 92-95-187, T7. JoAnna Krupa, Hartford, 98-91-189, T7. Kara Vaneck, Boston U., 93-96-189, 9. Brenna Gibson, Boston U., 92-98-190, 10. Kerry Hassell, Hartford, 99-93-192, 11. Lauren Bruce, UAlbany, 91-102-193, 12. Nicole Schiffer, Boston U., 97-97-194, 13. Diane Wasileski, UAlbany, 96-100-196, 14. Julie Handler, Hartford, 112-113-225.

UALBANY DEFEATS BINGHAMTON, 10-4, TO WIN SECOND CONSECUTIVE AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP

Vestal, N.Y. -- Michael Solazzo and Merrick Thomson each scored three goals and goalkeeper Kevin Rae made 12 saves to lead UAlbany to its second consecutive America East Conference men's lacrosse championship with a 10-4 victory over top-seeded Binghamton on Saturday afternoon at East Gym Complex. The Great Danes earned the league's automatic NCAA tournament berth.

Albany (10-5), the tournament's No. 3 seed, jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the opening quarter. Brendan Russell converted a crossing pass from Chris Martocchia with one minute and 15 seconds elapsed in the contest, before Frank Resetarits connected on a bounce shot. Luke Daquino netted the first of his two goals on an underhanded low shot from the left side with 56 seconds left in the period.

Binghamton (10-6), who won the conference's regular-season crown with an undefeated league record, scored back-to-back 20 seconds apart midway through the second quarter to cut the deficit to 3-2. Rob Williams netted a man-advantage goal, before Matt DeCirce fired in a shot after teammate Chris Bernard took control of a failed clearing attempt.

The Great Danes, who dropped a 9-8 decision on their home field to Binghamton in the regular-season finale one week ago, quieted that comeback nearly one minute later. Solazzo rifled a left-handed shot into the cage on an extra-man opportunity. Daquino gave his team a 5-2 halftime advantage when he sent a high shot inside the far post following a restart with 2:35 left.

Albany's defense took charge in the second and third periods, as the Bearcats were held scoreless for more than 33 minutes. Rae, the championship MVP for the second straight year, made three key stops en route to recording double-figure saves for the 11th time this season. His team's man-down unit wiped out 5-of-6 extra-man chances.

The Great Danes would eventually push out to an 8-2 lead with 8:34 remaining in the fourth quarter. Thomson, a freshman attackman, tallied his second goal of the afternoon after faking the goalkeeper from right of the crease. Solazzo, who also had two assists, then ripped a shot from the middle of the field inside the right post. The UAlbany senior midfielder added his 24th goal of the season with 3:29 to play, as he came around from behind the cage for a 10-3 advantage.

"Defense is what wins championships, and our man-down unit did a great job today," said Albany coach Scott Marr, whose team had to win on the road for the second straight year in making the NCAA Tournament field. "It's a credit to our kids that they stayed together and were positive. We had to come from two goals down in the fourth quarter in the semifinals and then to win here in the final makes it a well-deserved championship."

Resetarits finished with one goal and two assists and Martocchia had two assists for the Great Danes, who reached the final with a 9-8 overtime win against UMBC in the semifinals last Wednesday. Binghamton's Matt McNamara scored once and assisted on another, while goalkeeper Matt McKeown, the America East player of the year, had nine saves.

"I felt like this was my last opportunity; it might be the last game I may ever play," said Solazzo, who joined Rae, Daquino and defenseman Patrick McSweeney on the America East all-tournament team. "We are not like any other team. We rely on each other and we were definitely on the same page today. Our defense was excellent and Kevin (Rae) made some big saves, so we didn't feel like we had to make plays or rush on offense."
-------------------------------------
America East Conference Men's Lacrosse Championship

#3 Albany (10-5) 3 2 1 4 - 10
#1 Binghamton (10-6) 0 2 0 2 - 4

Albany -- Scoring: Michael Solazzo 3-2, Merrick Thomson 3-0, Luke Daquino 2-0, Frank Resetarits 1-2, Brendan Russell 1-1, Chris Martocchia 0-2, Eric Wolf 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Kevin Rae (58:56, 12 saves, 3 GA), Chris Gill (1:04, 0 saves, 1 GA).

Binghamton -- Scoring: Matt McNamara 1-1, David Burpoe 1-1, Matt DeCirce 1-0, Rob Williams 1-0, Chris Bernard 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Kevin McKeown (60:00, 9 saves, 10 GA).

University of Albany Football Clinches Share Of NEC Championship

Albany, N.Y. – Senior tailback Gary Jones rushed for 195 yards and three touchdowns, as Albany clinched a share of the Northeast Conference championship with a 27-7 victory over Robert Morris on Saturday, Nov. 8 at University Field.

Following a scoreless first quarter, Albany (7-3, NEC 6-1) struck first by taking advantage of a short punt. Jones rumbled for 12 yards on two consecutive carries to the Robert Morris 2, before he powered over right guard to give his team the lead with 8:07 left in the period.

The Great Danes, who have won six of their last seven games, grabbed a 13-0 lead on their next possession. Mike Schlaepfer’s punt went just 24 yards into a 20-mile-per-hour northwest wind. Reserve tailback Rohann Vidal then darted over the left side and broke out to the sideline, as he raced 40 yards for a touchdown.

Albany posted a commanding 20-0 margin with 10:02 left in the third quarter. Robert Morris (6-3, NEC 4-3), bottled up most of the day by the Great Dane defense, was forced to punt from its 10-yard line, but again Schlaepfer’s kick was knocked down by the wind. The Great Danes followed by using Jones to go 31 yards in three plays. Jones, who had run for 200 or more yards in his last two starts, sprinted 22 yards to end zone on counter play over left guard.

The Colonials, who had won five of their last six entering the contest, got on the scoreboard late in third stanza, when Sam Dorsett scored on a fourth-and-goal run from one yard out with 2:07 remaining. Backup quarterback Shaun Abkarian keyed the sequence that enabled his team to close within 20-7 with a 34-yard pass to Ricky Daldo.

After the ensuing kickoff was misplayed, Robert Morris found new life when the Great Danes had to punt from their three-yard line. But Albany punter Stan Zylinski, who had planned to take a safety, saw a wide-open sideline from his end zone, and ran around right end 13 yards for a first down. The special teams play ignited a 16-play, 99-yard drive that took more than seven minutes off the clock. Jones, who had 47 yards on six attempts in the series, capped it off with a one-yard touchdown run over left tackle.

"It’s tough to win on any level, so sharing the title is pretty satisfying," said Albany coach Bob Ford, whose team most hope for Monmouth to lose its final conference game next weekend in order to win the championship outright and earn an ECAC Classic berth. "It’s hard to win when you’ve been picked unanimously to defend the title. You have to be motivated, focused and not beat yourself."

Albany’s defense held Robert Morris to 94 total yards, including 39 net rushing yards, plus came up with two turnovers and four sacks. Dorsett, a senior halfback, finished with 51 yards on 17 carries. The Great Danes, who have the fourth-leading rushing attack in Division I-AA, toppled the 300-yard mark for the seventh time this season by accounting for 345 on the ground. Fullback Jon George and Vidal added 57 and 47 rushing yards, respectively.

"Any time a senior leaves the field with a championship, that’s a great feeling," commented Jones, who has rushed for 1,384 yards and 17 touchdowns this season. "It’s a pleasure to play with this team. The offensive line was just dominant, and we knew from the first play we could control the game."

"We're at least sharing the title and that means the world to me," said senior linebacker Victor Camacho, who had 11 tackles and added an interception as his defense limited Robert Morris to 1-of-13 on third-down conversions. "We are greedy and selfish because we want the championship to ourselves, but we can't control what happens right now."

UALBANY WINS FIRST-EVER AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE MEN’S TRACK & FIELD TITLE

Orono, Maine – Jesse Bennett won the 100-meter dash and was a member of the winning 4x100 relay in leading Albany to its first-ever America East Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championship on Sunday, May 4 at Clarence Beckett Family Track and Field Complex. The Great Danes, who won the conference’s indoor title in February, scored a league-record 230 points.

Bennett, the championship’s Most Outstanding Track Performer, was clocked in 10.97 seconds to win the 100-dash, and was third in the 200-dash in 22.15. Bennett also teamed with Shamere Boland, Rickardo Smith and Alix Rodriques to post a winning time of 41.70 in the 4x100 relay.

Kristof Molnar repeated as the America East 800-meter champion, and reached the finish line in 1:51.28. Paul Roche and Joel Vazquez were winners in the 110-hurdles and 400-hurdles, respectively. Roche, who was second in the long jump on the first day of competition, took the hurdles final in 14.61. Vazquez sprinted 53.35 seconds to beat Maine’s Joel Evans.

Albany’s Aggrey Morris won his team’s sixth individual title of meet by running 47.82 in the 400-meter dash. Kamar Elliott and Fred Frese, a pair of cornerbacks on the school’s football team, recorded second-place finishes in the triple jump and decathlon, respectively.

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America East Conference Men's Track & Field Championships

Team Standings: 1. Albany 230, 2. Northeastern 158, 3. Maine 106, 4. New Hampshire 105, 5. Boston U. 102, 6. Binghamton 87, 7. Stony Brook 42, 8. Hartford 8.

Albany defeated top-seed Hartford, 7-5, To Take AE Championship

Albany defeated top-seed Hartford, 7-5, in last Saturday's America East Conference tournament championship. The Great Danes, who are riding a six-game winning streak, tied the school's single-season record for victories with a 10-5 record. Head coach Scott Marr, a former Maryland assistant and player at Johns Hopkins, is in his third season.

"I know Princeton will be a heavy favorite and we will be a decided underdog," said Marr, who is taking the program to the school's first-ever Division I NCAA tournament appearance in any sport. "We've played Johns Hopkins and Massachusetts and good competition like that has got to help us. Our attitude has been a big reason for our program getting better; it's come full circle since I arrived here."

The Albany-Princeton winner will meet the Syracuse-Dartmouth in the NCAA quarterfinal round on May 17-18. Along with Princeton, the NCAA championship's top seeds are Johns Hopkins (#1), Virginia (#2) and Maryland (#3).

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2003 NCAA Division Men's Lacrosse Championship Bracket

FIRST ROUND (times will be determined Monday afternoon):
Saturday, May 10
Army (8-7) at #1 Johns Hopkins (11-1)
Penn State (7-6) at Towson (8-5)
Albany (10-5) at #4 Princeton (10-3)
Mount St. Mary's (10-7) at #2 Virginia (11-2)
Sunday, May 11
Georgetown (10-3) at Rutgers (10-4)
Ohio State (9-4) at #3 Maryland (10-3)
Dartmouth (11-2) at Syracuse (8-5)
Hofstra (11-5) at Massachusetts (12-2)

QUARTERFINALS:
Saturday, May 17, at Syracuse
Syracuse/Dartmouth winner vs. Albany/Princeton winner
Maryland/Ohio State winner vs. Massachusetts/Hofstra winner
Sunday, May 18, at Towson
Johns Hopkins/Army winner vs. Towson/Penn State winner
Rutgers/Georgetown winner vs. Mount St. Mary's/Virginia winner

SEMIFINALS:
Saturday, May 24, at Ravens Stadium (Baltimore)
11:30 a.m.: First game; second game: 45 minutes after conclusion of first

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:
Monday, May 26, at Ravens Stadium (Baltimore), 11 a.m.

UAlbany Men Capture America East Conference Indoor Track Championship

BOSTON, MA (February 22, 2003) -- University at Albany’s Paul Roche won the 55-meter high hurdles, his third individual event of the meet, to lead his team to the men’s championship at the 15th annual America East Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday, Feb. 22 at Boston University Track and Tennis Center.

The Great Danes, who won their first-ever America East title in a team sport since joining the conference in September 2001, scored 148.25 points, and were well ahead of Boston U. (124) and three-time defending champion Northeastern (119.50).



Roche, a senior captain, sprinted a personal-best 7.60 seconds to win the 55-hurdles and tied for fourth in the high jump (6-4). Roche, who won the pentathlon and long jump on Friday, was named the Most Outstanding Male Field Performer.



Kristof Molnar was a winner in the 1,000-meter run, as he posted an IC4A-qualifying time of 2:29.11. Molnar also anchored the 4x800 relay to a second-place finish in a school-record 7:44.53. Naron Stewart repeated as the America East indoor high jump champion, as he cleared the bar at 6-feet, 10.25 inches.



Freshman Ed Hilts surprised the field by winning the 55-meter dash, as he out-leaned New Hampshire’s Ronald Harvey at the tape in 6.58 seconds. Aggrey Morris was second in the 400-meter dash, and was clocked in a school-record 47.74. Galen Gomes also turned in a second-place effort in the triple jump (46-6).



"I thought we had a shot, but I never believed we would have it wrapped up by the time we got to the relays (the last events)," said Albany coach Roberto Vives, whose team finished second to Northeastern in last year’s championship. "It was a total team effort. Confidence and conditioning were the reasons Paul Roche was able to score in four events. He did his homework and worked hard in the preseason."



In the women’s meet, the Great Danes ended up in third with 76 points behind Northeastern (163) and Boston U. (114). Teresa Covert, who was second in the long jump on the first day, won the 55-meter hurdles in 8.07 seconds and took fifth in the 200-dash in 25.54.



Jennifer Aubin placed second in the triple jump with a mark of 38-feet, 6-inches. Alexis Bowens, Dinnah Decatus, and Zerlinda Martinez each recorded a fifth-place showing in the shot put, 800 and 1,000 events. Bowens, a outside hitter on the UAlbany volleyball team, threw 40-feet, 3.25-inches.



America East Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships

(Final Scores)

MEN – 1. Albany 148.25, 2. Boston U. 124, 3. Northeastern 119.50, 4. New Hampshire 94, 5. Maine 55, 6. Binghamton 38.25, 7. Stony Brook 38.

WOMEN – 1. Northeastern 163, 2. Boston U. 114, 3. Albany 76, 4. Stony Brook 64, 5. New Hampshire 63.50, 6. (tie) Maine and Vermont 60, 8. Binghamton 19.50.

University of Albany Football Wins 2002 NEC Football Championship

Albany, NY -- Tailback Gary Jones rushed for 103 yards and quarterback Ryan Roeder scored on a 59-yard run in the second quarter as Albany captured its first-ever Northeast Conference championship with a 19-7 victory over Monmouth in the regular-season finale for both teams on Saturday afternoon at University Field.

The Great Danes also earned an ECAC Football Classic berth by winning the NEC title and will host Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion Duquesne on Nov. 23.

Albany (7-4, NEC 6-1) scored on its first series, an eight-play drive that was capped by Stan Zylinski's 37-yard field goal. Roeder, who completed 11 of 17 passes for 91 yards on a field covered by a two-inch, overnight snowfall, started the march with a 25-yard completion to flanker Matt Crudo.

The Great Danes' defense, who limited the visitors to 104 yards, including four net rushing yards, set up another field goal in the first quarter. Defensive tackle Matt Kryzak forced fullback Mike DiBella to fumble and defensive end Kevin Gribbin made the recovery at the Monmouth 23. Four plays later, Zylinski's 31-yarder gave his team a 6-0 lead.

Albany put together a 13-play, 54-yard drive that took more than seven minutes off the clock for its first touchdown. Jones, who ran for 100 or more yards for the sixth straight game, and broke the school's single-season record for all-purpose yards, rushed four consecutive times to the Monmouth 1. Fullback Eddie Unverzagt busted into the end zone for the final yard, and his team had a 13-0 advantage with 10:45 left in the second quarter.

Roeder, who rushed 12 times for a career-high 62 yards, helped extend his Albany's lead in the final minute of the opening half. He checked off against a blitzing linebacker, and sprinted over left guard and up the sideline on a 59-yard touchdown run. The extra-point was blocked, following a celebration penalty, and the Great Danes led 19-0 at halftime.

"Winning a conference championship is a great way to finish your career," said Roeder, who scored his eighth rushing TD of the season. "We've come up short in the past, and then to finally win it is a great feeling. We were shorthanded with (fullback) Jon George injured, and the defense just picked it up."

Monmouth (2-8, NEC 2-5) got on the scoreboard midway through the third quarter, when quarterback Bill Rankin fired a 25-yard scoring pass to Dennis Carriero. Rankin, who completed just 6 of 21 attempts for 89 yards, drove his team to the Albany 34 late in the fourth quarter, but the sequence stalled out when he was sacked for the fourth time on the afternoon.

"We were picked the win the conference in the preseason, and I'd be disappointed if we had to share it," commented Albany coach Bob Ford, whose team finished ahead of Sacred Heart and Stony Brook who tied for second with 5-2 conference records. "The defense was spectacular and they also helped to set up scores today."

The Great Danes, who are among the top Division I-AA teams against the run, held an opponent to less than 100 yards on the ground for the fifth time this season