UAlbany Lacrosse Fall Ball Review

A Danes attack without its second leading returning scorer from 2008, senior attacker Brian Caufield, was led by two new faces. Junior transfer Dave Brock scored three goals in the first half against Hobart. Freshman Joe Resetarits seems poised to pick up where his brother Frank, a first team All-American for the Danes in 2007, left off. Resetarits displayed uncanny quickness and an outstanding ability to create his own shot, as he led the Danes in scoring against Colgate.

Defensively the Danes were led by senior defensemen Mark Kelly, sophomore midfielder Kyle Crotty, sophomore defensemen Mike Banks and most notably senior defensemen Garrett Pedley. Senior goalkeeper Dan McKeon was active around the net all day, but seemed to struggle at times, especially early in the game versus an aggressive Raiders attack. Redshirt freshman Drew DiCioccio saw heavy action in the second half against Hobart, where he started off with four consecutive saves and played a solid all around game.

Sophomore attackman Joe Pompo also saw heavy action in the second halves of both games, and stood out with several big plays on offense and in transition defense. Freshman midfielder Keith Olson was the most effective Dane on face-offs throughout the day. Inside Lacrosse - By Bryan Fitzgerald

Albany went with Resatartis, small, brock on attack....they looked pretty good considering it is the first four weeks they've worked together. Mark Cometti, Alpizar, Pompo on the first line - Good flow on offense, although Pompo was not at the second game. Second line had a lot of young guys mixed in, though I think Crotty did a particularly nice job in transition, Finnegan also appears to have increased his athleticism a little. Luke Cometti had a few nice plays and should figure into the middie rotation. The Defense consisted of a rotation of many players...all who played OK but none tremendous, I think Banks may be feeling the pressure of the Cover Story a little bit. By Laxking

I thought that the day went well for both teams, looking strong as they both should. Albany attack looked good, with strong performances by small, resetarits and brock. 'gate had a slow start in the morning against lemoyne but found their stride in the second game against albany. Thought the defence from both was good, but the offence moved the ball well and found ways to break them down, with a few great plays, one from resetarits and corp just looked unbelievable. By rustygate08

UA looked strong. Still need a FOGO but other than that was pretty good.
Brock will have a lot of points come spring. Joe R and Cory looked good both shooting and feeding. Brocks size come in handy. Hobart just looked small,
Dan looked good in goal the first half and 11 was pretty good the second half. By JimRidd

Although we know Caufield didn't play in either game, there are conflicting reports on Pompo playing or not playing in the second game.

UAlbany Football Outlasts Sacred Heart In NEC Action

UAlbany Football Outlasts Sacred Heart In NEC Action, lead by a 200+ yard game by McCarty. More to come...

Courtesy: UAlbany sports

Fairfield, Conn. – David McCarty rushed for 207 yards and one touchdown, as UAlbany came from behind in the second half for a 26-21 Northeast Conference victory over previously unbeaten Sacred Heart on Saturday, Oct. 18 at Campus Field.

UAlbany (4-3, NEC 3-0) reversed a 14-10 halftime deficit with 16 unanswered points. The Great Danes marched 80 yards in 14 plays with the second-half kickoff to scored the go-ahead touchdown. McCarty, a junior tailback, pounded over right guard on a 2-yard blast for the lead. UAlbany then consumed six minutes and 38 seconds of the clock with a 16-play drive that resulted in Herb Glass’ 33-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter. Quarterback Vinny Esposito twice connected on third-down throws to keep the sequence alive.

The Great Danes, who have won nine straight and 13 of their last 14 against conference opposition, scored their third consecutive possession, driving 80 yards in eight plays for a 26-14 margin. Esposito, who passed for 184 yards and ran for a career-high 65, uses several option runs to advance the ball. He scored on an 18-yard run around left end when he broke free at the line of scrimmage and raced up the left sideline.

Sacred Heart (6-1, NEC 2-1) tried to rally when quarterback Dale Fink, who completed 24 of 35 attempts for 247 yards, drilled a 19-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Tedesco. But the Great Danes, behind their big offensive line, consumed the final 4:40 of the contest. After the Pioneers used all three timeouts, McCarty broke clean for 36 yards, on third-and-three from the SHU 39, to decide the outcome.

“The offensive line wore them down,” said UAlbany coach Bob Ford, whose team last faced an unbeaten team in the second half of the season five years ago to the day. “Vinny (Esposito) had some big plays on the option. The safeties creep up, then you get outside the tight end, and you have a pretty good result. Sacred Heart has a good offensive unit and (Dale) Fink throws the ball on time.”

In the first half, UAlbany marched 85 yards in 12 plays to take a 7-0 lead. The Great Danes converted two fourth downs during the series, including a 45-yard scamper by McCarty to the SHU 9. Esposito would later reach the end zone on second effort in a fourth-and-goal quarterback sneak with 3:08 left in the first quarter.

Sacred Heart responded on its next possession with a long drive, aided by a roughing-the-quarterback penalty. Fink, last year’s NEC offensive rookie of the year, rifled a 23-yard pass to Tedesco, who working his way inside the cornerback on the route. Evin Jones slanted off the left side on a 2-yard touchdown run.

The Great Danes settled for Glass’ 22-yard field goal the next time their offense touched the ball. Esposito hooked up with Daniel Bocanegra on a third-down completion, but Colin Simmons’ touchdown run was wiped out by a penalty. Sacred Heart answered with a 73-yard drive to take a 14-10 lead. Jones moved his team into UAlbany territory after hauling in a 29-yard screen pass. Fink would eventually throw a quick out to freshman Jared Kemp, who used a host of blockers to reach paydirt on an 8-yard completion.

Both teams had big plays wiped out by mistakes in the closed minutes of the opening half. SHU’s Rich Marrone intercepted a pass that went off the hands of receiver Jason Poore, but then fumbled near the left pylon on the return and the ball rolled out of the end zone for a toucback. UAlbany’s McCarty danced 63 yards with a screen pass to the Pioneers’ 3-yard line; however, the play was nullified by a holding call.

“The offensive line was pushing guys around in the second half,” said McCarty, who toppled the 200-yard mark for the third time in his career. “They dominated up front, the defense stepped up, and we finally put the ball in from the red zone. When they give me a crease, I just try to squeeze in there and keep my feet moving.

The Great Danes, who have played nine of their last 10 games on the road, accounted for a season-best 504 total yards, including 320 on the ground. Sacred Heart’s Jones, the nation’s seventh-leading rusher, was held to 46 yards on 16 carries.

UAlbany Field Hockey Breezes Past Fairfield University, 4-1 In America East Conference Action

UAlbany Field Hockey Breezes Past Fairfield University, 4-1 In America East Conference Action.

Fairfield, Conn. – Senior midfielder Michele Polizois recorded a hat trick, scoring two goals off penalty corners and converting a penalty stroke, to lead UAlbany to a 4-1 win over Fairfield in America East Conference field hockey action on Saturday afternoon.

Fairfield (4-11, AE 1-2) struck first, as Molly Byrnes scored an unassisted goal after gathering her own rebound off her initial shot to find the back of the cage just 1:11 into the game. The Stags held onto the one-goal advantage until the 24th minute as UAlbany sophomore Alysia Hough tied the game with an unassisted goal of her own, taking a breakaway from outside the circle, dribbling in to slip the ball past Fairfield goalkeeper Jennifer Utz. The Great Danes would add one more tally before halftime, as Polizois scored her first goal of the day on a penalty corner at 34:38.

Jess Lindsey and Michelle Simpson, who assisted on Polizois’ first score, would team up again for helpers on her second goal as well, as the Great Danes increased their lead to two goals in the 40th minute of play. Polizois would finish out the scoring with a penalty stroke at 49:49, getting the ball past Utz on the shot.

UAlbany outshot Fairfield, 17-6, and held a 17-2 advantage in penalty corners. Senior goalkeeper Ashley Ross made four saves in the cage for the Great Danes, while Utz stopped seven shots between the pipes for Fairfield.

UAlbany (8-9, AE 2-1) will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 25, as they host America East rival Boston U. at Alumni Turf Field at 1 p.m.


UAlbany (8-9, AE 2-1) 2 2 - 4

Fairfield (4-11, AE 1-2) 1 0 - 1

UAlbany: Scoring – Michele Polizois (3-0), Alysia Hough (1-0), Michelle Simpson (0-2), Jess Lindsey (0-2). Goalkeeper – Ashley Ross (70:00, 1 GA, 4 saves).

Fairfield: Scoring – Molly Byrnes (1-0). Goalkeeper – Jennifer Utz (70:00, 4 GA, 7 saves).

UAlbany Men's Soccer Defeats UMBC In America East Showdown

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Info

Albany, N.Y. – Sophomore Shaun Kane and junior Claudio Dantas each netted two goals to lead the University at Albany men’s soccer team to a 5-4 victory over UMBC in America East Conference action at Varsity Field on Saturday, Oct. 18. Kane’s strike midway through the second half stood as the game winner and completed the biggest comeback in school history since UAlbany joined the Division I ranks in 1999. The Great Danes, who were trailing 4-2 at the break, had never rallied to win from two goals down in the second half on the NCAA's highest stage. In addition, the team’s nine victories is the most wins through 13 matches in the program's Division I era.

"This is the biggest comeback that we have ever had in our Division I history,” said head coach Johan Aarnio. “It is a credit to all of the guys. They played their hearts out, stuck to our plan and left it all out on the field.”

After the Great Danes had a goal called back in the opening minutes, UMBC (5-6-2, AE 0-3-1) got on the scoreboard first when Shondell Busby kicked in a rebound off a shot taken by Chris Williams following an indirect kick. Williams was credited with an assist on the goal which was scored in the fourth minute.

UAlbany (9-3-1, AE 3-1-1) scored the equalizer in the 15th minute. Konner McNamara sent the ball through the Retriever defense to a cutting Kane on the right side, who fired a shot to the far post.

After UMBC’s B.J. Quigley put his team ahead with a goal in the 21st minute off a corner kick, the Great Danes tied the match for the second time. Working from the middle of the field again, Gaby Seguin-Gauthier found Don Johnson up front. After beating one defender, Johnson punched the ball past UMBC goalkeeper Steve King in the 40th minute.

The Retrievers responded by finding the back two more times before the break. Andrew Bulls and John Paul Waraksa scored just 1:55 apart, giving UMBC a two-goal lead at halftime.

Having never won a match as a Division I program when trailing at the recess, the Great Danes completed their greatest comeback ever in the second half by scoring three more goals just 13:32 seconds apart. Erik DiLorenzo set up Dantas two times in a span of 1:49 to tie the match up at 4-4. Dantas took a pass down the middle in the 57th minute and a cross in the 58th. The two-time junior college All-American, who now has 22 points, matched the single-season Division I school record set by Nick Southworth in 2000 on his second goal.

The Great Danes finished off the rally in the 70th minute. Johnson stole the ball from a UMBC defender and dribbled down the right sideline. He crossed the ball to Kane, who headed in the game winner from about 10 yards out.

“Our forwards were doing a great job of applying pressure on their defenders,” said Kane. “Don got the ball on the right (by pressuring the defense) and was able to find me in the box. We lost our concentration at certain points of the game, but we never lost our confidence. We kept plugging away and got the goals we needed to win.”

UMBC’s best chance to tie the match and possibly force overtime came when Dan Bulls had the opportunity to take an open shot from just outside the six-yard box on the right side. However, DiLorenzo stepped in and kicked it away before he could get the shot off with four minutes left in the match. The ball was cleared out, and the Great Danes held on the rest of the way.

UAlbany’s Steward Ceus stopped five of the 16 shots taken by the Retrievers. With 22 career wins, he is now tied with Bouna Coundoul for second in the program’s Division I era. UMBC’s King saved four of the 24 shots he faced.

The five goals allowed by the Retrievers is the most since Maryland defeated them by a score of 6-1 in 1998. In addition, UMBC had never scored four goals and lost a game in its Division I era, which began in 1986, prior to today.

The Great Danes, who now stand in second place in the America East standings behind Boston University after this afternoon’s win, visit the University of Hartford on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

-agate-

UMBC (5-6-2, AE 0-3-1) 4 0 - 4

UAlbany (9-3-1, AE 3-1-1) 2 3 - 5



UMBC: Scoring – Shondell Busby (1-0), B.J. Quigley (1-0), Andrew Bulls (1-0), John Paul Waraksa (1-0), L.J. Pijnenburg (0-2), Chris Williams (0-1), Sean Rothe (0-1). Goalkeeper – Steve King (90:00, 5 GA, 4 saves).

UAlbany: Scoring – Claudio Dantas (2-0), Shaun Kane (2-0), Don Johnson (1-1), Erik DiLorenzo (0-2), Konner McNamara (0-1), Gaby Seguin-Gauthier (0-1). Goalkeeper – Steward Ceus (90:00, 4 GA, 5 saves).

UAlbany Volleyball Sweeps Binghamton University In Three Sets In America East Play Friday Evening

UAlbany Volleyball Sweeps Binghamton University In Three Sets In America East Play Friday Evening. More to come...

Albany, N.Y. – Sophomore outside hitter Amanda Cowdrey recorded a match-high 15 kills and added 11 digs to lead UAlbany to a 3-0 sweep of Binghamton in America East Conference volleyball action on Friday evening at University Gymnasium. The Great Danes remained undefeated in league play and stretched their winning streak to seven straight. UAlbany won in straight sets with scores of 25-16, 25-18 and 25-20.

The Great Danes jumped out to an early 7-3 lead in the first set behind the service game of freshman Kalyn Mostert, who served for four straight points. After a kill by Cowdrey put the ball back in UAlbany’s hands, sophomore setter Brooke Stanley recorded a service ace to put UAlbany up by four, 13-9. Cowdrey recorded four straight kills later in the set to put the Great Danes further ahead, 24-16, before Binghamton hit into an attack error to end the first set.

Binghamton scored the first two points of the second set, and the teams went back and forth in the early going, with Michelle McDonough recording a kill for the Bearcats to set the score at 9-9. McDonough then served for three straight points to put Binghamton ahead, 12-10, before Mostert and Hillary White combined for a block to give the ball back to UAlbany. Stanley served for five straight points to give the Great Danes a three-point cushion at 15-12. Cowdrey slammed a kill down the line, and then served for four straight points of her own to build UAlbany’s advantage to 20-13. Binghamton attempted to post a comeback with a kill by McDonough in the late going, but back-to-back kills by Stanley and Cowdrey sealed the win for UAlbany.

The Bearcats jumped out to an early lead again in the final set, before a Mostert kill tied the score at 9-9.The Great Danes induced attack errors from Binghamton to hold onto the ball, and built up a 14-11 advantage behind the service game of Hillary White. Senior outside hitter Kamisha Kellam smacked consecutive kills for the Great Danes to give UAlbany a 16-13 advantage. The Great Danes continued to build their lead, and Binghamton held off match point at 20-19 with a kill by Anna Lejina. Mostert took an assist from Stanley and dropped an attack just short of the Binghamton back-row defense to end the match.

Kellam finished with 10 kills, hitting .769 for the match, helping to lead UAlbany to a .414 team hitting percentage. Stanley reached the 40-assist mark for the tenth time this season, handing out 43 helpers to go along with 10 digs, three kills and one service ace. Lehina finished with a team-high 12 kills for Binghamton (9-12, AE 4-1), while McDonough led the team defensively with 13 digs.

UAlbany (13-8, AE 5-0) returns to action on Friday, Oct. 24, as they visit UMBC in America East action.

UAlbany (13-8, AE 5-0) def. Binghamton (9-12, AE 4-1), 3-0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-20).

Courtesy: UAlbany sports

UAlbany Football Battles Unbeaten Sacred Heart in Northeast Conference Play on Saturday

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Fairfield, Conn. -- UAlbany meets unbeaten Sacred Heart in a key Northeast Conference football matchup on Saturday, Oct. 18 at Campus Field. Kickoff is 1:00 p.m. ET. Fans can listen to the game on Fox Sports 980 (WOFX-AM). The Pioneers, who are 6-0 overall and 2-0 in league play, are one of three undefeated teams at the NCAA Division I FCS level.

Sacred Heart has the NEC’s top offense, as the Pioneers are averaging 34.5 points and 393.5 total yards. Quarterback Dale Fink, last year’s conference offensive rookie of the year, has thrown for 1,279 yards and 15 touchdowns. Steve Tedesco, a first-team All-NEC wide receiver, has 40 catches for 482 yards and six TDs. He recently became the program’s all-time leader in receptions. Running back Evin Jones balances the attack as the nation’s seventh-leading rusher (135.5 ypg). Rich Marrone, an inside linebacker, leads the SHU defense with 40 tackles and three forced fumbles.

UAlbany (3-3, NEC 2-0) held off Central Connecticut State, 24-22, in its first home game of the season last week. Linebacker Justin Brancaccio, the NEC’s defensive player of the week, knocked down a two-point conversion pass with 55 seconds remaining to preserve the win. Brancaccio is the team’s top tackler with 56 this year.

Quarterback Vinny Esposito, who threw for 254 yards last Saturday, accounted for three touchdowns (2 passing, 1 rushing) against Central Conn. State. Tailback David McCarty, who is averaging 135.2 yards on the ground, scored on a 72-yard screen pass in the third quarter. He has run for 100 or more yards in 11 of his last 12 starts.

The Great Danes, who have won eight straight against conference opponents, are playing an undefeated squad in the second half of the season for the first time since Oct. 18, 2003.

UAlbany Men's Basketball Conducts First Practice; Will Harris Granted Eligibility Waiver By NCAA

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- UAlbany held its first official men's basketball practice at SEFCU Arena on Friday, Oct. 17 in preparation for the season opener with Villanova. The Great Danes have finished among the America East Conference's elite the last three years with two league championships and a combined 36 conference victories. But UAlbany is no longer defending the crown and is faced with a shaping a roster that is dominated by inexperience at the collegiate level.

"We need to go out and create our own identity and memories," explains UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team returns five letterwinners, including three starters, from a group that tied for second in last year's regular-season standings. "These guys have to understand the amount of hard work that goes into being successful. If we rest on our laurels, we are going to struggle."

The roster features three seniors, four juniors, two sophomores and four freshmen. But with eight new faces, the coaches will be trying to keep things uncomplicated while concentrating on solid fundamentals.

"Our main focus is to become a good defensive team," Brown states. "We prided ourselves on being a good rebounding team last year. If we can keep it simple and really focus on defending and rebounding and making sure that we get a shot every time down the floor, then we will have a chance to be pretty good."

Brian Connelly, a 6-foot-8 forward, is the top returning scorer (10.1 ppg) and rebounder (5.3 pg). Jerel Hastings (6’5”) started 22 of 30 games last season after transferring from the junior college level. He averaged 4.9 points and 3.2 rebounds. Jimmie Covington, a 6’7” post player, has appeared in 93 games as a collegian. Tim Ambrose (7.2 ppg) was a member of last year’s America East All-Rookie Team.

************

UAlbany’s Will Harris has been granted immediate eligibility in men’s basketball by the NCAA Subcommittee for Legislative Relief, as announced on Friday, Oct. 17 by Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy. Harris, who transferred from the University of Virginia two months ago, will be a junior and have two years of eligibility, beginning with the 2008-09 season.

UAlbany applied for a waiver and submitted all the appropriate information that was relevant to the request. Harris, who transferred from Virginia in good academic standing, asked for relief due to family hardship. Both institutions supported his request for a waiver.

Harris, who earned two varsity letters with the Cavalier program, made 15 appearances as a sophomore before an injury ended his season. He averaged 2.7 points and 2.5 rebounds. Harris played in all 32 games as a freshman on a team that shared the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title. He scored at a 3.6 clip and grabbed 3.2 rebounds per game.

A first-team all-conference standout in his final prep season, Harris accounted for 21.0 points and 11.0 rebounds at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire.

(Coach Brown on Will Harris as a player)

“He makes us better now. He is a bigger and stronger version of Brian Lillis (former UAlbany star) offensively. He can play positions two through five on offense and defense and is a matchup problem. If he does not have a major impact as someone coming from the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference), I would be shocked.”

Inside Lacrosse: NCAA Fallball Check-In: UAlbany Great Danes

The impressive recruiting class is highlighted by a freshman whose surname is already synonymous with Albany lacrosse. Joe Resetarits, younger brother of 2007 Tewaaraton finalist Frank Resetarits, is expected to play big minutes up front.

A two-time U.S. Lacrosse High School All-American, Resetarits tallied 98 goals and 68assists as a senior and gives Albany a pure scorer - something it has been lacking since the elder Resetarits and Merrick Thomson departed after the 2007 season.

Marr thinks Resetarits will have no problem living up to his brother’s legacy.

“There’s no question, Joe’s a super player,” he says. “He’s a good, smart, heady player. He’s a little different than Frank, not the same build as Frank…Joe adds a little bit of quickness to his game that Frank didn’t have. Frank was a great finisher, and he was a very good passer too, but Joe seems to pass the ball a little bit better than Frank. Frank was a little bit better finisher than Joe, so that’s something he’s going to work on. He certainly comes from great stock that way, and Joe will be fine. He’s playing with some good people, so that makes it a lot easier, as well.”

Also expecting to see significant minutes from the attack position will be Dave Brock, a two-time second-team NJCAA All-American transfer from Herkimer County Community College. Brock scored 151 goals over his two years in junior college and is known for his superb finishing skills.

Eight of Albany’s 14 recruits are midfielders. Ricky Bonitatibus (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) and Daley Baker (Cleveland Heights, OH), both high school All-Americans in 2008, should figure into a rotation of midfielders that will try to replace Jordan Levine and the Ammann brothers (Mike and Steve,) who all graduated and are now playing professionally.

Top Dogs

Brian Caufield (28) is back after leading the team in scoring as a freshman (Larry French)Albany returns their top two scorers from the ‘08 campaign in Brian Caufield and Corey Small. Caufield lead the Danes in scoring as a freshman despite playing through an injury for much of the season.

Attackman Joe Pompo, a member of the 2008 America East All-Rookie Team, came on strong at the end of last year and will be counted on more in the upcoming season. Pompo has been “tearing it up” during fall practices, according to Marr.

All signs point to senior Dan McKeon as the starting goalkeeper. McKeon, a backup to Brett Queener for the last two seasons, had been used in net when Albany would use Queener as an attacker in extra-man situations.

“At this point, it’s Danny’s job,” said Marr. “Coming into this year as a senior, backing up Brett the last couple of years, he’s done a great job for us. One of the other guys are going to have to play real, real well to beat Danny.”

A collection of Danes will look to replace Craig McDonald, a three-time all-conference defender who marked up against the oppositions top scorer. Mike Banks was an all-rookie selection last year and should take on a bigger role in the defensive corps.

Three Questions
Can Joe Resetarits live up to the hype?

Resetarits has big shoes to fill and will constantly be compared to his brother. Will he be able to handle the pressure and contribute from the get-go?

How will the team respond to last season’s crushing defeat in the America East Championship?

Scott Marr and the Great Danes will be eager to prove that blowing a nine-goal lead was just a fluke.

Who will step in for Craig McDonald?

McDonald was a lockdown defender that could make the other team’s best player obsolete. How will the team replace him?

By Jon Campbell

Comment On Article By ualaxer

Sean, nice fall update on this year’s Great Danes. I will disagree with one part of the article when you state that Albany finally gets a pure scorer in Joe Resatarits something it has not had since his brother in 2007. OK you make it sound like it was a long dry spell, one year is all we are talking about. And in that year the #8 Goals Per Game scoring leader in NCAA DI was Corey Small. Only seven players had more goals per game. I would think that he is a pretty good pure scorer. Also, Brian Caufield finnished #10 in the NCAA in Points Per Game. He scores and assits with the best of them and scored a ton of points in the second half of the season. Together Small and Caufield return 94 points. Only 3 NCAA DI teams have an attack tandem returning more points. I think Joe Resatrits will be outstanding this year and as Coach Marr stated his transition will be assisted by some very good players. Joe Pompo and Dave Brock round out what I believe will be one of the top five attack units in DI.

UAlbany Remains King Of Albany Collegiate Athletics: 2008 Head to Head, 1 on 1 Competition TOTALS: UAlbany 9 Siena 2

UAlbany vs. siena: 2008 Head to Head, 1 on 1 Competition

TOTAL: UAlbany 9 Siena 2

UAlbany 18 Siena 8 - Women's Lacrosse: March 3, 2008
UAlbany 3 Siena 2 - Women's Softball: March 27, 2008
UAlbany 2 Siena 1 - Women's Softball: March 27, 2008
UAlbany 13 Siena 6 - Men's Lacrosse: April 2, 2008
UAlbany 6 Siena 1 - Women's Tennis: April 16, 2008
UAlbany 7 Siena 3 - Women's Softball: April 29, 2008
Siena 4 UAlbany 0 – Women’s Soccer: Sept 7, 2008
UAlbany 3 Siena 0 – Men’s Soccer: Sept 21, 2008
UAlbany 5 Siena 0 – Field Hockey: October 7, 2008
UAlbany 3 Siena 0 – Volleyball: October 15, 2008
Siena 71 UAlbany 64 – Men’s Basketball: December 6, 2008

UAlbany secured winning the annual head to head with siena back in April 29, 2008, when UAlbany continued its 2008 sweep over siena with its 6th consecutive win.

UAlbany Volleyball Simply Overpowers Siena In Three Set Sweep

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Amanda Cowdrey had 15 kills and Kamisha Kellam added 11 in powering UAlbany to a 3-0 non-conference victory over Siena on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at University Gymnasium. The Great Danes, who have posted six straight wins, won by scores of 25-20, 25-14 and 25-20. The “Dig Pink” match, televised locally by Time Warner Cable, was part of a national breast cancer awareness rally that has been established by the Side-Out Foundation to help educate and raise funds to fight the deadly disease.

UAlbany (12-8) used nine straight points to an erase a 5-3 deficit and take control in the first set. Cowdrey, a sophomore outside hitter, had four kills in that run. Hillary White and Kalyn Mostert teamed to block Kelly Hummel’s hitting attempt that put their team ahead, before White drilled two kills for an 8-5 advantage. Siena (8-10) closed within 18-16 after a service error, but the Great Danes regrouped with three straight points to pull away. Cate Eckhardt delivered a blast from the mid-court area and Mostert added another kill off a blocker.

In the second set, UAlbany put together a string of 10 consecutive points to break things open. Valerie Sourbeer started the run with one of her seven kills in the match, before Kellam was involved in two consecutive blocks for a 15-10 margin. Mostert, a 6’2” freshman, finished off that decisive stretch with back-to-back kills, the second coming off a back-set from setter Brooke Stanley. Cowdrey, who has reached double-figure kills 14 times this season, dumped another attack from the left side into the middle of the floor for the 25th point.

The Great Danes, who have won seven straight in this series, led 15-13 in the third and final set, but then reeled off six of the contest’s next seven points. Mostert delivered another kill off a back-set, before Stanley garnered another point after saving her team’s third hit from the attack zone. Kellam, who fashioned a .600 hitting percentage in the match and had five total blocks, stuffed Burgandy McCurty’s kill attempt. A hitting error by the Saints gave UAlbany a commanding 21-14 cushion.

“The blocks got us going after a sluggish start,” said Stanley, who passed out 41 assists and toppled the 40-mark for the ninth time this season. “Hillary White got everyone excited with a huge block and a kill in that first set and that just sparked us up. I know a lot people who have been affected by breast cancer. It means a lot that we are able to support them in some way, plus raise a ton of money and put a win on top of the night.”

UAlbany’s White finished with six kills, four digs and four blocks. McCurty had 10 kills and 12 digs for the Saints, who had won six of their last seven starts.

Dig Pink Note: UAlbany Vice President and Director of Athletic Lee McElroy accepted a $2,000 check on behalf of the Side-Out Foundation to support breast cancer awareness from SEFCU President Michael Castellano at the beginning of the third set of Wednesday evening's volleyball match. Damien the Dane helped cheer on the 734 fans who attended the annual crosstown-rivaly match.

UAlbany Men's Soccer Plays Stony Brook to a Scoreless Double-OT Tie in America East Play

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Senior goalkeeper Steward Ceus matched a Division I program record for recording his 17th career shutout to lead the University at Albany men’s soccer team in a 0-0 draw with Stony Brook at Varsity Field on Wednesday, Oct. 15. The Great Danes, who became the last team in the America East Conference to record a tie this season, held a commanding 25-11 shot advantage in the match.

After an evenly played first half, UAlbany (8-3-1, AE 2-1-1) dominated play the rest of the way. The Great Danes held a 13-5 shot advantage in the second half and outshot Stony Brook (2-10-2, AE 0-2-1) by a count of 20-7 over the final 65 minutes of action. The Seawolves played defensive for most of the second half and through the two overtime periods, placing all 11 players in the back third of the field at times.

While both squads had their share of chances to score throughout the match, the best chance for either team to score came when UAlbany was awarded a corner kick in the 105th minute. Mikael McNamara’s kick from the right side sailed to Konner McNamara, who headed the ball towards the goal from the top of the box. Driving in from the right, L.J. Papaleo attempted to head in the golden goal, but he missed the ball and it went out of bounds.

Bjorn Bekkers took one last shot with four seconds left from about 20 yards out for the Great Danes, but his attempt was blocked. The final whistle sounded before the Great Danes could set up a corner kick, and the clubs settled for the scoreless tie.

UAlbany’s Ceus made six saves and faced 11 shots to record his fifth shutout of the season. His 17th career shutout ties Bouna Coundoul, a 2005 UAlbany graduate who is currently the starting goalkeeper for the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer and a member of the Senegalese National team. Stony Brook’s Dawid Ditrich recorded seven saves and faced a barrage of 25 shots. It was his second straight shutout against the Great Danes.

UAlbany returns to action on Saturday when it hosts UMBC at 1 p.m.

Stony Brook (2-10-2, AE 0-2-1) 0 0 0 0 - 0

UAlbany (8-3-1, AE 2-1-1) 0 0 0 0 - 0

Stony Brook: Scoring – None. Goalkeeping – Dawid Ditrich (110:00, 0 GA, 7 saves).
UAlbany: Scoring – None. Goalkeeping – Steward Ceus (110:00, 0 GA, 6 saves).

UAlbany Athletic Programs Remain Dominant Over Albany Collegiate Athletics, As Volleyball Is Set to Host siena In "Dig Pink" Event

UAlbany Volleyball Set to Host "Dig Pink" Event Against siena on Wednesday

2008 Head to Head Competition - UAlbany vs siena
TOTAL: UAlbany 8 siena 1

UAlbany 18 siena 8 - Women's Lacrosse: March 3, 2008
UAlbany 3 siena 2 - Women's Softball: March 27, 2008
UAlbany 2 siena 1 - Women's Softball: March 27, 2008
UAlbany 13 siena 6 - Men's Lacrosse: April 2, 2008
UAlbany 6 siena 1 - Women's Tennis: April 16, 2008
UAlbany 7 siena 3 - Women's Softball: April 29, 2008
siena 4 UAlbany 0 – Women’s Soccer: Sept 7, 2008
UAlbany 3 siena 0 – Men’s Soccer: Sept 21, 2008
UAlbany 5 siena 0 – Field Hockey: October 7, 2008

UAlbany siena – Volleyball: October 15, 2008
UAlbany siena – Men’s Basketball: December 6, 2008


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – The University at Albany volleyball team will be sponsoring a “Dig Pink” event on Wednesday, Oct. 15 as the Great Danes host crosstown-rival Siena at University Gymnasium. Match time is 7:00 p.m. Dig Pink, established by the Side-Out Foundation, is a National Breast Cancer awareness rally that is taking place throughout the month of October, sponsored by high schools and colleges across the country.

The Side-Out Foundation was established in 2004 by a group of individuals drawn together by their love of volleyball and a shared passion to be a part of the war against breast cancer. Side-Out’s mission is to raise money for the war against breast cancer through the recreational activity of volleyball. The Side-Out Foundation is a Virginia-based 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization with a serving Board of Directors and advisors from the healthcare sector to provide oversight and guidance regarding the strategic direction and recommended allocation of donations and grants.

The match, which will be televised on Time Warner Cable (TW3), will feature several tributes to breast cancer victims, survivors and those continuing the fight. There will be areas for spectators to learn more about breast cancer and the Side-Out Foundation, and they will have the opportunity to make donations to support the organization’s mission. More information is available at www.digpink.org and at www.side-out.org. Greg Tobben and Andrew Catalon will serve as the TW3 broadcast team.

UAlbany Football's Linebacker Justin Brancaccio Named Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Week

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Somerset, N.J. – University at Albany’s Justin Brancaccio has been selected as the Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Week in football for his performance in last Saturday’s 24-22 victory over Central Connecticut State, as announced by the conference office on Monday, Oct. 13.

Brancaccio, a junior inside linebacker from Rockaway, N.J., had a team-high 11 tackles and six unassisted hits as his unit held the nation’s ninth-best rushing team to 160 net yards, nearly 80 under its average. Brancaccio also made three huge defensive plays, including a break-up of a two-point conversion pass with 55 seconds remaining and stonewalling a fourth-down run on his own 19-yard line in the third quarter.

Brancaccio, who has made double-figure stops four times as a collegian, is tied for 33rd among the Division I FCS national leaders in tackles at 9.33 per game.

PAW PRINTS: Junior tailback David McCarty is eighth among the nation’s leaders in rushing at 135.2 yards per game, plus is tied for seventh in all-purpose yards (176.5 ypg) ... McCarty, who has rushed for 100-plus in 11 of his last 12 starts, moved to fifth on the program’s career rushing list with 2,312 yards ... UAlbany (3-3, NEC 2-0) travels to NEC-rival Sacred Heart (6-0, 2-0) on Saturday, Oct. 18 ... Sacred Heart, Liberty and San Diego are the only undefeated Division I FCS teams ... the Great Danes will play an unbeaten squad in the second half of the season for the first time since Oct. 18, 2003 ... Sacred Heart is receiving votes in the Sports Network’s FCS Top-25 Poll ...

UAlbany Football Remains Undefeated In NEC With Victory Over C.Connecticut State At University Field

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – David McCarty rushed for 101 yards and scored on a 72-yard screen pass late in the third quarter as UAlbany held off Northeast Conference-rival Central Connecticut State, 24-22, in the Great Danes’ home opener on Saturday, Oct. 4 before 2,436 fans at University Field.

Central Connecticut State (4-2, NEC 1-1) tried to rally from a 24-9 deficit with two fourth-quarter touchdowns. The Blue Devils’ defense set up the first score when cornerback Dominque Rose intercepted a pass at the UAlbany 43. Junior tailback James Mallory, who led all rushers with 109 yards on 26 carries, later took an option pitch on third down and raced six yards around the left side to close the gap to 24-16.

After the Great Danes punted, CCSU marched 80 yards in 10 plays for another touchdown. Quarterback Hunter Wanket, a junior college transfer who connected on 16 of 24 attempts for 198 yards, threw four completions and ran for a first down on the drive. He finished off the sequence by hitting tight end Tyler Rossnagle on a crossing pattern for a 14-yard TD. The two-point pass failed when UAlbany linebacker Justin Brancaccio broke up Wanket’s intended throw for wide receiver Nick Colagiovanni in the back of end zone.

UAlbany (3-3, NEC 2-0) recovered the subsequent on-side kick, but the Blue Devils used all three of their timeouts to force a punt. Chris Lynch placed a perfect 37-yarder, out of a quick-kick formation on fourth-and-three, out of bounds at the CCSU 4. The wild finish ended when on the last play Wanket’s short completion to Mallory over the middle was lateraled three times before the quarterback himself was tackled at the UAlbany 39.

“We had worked on the two-point pass in a similar scenario this week,” said UAlbany linebacker Justin Brancaccio, who had a team-high 11 tackles. “We knew we had to dig down deep. I could feel him (the receiver) come off my back and the quarterback turned his head toward him. I was in the right place at the right time.”

The Great Danes, who were making their home debut after five consecutive road games to begin the season and eight in a row since last November, built a 17-9 advantage at the intermission in a half where neither team punted. Quarterback Vinny Esposito put his team ahead, 7-3, with a one-yard sneak on fourth down with 6:44 left in the opening quarter. Lynch later added a 19-yard field goal for a 10-6 lead midway through the second period.

CCSU’s Joe Izzo, who had attempted just one field goal this season entering the contest, booted his third of the game, a 26-yarder that capped a 12-play drive, to slice the margin to 10-9. The teams would trade turnovers in Blue Devils’ territory toward the end in the half. Esposito was picked off by strong safety Alondre Rush at the CCSU 23, before UAlbany defensive tackle Tom Pandolf sacked Wanket and forced a fumble. The Great Danes capitalized when Esposito delivered an 11-yard scoring strike to widepit Jason Poore with just three seconds remaining.

“It was important that we have up field goals instead of touchdowns in the first half,” offered UAlbany coach Bob Ford, whose team has won eight straight and 12 of its last 13 in conference play. “I thought the quick kick at the end was important. But you could identify six plays in any close game as being huge. We’re happy to get out of here with the win.”

In the third quarter, Esposito, who hit on 17-of-26 through the air for 254 yards, led his team on a 14-play drive that bogged down inside the visitors’ 10-yard line. But the Great Danes came up empty when defensive tackle Danny Rodriguez blocked Lynch’s 21-yard field goal. Following a CCSU punt, UAlbany converted a third-and-18 situation from its own 28 when Esposito hooked up with McCarty on screen pass that went the distance up the left sideline. McCarty, who had three receptions to add to his rushing total contest, finished with 197 all-purpose yards.

“They brought three or four defenders from the right side and Vinny (Esposito) just got it off in time,” said McCarty about the screen pass for a touchdown. “When I turned there was no one there, and I got some great downfield blocking.”

UAlbany Volleyball Sweeps Hartford, 3-0, in America East Conference Action

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

West Hartford, Conn. – Senior middle blocker Hillary White recorded ten kills to lead UAlbany to a 3-0 sweep of Hartford in America East Conference volleyball action at the Reich Family Pavilion on Saturday, Oct. 11. The Great Danes were victorious with scores of 25-21, 25-15 and 25-19.

White hit .421 for the match, also recording four digs and one solo block. Sophomore outside hitter Amanda Cowdrey added eight kills for the Great Danes, adding six digs. Freshman libero Laurie and junior outside hitter Cate Eckhardt led the team defensively with 11 digs. UAlbany, who finished with eight total blocks, received half of those rejections from freshman Casey Wright, who hit .444 with four kills for the Great Danes.

Hartford (5-16, AE 0-3) was led by Erin Macro, who recorded a match-high 12 kills and added two total blocks. Hallie Fullagar added nine kills for the Hawks, while Maddison Molyneux led the team defensively with ten digs. Setter Lindsay Ford had 29 assists in the mach, along with six digs and the team’s lone service ace.

UAlbany (11-8, AE 4-0) will return to action on Wednesday as the host crosstown-rival Siena at 7 p.m. at University Gymnasium. The match, which will be televised by Time Warner Cable (TW3), will be a fundraising event for the Side-Out Foundation’s “Dig Pink” National Breast Cancer Awareness rally.


UAlbany (11-8, AE 4-0) def. Hartford (5-16, AE 0-3), 3-0 (25-21, 25-15, 25-19).

UAlbany Men's Soccer Blanks New Hampshire, 2-0

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Durham, N.H. – Sophomore Sander Anker scored his first career goal to lead the University at Albany men’s soccer team to a 2-0 victory over New Hampshire in America East Conference action on Saturday, Oct. 11. With the victory, the Great Danes now have eight wins through 11 matches for the first time since joining Division I in 1999.

“This was a great win for us,” said head coach Johan Aarnio. “To have a shutout against UNH, a very strong team, was an excellent way for the boys to get back on track. All of the players contributed, and Steward Ceus came up huge.”

UAlbany (8-3-0, AE 2-1-0) netted the first goal of the match in the 28th minute. Mikael McNamara directed the ball in from the top of the box, where it was deflected off the head of a UNH defender into the goal. The Great Danes carried their one-goal advantage into the break.

Anker scored the insurance goal to double the UAlbany lead in the 77th minute. Dantas received a throw-in from 25 yards out and quickly tapped the ball ahead to Anker. The sophomore then beat a diving Colin McDonnell through a crowd of players from both teams to put the Great Danes ahead by two goals. New Hampshire (6-3-2, AE 1-2-0), which suffered its first home loss of the season, had its chances to get on the board and attempted three more shots. However, the Wildcats could not push one past Ceus, settling for their second loss of the year against a league opponent and third overall.

UAlbany’s Ceus faced 17 shots and made nine saves to match his career high. He recorded his fourth shutout of the season and the 16th of his career to improve his record to 6-2 overall. UNH’s Colin McDonnell stopped three of the 14 Great Dane shots he saw in goal in the losing effort.

UAlbany continues its America East slate when it hosts Stony Brook on Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m.

UAlbany (8-3-0, AE 2-1-0) 1 1 - 2

New Hampshire (6-3-2, AE 1-2-0) 0 0 - 0

UAlbany: Scoring – Sander Anker (1-0), Claudio Dantas (0-1). Goalkeeper – Steward Ceus (90:00, 0 GA, 9 saves).

New Hampshire: Scoring – None. Goalkeeper – Colin O’Donnell (90:00, 2 GA, 3 saves).

Weekend Advisory

FOR WEEKEND SCORES AND RECAPS, PLEASE VISIT UALBANYSPORTS.COM

UAlbany Football Meets Central Conn. State in Home Opener on Saturday at University Field

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- After five consecutive road games to begin the 2008 season, the University at Albany football team comes home to University Field to take on Central Connecticut State in a Northeast Conference matchup on Saturday, Oct. 11. Kickoff is 1:07 p.m. The contest will be televised in the Capital Region on Time Warner Cable (TW3). Fans can also listen to the game on Fox Sports 980 (WOFX-AM).

Central Connecticut State (4-1, NEC 1-0) opened its NEC schedule with a 35-10 victory over Wagner on Oct. 4. Aubrey Norris, who threw a pair of touchdown passes last week, rotates at quarterback with junior college transfer Hunter Wanket. The Blue Devils, who are working on their fifth consecutive winning campaign, employ a run-oriented, multiple attack that is currently ninth nationally in rushing at 238.0 yards per game. Running back James Mallory is fifth among the FCS national leaders with a 147.8 average. Defensive end Ernie Greywacz (6-4, 240) earned mid-major All-America recognition as a junior. Greywacz picked off a pass when his team dismantled Delaware State, a 2007 NCAA playoff team, earlier this season.

UAlbany (2-3, NEC 1-0) defeated conference newcomer Duquesne, 33-23, in its first NEC action of the year last week. Vinny Esposito became the first quarterback to account for four touchdowns (3 passing, 1 rushing) in a single game since Oct. 2, 1999. His two fourth-quarter scoring passes helped his team pull away. David McCarty, who registered his second 200-yard day as a collegian on the ground against Duquesne, is the nation’s sixth-leading rusher at 142.0 yards per game. Defensive linemen Tom Pandolf (7 tackles) and Mike Kelly (7 tackles, 1.5 sacks) were active defenders.

The Great Danes are the lone NCAA Division I FBS or FCS program to play their first home game in the month of October. In contrast, Nebraska will go on the road this week for the first time after five home dates in a row to start its season.

COACHES vs. CANCER: UAlbany and the American Cancer Society have teamed to tackle cancer at Saturday's football home opener. Raffle tickets are being sold for two autographed Giants’ footballs and two tickets to the UAlbany-Siena basketball game with proceeds going to this cause. Donations and pledges are also being accepted. For UAlbany football tickets call, 518-442-4683.

UAlbany Volleyball Pounds Stony Brook In America East Conference Action

UAlbany Volleyball Pounds Stony Brook In America East Conference Action. More to come....

Sophomore outside hitter Amanda Cowdrey recorded a double-double with 16 kills and ten digs to lead UAlbany to a 3-1 win over Stony Brook in America East Conference volleyball action on Friday evening. The Great Danes defeated the Seawolves with scores of 25-17, 25-22, 25-27 and 25-21.

Cowdrey’s double-double was her seventh of the season, as she continues to lead the team. She is also in the midst of an 11-match streak in which she has reached double-figure kill totals. Senior middle blocker Hillary White also reached double-figure kills with 14, hitting .444 to go along with three digs and two block assists. Senior middle blocker Kamisha Kellam finished with 11 kills, hitting .348 for the match, and added four total blocks. Sophomore setter Brooke Stanley had a double-double of her own with a match-high 48 assists and 13 digs, added three block assists and one service ace.

Stony Brook (9-11, AE 0-2) was led by Gulce Dikecligil, who recorded a match-high 20 kills to go along with 13 digs, three service aces and two block assists. Alicia Nelson was the only other player to record double-digit kills for the Seawolves, finishing with 13, wile Michelle Burrola led the team defensively with 21 digs.

UAlbany (10-8, AE 3-0) will continue America East play on Saturday, visiting Hartford for a 6 p.m. match.

UAlbany (10-8, AE 3-0) def. Stony Brook (9-11, AE 0-2), 3-1 (25-17, 25-22, 25-27, 25-21).

Corrin Conroy Leads UAlbany Golf to a Second-Place Standing at Rutgers Invitational

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Piscataway, N.J. – Sophomore Corrin Conroy shot the lowest-ever single round score of 75 to lead the UAlbany golf team to a second-place team standing after the first day of the Rutgers Invitational at the Rutgers University Golf Course on Friday. The Great Danes shot an 18-hole score of 318 on the first day of competition to finish one shot off the lead, held by Lehigh with a score of 317.

Conroy, who recorded four birdies for the day, finished at three-over on the par-72 course, shooting 38 on the front nine and 37 on the back to tie for second in the individual standings. Freshman Annemarie Kissane, who shot a first round total of 76, recorded one of four birdies in the field on the day, finishing fourth overall. Fellow freshman Stephanie Klein placed 17th in the individual standings, shot a first-round total of 80. Juniors Jessica Signorelli and Amanda McPhee finished with 18-hole scores of 87 and 92, respectively.

Lehigh’s Livia Amado led the individual scoring with a first-round total of 74.

UAlbany’s team score of 318 was ten shots better than the previous one-round record total of 328, shot at the Rutgers Invitational on Oct. 18, 2003.

The Great Danes will continue play on Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m.

-agate-

Team Scoring: 1. Lehigh 317, 2. UAlbany 318, 3. Boston College 319, 4. Fairleigh Dickinson 320, 5. Hampton 324, 6. Rutgers 325, t7. Bucknell, Pennsylvania, Sacred Heart 328, 10. Siena 334, 11. Hartford 337, 12. Monmouth 340, 13. Long Island 343, 14. Central Connecticut 344, 15. Kutztown 345, 16. Boston U. 360.

UAlbany Scoring: t2. Corrin Conroy 38-37—75, t4. Annemarie Kissane 36-40—76, t17. Stephanie Klein 38-42—80, t58. Jessica Signorelli 46-41—87, t78. Amanda McPhee 45-47—92.

UAlbany Tennis Defeats Union, 7-0

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Sophomore Susan Ma swept her opponent in singles action, 6-0, 6-0, and teamed up with Laine Mackey at the top singles position to post an 8-0 win in leading the UAlbany tennis team to a 7-0 win over Union in non-conference tennis action at the Bubble on Wednesday afternoon.

Ma defeated Union’s Brittany Miller at the third singles position. Senior Charlotte Tatler also posted a sweep at second singles with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Kathleen Rucci. Tatler and freshman Holly Smith combined at the second doubles spot to defeat Rucci and Brittany Gilbert, 8-2. Smith also recorded a singles victory at the fourth position, defeating Gilbert, 8-1.

Senior Kim Weltman posted a 6-2, 6-0 win over Union’s Hallie Mabrey at the No. 1 singles spot, and teamed up with Aubrey Brooks to defeat Samantha Griffith and Kristen Ryan, 8-1, at third doubles. Brooks swept her opponent Andie Coopersmith at fifth singles, while Mackey recorded a 6-0, 6-0 win over Griffith at the final singles position.

UAlbany (3-0) will return to action for the fall season on Oct. 24, travelling to Penn for the three-day ITA tournament.


Singles

Kim Weltman (UA) def. Hallie Mabrey (UC), 6-2, 6-0

Charlotte Tatler (UA) def. Kathleen Rucci (UC), 6-0, 6-0

Susan Ma (UA) def. Brittany Miller (UC), 6-0, 6-0

Holly Smith (UA) def. Brittany Gilbert (UC), 8-1

Aubrey Brooks (UA) def. Andie Coopersmith (UC), 6-0, 6-0

Laine Mackey (UA) def. Samantha Griffith (UC), 6-0, 6-0

Doubles

Ma/Mackey (UA) def. Mabrey/Miller (UC), 8-0

Tatler/Smith (UA) def. Rucci/Gilbert (UC), 8-2

Weltman/Brooks (UA) def. Griffith/Ryan (UC), 8-1

Men's Soccer lose in Conference Play

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

Cameron Keith recorded a goal and an assist to lead Binghamton University to a 3-0 victory over the University at Albany men’s soccer team, 3-0, in America East Conference play at Varsity Field on Wednesday, Oct. 8. With the loss, the Great Danes had their four-game winning streak snapped.

Binghamton (6-2-3, AE 1-0) netted its first goal in the 21st minute. Keith sent a pass over to Justin Leskow on the right side. Leskow then one-touched a low shot that beat a diving Steward Ceus to give the Bearcats a 1-0 advantage. UAlbany had a chance to score the equalizer in the 30th minute when Johnson received a pass and was alone in the box with a Bearcat defender. However, his turnaround shot was saved by Binghamton goalkeeper Jason Stenta, and the Bearcats held on to their one-goal lead heading into the break.

The Bearcats added two more goals in the second half. After being awarded an indirect kick from about 20 yards out on the right corner, the Bearcats used a trick play to double their lead. Using Darren McAllister as a decoy to take the kick, Mark Wood tapped a pass over to Barry Neville who rifled a shot to the top right corner of the net in the 66th minute. Keith punched in the third Bearcat goal in the 81st minute when he stole the ball inside the box from a UAlbany defender on a clear attempt.

UAlbany’s Ceus faced 18 shots and made seven saves. Binghamton’s Stenta stopped nine of the 16 Great Dane shots he saw in goal. Stenta earned his sixth shutout of the season and the 26th of his career, setting a new school record.

UAlbany (7-3, 1-1 AE) returns to action on Saturday afternoon when it visits New Hampshire at 5 p.m.

Binghamton (6-2-3, 1-0 AE) 1 2 - 3
UAlbany (7-3, 1-1 AE) 0 0 - 0

Binghamton: Scoring – Cameron Keith (1-1), Justin Leskow (1-0) Barry Neville (1-0), Mark Wood (0-1). Goalkeeper – Jason Stenta (90:00, 0 GA, 9 saves).

UAlbany: Scoring – None. Goalkeeper – Steward Ceus (90:00, 3 GA, 7 saves).

Michelle Simpson & Nicole Savage Lead UAlbany Field Hockey Past Crosstown-Rival Siena, 5-0

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Senior midfielder Michele Simpson and junior forward Nicole Savage each recorded two goals to lead UAlbany to a 5-0 win over crosstown-rival Siena in non-conference field hockey action at Alumni Turf Field on Tuesday afternoon.

Savage started off the scoring at the 11:58 mark, as she received a pass from senior defender Michele Polizois, who took the initial pass from a penalty corner. The Great Danes doubled their score in the 30th minute as sophomore forward Alysia Hough dribbled across the front of the cage and slipped a shot into the bottom left corner past Siena goalkeeper Jennifer Tesak. UAlbany added one more score before halftime and Polizois and Savage connected again after the initial insert on a penalty corner.

Simpson recorded her first tally of the game less than two minutes into the second half. Simpson dribbled into the circle past several defenders and shot the ball past Siena goalkeeper Renee Clavette, who relieved Tesak at the half. Simpson added the final goal of the game at 41:47, as she redirected a shot by junior defender Jess Lindsey into the back of the cage.

UAlbany outshot the Saints, 39-2, and held a 19-1 advantage in penalty corners. Tesak made nine saves in the cage while Clavette stopped four shots for the Saints (0-9). Senior goalkeeper Ashley Ross played the first half in the cage for UAlbany, making one save. Sophomore Christine Hoffman took over in the second half and completed the 35 minutes without having to make a save.

UAlbany (7-7) returns to America East Conference play on Saturday, visiting Vermont for a 1 p.m. start.

Siena (0-9) 0 0 - 0
UAlbany (7-7) 3 2 - 5

Siena: Scoring – None. Goalkeepers – Jennifer Tesak (35:00, 3 GA, 9 saves), Renee Clavette (35:00, 2 GA, 4 saves).

UAlbany: Scoring – Nicole Savage (2-0), Michelle Simpson (2-0), Alysia Hough (1-0), Michele Polizois (0-2), Jess Lindsey (0-1). Goalkeepers – Ashley Ross (35:00, 0 GA, 1 save), Christine Hoffman (35:00, 0 GA, 0 saves).

UAlbany Remains King In Albany Collegiate Athletics: 2008 TOTAL: UAlbany 8 Siena 1

UAlbany added another victory to its total with a 5-0 field hockey victory over siena today at Alumni Field.

UAlbany vs. siena: 2008 Head to Head, 1 on 1 Competition

TOTAL: UAlbany 8 Siena 1

UAlbany 18 Siena 8 - Women's Lacrosse: March 3, 2008
UAlbany 3 Siena 2 - Women's Softball: March 27, 2008
UAlbany 2 Siena 1 - Women's Softball: March 27, 2008
UAlbany 13 Siena 6 - Men's Lacrosse: April 2, 2008
UAlbany 6 Siena 1 - Women's Tennis: April 16, 2008
UAlbany 7 Siena 3 - Women's Softball: April 29, 2008
Siena 4 UAlbany 0 – Women’s Soccer: Sept 7, 2008
UAlbany 3 Siena 0 – Men’s Soccer: Sept 21, 2008
UAlbany 5 Siena 0 – Field Hockey: October 7, 2008

UAlbany Siena – Volleyball: October 15, 2008
UAlbany Siena – Men’s Basketball: December 6, 2008

UAlbany secured winning the annual head to head with siena back in April 29, 2008, when UAlbany continued its 2008 sweep over siena with its 6th consecutive win.

UAlbany's McCarty & Wargo Receive Weekly Northeast Conference Football Awards

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany’s David McCarty has been selected as the Northeast Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week in football, as announced by the conference office on Monday, Oct. 6. McCarty, a junior tailback who received the honor for the second time this season, shared the award with Monmouth’s David Sinisi. UAlbany’s Marc Wargo was named the NEC Rookie of the Week.

McCarty rushed for 230 yards, the sixth-highest single-game total among Division I FCS players this season, and scored on a 24-yard reception in last Saturday’s 33-23 victory at Duquesne to begin the conference schedule. McCarty, who also caught three passes, accounted for a career-high 270 all-purpose yards. His touchdown catch put the Great Danes ahead for good, 20-17, with 58 seconds left in the second quarter and extended his scoring streak to 13 consecutive games.

A native of Gansevoort, N.Y., McCarty is the nation’s sixth-leading rusher at 142.0 yards per game. He became the eight UAlbany player to surpass 2,000 career rushing yards and is now seventh all-time in that category with 2,211.

Wargo, a redshirt freshman linebacker from East Windsor, N.J., made three tackles, including a sack of quarterback Connor Dixon on third down after Duquesne had recovered an on-side kick with less than three minutes remaining. He also set up UAlbany’s second touchdown by recovering a fumble at the Dukes’ 19.

UAlbany (2-3, NEC 1-0) meets NEC-rival Central Connecticut State in its first home contest of the season on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The game will be televised in the Capital Region on Time Warner Cable (TW3). The Great Danes, who have play eight consecutive away games dating back to last November, are the last Division I FBS or FCS program to have a home date this year.

UAlbany Soccer's Don Johnson Honored By College Soccer News and America East Conference

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany senior forward Don Johnson earned a spot the College Soccer News National Team of the Week for the week ending Oct. 5. In addition, he was named the America East Conference Player of the Week as announced by the league office on Monday. Johnson becomes the second Great Dane to earn the honor this season.

Even though the Great Danes were outshot 22-6, Johnson made the most of UAlbany’s few opportunities by scoring two goals in the club’s convincing 3-0 road win over Boston University, an NCAA Tournament team last year, in the conference opener for both schools. Johnson, who entered the season with three goals and four assists as a collegian, has already accumulated four goals and one assist for nine points this fall.

The team improved to 7-0-1 in America East Conference openers, and the club’s seven wins this season are the most victories through nine matches in the program’s Division I era which began in 1999. The win also snapped the Terriers’ six-game home unbeaten streak against league opponents that dated back to October 14, 2006 when the Great Danes recorded a 1-0 overtime decision.

UAlbany (7-2, AE 1-0), which averages a league-best 2.56 goals per game, hosts Binghamton, which allows a league-low 0.60 goals per game, at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

UAlbany Women Soccer's Katie Grant Named America East Conference Soccer Rookie of the Week

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany freshman midfielder Katie Grant earned America East Conference Rookie of the Week laurels in women’s soccer as announced by the conference office on Monday. Grant becomes the second Great Dane to earn the honor this season.

Grant’s career game helped UAlbany defeat New Hampshire, 3-1, on Oct. 5. The Great Danes posted thei first win against UNH in eight all-time meetings. After coming off the bench late in the first half, she netted her first career goal and game-winning shot in the 42nd minute. Grant also set up the team’s insurance tally, scored by Teresa Boring in the 84th minute, to finish the afternoon with three points. She now has one goal and two assists for four points.

UAlbany (3-11, AE 1-2) plays its final non-conference match of the regular season at Dartmouth at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7. The squad stays on the road to visit America East opponent Hartford on Sunday, Oct. 12.

UAlbany Volleyball Completes 2-0 Weekend With a 3-1 Win Over New Hampshire

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Sophomore outside hitter Amanda Cowdrey’s sixth double-double of the season on 13 digs and a team-high 12 kills led the University at Albany women’s volleyball team to a 3-1 victory over New Hampshire in America East Conference action on Sunday afternoon. Set scores were 25-17, 21-25, 25-21 and 25-21. With the victory, the Great Danes are off to a perfect start through the first weekend of league play.

The first set started off sloppy as the two teams combined for three service errors on the first six rallies. With the score tied at 5-5, UAlbany went on an 8-0 run to go ahead 13-5. Mostert recorded four of her career-best five service aces during the stretch. New Hampshire never recovered and only brought the UAlbany lead down to seven points the rest of the way. After leading by as many as 10 points, the Great Danes closed out the set by a 25-17 decision.

The second set featured three ties and two lead changes. After trailing by scores of 2-0 and 3-1, the Great Danes went on a 5-0 run to take a 6-3 advantage with Hillary White serving and forced the Wildcats to call a timeout. Facing a narrow 11-10 deficit, the Wildcats scored the next four points and never trailed the rest of the set. UAlbany hung around and brought the Wildcat lead down to three points at 23-20 and 24-21 courtesy of kills by Cate Eckhardt, but Kristen Bates’ kill to close out the set gave the Wildcats the 25-21 win.

The teams traded points to begin the third set, a stanza which had five ties and two lead changes. With the score tied at 4-4, New Hampshire went ahead 7-4 and forced the Great Danes to call a timeout. UAlbany tied the score at 7-7 after a service error by the Wildcats’ Bates and kills by Mostert and Eckhardt. After UNH went ahead 10-7, UAlbany came right back to tie things up at 10-10. With the score knotted again at 11-11, the Great Danes took the lead for good following a pair of attacking errors by the Wildcats. UAlbany held on for the 25-21 set victory to go ahead 2-1.

In an effort by the Wildcats to force a fifth and deciding set, the two teams played a back-and-forth battle the entire fourth frame. Neither team went on a run that was greater than 4-0. UNH opened the scoring on a kill by Justine Elliott, but the Great Danes responded with four straight points and held off every run by the Wildcats for the remainder of the set. UAlbany won the set, 25-21, and recorded its second straight victory to open league play.

In addition to recording a double-double on 13 digs and 12 kills, Cowdrey finished third on the team with a .278 hitting percentage to pace the Great Danes. Eckhardt just missed a double-double, finishing with a career-best 18 digs along with nine kills and two service aces. Kamisha Kellam led the team with a .308 hitting percentage and had 10 kills. In addition to ending the match with a career-high five service aces, Mostert recorded a .286 hitting percentage, 10 digs, seven kills and four blocks. White had a team-best six blocks and Brooke Stanley contributed 36 assists.

New Hampshire (3-15, AE 0-2) was led by Bates, who finished the match with 20 kills, 13 digs, two service aces and a .356 hitting percentage. Lindsay Fogarty and Lauren Laquerre added 10 kills apiece, while Kate Uitti had 46 assists and Alyse Lahti posted 19 digs.

UAlbany (9-8, AE 2-0) returns to action next weekend for another pair of America East matches. The Great Danes will hit the road to face Stony Brook at 7 p.m. on Friday and Hartford at 6 p.m. next Sunday.

UAlbany Women's Soccer Beats New Hampshire, 3-1, for First America East Conference Victory

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Freshman Katie Grant scored her first career goal and assisted on another to lead the University at Albany women’s soccer team to a 3-1 victory over New Hampshire at Varsity Field on Sunday, Oct. 5. Ashley Tirabassi recorded two assists in a match for the first time in her career, which included setting up Grant’s game winner at the end of the first half.

New Hampshire (3-8-1, AE 2-1) got on the scoreboard early to take a quick 1-0 lead when Amy Avitabile took a cross from the right side and found the back of the net in the third minute. Shaunna Kaplan and Stephanie Gilkenson were credited with assists on the play.

UAlbany (3-11, AE 1-2), which entered the match 0-7 all-time against the Wildcats, responded with two straight scores to take a 2-1 advantage heading into the break. Kendra Harrell-Vigil tied up the match in the 18th minute when she took a pass from Tirabassi and let the ball sail from 20 yards away to the upper 90 of the net. Grant netted the next goal in the 42nd minute. After receiving a pass from Tirabassi, Grant went from left to right and around a New Hampshire defender before potting a shot from the center around the 18-yard line.

The Great Danes added an insurance goal in the 84th minute when Teresa Boring, facing pressure inside the box, shot the ball past goalkeeper Ally Yost. The UAlbany defense did not surrender a single shot the rest of the way and the team held on to beat the Wildcats for the first time ever.

UAlbany’s Amber Maisonet faced 10 shots and made six saves to earn her first collegiate win. Yost of UNH stopped four of the 14 shots taken by the Great Danes in the losing effort.

The Great Danes travel to Dartmouth on Tuesday for their final non-conference match of the regular season. The match is slated to begin at 6 p.m.

New Hampshire (3-8-1, AE 2-1) 1 0 - 1
UAlbany (3-11, AE 1-2) 2 1 - 3

New Hampshire: Scoring – Amy Avitabile (1-0), Shaunna Kaplan (0-1), Stephanie Gilkenson (0-1). Goalkeeping – Ally Yost (90:00, 3 GA, 4 saves).

UAlbany: Scoring – Katie Grant (1-1), Ashley Tirabassi (0-2), Kendra Harrell-Vigil (1-0), Teresa Boring (1-0). Goalkeeping: Amber Maisonet (90:00, 1 GA, 6 saves).

UAlbany Football Downs Duquesne Entering NEC Conference Play With Help From Esposito & McCarty

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Pittsburgh, Pa. -- Vinny Esposito threw a career-high three touchdown passes and David McCarty rushed for 230 yards, his second-highest total as a collegian, in leading UAlbany to a 33-23 victory over Duquesne in the Great Danes’ Northeast Conference opener on Saturday, Oct. 4 at Rooney Field.

UAlbany (2-3, NEC 1-0) led 20-17 in the fourth quarter, but then reached the end zone on consecutive possessions to pull away. The Great Danes, who have won eight of 10 games to begin NEC play since joining the league in 1999, marched 60 yards in nine plays, using their high-caliber ground attack. Esposito finished off the sequence by hooking up with Tim Bush on a five-yard slant pattern on third-and-goal. The series was set up by cornerback L.B. McCloskey’s interception.

After a Duquesne fumble was recovered by linebacker Justin Brancaccio, UAlbany went eight plays to build a 33-17 margin with 3:54 remaining. Esposito, who completed 10 of 18 attempts, hit tight end Dan Archer for a first down at the nine-yard line. He later teamed with fullback Justin Petersen on a two-yard scoring touchdown in another third-down situation.

Duquesne (2-2, NEC 1-1) tried to mount a comeback behind the strong arm of Connor Dixon, who connected on 21-of-46 through the air for 338 yards and two touchdowns. Dixon found tight end Sean Bunevich across the middle on a 41-yard scoring pass to close the gap. The Dukes, who are in their first season as a league member after winning nine straight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference titles, recovered the on-side kick, but UAlbany’s defense stiffened at its own 36 to end the threat.

“I was very impressed with Duquesne,” said UAlbany coach Bob Ford, whose defensive unit forced five turnovers, including three interceptions. “But I think our offensive line grinded on them and eventually wore them down. We were trying to keep our defense off the field, but we made too many mental mistakes and had a ton of penalties.”

The first half featured three lead changes as the offenses combined for more than 400 yards in the opening two periods. The Dukes, who rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat Dayton last week, scored on the game’s first possession. Cleodis Williams capped an 11-play drive by breaking off right tackle on a 20-yard touchdown.

UAlbany regrouped to take a 14-7 lead in the second quarter. Colin Simmons tied the contest with a two-yard blast over left tackle. McCarty, whose rushing total tied the fifth-highest single-game mark in school history, set up the touchdown with a 45-yard scamper around left end. The Great Danes’ defense helped put their team ahead when inside linebacker Marc Wargo recovered a fumble at the Duquesne 19. Esposito would later run a quarterback sneak over left guard into the end zone from two yards out.

Duquesne rallied with 10 unanswered points. Dixon, a Michigan State transfer and the state of Pennsylvania’s top player coming out of high school, found a streaking Conrad Carter on a post pattern for a 42-yard touchdown. The Dukes recovered from a third-and-20 situation when Bunevich hauled in a 23-yard completion. Bunevich, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound junior who caught eight passes for 163 yards on the day, later made a 30-yard catch to set up the go-ahead points. Mark Troyan booted a 20-yard field for a 17-14 advantage.

UAlbany went back in front before the intermission with a nine-play march. The Great Danes overcame a holding call in the Duquesne red zone, as Esposito, under pressure, dumped a pass to McCarty in the right flat. McCarty, who accounted for 270 all-purpose yards, used his blocking to finish off the 24-yard scoring pass.

“We did a much better job in the second half than we have in previous weeks,” offered McCarty, whose squad has won seven straight and 11 of its last 12 against conference opponents. “The mental errors made it a little nerve-racking at times, but there is always going to be mistakes in a game. Our offensive line and receivers allowed us to pound the ball.”


UAlbany 33, Duquesne 23 (Oct 04, 2008)