UAlbany Basketball Programs Start 2010-11 Season with Home Doubleheader at SEFCU Arena

Albany, N.Y. - UAlbany's men's and women's basketball teams begin the 2010-11 schedule with a home doubleheader at SEFCU Arena on Friday, Nov. 12. The women tangle with Brown in the first game at 5:00 p.m. (WCDB-90.9 FM). The men face defending Ivy League champion Cornell in the second contest at 7:30 p.m. Fans can listen to the game on Fox Sports 980, WOFX-AM, with Rodger Wyland and Erik Elken handling play-by-play.

UAlbany ushers in a new era as Katie Abrahamson-Henderson takes over as the women's head coach. She comes to the program from Indiana University, where she was the associate head coach for two seasons. Abrahamson-Henderson guided Missouri State from 2002-07 as head coach and led the Bears to three NCAA Tournaments and a WNIT championship. The Great Danes return America East Conference all-rookie members Ebone Henry (11.4 ppg) and Julie Forster, who led the league in rebounding at 8.6 per game. Felicia Johnson (9.4 ppg) and Tabitha Makopondo serve as team captains.

Hannah Passafuime and Aileen Daniels are two of Brown's nine returning letterwinners. Passafuime earned honorable mention All-Ivy League honors and scored at a 9.3 clip. Daniels was a consistent performer off the bench and third on the team in scoring (7.0 ppg). Head coach Jean Marie Burr has added seven rookies to the roster.

UAlbany's men's team has a youthful look with a combined 12 years of Division I experience on the roster. Mike Black (7.2 ppg) is coming off an impressive freshman campaign when he was named to the America East all-rookie squad. Tim Ambrose, a member of the 1,000-point club, was among the conference leaders in scoring (12.4 ppg), rebounding (5.3 pg) and assists (2.8 pg). Logan Aronhalt (6.7 ppg) and Blake Metcalf, at 6-foot-9 and 240 pounds, are the third and fourth sophomores to be elected as captains in the program's Division I history.

The Big Red posted a 29-5 record, won a third consecutive Ivy League championship, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament's regional semifinals last year. Bill Courtney, a former assistant at Virginia Tech, Virginia and George Mason, is now the Cornell head coach. Chris Wroblewski, an honorable mention all-league guard, averaged 8.9 points and 3.1 assists, plus made 54-of-119 from three-point range one year ago.

Paw Prints: All U.S. Armed Forces personnel will admitted to all November basketball games with a military identification ... UAlbany's men's program will participate in this month's Legends Classic ... the Great Danes will salute one of their all-time legends during the first half of the Cornell game ... Gary Holway (1955-59) piled up 1,851 points and 1,225 rebounds during his college basketball career ... Holway, who is a retired college biology professor, spent four years in the U.S. Navy and spent most of his service on the USS Midway in the Mediterranean.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

#15 UAlbany Set to Play #7 Ohio State in NCAA Division I Field Hockey Tournament

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany will travel to State College, Pa. to take on 7th-ranked Ohio State in the first round of the 2010 NCAA Division I Field Hockey Tournament, as announced by the NCAA on Tuesday evening. The Great Danes, who are currently ranked 15th nationally, punched their ticket to the tournament with a 2-1 win over Rider on Tuesday afternoon in a play-in game.

Ohio State enters tournament play with a 16-4 overall record. The Buckeyes fell to Michigan, 2-1, in the Big Ten Championship, ending a ten-game win streak. Ohio State, who shared the Big Ten regular-season title with the Wolverines, is led this season by midfielder and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Aisling Coyle, who scored 22 goals and added six assists. Forward Paula Pastor-Pitarque was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year after recording seven goals and seven assists on the season. Pastor-Pitarque was the second consecutive Buckeye to win the league's top rookie award, following Berta Queralt, who was a 2009 All-American and currently leads the Big 10 with a Ohio State single-season record 26 assists.

"Ohio State is a very good program," said UAlbany head coach Phil Sykes, who is leading the Great Danes to their second NCAA Tournament appearance. "We played them four years ago, and we know the coaching staff pretty well. Big Ten field hockey is very physical and fast. We played Michigan earlier this season, and I think that was good preparation for the level of competition in that conference."

UAlbany (16-5) also advanced to the NCAA tournament in 2008, where the Great Danes fell to eventual National Champion Maryland. UAlbany is one win short of the school's all-time single-season record, as the 1997 team won 17 games at the Division II level. The Great Danes, who have won 10 or more games for the fifth consecutive season, is led by forward Christina Patrick. The America East Conference First Team member, who scored the game-winner in Tuesday's victory, is second on the program's single-season Division I goals and points chart with 15 goals and six assists. UAlbany is also paced by the league's rookie of the year and tournament MVP, Corrine McConville, and the conference's goalkeeper of the year, Kristi Troch, who leads the nation with a .822 save percentage.

"We were hoping to stay away from the top three teams in Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia in the first round," offered Sykes. "Ohio State is a physical team, but we are going to go out there to compete."

In the other regional game, host Penn State (14-5) will take on #4 Syracuse (15-4). The 10th-ranked Nittany Lions will play the Orange in the first game of Saturday's regional at 11:30 a.m. UAlbany and Ohio State will follow at 2 p.m. The winners will advance to the second round of regional play to take place on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Top-ranked Maryland will host the tournament's semifinals on November 19 and championship game on November 21 at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex in College Park, Md.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Field Hockey Beats Rider Earning Spot In NCAA Tournament

Junior Christina Patrick scored an unassisted goal in the 42nd minute to lead No. 15 UAlbany to a 2-1 win over Rider in an NCAA Field Hockey play-in game on Tuesday afternoon at Alumni Turf Field. The Great Danes, who will make their second NCAA Division I Tournament appearance, improved to 16-5 on the season.

University of Albany Volleyball's Teresa Coppiellie Earns America East Conference Player Award for Third Straight Week - UAlbany Sports 2010

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Teresa Coppiellie has been named the America East Conference Volleyball Player of the Week, as announced by the league office on Monday, Nov. 8. Coppiellie received the award for the third consecutive and has earned the weekly honor on five occasions this season.

Coppiellie averaged 4.29 kills, 2.00 digs and 0.86 blocks per set to go along with a .360 hitting percentage in two matches over the weekend. The senior outside hitter started off the weekend with 16 kills, eight digs and two blocks in a 3-1 win over New Hampshire. She also recorded one of the Great Danes' nine service aces against the UNH Wildcats. In a sweep of Providence, Coppiellie finished with a match-high 14 kills on .406 hitting, to go along with six digs and four total blocks, including two solo.

UAlbany (18-7, AE 8-2) won two matches on the road over the weekend to remain in first place in the America East Conference standings. The Great Danes defeated New Hampshire, 3-1, on Friday before sweeping Providence in three sets the following day. UAlbany returns home for the final two matches of the regular season, hosting Hartford on Friday and Stony Brook on Sunday in conference play.



Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Dillon Romain Selected Northeast Conference Football Rookie of the Week - UAlbany Sports 2010

Somerset, N.J. - University at Albany's Dillon Romain has been chosen Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week in football, as announced by the conference office on Monday, Nov. 8. The freshman tailback earned the weekly award for the second time this season.

Romain recorded career-highs in rushing yards (101) and all-purpose yards (152) in last Saturday's 35-23 conference win over Sacred Heart. The Great Danes snapped a three-game skid with their third road win of the season. He scored on a pair of touchdown runs, including a 7-yarder that tied the contest at seven apiece just before halftime. Romain added a 20-yard dash over the right side to provide his team with a 21-7 advantage with 6:44 left in the third quarter. A native of Vernon, N.J., Romain had a 28-yard kickoff return to midfield that led to an early fourth-quarter touchdown and caught two passes for 23 yards.

Romain, who attended Blair Academy and was the 2008 New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year at Don Bosco Prep, scored on two touchdown runs for the second time this year. He is just the second UAlbany freshman to accomplish that feat in the program's Division I FCS era and the first since the 2000 campaign.

Paw Prints: UAlbany (4-5, NEC 2-4) play its final two games at home against Wagner (Nov. 13) and Monmouth (Nov. 13) after being on the road for seven of the opening nine contests ... Bob Ford has moved into a tie for fifth among the winningest FCS coaches all-time with his 245th career victory ... defensive end Mike Kelly provided the game-winning play on a 54-yard interception return for a touchdown with 1:22 remaining ... Kelly's return was the 13th longest in program history ... OLB Chris Blais was involved in two second-quarter interceptions ... the senior picked off quarterback Dale Fink with 9:10 left in the period and then tipped a pass on the blitz that led to safety Jake Ciccarello's interception ... tailback Andrew Smith rushed for two touchdowns for the second time in his career ... Smith ran for 97 yards on 15 carries and had 100-plus all-purpose yards (118) for the seventh time as a collegian.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Field Hockey Will Host Rider in NCAA Tournament Play-In Game on Tuesday

Albany, N.Y. - America East Conference champion University at Albany will host Northeast Conference champion Rider in an NCAA Field Hockey Tournament play-in game on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 1:00 p.m. at UAlbany's Alumni Turf Field. The Great Danes earned the right to host the play-in game after defeating New Hampshire, 3-2, in overtime on Saturday in the America East championship game.

No. 15 UAlbany (15-5) has been nationally ranked on the Kookaburra/NFHCA Division I National Coaches' Poll for the entire 2010 season. The Great Danes are led by America East goalkeeper of the year Kristi Troch, who anchored a defense that finished second in the conference in goals allowed (1.44). She also helped the Great Danes to a league-leading seven shutouts. Troch, who was named the league's player of the week once this season, led the America East with a 1.14 goals against average and a .818 save percentage. Corrine McConville, who was named the conference tournament's most outstanding player, became UAlbany's second-ever America East rookie of the year winner, and also earned all-conference second-team accolades. She led the conference in shots and was also ranked in the top ten in goals, after scoring eight in her rookie season. Christina Patrick, a first-team all-league selection, leads the team in scoring with 15 goals and eight assists.

Rider (16-3) claimed its fourth NEC championship title with a 1-0 win over Monmouth on Saturday. The Broncs are led by back-to-back NEC player of the year and tournament MVP Virginia Egusquiza, who set up the game-winning shot in the championship game. Egusquiza, a junior midfielder/forward, is ranked on Rider's all-time goals and assists charts after scoring a point in 16 of 17 regular-season games. Goalkeeper Rebecca Lotito recorded her seventh shutout of the season, making three saves. Rider outshot Monmouth, 16-4, and held a 15-5 advantage in penalty corners. Rider junior Megan Pisani was named the 2010 NEC Offensive Player of the Year, while Sandra Penas earned the league's rookie of the year honor.

UAlbany and Rider have split four previous meetings, with the Broncs claiming a 4-1 victory in the last match up, back on Sept. 26, 2003.

Paw Prints: The 2010 NCAA Field Hockey Tournament Selection Show will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. The selection show will be streamed live on ncaa.com, where the tournament bracket will be released. UAlbany will be looking to make its second appearance in the NCAA Field Hockey Tournament. The Great Danes lost to top-ranked Maryland, 4-2, back in 2008.

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2010 NCAA Field Hockey Tournament Play-In Game

Alumni Turf Field, Albany, N.Y.

#15 UAlbany (15-5) vs. Rider (16-3), 1 p.m.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Field Hockey Captures America East Championship in 3-2 OT Win at New Hampshire - UAlbany Sports 2010

Durham, N.H. - Daphne Voormolen scored the game-winning goal in overtime to lead #15 UAlbany to a 3-2 win over #19 New Hampshire in the America East Conference Field Hockey Championship on Saturday, Nov. 6 at Memorial Field. With the championship victory, the Great Danes claim the program's second America East title.

UNH (14-7) scored the first goal of the game just 2:59 into the game, as Hannah Richard took an assist from Kara Connolly to put the Wildcats on top. UAlbany tied the game in the 33rd minute, as Christina Patrick, who was named to the all-tournament team, tipped in an initial shot from Nina Walters off a penalty corner attempt to score her second goal in as many games.

Kyle Lyons gave New Hampshire a 2-1 lead with a penalty stroke in the 41st minute. Lyons sent the ball into the top left corner past UAlbany goalkeeper Kristi Troch. The Great Danes' had a chance to tie the game came with nine minutes left in the second half, but Patrick's reverse-stick shot ricocheted off the top and side goal posts before shooting out of the cage. However, UAlbany capitalized on three consecutive penalty corners, as Walters tipped in a shot from Suzy Clephane past UNH goalkeeper Katherine Nagengast to tie the game at 2-2 with just under three minutes left to play.

UAlbany outshot UNH, 14-7, and held a 7-4 advantage in penalty corners. Nagengast made five saves for the Wildcats in her complete-game effort, while America East goalkeeper of the year Troch, who was also an all-tournament honoree, made three saves in the cage for UAlbany in the win. Sophomore defender Taylor Luke and America East rookie of the year Corrine McConville were also all-tournament team members, with McConville named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

UAlbany (15-5) will take on Northeast Conference Champion Rider on Tuesday at 1 p.m. in an NCAA Play-In game at Alumni Turf Field. The winner of the play-in game will advance into the NCAA Tournament.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Coppiellie Leads University of Albany Volleyball to A-East Sweep of Providence; UAlbany Alone in First Place - UAlbany Sports 2010

Providence, R.I. - Teresa Coppiellie led the UAlbany offense for the second straight match, recording 14 kills to lead the Great Danes to a 3-0 sweep of Providence in America East Conference volleyball action on Saturday afternoon at Mullaney Gymnasium. The Great Danes won the match with set scores of 25-18, 25-12 and 25-14.

Along with her match-high kill total, Coppiellie hit .406 in the match to go along with six digs and four total blocks. Casey Wright also reached double-digit kill totals for UAlbany with 11, while Dunja Prgomet finished with eight kills. Libero Laurie Gonzalez totaled a match-high17 digs and four service aces, while setter Abbey Wexel was just short of a double-double with 34 assists and nine digs. As a team, the Great Danes out-blocked Providence, 7-1.

Providence (10-22, AE 2-9) was led by Lauren Hendel with 10 kills, while Cassie Muzzonigro and Emily Morris recorded double-digit digs with 13 and 11, respectively. Setter Carly Morrison finished with 15 assists.

UAlbany (18-7, AE 8-2) will return to action on Friday, hosting Hartford at 7 p.m.


UAlbany (18-7, AE 8-2) def. Providence (10-22, AE 2-9), 3-0 (25-18, 25-12, 25-14).

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Mike Kelly's Late Interception Return Leads UAlbany FCS Football to 35-23 NEC Win Against Sacred Heart - UAlbany Sports 2010

Fairfield, Conn. - Defensive end Mike Kelly scored on a 54-yard interception return late in the fourth quarter, as UAlbany held off Sacred Heart, 35-23, in Northeast Conference play on Saturday, Nov. 6 at Campus Field. The Great Danes snapped a three-game losing streak.

Sacred Heart (3-7, NEC 1-6) attempted to rally from a 14-point deficit in the final period behind quarterback Dale Fink, who completed 36 of 61 passes for 414 yards and three scores. After a bad snap led to a blocked punt for a safety, Fink led his team on an eight-play, 70-yard march that closed the gap to 28-23. The senior drilled a 21-yard touchdown strike to Rich Rossi with 6:33 remaining. Rossi finished with 11 receptions for 150 yards.

Following a UAlbany punt, the Pioneers steadily worked their way up the field, including a pair of fourth-down conversions. Fink twice hooked up with wide receiver Tony Patterson, who had 10 catches for 138 yards, to keep the potential game-winning drive alive. But on second-and-six at the UAlbany 35, Fink's attempt was tipped into the air by defensive tackle Trevor Anderson and Kelly hauled in the football and raced to end zone by a defensive escort with 1:22 remaining.

"They converted on fourth down twice and we were dead tired as pass rushers," said Kelly, who became the first UAlbany defensive lineman to score with an interception in four years. "Trevor (Anderson) batted the pass and I just came up with it. This was the last road trip for the seniors and we wanted to set a tone for next year's team."

The Great Danes, who have started the season with seven of nine games on the road, played Sacred Heart to a 7-7 halftime tie despite two turnovers and two missed field goals. The Pioneers took a 7-0 advantage with 3:45 left in the opening period when Fink tossed an 8-yard touchdown pass to running back Marcel Archer. Fink's passing set up the first score of the contest. He hit Archer for 16 yards on underneath route and followed with an 18-yard strike to Rossi.

After UAlbany quarterback Buddy Leathley fumbled inside his own 30, the Pioneers had second-and-goal at seven-yard line. But the Great Danes came with the blitz and Fink's pass was deflected and safety Jake Ciccarello made the interception. The junior's return and a personal foul for a horse-collar tackle set the offense up at the SHU 41. Leathley marched his team six plays for the tying touchdown, including a 21-yard, third-down pass. Freshman tailback Dillon Romain later ran over right guard and cut back on a 7-yard scoring run with 1:31 left before the intermission.

UAlbany (4-5, NEC 2-4) established its rushing attack in the third quarter by scoring on its first two possessions. Andrew Smith, a sophomore tailback with ran for 97 yards on 15 attempts, slanted over the left side on a 9-yard touchdown run to cap a 10-play series. After Leathley connected with Kevin Chillis on a 23-yard completion, Romain rumbled over right guard on a 20-yard scoring run for a 21-7 lead. Romain had a career-high 101 yards on 16 carries.

The Pioneers, who were coming off back-to-back wins over Georgetown and Monmouth, closed the gap by marching 65 yards in 11 plays. Fink, the conference's all-time leader in career touchdown passes with 77, found Rock Tate with a 2-yard scoring pass. UAlbany regained its two-touchdown lead when Smith drove over the right side into the end zone on a 2-yard run. He set up the score with a dazzling 30-yard scamper on fourth down.

"I have told our team we just need to figure out a way to make plays," offered UAlbany coach Bob Ford, who recorded his 245th career win. "(Mike) Kelly and seniors did that today. We were able to establish the run in the second half and get control of the line of scrimmage. (Dale) Fink is a good thrower and gets a lot of yardage against everyone."

Paw Prints: UAlbany ended a three-game losing streak against Northeast Conference opponents, its longest in a season since joining the league in 1999 ... DE Mike Kelly's interception return for a touchdown for was the first by a UAlbany player since Nov. 15, 2008 ... ILB Dave Plungas made a career-high 12 tackles after missing his last start with an injury ... the Great Danes' defense accounted for three interceptions, including one in the first half by OLB Chris Blais ... TB Dillon Romain had a career-best 152 all-purpose yards ... TB Andrew Smith toppled the 100-mark in all-purpose yards for the seventh time as a collegian.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Football Plays Its Final Road Game of Season Against Conference Opponent Sacred Heart

Fairfield, Conn. - UAlbany plays its final road game of the season when the Great Danes travel to Northeast Conference opponent Sacred Heart on Saturday, Nov. 6. Kickoff is 1:00 p.m. at Campus Field. Fans can listen to the game on Fox Sports 980, WOFX-AM, with Rodger Wyland and Erik Elken handling play-by-play.

Sacred Heart (3-6, NEC 1-5) is on the upswing after recording back-to-back victories over Georgetown (33-20) and Monmouth (26-25). Head coach Paul Gorham has an explosive offense led by record-setting quarterback Dale Fink. The senior is the second-leading all-time passer in conference history with 7,994 yards. Fink, who owns 11 school passing marks, has thrown for 2,000-plus yards and 10 TDs this season. Mark Uyeno (39 receptions) and Rich Rossi (36 receptions) are the top receivers. WR Tony Patterson is among the program's career leaders with 104 catches. WR Garry Coles, a dangerous kick returner, recently returned from injury and has three TD receptions. RB Marcel Archer ran for four scores, including the game-winner with 51 seconds remaining, against Monmouth. He is tied for ninth nationally in scoring with 14 touchdowns.

Linebackers Chris Mandas and Mike Zambrano are sixth and eighth respectively, among the conference tackles leaders. Mandas totals 71 tackles, five pass break-ups and one interception. Zambrano, who made nine stops vs. Georgetown, has 67 tackles. DE Justin Embler (6-3, 250) was named to the preseason All-NEC squad. He has 44 tackles, including 11 hits for a loss, and made the game-clinching sack against Monmouth.
UAlbany (3-5, NEC 1-4) suffered its third consecutive setback one week ago. The Great Danes, who are on the road for the seventh time in nine games, have not been able to generate any momentum to this point in the season. Redshirt freshman Buddy Leathley has been solid in his first two games as the starting quarterback. He passed for a career-high 179 yards and added 68 on the ground against Bryant. WR Ryan Kirchner is his favorite target with 41 catches, the ninth-best single-season total in school history. Jon Morgan and Dave Plungas, a pair of sophomore inside linebackers, lead the defense with 43 and 37 tackles, respectively.

Paw Prints: UAlbany and Sacred Heart are meeting for the 13th time ... QB Buddy Leathley passed for 179 yards against Bryant, the highest total by a UAlbany freshman since Nov. 11, 1994 ... DE Eddie Delaney has reached the 100-career mark in tackles with 102 ... S Rob Cervini, a Rutgers transfer, had four tackles and one fumble recovery last week in his first starting assignment ... TB Andrew Smith had 100-plus all-purpose yards for the sixth time in his career ... WR Ryan Kirchner accounted for a career-best 133 all-purpose yards ... CB


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Volleyball Defeats New Hampshire, 3-1, to Remain in First Place in America East Standings - UAlbany Sports 2010

Durham, N.H. - Teresa Coppiellie recorded a team-high 16 kills and added two blocks to lead UAlbany to a 3-1 win over New Hampshire in America East Conference volleyball action on Friday evening at Lundholm Gymnasium. The Great Danes won the match with set scores of 25-20, 19-25, 25-20 and 25-17.

Coppiellie tallied one of UAlbany's nine service aces in the match, to go along with eight digs and a .326 hitting percentage. Casey Wright added 13 kills for the Great Danes and put up four total blocks, while Traci Vandegrift added eight kills and nine digs. Libero Laurie Gonzalez finished with a match-high 20 digs, while setter Abbey Wexel totaled 38 assists and six digs, along with two service aces.

New Hampshire was led by Amy Keding, who recorded a match-high 18 kills and four block assists. The Wildcats had three players with double-digit digs, led by Lauren Laquerre with 13. Setter Sara Heldman finished with a double-double of 39 assists and 12 digs, along with six kills. Jayde Hustable was the final player with 11 digs for New Hampshire (9-16, AE 4-6).

UAlbany (17-7, AE 7-2) will return to action on Saturday, visiting Providence in America East Conference action at 5 p.m.

University of Albany Field Hockey Advances to America East Championship Game with 2-1 Win Over Boston U. - UAlbany Sports 2010

Durham, N.H. - Christina Patrick scored the game-winning goal in the 41st minute to lead #15 UAlbany to a 2-1 win over #18 Boston U. in the America East Conference Field Hockey Championship Tournament on Friday evening at Memorial Field. With the semifinal victory, the Great Danes advance to the league's championship game for the third consecutive season, and will face top-seeded New Hampshire on Saturday.

UAlbany got on the scoreboard early, tallying the first goal of the game just 3:55 into play. Patrick dribbled the ball from midfield into the circle, where she crossed it to Chelsea Neff at the top right of the arc. Neff one-timed the ball with a hard strike that found the back of the cage past Boston U. goalkeeper Amanda Smith. Boston U. tied the game at 1-1 in the eighth minute, as Nicole van Oosterom took an unassisted shot from the right wing.

The teams played the rest of the first half with a tied score before Patrick netted the game winner. Nina Walters carried the ball into the circle and took a hard shot towards the cage, where it was redirected by Patrick into the back of the net. Strong defensive play by the Great Danes held off the Boston U. offense for the remainder of the game to hold on for the win.

Boston U. (10-8) outshot UAlbany, 10-9, while the two teams both recorded three penalty corners. Smith made two saves for the Terriers in her complete-game effort, while America East goalkeeper of the year Kristi Troch made three saves in the cage for UAlbany in the win.

UAlbany will take on New Hampshire for the America East Conference Championship title on Saturday at 4 p.m. Both teams will be aiming to win their second league crowns.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Field Hockey's Troch & McConville Claim Two Major America East Conference Awards - UAlbany Sports 2010

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Kristi Troch was named the America East Conference Goalkeeper of the Year to highlight five all-conference honorees and two major award winners as announced by the league on Wednesday afternoon. Freshman Corrine McConville was named the conference's rookie of the year after helping the Great Danes reach the America East championship tournament for the sixth consecutive year.

Troch, who anchored a UAlbany defense that finished second in the conference in goals allowed (1.44), also helped the Great Danes to a league-leading seven shutouts over the season. Troch, who was named the league's player of the week once this season, led the America East with a 1.14 goals against average and a .818 save percentage. McConville becomes UAlbany's second-ever rookie of the year winner, and also earned all-conference second team accolades. She led the conference in shots and was also ranked in the top ten in goals, after scoring eight in her rookie season.

Defender Taylor Luke and forward Christina Patrick joined Troch on the all-conference first team. Luke finished second in the conference standings with five defensive saves while Patrick was tied for third in goals (13) and points (33) and was fifth in assists (7). Suzy Clephane, the 2009 America East defensive player of the year, earned all-conference second-team honors after ranking among the league's best with seven assists. Freshman Daphne Voormolen joined classmate McConville on the all-rookie squad. She scored nine goals on the season.

UAlbany (13-5, AE 4-1) will take on Boston U. on Friday at 5:30 p.m. in the second semifinal game of the America East Conference Field Hockey Championship in Durham, N.H. The Great Danes, who are ranked No. 15 nationally, won a 2-1 decision over the Terriers in the regular season with a shootout victory at home on Oct. 24.

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2010 America East Field Hockey All-Conference Teams
First Team: Taylor Luke, UAlbany; Christina Patrick, UAlbany; Kristi Troch, UAlbany; Allie Dolce, Boston U.; Jacinda McLeod, Boston U.; Nicole van Oosterom, Boston U.; Kelly Newton, Maine; Stephanie Gardiner, Maine; Kara Connolly, New Hampshire; Whitney Frates, New Hampshire; Kyle Lyons, New Hampshire.

Second Team: Suzy Clephane, UAlbany; Corinne McConville, UAlbany; Andrea Greene, Boston U.; Kate Murphy, Boston U.; Marit Westenberg, Fairfield; Maire Dineen, Maine; Jocelyn Mitchell, Maine; Kendall Deck, New Hampshire; Hayley Rausch, New Hampshire; Alana Izzo, Vermont; Brittany Fleck, Maine.

All-Rookie Team: Corinne McConville, UAlbany; Daphne Voormolen, UAlbany; Madeline Hackett, Boston U.; Ysabel Schieb, Boston U.; Kat Spring, Boston U.; Shealyn Testa, Fairfield; Alexa Binnendijk, Maine; Megan Bozek, New Hampshire; Casey Pohlmeyer, New Hampshire; Tori Welch, New Hampshire; Sally Snickenberger, Vermont.

Coaching Staff of the Year: New Hampshire

Rookie of the Year: Corrine McConville, UAlbany

Goalkeeper of the Year: Kristi Troch, UAlbany

Midfielder of the Year: Nicole van Oosterom, Boston U.

Defender of the Year: Jacinda McLeod, Boston U.

Offensive Player of the Year: Kelly Newton, Maine


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Bo Jelovac Named to America East All-Conference Men's Soccer Second Team - UAlbany Sports 2010

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Bo Jelovac has been named to the 2010 America East All-Conference Men's Soccer Team, as announced on Wednesday, Nov. 3 by the league office. Jelovac was a second-team selection. Christoffer Nisser was voted to the all-rookie squad, while Anthony DeSalvo earned a place on the league's all-academic team.

Jelovac, a senior forward from Belgrade, Serbia, led the Great Danes in scoring for the second straight season. He accumulated eight points on three goals and two assists. Jelovac netted game-winning goals in road victories over Fairfield and Hartwick before tallying his first three-point game by scoring a goal and setting up another marker in the final non-conference match against Holy Cross. The two-year letterwinner finished his career with five goals and three assists for 13 points.

Nisser, a freshman defender from Stockholm, Sweden, was UAlbany's only defender to start all 16 matches this season. He played a major role on the team's back line which blanked four opponents and allowed one goal or less on nine occasions. Offensively, Nisser accumulated four points on one goal and two assists. The freshman scored his first career marker on a free kick in the 86th minute of the Holy Cross match to force overtime and also set up Jelovac's lone goal of the match against Hartwick.

DeSalvo, a junior from Cicero, N.Y., has a 3.72 cumulative grade point average as a computer science major. He ranked second on the team in scoring with two goals and two assists for six points. The midfielder, who has improved his offensive output every year, netted the game-winning goal in the team's 1-0 win over crosstown-rival Siena and also assisted on the lone tally in the squad's 1-0 victory against Vermont. DeSalvo, a member of the school's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), will enter his senior season with eight career points on two goals and four assists.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Earns Second Seed in 2010 America East Conference Field Hockey Championship

UAlbany Earns Second Seed in 2010 America East Conference Field Hockey Championship

Friday, November 5th... 5:30pm vs Boston University
America East Championship SemiFinal

University of Albany 's Teresa Coppiellie Named America East Conference Volleyball Player of the Week - UAlbany Sports 2010

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Teresa Coppiellie was named the America East Conference Volleyball Player of the Week as announced by the league office on Monday, Nov. 1. Coppiellie earned her second consecutive weekly award and her fourth of the season after guiding UAlbany back to the top of the conference standings in Sunday's a 3-1 victory over UMBC.

Coppiellie, a native of Canton, Mich., recorded a double-double of 17 kills and 14 digs, her 12th double-double of the season. The senior outside hitter also finished with four total blocks and two service aces along with a .245 hitting percentage in the match.

UAlbany (16-7, AE 6-2) regained sole possession of first place in the conference standings with the win over UMBC. The Great Danes will visit New Hampshire and Providence over the weekend in conference play


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Leuchanka Leads Men's Cross Country to Third-Place Finish at A-East Championships - UAlbany Sports 2010

Boston, Mass. - Paced by sophomores Alex Leuchanka and Paul Lagno, the UAlbany men's cross country team placed third among nine schools at the America East Conference Championships on Saturday, Oct. 30 at Franklin Park.

Boston University won its 11th title overall and first since 2000 by edging out second-place Binghamton by nine points and third-place UAlbany by 15 points. Riley Masters of Maine won the individual title in 24:04.47, which was almost 18 seconds faster than runner-up finisher Eric Ashe of Boston U. in the field of 84 competitors.

Leuchanka's third-place time of 24:32.16 was a school record on an 8,000-meter course. He was directly followed by classmate Lagno, who finished the race in a personal-best time of 24:37.03. Both runners earned all-conference honors for placing in the top 10. Junior Chris Burke (14th, 25:06.30), sophomore R.J. Sniffen (18th, 25:13.45) and senior Greg Kiley (21st, 25:19.96) completed the team's top five.

"Our men were not satisfied with being third because they thought they could win," explained head coach Craig McVey. "There were a few of them who did not execute the race the way they normally do. They still posted their best finish since 2003, and they will continue working hard to get better."

The Great Dane harriers return to action on Saturday, Nov. 13 to compete at the NCAA Northeast Regional at Hammonasset State Park in Madison, Conn.
Paw Prints: UAlbany posted its second-highest finish ever and lowest point total at the America East championship meet ... The squad placed second in 2003 ... Sophomores Alex Leuchanka and Paul Lagno became the first two Great Danes to earn all-conference laurels since Ricardo Estremera, who is currently a volunteer assistant coach, achieved the honor in 2006.

America East Conference Championship Team Standings

1. Boston U. 45; 2. Binghamton 54; 3. UAlbany 60; 4. Maine 118; 5. UMBC 161; 6. Stony Brook 170; 7. Vermont 186; 8. Hartford 192; 9. New Hampshire 229.

Individual Champion: Riley Masters, Maine, 24:04.47.

UAlbany Finishers: 3. Alex Leuchanka 24:32.16; 4. Paul Lagno 24:37.03; 14. Chris Burke 25:06.30; 18. R.J. Sniffen 25:13.45; 21. Greg Kiley 25:19.96; 24. Ethan Clary 25:22.87; 33. Sean Halpin 25:45.48; 36. Aaron Lozier 25:48.12; 60. Jimmy Carroll 26:44.33; 76. Alex Wilke 27:16.86.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Women's Cross Country Places Fifth at America East Conference Championships - UAlbany Sports 2010

Boston, Mass. - Sophomore Emily Finnegan led the UAlbany women's cross country team to a fifth-place finish among nine schools at the America East Conference Championships on Saturday, Oct. 30 at Franklin Park. The Great Danes set a school record for the third straight meet by having their top-five finishers register an average time of 18:23.32.

Stony Brook, which was ranked 14th in the latest USTFCCCA national poll, ran away with the program's fourth straight team title by finishing 39 points ahead of second-place New Hampshire. The Seawolves' Lucy Van Dalen claimed the individual title by navigating the 5,000-meter course in 16:48.22, which was just 1.13 seconds faster than teammate and twin sister Holly Van Dalen.

Finnegan, who was UAlbany's top finisher for the fifth straight meet, placed 14th among 81 runners in a personal-best time of 18:02.82 to pace UAlbany. Freshman Kathryn Fanning placed second on the squad in 19:35.40, which was also a career-best mark, and good for 16th overall. Junior Ada Lauterbach (24th, 18:28.75), freshman Brianne Bellon (25th, 18:29.82) and senior Jenn Pierson (30th, 18:44.37) completed the team's top five.

"We talked about it being a tight meet between three schools for third place," said head coach Craig McVey. "The team was confident that it could finish third with 600 meters to go, but they didn't close the door at the end of the race. The squad is still very young and has had a great season. They are much better than they were a year ago, but so is the rest of the conference."

The Great Dane harriers return to action on Saturday, Nov. 13 to compete at the NCAA Northeast Regional at Hammonasset State Park in Madison, Conn.
Paw Prints: UAlbany recorded its lowest point total ever at the championship meet, while the school-record average time of the top-five finishers was lowered by another five seconds since the Great Danes competed at the UAlbany Invitational two weeks ago.

America East Conference Championship Team Standings

1. Stony Brook 24; 2. New Hampshire 63; 3. Maine 97; 4. Boston U. 104; 5. UAlbany 109; 6. Vermont 121; 7. Binghamton 183; 8. UMBC 231; 9. Hartford 277.

Individual Champion: Lucy Van Dalen, Stony Brook, 16:48.22.

UAlbany Finishers: 14. Emily Finnegan 18:02.82; 16. Kathryn Fanning 18:10.80; 24. Ada Lauterbach 18:28.75; 25. Brianne Bellon 18:29.82; 30. Jenn Pierson 18:44.37; 35. Miranda McConnell 18:49.41; 36. Emily Fung 18:49.66; 45. Ally Panos 19:11.59; 51. Melissa Del Rosario 19:22.92; 57. Brianna Service 19:36.22.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Women's Soccer Advances to America East Semifinals With a 2-1 Win Over New Hampshire - UAlbany Sports 2010

Albany, N.Y. - Maggie DeVerna and Shayla Bergeron each found the back of the net in leading UAlbany to a 2-1 victory over New Hampshire in the quarterfinal round of the America East Conference Championship on Thursday, Oct. 28 at Varsity Field. The fourth-seeded Great Danes will travel to face top seed Boston U. in a semifinal matchup on Sunday at 1 p.m.

UAlbany (10-7-2), which earned its first postseason victory as a Division I program, used its speed up front to jump out to a two-goal lead before the break. Maggie DeVerna received a through ball from Chelsea DeVerna and came in on a breakaway before punching the ball past goalkeeper Erica Correa to put the Great Danes ahead in the seventh minute. The hosts doubled their lead just before the break in the 40th minute when Shayla Bergeron took a through ball from Rebecca Lee and beat Correa with a low shot to the far post.

"We did a great job of getting opportunities early and then finishing them," said head coach Mary-Frances Monroe, who is in her fifth season. "We knew we had a lot of speed up top and that there was going to be a lot of space behind their back line. One thing we did really well in the first half was getting that diagonal ball past their back line to our three forwards [Chelsea DeVerna, Maggie DeVerna and Shayla Bergeron]."

Trailing by two goals at the recess, New Hampshire came out as the aggressor in the second frame and sliced the lead in half in the 50th minute. Monique Lamotte received a pass from Alyssa Michel at the top left corner of the box and lobbed a shot to the top corner of the net past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Breanna Maggio.

After Amy Harrison hit a shot off the crossbar in an attempt to give the Great Danes a two-goal advantage, the Wildcats continued to apply pressure and created several scoring chances over the last 40 minutes. Ashley Avitable took a hard shot in the 80th minute, but Maggio came away with the key save. UAlbany's back line being anchored by Casey Marks and Kendra Harrell-Vigil did not allow the visitors to attempt a shot the rest of the way, allowing the hosts to hold on for the one-goal win.

New Hampshire (8-8-4) outshot UAlbany, 15-12, and had a 2-0 advantage in corner kicks. Maggio made four saves on 15 chances for UAlbany to earn the victory, while New Hampshire's Correa stopped two of the 12 shots she faced in the losing effort.

"I believe we have 11 starters and 11 players that are non-starters that give everything that they have in training and in the games," added Monroe, whose team will face a Boston University squad which has won four straight regular-season titles and has not surrendered a goal in 11 straight matches. "I think that is really going to come into play {on Sunday}. We did a good job of keeping the ball and possessing it when we played {Boston University} the last time, but that was more in the middle third of the field. I think that if we can get the ball more into the attacking third, then we will be able to find success."

Paw Prints: UAlbany, which was hosting its first Division I postseason match, advanced to the semifinal round of the America East Conference Championship for the first time in program history ... The Great Danes have won four straight meetings against New Hampshire after dropping the first seven ... The Great Danes also matched their highest win total since posting a 10-6-2 ledge in 1988 ... Maggie DeVerna scored her first goal of the season and second of her career ... Her other marker was set up by Chelsea DeVerna on Aug. 30, 2009 against Pacific ... Shayla Bergeron matched a Division I single-season program record for goals (9) ... Teresa Boring also found the back of the net nine times in 2007 ... Breanna Maggio earned her league-leading eighth shutout of the season between the posts.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Rebecca Lee Highlights Five University of Albany Players on All-America East Women's Soccer Team - UAlbany Sports 2010

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Rebecca Lee leads a group of five student-athletes who were named to the 2010 America East All-Conference Women's Soccer Team, as announced on Wednesday, Oct. 27. Lee is the first player in program history to be placed on the all-conference first team.

Shayla Bergeron, a sophomore forward from Hudson, N.H., Chelsea DeVerna, a sophomore midfielder from Setauket, N.Y., Breanna Maggio, a sophomore goalkeeper from Ontario, N.Y., and Casey Marks, a sophomore defender from Cortland, N.Y., were each named to the all-conference second team. Midfielder Katie Dunn, a native of Devon, Pa., garnered a spot on the all-rookie team, while junior co-captain Chrissy Klepper, a midfielder from River Edge, N.J., was voted to the conference's all-academic squad.

Lee, a junior midfielder from Selkirk., N.Y., who made the all-conference second team last season and was an all-rookie pick in 2008, has controlled a midfield which has helped UAlbany generate a league-best 15.67 shots per game. She has accumulated three points on one goal and one assist this season. Lee is tied for fourth on the school's all-time list for career assists with seven.

Bergeron, who transferred from Duquesne, has sparked the offense and leads the team in scoring with eight goals and 16 points. Four of her eight markers are game-winning tallies in one-goal decisions. Bergeron, a unanimous selection, ranks third in the conference in goals, third in game-winners and is tied for fourth in points.

DeVerna, last season's America East rookie of the year, is making her second straight appearance on the second team. The sophomore is tied for second on the team in scoring behind Bergeron with two goals and one assist for five points. All of her scoring has factored into game-winning plays.

Maggio, a unanimous selection, is being honored for the first time after rewriting the program's record books. The UAlbany goalkeeper eclipsed Division I single-season records for wins (8) and shutouts (7), while her 11 career wins and 10 shutouts are also Division I standards. She led all America East goalies with five shutouts in conference play, plus ended the regular season with a .789 save percentage and a 1.09 goals against average. In addition, she ranks third in the league in goals against average and is tied for first in shutouts.

Like DeVerna, Marks is being honored by the conference for the second straight season. The sophomore has been the anchor of UAlbany's defense which has blanked nine opponents, a Division I program single-season record. Marks, who has one goal and one assist, has also helped the Great Danes go nearly 400 minutes without surrendering a goal during America East play.

Dunn is the ninth UAlbany player to earn a place on the all-rookie team since 2004. A unanimous selection, the midfielder earned the league's rookie of the week award after scoring her first career goal in the team's 1-0 road victory over Maine. It was the Great Danes' first victory over the Black Bears in 10 meetings.

Klepper is making her first appearance on the all-academic team. She has a 3.61 cumulative grade point average in communication with minors in public health and business administration. A team representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Klepper is tied for second on the team in scoring (2 goals, 1 assist).

UAlbany (9-7-2) has registered its highest win total and first winning season since posting a 10-6-2 ledger in 1988. The Great Danes will make their second straight America East postseason appearance as the fourth seed. In a quarterfinal match, UAlbany will host New Hampshire on Thursday, Oct. 28 at 2 p.m.

2010 America East Women's Soccer All-Conference Teams
First Team: Rebecca Lee, UAlbany; Alice Binns, Boston U.; Angelina Cords, Boston U.; Corie Halasz, Boston U.; Brittany Heist, Boston U.; Shauna Kelleher, Boston U.; Lisa Kevorkian, Boston U.; Jessica Luscinski, Boston U.; Amelia Pereira, Hartford; Kelly Mooney, New Hampshire; Dominique Adamo, Stony Brook.

Second Team: Shayla Bergeron, UAlbany; Chelsea DeVerna, UAlbany; Breanna Maggio, UAlbany; Casey Marks, UAlbany; Tiya Gallegos, Boston U.; Michele DeSanti, Hartford; Caroline Dixon, Hartford; Kelsey Wilson, Maine; Chelsea Kuss, New Hampshire; Monique Lamotte, New Hampshire; Alexis Lindo, Stony Brook.

All-Rookie Team: Katie Dunn, UAlbany; Kaitlyn Cook, Binghamton; Emma Clark, Boston U.; Kelly King, Boston U.; Kylie Strom, Boston U.; Lisa Bijman, Maine; Lauren Kadet, UMBC; Amy Savage, UMBC; Erica Correa, New Hampshire; Chelsea Morales, Stony Brook; Haley Marks, Vermont.

All-Academic Team: Chrissy Klepper, UAlbany; Angelina Cords, Boston U.; Jessica Luscinski, Boston U.; Michelle Babin, Hartford; Hannah Breton, Maine; Kaitlyn MacIssac, Maine; Meagan Price-Leibenzeder, Maine; Kelsey Wilson, Maine; Ashley Avitable, New Hampshire; Brooke Duchaney, New Hampshire; Alyssa Michel, New Hampshire; Debbie Aller, Stony Brook; Emily Milbank, Vermont.

Striker of the Year: Jessica Luscinski, Boston U.
Midfielder of the Year: Shauna Kelleher, Boston U.
Defender of the Year: Corie Halasz, Boston U.
Goalkeeper of the Year: Alice Binns, Boston U.
Rookie of the Year: Kelly King, Boston U.
Coaching Staff of the Year: Nancy Feldman, Boston U.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Field Hockey Moves to 15th in Kookaburra/NFHCA Division I National Coaches' Poll - UAlbany Sports 2010

Albany, N.Y. - The University at Albany field hockey team moved up three spots to No. 15 in the Kookaburra/NFHCA Division I National Coaches' Poll, as announced by the organization on Tuesday afternoon. It marks the sixth consecutive week the Great Danes have been nationally ranked this season.

The Great Danes took over the 15th position on the poll after defeating then-15th ranked Boston U. on Sunday in an America East Conference matchup. UAlbany, positioned at No. 18 last week, recorded a 2-1 shootout win over the Terriers at Alumni Turf Field. Christina Patrick scored the lone goal in regulation, while Suzy Clephane connected on her penalty stroke for the Great Danes' game winner. Goalkeeper Kristi Troch made 11 saves in the game, en route to being named the conference's co-player of the week.

UAlbany (13-4, AE 4-0) is one of two teams still undefeated in conference play. The Great Danes, who have clinched a spot in the America East Championship for the sixth consecutive season, will play on the road at New Hampshire for the regular-season title and the right to host the four-team tournament on Saturday, Oct. 30 at 1 p.m.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Announces Basketball Programs' Television Schedule for 2010-11

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Tuesday, Oct. 26 the school's basketball television schedule for the 2010-11 season.

UAlbany will appear twice as part of the America East Conference television package. MSG Plus Network is scheduled to air both regular-season games against conference opponent Stony Brook. The two teams will meet on Monday, Jan. 17, a 5:00 p.m. tip-off on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Long Island, and Monday, Feb. 14 at SEFCU Arena at 7:00 p.m.

Time Warner Cable Sports (TWCS) is scheduled to televise five home dates, highlighted by the Big Purple Growl doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 5. The UAlbany women tangle with America East opponent Hartford at 4:30 p.m., while the men also play the Hawks at 7:00 p.m. TWCS broadcasts also feature Maine (Jan.12), Boston University (Jan. 15), Binghamton (Jan. 20) and UMBC (Feb. 23). Boston U. is the preseason favorite to win the America East Conference men's regular-season crown.

Rodger Wyland and UAlbany Hall of Famer and former basketball standout John Quattrocchi will work together on the Time Warner Cable Sports broadcasts for the third straight season. Wyland is the sports director at WNYT-TV (NewsChannel 13) and the host of Fox Sports 980's Big Board Sports on weekday mornings.

FOX Sports Ohio will televise UAlbany's game with Xavier, a 2010 NCAA regional semifinalist, on Tuesday, Dec. 28. Play-by-play announcer Brad Johansen and color analyst Steve Wolf will call the action.

*********

2010-11 UAlbany Basketball Television Schedule

Dec. 28 (Tues.), at Xavier (Fox Sports Ohio), 7:00
Jan. 12 (Wed.), Maine (TWCS), 7:00
Jan. 15 (Sat.), Boston U. (TWCS), 7:00
Jan. 17 (Mon.), Stony Brook (AE-TV / MSG-Plus), 5:00
Jan. 20 (Thurs.), Binghamton (TWCS), 7:00
Feb. 5 (Sat.), Women vs. Hartford*+ (TWCS), 4:30
Feb. 5 (Sat.), Hartford*+ (TWCS), 7:00
Feb. 14 (Mon.), Stony Brook* (AE-TV / MSG-Plus), 7:00
Feb. 23 (Wed.), UMBC* (TWCS), 7:00


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Teresa Coppiellie Named America East Conference Volleyball Player of the Week - UAlbany Sports 2010

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Teresa Coppiellie has been named the America East Conference Volleyball Player of the Week, as announced by the league office on Monday afternoon. Coppiellie, a senior outside hitter from Canton, Mich, earned her third weekly honor this season.

Coppiellie recorded two straight double-doubles en route to averaging 4.62 kills and 5.00 digs per set in two matches over the weekend. In a loss to Binghamton on Friday, she notched her first double-double of the weekend with 12 kills and 14 digs in a three-set match. In Sunday's five-set win over the Bearcats in Vestal, N.Y., Coppiellie had a career day with 25 kills and 26 digs to go along with four blocks, including three solo, and a .345 hitting percentage.

UAlbany (15-7, AE 5-2) remains tied with Binghamton at the top of the America East standings. The Great Danes will host league-rival UMBC on Sunday, Oct. 31 at 1 p.m. UAlbany is hosting a Dig Pink match that day, supporting the Side-Out Foundation to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and research.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Kristi Troch Earns America East Conference Field Hockey Co-Player of the Week Honors - UAlbany Sports 2010

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Kristi Troch has been named the America East Conference Field Hockey Co-Player of the Week, as announced by the league office on Monday afternoon. Troch, a sophomore goalkeeper, received her first career weekly honor.

Troch anchored the UAlbany defense in a 2-1 strokeoff win over Boston U. on Oct. 24. She made 11 saves in the regulation and two overtime periods, and then stopped two of the Terriers' five penalty stroke attempts to give the Great Danes the victory. Troch faced 24 Boston U. shots in the complete-game victory and made four impressive saves in the second overtime stanza.

UAlbany (13-4, AE 4-0) is one of two teams still undefeated in conference play. The Great Danes, who have clinched a spot in the America East Championship for the sixth consecutive season, will play on the road at New Hampshire for the regular-season title and the right to host the four-team tournament on Saturday, Oct. 30 at 1 p.m


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany FCS Football Quarterback Buddy Leathley Selected Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week - UAlbany Sports 2010

Somerset, N.J. - University at Albany's Buddy Leathley has been selected Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week in football, as announced on Monday, Oct. 25 by the conference office.

Leathley, a redshirt freshman quarterback, made his first start as a collegian in a 30-27 overtime loss to Central Connecticut State on Oct. 22. He rushed for 112 yards on 17 carries and completed 12 of 19 passes for 101 yards. Leathley is the first UAlbany quarterback to both pass and run for 100 or more yards in the same game since Sept. 30, 1989. He helped his team build a 24-6 halftime lead by scoring on a 20-yard run, his first TD at the collegiate level, with 2:33 left in first quarter and throwing a 9-yard scoring pass to WR Ryan Kirchner with 1:04 remaining in the second period.

A native of Manlius, N.Y., Leathley is also the first UAlbany signal-caller to rush for 100-plus yards in nearly six years and is the first freshman to start at quarterback since Frank Blasinsky against Cornell on Sept. 30, 2006. Leathley attended Bridgton Academy before enrolling at UAlbany in January 2009. He earned All-Onondaga League recognition twice on high school level at Fayetteville-Manlius.

Paw Prints: The Great Danes have played in three games decided by three points this season, including victories over Maine and Yale ... the overtime loss to Central Connecticut State was the first extra-period game played at University Field ... UAlbany is 8-12 in Division I FCS games decided by three points or less ... PK Herb Glass made two or more field goals for the ninth time in his career, hitting kicks of 21 and 38 yards, vs. Central Conn. ... Glass is second on the all-time field goals list with 25 and has climbed to 10th in career scoring with 148 points ... ILB Jon Morgan had a career-best 13 tackles vs. Central Conn., the highest total by a UAlbany defender since Sept. 13, 2008 ... UAlbany (3-4, NEC 1-3) travels to Bryant on Saturday, Oct. 30 for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Teresa Coppiellie Posts Career Numbers to Lead University of Albany Volleyball to a 3-2 Win Over Binghamton - UAlbany Sports 2010

Vestal, N.Y. - Teresa Coppiellie recorded a career-high 25 kills and 26 digs to lead UAlbany to a 3-2 win over Binghamton in America East Conference volleyball action at West Gym. The Great Danes won the match with set scores of 22-25, 25-20, 24-26, 25-22 and 15-11.

Coppiellie hit a team-high .355 in the match and recorded three solo blocks. Casey Wright and Dunja Prgomet also finished with double-digit kills, recording 21 and 10, respectively. Traci Vandegrift added 11 digs and six kills, while libero Laurie Gonzalez totaled 22 digs and four service ace. Setter Abbey Wexel also set a new career high with 53 assists.

Michelle McDonough and Anna Lejina led Binghamton with 23 and 22 kills apiece, respectively. McDonough finished with a double-double, also totaling 10 digs, while setter Julie Chambers also recorded a double-double of the assist-dig variety with 51 assists and 12 digs. Sandra DeVito was the third Bearcat with double-digit kill totals with 10, while libero Xiomara Ortiz led all players defensively with 30 digs.

Binghamton (10-12, AE 4-2) outblocked the Great Danes, 11-9, while UAlbany managed a .208 team hitting percentage, while holding the Bearcats to .200 hitting as a team.

UAlbany (15-7, AE 4-2) will return to action next Sunday, hosting UMBC in America East Conference action. The Great Danes will be hosting the Retrievers in a Dig Pink match, supporting the Side-Out Foundation, raising money for breast cancer awareness and research.



Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

#18 University of Albany Records 2-1 Shootout Win over #15 Boston U. in A-East Field Hockey Action - UAlbany Sports 2010

Albany, N.Y. - Goalkeeper Kristi Troch made 11 saves, including two in the penalty stroke shootout, to lead #18 UAlbany to a 2-1 victory over 15th-ranked Boston U. in America East Conference field hockey action on Sunday afternoon. The Great Danes are now tied with New Hampshire at the top of the league standings with 4-0 records in America East play.

UAlbany scored first, on an unassisted shot from Christina Patrick just under 10 minutes into the game. Patrick collected a rebound off the goalkeeper's pads and found the back of the cage at 9:46. Boston U. would tie the game later in the first half, as Macey Gaumond collected a rebound off Jacinda McLeod's initial shot and slipped the ball past Troch. The teams played the remainder of regulation and two overtime periods without another goal, sending the game to a penalty stroke shootout.

The Great Danes connected on all five of their penalty strokes, with Erin Crosson sending the final shot past Terrier goalkeeper Julie Collins. Boston U. made three of their five attempts in the shootout loss.

In a fairly evenly played game, the Terriers outshot UAlbany, 24-20, while the Great Danes held a slight 7-4 advantage in penalty corners. Collins made nine saves in her complete-game effort for Boston U. (9-7, AE 2-2). Brianna Schwoyer also made two defensive saves for the Great Danes at the goal line.

UAlbany (13-4, AE 4-0) will battle for the America East regular-season title on Saturday, taking on New Hampshire on the road in Durham at 1 p.m. Both teams have clinched a spot for the conference championship, and will play to decide who has hosting rights for the upcoming tournament.

-agate-

#15 Boston U. (9-7, AE 2-2) 1 0 0 0 0 - 1

#18 UAlbany (13-4, AE 4-0) 1 0 0 0 0 - 2

Boston U.: Scoring - Macey Gaumond (1-0), Jacinda McLeod (0-1). Goalkeeper: Julie Collins (100:00; 1 GA, 9 saves).

UAlbany: Scoring - Christina Patrick (1-0), Erin Crosson (1-0). Goalkeeper: Kristi Troch (100:00, 1 GA, 11 saves).



Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Men's Soccer Edges Vermont, 1-0, Thanks to David Burke's First Career Goal on Senior Day - UAlbany Sports 2010

Albany, N.Y. - Senior defender David Burke netted his first career goal in the early minutes to lead UAlbany to a 1-0 victory over Vermont on Saturday, Oct. 23 at Varsity Field. The Great Danes, who honored Burke and seven other seniors for their contributions to the program prior to the match, ended the day just one point behind sixth place for the final playoff spot with two contests left in the regular season.

UAlbany scored the lone goal of the match in the 12th minute. Working from the left side near the endline, Anthony DeSalvo made a short cross to Ian Peach. The senior, who was being covered closely by a Vermont defender, made an extra pass back to Burke. The senior defender then one-timed a shot from the top of the box that made it past the outstretched hands of the Catamount goalkeeper before landing in the back of the net.

Vermont (6-6-4, AE 1-3-1) outshot UAlbany, 14-12, and had a 5-4 edge in corner kicks. UAlbany's Scott Kessler, a transfer from Marist, made five saves on 14 chances to earn his first shutout of the season. Vermont's David Ramada suffered the loss after turning away four of the 12 shots he faced.
UAlbany (5-8-1, AE 1-3-1), which is unbeaten in its last two America East matches after dropping its first three, visits New Hampshire on Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 2:30 p.m.

Paw Prints: UAlbany's eight seniors (Sander Anker, David Burke, Andrew Fojanesi, Shaun Kane, Milos Jankovic, Bo Jelovac, Darko Knezevic and Ian Peach) were honored in a pre-game ceremony ... Goalkeeper Scott Kessler, who was making his second appearance and first start in a Great Dane uniform, earned his second collegiate shutout ... He previously made three saves in a 2-0 win over Stony Brook on Sept. 24, 2008 as a true freshman at Marist.

Vermont (6-6-4, AE 1-3-1) 0 0 - 0
UAlbany (5-8-1, AE 1-3-1) 1 0 - 1

Vermont: Scoring - None. Goalkeeping - David Ramada (90:00, 1 GA, 4 saves).
UAlbany: Scoring - David Burke (1-0), Ian Peach (0-1), Anthony DeSalvo (0-1). Goalkeeping - Scott Kessler (90:00, 0 GA, 5 saves).

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Paul Lagno Chosen America East Men's Cross Country Performer of the Week - UAlbany Sports 2010

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Paul Lagno has been selected America East Conference Performer of the Week in men's cross country, as announced on Tuesday, Oct. 19 by the conference office.

Lagno, a sophomore from Salt Point, N.Y., won last Saturday's 44th annual UAlbany Invitational by running the 8,000-meter campus course in a time of 24:51.7. He was 11 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor. Lagno is the first Great Dane to win the school's invitational since 2001 when Jamie Rodriguez won the individual title. He improved his mark from last year on the same course by more than 30 seconds.

The Great Danes captured the team title at the UAlbany Invitational for the first time in seven years, finishing 66 points ahead of the second-place squad. UAlbany is currently ranked 10th in the USTFCCCA Northeast regional poll. The Great Danes will next compete at the America East Conference Championship on Saturday, Oct. 30 at Franklin Park in Boston, Mass.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Field Hockey Holds Steady at 18th on Kookaburra/NFHCA Division I Coaches' Poll - UAlbany Sports 2010

Albany, N.Y. - For the third consecutive week, UAlbany field hockey remained ranked 18th on the Kookaburra/NFHCA Division I Coaches' Poll.

UAlbany (12-4, AE 3-0) split two games over the weekend. The Great Danes defeated conference rival Vermont, 3-0, on the road, before falling to #9 American, 2-0, at home. Christina Patrick, who leads the team with 11 goals and seven assists for 29 total points, assisted on two goals in the win over Vermont. Freshmen Corrine McConville and Daphne Voormolen, along with senior Alysia Hough all scored against the Catamounts. Christine Hoffman and Kristi Troch continue to split time in goal for the Great Danes. Hoffman picked up both decisions over the weekend, while Troch made four saves in the two games.

UAlbany will return to action on Sunday, Oct. 24, hosting America East rival Boston U. in the final regular-season home game at 3 p.m.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information