ORANGE ROLLS PAST HOFSTRA AND HOLY CROSS IN OPENING SCRIMMAGE

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The 14th-ranked Orange men's lacrosse team opened the 2013 season with a pair of scrimmage wins on Saturday, Jan. 26 at the Carrier Dome. Syracuse knocked off Hofstra, 15-10, and defeated Holy Cross, 16-6. Against Hofstra, junior Derek Maltz (Ashburn, Va.) led the Orange with five points, including four goals. Classmate Pat Powderly (Reisterstown, Md.) paced Syracuse against Holy Cross with five points on three goals and two assists.

“It was great to get out here in the Carrier Dome and have the full field,” SU head coach John Desko said. “Everyone played for us in both scrimmages. It was great to get the younger guys in and good to see some of the combinations at midfield and attack. I thought the team defense played well in both games, too.”

In the first game, the Orange jumped on the Pride right away, racing out to a 5-0 lead and a 7-1 halftime advantage. Maltz and senior midfielder Luke Cometti (Syracuse, N.Y.) combined for six of the team’s seven first-half goals. All four of Maltz’s goals in the game came during the run and Cometti contributed two goals in the first quarter.

Hofstra clawed back in the second half against the Orange reserves. The Pride outscored the Orange 4-3 in the third quarter and closed the gap to 10-9 with four straight goals to open the fourth period. A goal by SU redshirt freshman Eric DeJohn (Syracuse, N.Y.) with 6:54 left pushed the Orange lead to 11-9. Hofstra’s Torin Varn struck a little over a minute later to make it a one-goal game again, but SU closed the match with four straight tallies to win by five.

The Orange offense moved the ball well against Hofstra as 12 of its15 goals were assisted.

Sophomore Bobby Wardwell (Clifton Park, N.Y.) started in the cage. He played the first half and made five saves, including four in the first quarter. Junior Dominic Lamolinara (Arnold, Md.) played the third quarter and had one save. Redshirt freshman Ben Romagnoli (Cazenovia, N.Y.) finished up and stopped two shots.

For Hofstra, Varn finished with a game-high five goals (all in the second half). Goalie Ryan Brant played the first half and made six saves.

SU’s unselfishness was on display again against Holy Cross. The Orange totaled 16 goals against the Crusaders, 12 of which were assisted. The Orange also benefitted from a 16-for-25 (.640) performance at the faceoff X, with junior Chris Daddio (Purcellville, Va.) and freshmen Cal Paduda (Madison, Conn.) and Brendan Conroy (Muttontown, N.Y.) combining to win 16 of their 20 attempts.

John Hannan scored less than two minutes into the first quarter to give Holy Cross the early lead, but it was all Orange after that. Syracuse scored the last three goals of the opening quarter to pull ahead, 3-1, and the Orange held a 6-3 advantage at the break.

The Orange added to its lead in the third quarter, scoring six of the period’s seven goals, including two by freshman Derek DeJoe (Fairport, N.Y.), to extend the advantage to 12-4. Powderly netted three straight goals in the fourth to give the hosts their largest lead of the game (15-4) and SU cruised to the 16-6 victory.

In addition to Powderly’s five points, the Orange also got a big game from junior Billy Ward (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) against the Crusaders. Ward recorded three goals and one assist.

Wardwell started again in the cage and totaled two saves. Lamolinara and Romagnoli made one stop apiece.

Hannan (two goals, one assist) and Terry McKenna (three goals) netted three points apiece to lead Holy Cross. Goalie Michael Ortlieb stopped seven shots for the Crusaders in three quarters of work.

In Saturday's opening game, Hofstra defeated Holy Cross, 15-12, behind eight points (four goals, four assists) from Sam Llinares.

Syracuse concludes its preseason exhibition schedule on Saturday, Feb. 2 in Columbus, Ohio with scrimmages against Ohio State and Robert Morris. Start time for the three-way scrimmage is 11:30 a.m. at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

SYRACUSE’S GULLEY, CRUME AND DAVIS TO 2013 MISS SPRING PRACTICE

Syracuse running back Prince-Tyson Gulley (Cleveland, Ohio), defensive tackle Eric Crume (Detroit, Mich.) and linebacker Dyshawn Davis (Woodbury, N.J.) will miss Spring practice due to upper body injuries that required surgery. Syracuse University physician Dr. Brad Raphael performed the surgery in early January. Gulley, Crume and Davis will be evaluated throughout the rehabilitation process. Their status for the 2013 season will be determined in June.

Gulley, a rising senior, was SU’s second leading rusher in 2012 (63.8 yards per game). In SU’s bowl victory against West Virginia, Gulley earned the Most Valuable Player award after gaining 213 yards on 26 carries, caught five passes for 56 yards, and scoring three touchdowns.

Crume, a rising junior, had 15 tackles, including two for a loss of yards, forced a fumble, had a fumble recovery and a blocked kick in 2012.

Davis, a rising junior, had 69 tackles, including 14.0 for a loss of yards and one sack. He also recovered two fumbles and had an interception.

Syracuse fans are invited to reserve football season tickets for the inaugural season in the ACC today by placing a $25 deposit to get first shot at the best available locations. Deposits can be made online (www.suathletics.com), by phone (888-DOME-TIX), or in-person at the Carrier Dome Box Office.

SYRACUSE, VIRGINIA TO MEET AT 6 P.M. ON MARCH 1

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The start time for the Syracuse-Virginia men’s lacrosse game at the Carrier Dome on Friday, March 1 has been set. The two lacrosse powerhouses will square off at 6 p.m. and the matchup will be televised live in Central New York on Time Warner Cable Sports.

The Orange (11) and Cavaliers (5) have combined to win 16 NCAA championships, including three of the last five.

Virginia leads the all-time series with Syracuse, 15-13. The last time the two sides met in the Dome was in 2011. SU defeated the Cavaliers in front of more 14,000 fans, 12-10, behind five goals from attackman Tim Desko.

Tickets for the Virginia game, and all SU home men’s lacrosse games, are available now online, at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B) or by calling 1-888-DOMETIX.

‘4 in 24’ YOUTH FIELD RENOVATIONS SET FOR APRIL

BlueShield of Northeastern New York partners with ‘Cats on Community Grounds Crew
TROY, NY- As the Tri-City ValleyCats prepare to usher in a new season of affordable family fun and professional baseball to the Capital Region, they will be teaming up once again with BlueShield of Northeastern New York on the Community Grounds Crew and the 3rd Annual ‘4 in 24’ Youth Field Renovation Program. In a 24 hour time period, four chosen youth fields will have new sod placed on their infield while also seeing their pitcher’s mound and homeplate areas rebuilt. The simultaneous renovations are scheduled to take place on Friday, April 12.

The ‘4 in 24’ is the kick-off event for the Community Grounds Crew, an expanded initiative with the assistance from BlueShield of Northeastern New York. This program will undertake additional projects and renovations on numerous other youth fields throughout the spring and summer.

“The ValleyCats are proud to be partnering once again with BlueShield of Northeastern New York to continue the work of our Community Grounds Crew,” said ValleyCats Vice President/General Manager Rick Murphy. “With their tremendous support, we are able to provide the youth in our community safe and well-maintained fields on which to play, and as ambassadors for the game of baseball, that is immensely important to us.”

Following the formation of the Community Grounds Crew last spring, over a dozen youth ball fields have been fully renovated, with countless other field projects completed throughout the Capital Region.

“BlueShield is excited to support the important field renovations throughout our community again this year,” Brian O’Grady, vice president, BlueShield of Northeastern New York, said. “We have seen the impact of tremendously improving the quality of these spaces for children to enjoy one of our country’s favorite past times. Our company takes pride in encouraging children to get outside and play with their friends because as we all know- Healthy Changes Everything.”

The ValleyCats’ field renovations have been an annual tradition since 2003 when the first field was officially renovated by the ‘Cats in South Troy, just one mile away from Joseph L. Bruno Stadium. Each year since, they have expanded upon its success. In 2011 the ‘Cats created the ambitious ‘4 in 24’ project to renovate four youth playing fields in the course of just a 24 hour time period, something totally unique to any field renovation initiative in the country.

Each project is also supported by the New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation. Contributions come from past events such as the Capital Region Craft Brewers Festival, hosted by the ValleyCats and Brown’s Brewing Company, and the Corporate Cup Tournaments which have included teams from local and regional businesses.

Leagues interested in having their field considered for the ‘4 in 24’ or other Community Grounds Crew renovations must complete an application that can be found on the ValleyCats website, www.tcvalleycats.com. In order to be eligible for the ‘4 in 24’ renovation, applications must be returned by Friday, February 15. Those submitted beyond that date or not selected for the ‘4 in 24’ will remain in consideration for the Community Grounds Crew program, which will accept and evaluate applications on an ongoing basis.

Men's Basketball Second-Half Suffocating Defense Shuts Down Hartford, 56-46

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - Redshirt freshman guard Peter Hooley recorded his first career double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead the University at Albany over Hartford, 56-46, on Saturday, Jan. 19 at Chase Family Arena. The Great Danes have won four in a row and are 5-1 in the America East.

Hooley led the Great Danes with 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting and grabbed 12 rebounds, both career highs. Sam Rowley was two rebounds short of his fourth consecutive double-double, having recorded 17 points and eight rebounds.

As a team, UAlbany held Hartford's offense, in the second half, to 14 points, which broke the program's previously Division I record of allowing points in half (16 vs. New Hampshire, 1st half).

UAlbany (16-4, 5-1 America East) began the second half with a 16-3 run to wipe away a five-point first-half deficit with a 43-35 second half lead. Rowley led the stretch with six points.

Hartford (10-9, 3-3 America East) came back with a 6-2 run to cut the deficit to four, 45-41, with 9:29 remaining in the contest. Mark Nwakamma led the run with five of the six points.

The Great Danes responded with their own 5-1 run to extend their lead to eight, 50-42, with 4:55 left. Rowley went a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line to help extend the lead.

For the final 4:55, UAlbany's defense held Hartford to just four points. From the charity stripe, the Great Danes shot 4-of-6 to close out the game.

Hartford held a five-point advantage, 32-27, at the half. Yolonzo Moore II paced the Hawks and all scorers with 17 points on 8-of-13 shooting.

UAlbany was led by redshirt-freshman guard Peter Hooley at the half, with 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting and six rebounds. As a team, the Great Danes shot 34 percent (11-32) from the floor and tallied 21 rebounds.

The Great Danes begin a four-game homestand, beginning on Wednesday, Jan. 23 against Boston University at SEFCU Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be broadcasted on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel.

UAlbany Women's Basketball Defeats Hartford, 55-48, in Overtime Thriller

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Megan Craig finished with a game-high 13 points, while Ebone Henry totaled six points, 12 rebounds, and six steals, leading UAlbany to a 55-48 overtime win over Hartford in America East Conference women's basketball action on Saturday afternoon at SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes improve to 14-3 overall, and 5-0 in league play, while Hartford falls to 12-7 and 3-3 in the conference.

The teams played a fairly even first half, with Hartford holding the biggest lead at the half at four points to start and end the stanza. The Hawks scored the first two baskets of the game, before UAlbany responded with back-to-back baskets by Julie Forster to tie the score for the first of four times. The teams exchanged the lead throughout the half, with the Great Danes holding their biggest advantage of three points, 16-13, on a layup by Shereesha Richards at 10:38.

The Great Danes tied the game for the final time of the half on a free throw by Forster at 3:26, and took the lead back on a trey by Margarita Rosario at 3:03 which put UAlbany ahead, 22-19. However, Hartford scored the final seven points of the half on back-to-back layups by Taylor Clark and a 3-pointer by Amber Bepko at the buzzer, to hold a 26-22 lead heading into the locker room.

The Hawks held onto their slight advantage to start the second half before UAlbany tied the game for the fifth time at 34-34 on a layup by Henry at 12:36. As in the first half, the two teams exchanged the lead with the biggest advantage coming on a 44-41 UAlbany lead on a Craig layup with 4:38 to go. Hartford would not go away, as Daphne Elliott nailed a 3-pointer at 1:55 to put the Hawks back up by one. Sarah Royals had a chance to seal the game up for UAlbany with two free throws with just 29 seconds on the clock, but only hit one, tying the score for the eighth time. Hartford's Katie Roth missed a long-range shot at the buzzer to send the game to overtime.

UAlbany completely controlled the extra period, outscoring Hartford 8-1. The Hawks had opportunities to score, but the Great Danes' relentless defense stifled any chance for Hartford to make a comeback. Lindsey Lowrie sealed up the victory for the Great Danes by nailing two free throws with 17 ticks remaining, keeping the slate unblemished for UAlbany in conference play.

UAlbany outrebounded Hartford, 43-35, but the Hawks held a slight shooting advantage. Hartford shot 36.0 percent (18-50) from the floor, while UAlbany managed just 35.3 percent (18-51) from the field, including a season-low one 3-pointer.

The Great Danes will return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 23, heading out to Boston U. for a 7 p.m. tip off. The Terriers are the only other undefeated team in league play.

Women’s Indoor Places Second At Great Dane Classic

NEW YORK – The University at Albany women’s indoor track and field team captured three titles at the 11^th Annual Great Dane Classic, placing second as a squad out of a talented 21-team field.

Senior Pat McNish placed first in both the long jump and triple jump with ECAC qualifying marks of 19-09.50 and 40-03.25, respectively. McNish’s long jump leap matched her own program-record.

Senior Kathryn Fanning also won her event with a meet and program record performance in the 1000m. Fanning finished in a time of 2:46.70.

UAlbany had four other athletes hit ECAC qualifying marks, including Ali Rogers (1:14.39) and Tynelle Taylor-Chase (1:15.00) in the 500m. Junior Brianne Bellon placed second with a 2:14.13 time in the 800m, while senior Miranda McConnell took sixth in the 3000m with a mark of 9:52.55.

Other highlights included Michelle Anthony’s fourth-place finish in the 60m hurdles (8.81), Rochelle Reid’s sixth-place mark in the high jump (5-05.00) and Samantha Kosa’s sixth-place shot put throw (42-08.00).

UAlbany’s distance medley relay team earned third (12:14.02), featuring Mackenzie Carter, Sherez Mohamed, Aderinsola Ajala, and Brianne Bellon. In addition, the 4x400m squad with Kamilah Williams, Taylor-Chase, Ajala, and Rogers took fourth (3:49.84).

The Great Danes are back in action next Friday and Saturday at the Boston University Terrier Classic.