Men’s Track And Field Captures Eight Wins Saturday

ALBANY, N.Y. – With the squad split between two meets Saturday, the University at Albany men’s track and field program boasted seven IC4A qualifying marks and eight event victors between the Upstate Track and Field Classic hosted by RPI and the UTech Classic in Kingston, Jamaica.

At RPI, freshman James Sommer ran an IC4A qualifying and event winning 9:28.03 mark in the 3,000m steeplechase. Fellow distance runner senior Ethan Clary also took the top finish in the 1500m run, with an IC4A worthy 3:54.24 time. Sophomore John DeLallo also won his event, boasting an IC4A qualifying 1:52.36 mark in the 800m.

Freshman Nkosi Muse had a strong run in the 400m, placing second with a time of 51.07. Seniors Taylor Chaney (11.06) and Jake Rachiele (11.21) captured first and second places, respectively, in the 100m dash.

As a whole, the Great Danes were outstanding in the field, placing first in the pole vault, high jump, shot put, and discus. Junior Nick Mattera qualified for IC4As, clearing 15’ 0.25” in the pole vault, while sophomore Christopher Stephenson placed first with a 6’ 2” high jump leap. Sophomore Abel Gilet qualified for IC4As in both the shot put (50’ 2.75”) and discus (165’ 7”) with his winning tosses.

At the UTech Classic, sophomore Alexander Bowen placed first in the high jump, clearing 7’ 2.5”.

Up next, the Great Danes compete in the Larry Ellis Invitational in Princeton, N.J. as well as the Mt. Sac Relays in Walnut, Calif.

Women's Track Boasts Qualifying Marks

ALBANY, N.Y. – With the squad split between two meets Saturday, the University at Albany women’s track and field program boasted 13 ECAC qualifying marks and nine event victors between the Upstate Track and Field Classic hosted by RPI and the UTech Classic in Kingston, Jamaica.

At RPI, sprinter Ashlee Maduro qualified for ECACs, running a 12.71 in the 100m dash, good for second place in the race.

Junior Brittney Lane led the 1500m field with an ECAC qualifying 4:34.85 mark. Likewise, classmates Brianne Bellon (2:14.58), Mackenzie Carter (2:17.63) and Jonelle White (2:18.76) qualified for ECACs and earned the top three finishes in the 800m run.

Bellon and White also piloted the winning 4x400m squad with an ECAC worthy 4:05.28 time. Senior Kendra Adams and freshman Breanna Cummings ran the other two speedy legs.

In the 400m dash, Adams paced the field with a mark of 1:06.27, qualifying for ECACs, and was followed closely by teammate Paige Vadnais’ second place finish (1:07.86).

Vadnais also had a solid performance in the long jump, placing first with a leap of 16’ 2.25”. Sophomore T’Sian Haywood also finished atop the podium in the triple jump with her ECAC qualifying 35’ 9.50” bound.

In a very strong day for UAlbany’s field athletes, sophomores Samantha Kosa (40’ 10.25”) and Janice Johnson (40’ 2.25”) both qualified for ECACs with second and third place throws in the shot put. Kosa also qualified in the discus (121’ 1”) as well as freshman Lauren Lopano (125’ 8).

At the UTech Classic, senior Pat McNish captured both the long jump (19’ 6”) and triple jump (40’ 11”) titles. Teammate Solene Bastien placed second in the triple jump with a leap of 39’ 8.75”.

Ashley Grant was also the runner-up in the high jump (5’ 7”), while Valeisha Walker took the javelin title with her throw of 129’ 5”.

On the Kingston, Jamaica track, Tynelle Taylor-Chase (1:01.41) and Aderinsola Ajala (1:03.75) placed second and third in the 400m hurdles. Junior Kathryn Fanning also placed second in the 800m run with a time of 2:10.81.

Up next, the Great Danes compete in the Larry Ellis Invitational in Princeton, N.J. as well as the Mt. Sac Relays in Walnut, Calif.

Baseball Splits First Two With Binghamton

VESTAL, N.Y. – The University at Albany baseball team captured a 5-3 extra-inning victory in game one of Saturday’s doubleheader with Binghamton University, before being edged, 4-3, in the nightcap. UAlbany is now 13-14-1 on the season and 8-6 in conference play. The Great Danes will look to capture the America East Conference series in Sunday’s rubbermatch at 1:00 p.m.

With the score tied, 3-3, in the scheduled seven-inning game, the Great Danes rallied for two runs in the top of the ninth after a hit batter and three consecutive walks loaded the bases and scored the go-ahead run. With one out, senior Greg Muller plated Brian Bullard from third on his sacrifice fly to left field for a 5-3 advantage. In the bottom half of the inning, closer Ryan Stinar earned the save, facing the minimum.

Redshirt senior Derek Zielinski tossed five innings, allowing three hits, three runs, six walks, while striking out three. Out of the bullpen, sophomore southpaw Andrew Jaurique (1-0) earned the win, throwing three scoreless frames, allowing just one hit, two walks, while striking out one.

UAlbany scored first in the series opener, as Muller belted a two-out double with the bases loaded in the top of the second, plating three runs.

The Bearcats answered in the bottom of the third when Daniel Nevares brought home two on a single to left. Binghamton tied the ballgame in the fifth, as Jake Thomas drew a leadoff walk and crossed the plate on Jordon Smucker’s two-out double to right-centerfield.

In the sixth, Binghamton threatened to take the lead, loading the bases after a walk, hit batsman, and a single, but Jaurique forced a side-ending groundout, escaping the jam.

Starter Mike Lambert threw seven innings for Binghamton without a decision. Mike Kaufman (1-3) took the loss, hurling one and a third frames, allowing two runs.

Offensively, Muller (1-for-4) led UAlbany with four runs batted in, while Nolan Gaige (1-for-4) logged the game-winning RBI with his ninth-inning walk. Junior Josh Nethaway (2-for-3) recorded a team-best two hits in the victory.

Since game one went nine frames, the nightcap became a seven-inning affair. Binghamton struck first in the bottom of the second, as Shaun McGraw lined a run-scoring double with one out, and Zach Blanden brought home McGraw with a single to center.

However, the Great Danes responded with two runs of their own in the fourth. Gordon Madej reached on an error and moved to third on Nethaway’s first of two doubles in the game. D.J. Hoagboon’s grounder to first and Bullard’s sac fly to center plated both runners, tying the ballgame.

UAlbany grabbed the lead, 3-2, in the fifth with Joey Tracy’s unearned run. Tracy reached on a hit by pitch, advanced on Gaige’s single through the right side and scored on a muffed fielder’s choice play.

In the bottom of the inning, Binghamton took the lead for good, plating two. With one out, the Bearcats drew consecutive walks before Nevares lined an RBI double to center and Brian Ruby knocked home the winning-run on a sac fly, also to centerfield.

Nethaway looked to spark a rally for the Danes in the sixth, lining his 10^th double of the season. However, the tying run was left stranded at third when Binghamton pitcher Jack Rogalla sat the next three batters down in order. Rogalla also tossed a perfect seventh to earn the complete-game win.

For UAlbany, Kasceim Graham (4-4) took the loss, allowing four runs and five hits, while striking out three in five innings of work. Stephen Carey came out of the pen to throw one hitless inning with a strikeout.

Nethaway (2-for-3) led the Danes’ bats with two hits, totaling four on the day, while also scoring a run.

UAlbany and Binghamton will close the conference series Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at the Bearcats Sports Complex.

UAlbany Softball Splits Two Extra-Inning Games With Stony Brook

ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany softball team’s rivalry with Stony Brook University lived up to its hype as the two split a doubleheader at Albany Field on Saturday, April 13. Over 21 innings of play, the two saw back-to-back extra-inning games which resulted in a 2-1 win for UAlbany followed by a 4-3 win for Stony Brook.

Game 1 took 13 innings to decide. UAlbany (21-10, 7-1 AE) was down 1-0 heading into the final frame before tying things up to cause extra innings. Eventually the Great Danes would win in walk-off fashion – six innings later.

The Seawolves were the first to get on the board with a solo home run by freshman Alexandra Pisciotta. The catcher led Stony Brook with four hits in seven at-bats. That would be the only run the Seawolves would score as the Great Danes held them off the board for the next 10 innings.

The theme of the game was runners left on base. The two combined to leave 31 stranded. UAlbany twice left runners on second and third, in the second and fourth inning.

It was not until UAlbany’s final at-bats that they finally plated a run. Freshman Annie Johnson beat out an infield hit, allowing sophomore Alexa Toole to round the bases and score the tying run. In the 13^th it was Johnson again who drove in junior Lauren Alcorn for the walk-off game-winning run. The speedster outfielder had a career-high four hits. She also stole two more bases for a conference high 24 on the season.

Junior Brittany MacFawn (12-5) went the distance for her 18^th complete game of the season. She threw a career-high 16 strikeouts, allowing 12 hits and just one run. She walked two. Sophomore Allison Cukrov took the loss for Stony Brook (22-16, 5-3 AE). She went 12.2 innings, allowing nine hits, two runs, eight walks and striking out six. MacFawn logged over 200 pitches in the win.

UAlbany suffered its first America East loss of the season in game 2 of the twin bill.

Despite a game-tying single from Alcorn in the bottom of the seventh inning that scored freshmen Maggie Cocks and Kelly Costello, the Seawolves responded with back-to-back solo home runs by junior Nicole Hagerty and sophomore Bria Green in the top of the eight. Sophomore Taylor Franich scored a run on a wild pitch from freshman Jane Sallen, but it was not enough as the Great Danes fell just short.

UAlbany collected eight hits in the second game, led by Cocks and Franich who had two each.Senior Kylie Apostolina, who caught all 13 innings in game one, had a base-hit in her only plate appearance.

Junior Emily Ostrom (8-4) pitched a complete game for UAlbany, her nine of the season.

Head Coach Chris Cannata said of the Danes’ 21 inning endeavor, “I’m proud of everyone’s effort today. Today showed a lot about the character and the kind of players we have on this team.”

UAlbany and Stony Brook will wrap up their three game series on Sunday, April 14^th, at noon, at Albany Field.

Spring Football Wraps First Scrimmage

ALBANY, N.Y. -- The University at Albany football program played its first scrimmage of the spring season Saturday morning at University Field. Above are the sights and sounds of the first intrasquad competition, as well as comments from Head Coach Bob Ford. The Great Danes will have another scrimmage next Saturday at 10:00 a.m. UAlbany will host their annual Spring Game Saturday, April 27th.

Parker Nets 100th Career Goal In 9-6 Win Over UMBC

ALBANY, N.Y. – Junior midfielder Ariana Parker notched her 100th career goal in the University at Albany’s win over UMBC, 9-6, on Saturday, April 13 at John Fallon Field. The Great Danes move into second place and improve to 3-1 in America East Conference play, while the Retrievers fall to 2-2 Parker became the ninth Great Dane all-time to reach the 100-goal plateau, tallying three goals in the contest. Jess Antelmi led all scorers with four goals and three of them were assisted by senior teammate Rachael Burek. A slow moving first half saw both teams combine for five goals with UMBC (8-5, 2-2 America East) holding a slight 3-2 lead after 30 minutes. The Retrievers recorded the first two goals, one from Kristen Bilney and the other from Shannon Harkey, both coming off of free-position opportunities. UAlbany’s (8-4, 3-1 America East) senior tandem of Antelmi and Burek responded back with two goals to cut the deficit to one, 3-2, before the end of the half. Burek swung around the back of the net for both goals to find a cutting Antelmi to finish off both plays. 55 seconds into the second half, Antelmi created her own space in the middle of the Retriever defense and tied the game at three apiece. The Retrievers retaliated with two goals of their own to extend their lead to two, 5-3, with 26:11 remaining in the contest. Bilney and Harkey both scored their second goals of the game during the stretch. Then the Great Danes took control of the game, scoring six consecutive goals in a 22-minute span to grab their first lead of the game, 9-5, with 2:06 left. Parker scored UAlbany’s final three goals of the run. The Port Ewen, N.Y. native’s first goal was the eventual game-winner to improve the Great Danes’ record to 3-1 in conference play. UAlbany held advantages in shots, 21-10, ground balls, 13-9, and draw controls, 12-5. Great Dane goalie Anna Berman held the Retrievers to six goals on 10 opportunities. Retriever goalie Kendall Mason recorded a game-high 10 saves on 19 chances in the loss. The Great Danes finish their non-conference schedule in a mid-week contest against Columbia on April 17 at 5 p.m.

Two Thompsons Tally Ten to Lead #12 UAlbany to a 21-11 Win Over Vermont

BURLINGTON, VT. -- Lyle and Ty Thompson combined for ten goals - scoring five each - to lead #12 UAlbany to a 21-11 win over Vermont in America East Conference men's lacrosse action on Saturday afternoon at Virtue Field. The Great Danes, winners of five straight contests, improve to 9-3 on the season and move to 3-0, remaining the lone defeated team in league play. Vermont drops to 3-9 overall, and 0-3 in conference play.

"Playing on the road is never easy, especially in conference," said Coach Marr on winning six straight on the road. "I thought we lacked energy to start but we slowly gained momentum and played to our standard in the second half. Kevin McNally really sparked our second half by winning a majority of face-offs. Another solid win."

The teams played an evenly matched first half. UAlbany got on the board first, scoring back-to-back goals to open up play, with Lyle netting an unassisted shot less than a minute into the game. Ty followed with his first of the day, a man-up score with an assist to Ryan Feuerstein at 9:34. Vermont responded with the next two tallies, but freshman John Maloney took an assist from Ty Thompson at 3:43 to give the Great Danes a 3-2 lead after one quarter.

The Catamounts got two goals from Graham Horvath to start the second period, taking a 4-3 lead with just under 11 minutes to play in the first half, but the Great Danes responded with consecutive goals from Lyle Thompson and Tim Cox to regain a one-goal advantage. Vermont would have the last word in the quarter, however, getting a score from Blake Pendleton to send the teams to the halftime break tied at 5-5.

After Vermont scored a man-up goal to start the third period, the Great Danes took over, scoring three straight to build up an 8-6 lead. UAlbany used a goal by Matt Garziano with an assist to Will Fuller, along with two straight from Lyle Thompson to take the two-goal advantage. Vermont's Drew Philie ended the rally at 9:59, but Ty Thompson struck again less than a minute later to start another four-goal stretch for the Great Danes. Lyle Thompson, who moved into fifth on the single-season points chart, and Dwayne Stewart each scored, before Garziano netted his second of the quarter while the Great Danes were a man-down, giving UAlbany a 12-7 lead after three.

The Catamounts struck again within the first minute of play in the fourth, but the Great Danes - the highest-scoring team in the country - rattled off eight straight goals to take a 20-8 advantage. The rally started with two goals by Ty Thompson, before Stewart netted his second of the day. Thompson, who extended his goal-scoring streak to 24 straight games, added a man-up goal at 10:40, before Doug Eich scored a man-down tally at 9:13. Another extra-man opportunity gave Maloney his second of the day, while Jimmy Haugen and Mic DeBellis added scores to end the run. Philie was once again the streak-breaker, with an unassisted shot at 6:15, but Will Stenberg took a helper from DeBellis for UAlbany's final goal of the game. The Catamounts added two more scores against UAlbany backup goalkeeper Ryan Ricciardelli, but the Great Danes held on for the 10-goal victory.

UAlbany outshot Vermont, 42-39, and held a 39-33 advantage in ground balls. The Great Danes won 21-of-34 faceoffs, led by freshman Kevin McNally, two had 16 victories in the circle. Starting goalkeeper Blaze Riorden played just over 57 minutes in the net, making 11 saves, before being relieved by Ricciardelli. Vermont's Justin Rosenberg made five saves between the pipes for the Catamounts.

The Great Danes, who have scored 20 or more goals in each of their first three conference games, will return to action on Friday, April 19, hosting UMBC in the final home game of the 2013 season at 7 p.m.