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UNIVERSITY
AT ALBANY ANNOUNCES MEN'S LACROSSE COMMITMENTS FOR 2003-04
Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany men's lacrosse coach Scott Marr announced on Monday, June 30 that 14 student-athletes have made commitments to play for the Great Danes in 2003-04. The UAlbany program captured the America East Conference championship and made its first-ever NCAA tournament appearance last season. "This is a quality class of athletes who have played major roles in the success of their high school programs," said Marr, whose team returns three all-conference players and its top four scorers from a 10-6 campaign. "We added depth in the midfield and also on offense with a group of solid attackman." Frank Resetarits, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound attacker, earned high school All-America honors by U.S. Lacrosse. Resetarits, who totaled 289 goals and 127 assists during his career, ranks second in goals and eighth in total points on the New York state all-time scoring list. Resetarits tallied 87 goals as a senior, when he was named All-Western New York and All-Erie County Interscholastic Conference (ECIC). Kevin Russell, a second-team All-Central New York selection, led all Division II scorers in the Onondaga High School League with 59 goals and 37 assists. Russell, who led his team to the Class B state final and a 19-4 mark, finished fourth on his school's career scoring chart with 182 points (126 goals, 56 assists). Andrew Maini and Greg Beach, a pair of midfielders, helped Lynbrook High claim its second consecutive Nassau County Class B championship with a 14-6 record. Maini was chosen honorable mention all-county and All-South Shore Conference. Merrick Thomson (Albany Academy) and Caleb Stratton (Shenendehowa) represent Section II high school lacrosse. Thomson, a left-handed attackman who had 21 goals and eight assists in a shortened spring due to injury, is the first Canadian player in the program's history. Stratton, a second-team All-Area midfielder who had 14 goals and 18 assists, led his scholastic squad to the Class A state semifinals and a 20-4 record. 2003 University at Albany Men's Lacrosse Newcomers Name, Pos., Ht., Wt., Hometown (High School) Greg Beach, Mid., 6-1, 165, Lynbrook, N.Y. (Lynbrook) Doug Buffalino, Def., 6-0, 205, Merrick, N.Y. (Calhoun) Jon Cunha, Mid., 6-0, 180, Liverpool, N.Y. (Liverpool) Matt Donovan, Mid., 5-9, 160, Northport, N.Y. (Northport) Eric Healy, Def., 5-8, 185, Freeport, N.Y. (Freeport) Andrew Maini, Mid., 6-1, 175, Lynbrook, N.Y. (Lynbrook) Frank Resetarits, Att., 6-2, 180, Hamburg, N.Y. (Hamburg) Jon Reitz, Def., 6-0, 190, Oswego, N.Y. (Oswego) Kevin Russell, Mid., 5-10, 180, Jamesville, N.Y. (Jamesville-DeWitt) Marc Smith, Mid., 6-0, 160, Islip Terrace, N.Y. (East Islip) Caleb Stratton, Mid., 5-10, 190, Round Lake, N.Y. (Shenendehowa) Merrick Thomson, Att., 6-2, 200, Stoney Creek, Ontario (Albany Academy) Tom Trapani, Def., 6-2, 190, Mount Sinai, N.Y. (Mount Sinai) Eric Wolf, Att., 5-7, 150, Baldwin, N.Y. (Baldwin)
EMIL BOVE NAMED FIRST TEAM VERIZON ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN Stamford, Conn. – University at Albany’s Emil Bove has been chosen to the Verizon Academic All-America Men’s At-Large University Division First Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). This marks the second-straight year Bove has made the national squad, after garnering a spot on the second team a year ago. Bove, a senior defenseman on the men’s lacrosse team, posted a 4.00 cumulative grade point average in a dual major of public policy and economics. He led the Great Danes to an America East Conference championship and the school’s first-ever NCAA appearance at the Division I level. Bove, who was third on the UAlbany squad with 45 ground balls, was named to the America East all-tournament team. A native of Seneca Falls, N.Y., Bove recently received the University’s Outstanding Senior Award, Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence and Athletes Leadership Award. A Phi Beta Kappa student, Bove was an ECAC Merit Medal recipient as the school’s top senior male student-athlete. Bove is the second UAlbany athlete to be voted to a Verizon national academic first team at the University Division level. Football’s J.T. Herfurth was a member of the national first team in 2000.
ALBANY LACROSSE FALLS TO PRINCETON IN FIRST ROUND OF NCAA TOURNAMENT Princeton, N.J. - Sophomore attack Jason Donegar had five goals, including four in the decisive third quarter, in leading Princeton to a 16-10 victory over Albany in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday afternoon before 2,436 fans at Class of '52 Stadium. Princeton (11-3) broke a 5-5 halftime tie with five consecutive goals in the third period. Senior midfielder Will MacColl, who had a season-high four goals and added one assist, put his team on top for good when he drove around Albany's Matthew Fiasconaro and scored from the right side with 10:36 left in the quarter. The Tigers, who have won six national titles and reached the championship final twice since 1992, then scored three more times over the next two minutes. Josh White, who had two goals and two assists, connected from eight yards out on an extra-man opportunity. Donegar then found an open net 16 seconds later after the Great Danes turned the ball over deep in their territory. Donegar, who has 40 goals on the season, later scored from the top of the crease, before MacColl finished off a drive from the left side for a 10-5 lead with 4:14 remaining in the period. Donegar added two more goals in the final three minutes of the stanza to provide his club with a comfortable 12-6 cushion heading into the final quarter. "We put a scare in them, but they showed why they have been to the final the last three years in that third quarter," said Albany coach Scott Marr, whose program was making its first-ever NCAA appearance. "The turning point was that stretch of four goals in two minutes; we played way too much defense and it certainly helped that they won so many face-offs." Albany (10-6) gave the fourth-seed Tigers all they could handle in the first half. Princeton took a 4-3 lead on back-to-back goals by Sean Hartofilis and Donegar. But the Great Danes came back when freshmen Chris Martocchia, who had three goals and two assists, and Matthew Green scored consecutively to regain the lead. White drew the Tigers even with four seconds to play in the half, as he drove from the right and placed a high shot over Albany goalkeeper Kevin Rae. "I was proud of the way we played," said America East player of the year Luke Daquino, a sophomore who had two goals and three assists. "Princeton took it to us in the third quarter, but our seniors played their hearts out and went out strong in that final period." Albany's Chris Driscoll added a pair of goals, including a spin move that gave the Great Danes a 2-1 lead early in the second stanza. Rae finished with 11 saves, the eleventh time he has reached double figures this season. All-American midfielder Brad Dumont had two goals and one assist for the Tigers, who will play the winner of Sunday's Syracuse-Dartmouth first-round game in the quarterfinals next weekend. ********************* NCAA
Tournament - First Round
MEN’S LACROSSE WINS AMERICA EAST CHAMPIONSHIP AND EARNS NCAA BERTH West Hartford, Conn. -- Freshman attack Chris Martocchia scored three goals in leading Albany to a 7-5 victory over Hartford in the America East Conference championship on Saturday, May 3 at Al-Marzook Field. The Great Danes, who have won six straight, earned the program's first-ever NCAA tournament berth by capturing the conference title. Hartford (9-8), the tournament's top seed, took a 2-0 lead in the first quarter. Freshman midfielder Garett Kikot scored in front on a faked-pass play, before Travis Eckler fired a shot inside the left post with 4:02 left in the period. Albany (10-5) rallied to take a 3-2 halftime lead. Brendan Russell got his team on the scoreboard when he converted a drive from the right side with 48 seconds left in the opening period. In the second quarter, freshman Matthew Green tied the contest off a pass from behind from Bobby Gabriel. Martocchia then put his team ahead with 1:31 to play before the break on a spin move to his right. The Great Danes, who lost to Hartford, 10-5, during the regular season, used a three-goal third quarter to take command. Martocchia finished off a fastbreak from the left side early in the period on a play that originated off a failed clear. Michael Solazzo then scored 48 seconds later with his 31st goal of the season for a 5-2 lead, after Luke Daquino fired a pass to him on the top of the crease. Hartford closed within 6-4 in the fourth quarter as Andrew Rohmer found the net from the right side of the crease off a short pass from Chris Sauro. However, Martocchia regained his team's three-goal margin by scoring in transition following a successful clear by long-stick midfielder Ryan Olmstead with 7:34 remaining. Albany goalkeeper Kevin Rae, the championship's most outstanding performer, and the Great Danes' defense kept the lead safe in the stretch. "We were outstanding on defense, especially the play of Luke Smith and Emil Bove," said Albany coach Scott Marr, whose team lost in last year's championship final. "We worked a whole year to prove that we could win this (championship) and those two seniors really showed that this team wanted to get the job done." Eckler led the Hawks with two goals, including his 42nd of the season, while goalkeeper Rorke Greene made nine saves. Albany's Russell scored twice, and Green added one goal and one assist. "This has been a long dream for us," said Rae, who made nine saves after stopping 16 shots in his team's semifinal win over defending champion Stony Brook. "But now it's happening and it is real. Our team doesn't take too well to losing and what happened in last year's championship was an experience that helped us today." America East Conference Championship Albany 7, Hartford 5 Albany -- Scoring: Chris Martocchia 3-0, Brendan Russell 2-0, Matthew Green 1-1, Michael Solazzo 1-0, Luke Daquino 0-2, Bobby Gabriel 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Kevin Rae (60:00, 9 saves, 5 GA). Hartford -- Scoring: Travis Eckler 2-0, Raweras Mitchell 1-0, Garett Kikot 1-0, Andrew Rohmer 1-0, Chris Sauro 0-1, B.J. LaVoie 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Rorke Greene (60:00, 9 saves, 7 GA).
UALBANY ADVANCES TO AMERICA EAST MEN’S LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIP Albany, N.Y. – Sophomore attackman Luke Daquino had three goals, including two in the fourth quarter, and added one assist, as Albany advanced to the America East Conference championship game for the second straight year with an 11-5 victory over Stony Brook on Wednesday, April 30 at Varsity Field. The Great Danes, who extended their winning streak to five straight, will face the Hartford, the tournament's top seed, in the championship. The Hawks posted a 6-4 win over Vermont in the other semifinal. The championship is scheduled for Saturday, May 3 at Al-Marzook Field in West Hartford, Conn. Game time is 1:00 p.m. Albany (9-5) built a 6-0 lead in the third quarter on back-to-back goals by junior attack Michael Solazzo, who also had two assists. Solazzo netted his 30th goal of the season, when he converted Matthew Green’s pass over the top of the cage with 11:44 left in the period. Stony Brook (5-10) rallied with five unanswered goals to get back into the contest. Freshman attack Jason Cappadoro, who had two goals and two assists, scored twice in that stretch. Kevin Shea sliced the deficit to 6-5 with 13:29 remaining in the fourth quarter, when he found the net from the top of the crease off Cappadoro’s pass from behind. Daquino, the America East player of the year, then gave his team a two-goal margin 29 seconds later. The Seawolves’ Fraser Kersey was called for a slashing penalty, and Daquino converted the extra-man opportunity from the left side as the Great Danes worked a weave at the top of the box. The Great Danes, who lost to Stony Brook in last year’s championship final, pulled away when Chris Driscoll and Daquino scored one minute and 31 seconds apart for a 9-5 lead. Driscoll, a senior midfielder, connected with a low shot from the right side on a spin move, before Daquino working his way through the middle and hit the upper corner with 6:58 to play. "We were solid defensively today," Albany coach Scott Marr said. "We focused on not letting them get inside and coming up with any loose balls in front of the net. Kevin Rae, our goalkeeper, has had an up-and-down season, but he made some big saves and was able to initiate our fastbreak offense a couple of times." Rae finished with 16 saves, including 11 in the second half, as he stopped double-figure shots for the tenth time this season. Chris Martocchia and Driscoll each scored a pair of goals, while Green, a freshman midfielder, had one goal and two assists. -agate- America East Conference Semifinal Albany 11, Stony Brook 5 Stony Brook – Scoring: Jason Cappadoro 2-2, Kevin Shea 1-0, George LaFlare 1-0, Adam Marksberry 1-0, Sean Quinlan 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Errol Wilson (60:00, 12 saves, 11 GA). Albany – Scoring: Luke Daquino 3-1, Michael Solazzo 2-2, Chris Driscoll 2-0, Chris Martocchia 2-0, Matthew Green 1-2, Tim Primrose 1-0, Brendan Russell 0-1, Sean Donnellan 0-1, Kevin Rae 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Kevin Rae (60:00, 16 saves, 5 GA). ALBANY'S LUKE DAQUINO NAMED AMERICA EAST PLAYER OF THE YEAR IN LACROSSE Boston, Mass. – University at Albany’s Luke Daquino has been chosen as the America East Conference Player of the Year in men’s lacrosse as announced on Tuesday, April 29 by the conference office. Daquino, a sophomore, was also named to the America East first team in voting by the league’s head coaches. Daquino, a second-team selection as a freshman, ranks seventh among the NCAA Division I leaders in assists (2.23 pg) and 18th in scoring at 3.54 points per game. The Albany attackman totaled 17 goals and 29 assists for 46 points, the second consecutive year he has surpassed the 45-point mark. Daquino accounted for three or more points in 11 of 13 games played this season, and tied a career-high with seven points (2 goals, 5 assists) against Siena on April 22. His played helped the Great Danes capture a share of the America East regular-season title. Senior defenseman Luke Smith and sophomore midfielder Brendan Russell are made the first-team all-conference squad. Smith, who is among the league leaders in ground balls with 44, led a defensive unit that allowed 10.00 goals per game and has a .682 man-down percentage. Russell scored 20-plus points for the second straight year with 20 goals and two assists. Michael Solazzo, a junior attackman, was named to the all-conference second team. Solazzo, who has 28 goals and five assists this spring, is 19th nationally in goals scored at 2.33 per game. He tied a career-high with four goals against three opponents this season. Chris Martocchia and Matthew Green were among eleven players chosen to the America East All-Rookie Team. Martocchia, a freshman attack, is third on the team in scoring with 26 points (18 goals, 8 assists). Green, also a freshman, totaled five goals, three assists and 22 ground balls from his midfielder position. Albany (8-5) will meet Stony Brook in the America East tournament’s semifinal round on Wednesday, April 30 at 3:00 p.m. Admission is free at UAlbany’s Varsity Field. The semifinal winners will meet for the championship on Saturday, May 3 at the highest remaining seed’s home field. The America East champion receives an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament field.
KEVIN RAE NAMED AMERICA EAST MEN’S LACROSSE PLAYER OF THE WEEK Boston, Mass. – University at Albany’s Kevin Rae has been selected as the America East Conference Player of the Week in men’s lacrosse, as announced on Monday, April 28 by the conference office. Rae, a sophomore goalkeeper, combined for 24 saves in a pair of victories over Siena and Vermont. Rae stopped 14 shots, his ninth time in double figures this season, in last Saturday’s 8-6 win against Vermont. The Great Danes earned a share of the America East regular-season title with the victory. Rae also had 10 saves in a 14-2 triumph over Siena on April 22. He is among the conference leaders in goals against average (10.39) and save percentage (.547). Albany (8-5) will meet Stony Brook in the America East tournament’s semifinal round on Wednesday, April 30 at Varsity Field. Game time is 3:00 p.m. Hartford, the No. 1 seed with an 8-7 record, entertains Vermont in the other semifinal on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in West Hartford, Conn. The two semifinal winners will meet for the championship on Saturday, May 3 at the highest remaining seed’s home field. The conference champion receives an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament field.
UALBANY SEEDED SECOND FOR AMERICA EAST MEN’S LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIP Boston, Mass. – UAlbany will be the No. 2 seed for this week’s America East Conference men’s lacrosse championship tournament. The Great Danes captured a share of the conference’s regular-season title with Saturday’s 8-6 victory over Vermont. The America East champion receives an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament field. Albany (8-5) will meet the third seed Stony Brook (5-9) in the tournament’s semifinal round on Wednesday, April 30 at Varsity Field. Game time is 3:00 p.m. The Great Danes posted a 12-8 win over Stony Brook on April 12 during the regular schedule. The two teams met in last year’s championship final, and the Seawolves came away with an 8-6 victory. Hartford, the No. 1 seed with an 8-7 record, host fourth seed Vermont (5-7) in the other semifinal on April 30 at 7:00 p.m. in West Hartford, Conn. The two semifinal winners will meet for the championship on Saturday, May 3 at the highest remaining seed’s home field. The Great Danes, who have played four top-20 teams, including top-ranked Johns Hopkins, reeled off four straight victories to end the regular season. Sophomore attackman Luke Daquino (17 goals, 29 assists) and junior Michael Solazzo (28 goals, 5 assists) are the team’s top scorers. Senior defenseman Luke Smith (44 ground balls) and goalkeeper Kevin Rae (10.39 GAA, .545 save percentage) lead the defense. ******************** America East Conference Men’s Lacrosse Championship Wednesday, April 30, Semifinal Round #3 Stony Brook (5-9) at #2 Albany (8-5), 3:00 p.m. #4 Vermont (5-7) at #1 Hartford (8-7), 7:00 p.m. Saturday, May 3, Championship (At Highest Remaining Seed’s Home Field), TBA.
MEN’S LACROSSE EARNS SHARE OF AMERICA EAST REGULAR-SEASON TITLE Burlington, Vt. – Senior midfielder Chris Driscoll had two goals and two assists, as Albany earned a share of the America East Conference regular-season title with an 8-6 victory over Vermont on Saturday, April 26 at Centennial Field. Albany (8-5, AE 4-1) will be the No. 2 seed in next week’s conference postseason tournament. The Great Danes, who posted four straight victories to finish the schedule, will host Stony Brook on Wednesday, April 30 at 3:00 p.m. in the semifinal round. Vermont (5-7, AE 2-3) took a 2-1 lead in the first quarter, when freshman attack Mike Maher converted a pass from Mark Prior. The Great Danes responded with five unanswered goals to take the lead for good. Michael Solazzo ignited that run with his 28th goal of the season, before Sean Donnellan put his team ahead off a feed from Driscoll. Freshman Chris Martocchia, who had one goal and two assists, scored 27 seconds into the second period for a 4-2 lead. Brendan Russell followed with his second goal of the game, and then Luke Daquino scored on an extra-man opportunity with 3:10 left before halftime. Vermont trailed 7-3 early in the second half, but then rallied with straight goals. Phil McKnight and R.J. Harrison scored third-quarter goals, before Prior found the net with 13:54 remaining in the contest. Driscoll gave Albany a two-goal edge four minutes later and his team held on the rest of the way. "We are happy to back in a situation where we have an opportunity to play for an NCAA tournament berth," said Albany coach Scott Marr, whose team won last year’s regular-season title before losing the tournament championship final. "Our defensive play was the difference today. Defensemen Rick Malan and Chris Kivlen made big contributions off the bench with some of our starters out due to injuries." Albany goalkeeper Kevin Rae made 14 saves, and stopped double-figure shots for the ninth time this season. UVM’s Maher had two goals and one assist, while Michael Gabel, the nation’s leader in save percentage, totaled 12 saves. *************** Albany 8, Vermont 6 Albany – Scoring: Chris Driscoll 2-2, Brendan Russell 2-0, Chris Martocchia 1-2, Sean Donnellan 1-1, Michael Solazzo 1-0, Luke Daquino 1-0; Goalkeeper(s): Kevin Rae (60:00, 14 saves, 6 GA). Vermont – Scoring: Mike Maher 2-1, Mark Prior 1-1, Doug Moses 1-0, R.J. Harrison 1-0, Phil McKnight 1-0, Thomas Hajek 0-2; Goalkeeper(s): Michael Gabel (60:00, 12 saves, 8 GA).
MEN'S LACROSSE BEATS CROSSTOWN-RIVAL SIENA FOR THIRD STRAIGHT WIN Albany, N.Y. – Michael Solazzo tied a career-high with four goals and Luke Daquino added two goals and five assists, as Albany won its third straight with a 14-2 non-league victory over Siena on Tuesday, April 22 in the Great Danes’ home regular-season finale at Varsity Field. Albany (7-5) used a four-goal third quarter to break away after leading 4-2 at halftime. Daquino, who tied a career-high with seven points, had three assists in the period. He fed Solazzo in transition following a turnover, before finding Chris Martocchia on the left side after a failed clear. The Great Danes then scored twice in a 38-second span for an 8-2 lead. Senior midfielder Chris Driscoll picked up a ground ball and then sent a low shot past Siena goalkeeper John Bamford. Freshman Jim Stankard followed with a shot from the top of the crease with 4:20 left in the quarter. Daquino, who is seventh among the NCAA Division I leaders in assists at 2.43 per game, had a hand in each of his team’s three goals over the opening three minutes of the final period. He hit an open net when defenseman Luke Smith disrupted a clearing attempt at midfield with 13:55 remaining. The sophomore attackman then set up Solazzo’s fourth goal of the game, before giving the Great Danes an 11-2 cushion with a shot that went inside the left post. Tom Nally scored a pair of goals for Siena, who fell to 1-10 overall. Bamford, a freshman, finished with 17 saves. Albany’s Driscoll finished with two goals and one assist, while Martocchia scored twice. Goalkeeper Kevin Rae made 10 saves in three-plus quarters between the pipes. ***************** Albany 14, Siena 2 Siena – Scoring: Tom Nally 2-0, Matt Walsh 0-1, Christopher Padden 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): John Bamford (60:00, 17 saves, 14 GA). Albany – Scoring: Michael Solazzo 4-0, Luke Daquino 2-5, Chris Driscoll 2-1, Chris Martocchia 2-0, Daniel Orlowski 1-1, Bobby Gabriel 1-0, Jim Stankard 1-0, Jeremy Smith 1-0, Luke Smith 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Kevin Rae (50:34, 10 saves, 2 GA), Chris Gill (9:26, 3 saves, 0 GA).
LACROSSE'S DAQUINO & BASEBALL'S THOMAS RECEIVE WEEKLY AMERICA EAST AWARDS Boston, Mass. – University at Albany’s Luke Daquino has been named the America East Conference Co-Player of the Week in men’s lacrosse, as announced on Monday, April 21 by the conference office. He shared the honor with Hartford’s Travis Eckler. Daquino tied a season-high with six points (3 goals, 3 assists) in last Saturday’s 12-11 win over Quinnipiac. The Great Danes secured a conference tournament postseason berth with the victory. Daquino, a sophomore attackman, recorded six or more points in a game for the fifth time in his career. He is second among the America East scoring leaders at 3.45 points per game and leads the league in assists. Daquino has 14 goals and 24 assists on the season. ******************** Boston, Mass. – Freshman right-hander Kyle Thomas has been chosen the America East Conference Co-Rookie of the Week in baseball. He shared the award with Northeastern’s Chris Emanuele. Thomas went 2-0 on the mound with a 2.38 earned run average in a pair of conference victories last week. He scattered six hits, struck out six and walked two in a 6-3 win over Northeastern on April 14. The Oneonta, N.Y. native went 6.1 innings in last Saturday’s 2-1 victory against Binghamton. Thomas, who evened his record at 3-3, allowed five hits and recorded four strikeouts.
MEN'S LACROSSE CLINCHES POSTSEASON BERTH WITH QUINNIPIAC VICTORY Albany, N.Y. – Sophomore attack Luke Daquino had three goals and three assists, as Albany held on for a 12-11 America East Conference victory over Quinnipiac on Saturday, April 19 at Varsity Field. The Great Danes, who were playing on their home field for the first time this season, clinched a berth in the conference’s postseason tournament later this month. Quinnipiac (2-10, AE 1-4) reversed a 6-5 halftime deficit, when Andy Pelletier and John Giordano scored back-to-back early in the third quarter. Giordano, a senior who totaled a season-high five goals, converted an extra-man opportunity from the right side with 9:57 left in the period. Albany (6-5, AE 3-1) rallied with three consecutive goals in a two-minute span midway through the quarter. Michael Solazzo put his team ahead for good at 8-7, when he connected off a pass from behind by Sean Donnellan, who had one goal and two assists. Sophomore Brendan Russell ended the outburst as he fired a low shot from 18 yards away past Quinnipiac goalkeeper T.J. Barnett. Freshman Chris Martocchia, who had three goals and one assists, helped the Great Danes build an 11-8 lead after three periods. He found the left side of the net off a failed clear with five seconds left on a man-advantage, and then tallied another extra-man goal off a pass over the top of the cage by Daquino. The Bobcats, who have seven freshmen in their starting lineup, closed within one goal on two occasions in the fourth quarter. Giordano scored his fifth goal of the game and 17th of the season during a man-advantage opportunity with 5:07 to play. However, the Great Danes made effective use of the clock down the stretch to stay in front. Quinnipiac’s Pelletier finished with three goals and two assists. Albany goalkeeper Kevin Rae made a season-high 18 saves, while Solazzo and Russell each scored a pair of goals. *************** Albany 12, Quinnipiac 11 Quinnipiac – Scoring: John Giordano 5-0, Andy Pelletier 3-2, Chip Schmidt 1-2, Josh Murray 1-1, Mike Stottler 1-0, Jon Heller 0-1, Leigh DePace 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): T.J. Barnett (45:00, 10 saves, 11 GA), Joe Prota (15:00, 6 saves, 1 GA). Albany – Scoring: Luke Daquino 3-3, Chris Martocchia 3-1, Michael Solazzo 2-0, Brendan Russell 2-0, Sean Donnellan 1-2, Tim Primrose 1-0, Matthew Green 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Kevin Rae (60:00, 18 saves, 11 GA).
MEN'S LACROSSE BEATS DEFENDING AMERICA EAST CHAMPION STONY BROOK Stony Brook, N.Y. – Michael Solazzo and Brendan Russell each scored a career-high four goals in leading Albany to a 12-8 America East Conference victory over Stony Brook on Saturday, April 12 before 1,013 fans at LaValle Stadium. Albany (5-5, AE 2-1) used a five-goal first quarter to take control early. Solazzo, a junior attackman, converted a man-advantage opportunity, before Russell scored unassisted for a 5-1 lead with four minutes left in the period. Russell, a sophomore midfielder who did all of his scoring in the opening half, connected on back-to-back goals to give his team a 7-2 lead midway through the second quarter. He found the net with 17 seconds elapsed in the stanza after his team gained an extra man due to a holding penalty. Senior attacker Kevin Shea tried to keep Stony Brook (3-8, AE 1-2) in the contest with a five-goal performance, including his 18th of the spring with 2:45 left in the third period. However, Albany maintained a five-goal margin in the final quarter, as freshman Matthew Green and Solazzo converted scoring chances. Solazzo netted his fourth goal of the game and 21st of the season with 4:34 to play. Stony Brook’s George LaFlare finished with two goals and one assist, as the defending America East champions dropped their fourth straight. Green had a pair of goals for the Great Danes, who moved into a tie for second place in the conference standings. Luke Daquino added one goal and two assists. *************** Albany 12, Stony Brook 8 Albany – Scoring: Michael Solazzo 4-1, Brendan Russell 4-0, Matthew Green 2-0 Luke Daquino 1-2, Chris Martocchia 1-0, Chris Driscoll 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Kevin Rae (60:00, 8 saves, 8 GA). Stony Brook – Scoring: Kevin Shea 5-0, George LaFlare 2-1, Adam Marksberry 1-2, Jason Cappadoro 0-1, Jamey Lacey 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Jeff Slater (24:02, 3 saves, 8 GA), Errol Wilson (35:58, 6 saves, 4 GA).
MEN'S LACROSSE FALLS TO 19TH-RANKED YALE, 13-11, IN NEW HAVEN New Haven, Conn. – Sophomore Seth Goldberg scored a career-high four goals and added three assists in leading nationally-ranked Yale to a 13-11 non-conference victory over Albany on Wednesday, April 9 at Johnson Field. The Bulldogs, who are 19th in this week’s STX/USILA national poll, erased an early 2-1 deficit with a six-goal second quarter. Goldberg’s first two goals, both assisted by Dan Brillman, helped Yale (7-2) build a 6-2 advantage. Albany (4-5) rallied in the second half behind the play of senior midfielder Chris Driscoll, who totaled a season-high three goals and one assist. However, Yale’s Mike Scaglione and Scott Kenworthy, who each scored three times in the contest, kept their team ahead in the final period. Junior goalkeeper Roy Skeen made 15 saves for the Bulldogs, who posted their third straight victory. Brillman, a freshman attack, finished with one goal and three assists. Albany’s Michael Solazzo accounted for three goals, including his 17th of the season, and one assist, while sophomore Kevin Rae stopped 13 shots in the cage. The Great Danes return to America East Conference play against defending champion Stony Brook on Saturday, April 12 at 7:00 p.m. *************** #19 Yale 13, Albany 11 Albany – Michael Solazzo 3-1, Chris Driscoll 3-1, Brendan Russell 2-0, Luke Daquino 1-2, Matthew Green 1-1, Luke Smith 1-0, Chris Martocchia 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Kevin Rae (60:00, 13 saves, 13 GA). Yale – Seth Goldberg 4-3, Scott Kenworthy 3-0, Mike Scaglione 3-0, Daniel Brillman 1-3, David Krueger 1-0, Marcus Rupp 1-0, Ned Britt 0-2, Gregory Naso 0-1, Colin Neville 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Roy Skeen (60:00, 15 saves, 11 GA).
MEN'S LACROSSE LOSES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE PLAY Saratoga Springs, N.Y. -- Senior midfielder Tom Fallica scored three goals to lead Hartford to 10-5 victory over Albany in the Hawks' America East Conference opener on Sunday, April 6 at Skidmore College's Outdoor Athletic Complex. Hartford (4-5, AE 1-0) jumped out to a 5-1 lead early in the second quarter, when Fallica hit an empty net with a shorthanded goal following a failed clear attempt. Albany (4-4, AE 1-1) rallied with four goals over the next five minutes. Michael Solazzo, who had three goals and one assist, did all of his scoring in that stretch. Solazzo, a junior attackman, converted an extra-man opportunity to ignite that run, and later scored back-to-back goals off passes from Luke Daquino to tie the contest at five apiece with 9:32 remaining in the period. Hartford's Garett Kikot put his team ahead for good two minutes later, when he sent a low shot past Albany goalkeeper Kevin Rae. The Hawks, who were coming off a 5-4 non-league win over Providence on Wednesday, dominated the second half behind the play of all-conference goalkeeper Rorke Greene, who made 19 saves. The Hawks used a three-goal third quarter to pad their lead. Raweras Mitchell scored his second goal of the game from the top of the crease, before Matt Holman connected on a drive from the left side midway through the stanza. Fallica netted his third goal with a low shot off a pass from the top by Chris Sauro with 20 seconds left in the period. Hartford's Travis Eckler added a pair of goals, while B.J. LaVoie accounted for three assists. Albany's Rae finished with nine saves. *************** Hartford 10, Albany 5 Hartford - Scoring: Tom Fallica 3-0, Raweras Mitchell, 2-0, Travis Eckler 2-0, Chris Sauro 1-2, Garett Kikot 1-2, Matt Holman 1-0, B.J. LaVoie 0-3; Goalkeeper(s): Rorke Greene (60:00 minutes, 19 saves, 5 GA). Albany - Scoring: Michael Solazzo 3-1, Luke Daquino 1-2, Chris Martocchia 1-0, Brendan Russell 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Kevin Rae (60:00 minutes, 9 saves, 10 GA).
MEN'S LACROSSE BEATS BINGHAMTON TO BEGIN AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE PLAY Vestal, N.Y. –- Freshman Chris Martocchia had two goals and two assists, as Albany opened America East Conference play with a 9-6 victory over Binghamton in a wind-driven rain on Saturday, March 29 at mud-filled East Gym Complex. Albany (4-3, AE 1-0) reversed a 2-1 deficit in the second quarter by scoring four times in a five-minute span. Michael Solazzo, who had a team-high three goals, tied the contest off a feed from Luke Daquino, before Martocchia gave his team the lead for good with 7:41 left in the period. Michael Solazzo ended that stretch when he converted Bobby Gabriel's pass, and the Great Danes took a 5-2 lead to the locker room. The Great Danes, who posted back-to-back victories for the first time this spring, scored three times in the opening seven minutes of the third quarter to build an 8-2 margin. Martocchia hit the net with just 26 seconds elapsed in the period off Jon Smith’s pass, and then later fed Donnellan as his team built a six-goal lead with 8:03 remaining. Brian Chaapel, a freshman attackman, led Binghamton (2-4, AE 1-2) with two goals, while Phil Cavallo scored once and assisted on two more. Freshman goalkeeper Kevin McKeown stopped 13 shots. Albany’s Chris Gill made the second start of his career at goalkeeper and recorded 13 saves in going the distance. Daquino, a sophomore, tied a career-high with four assists for the Great Danes, who will play their first home game of the season on Saturday, April 5 against conference-rival Hartford. *************** Albany 9, Binghamton 6 Albany – Scoring: Michael Solazzo 3-0, Chris Martocchia 2-2, Jon Smith 1-1, Bakary Janneh 1-0, Brendan Russell 1-0, Sean Donnellan 1-0, Luke Daquino 0-4, Bobby Gabriel 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Chris Gill (60:00, 13 saves, 6 GA). Binghamton – Scoring: Brian Chaapel 2-0, Brian Morgan 1-2, Phil Cavallo 1-0, John Gaudet 1-0, Aaron LaFlair 1-0, Chris Healy 0-1, Sean Meluney 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Kevin McKeown (60:00, 13 saves, 9 GA).
CHRIS MARTOCCHIA NAMED AMERICA EAST MEN'S LACROSSE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK Boston, Mass. – University at Albany’s Chris Martocchia has been selected as the America East Conference Rookie of the Week in men’s lacrosse, as announced on Monday, March 24 by the conference office. Martocchia, a freshman attackman, had six goals, one assist and three ground balls in two games last week. He scored a season-high four times in last Saturday’s 11-10 victory over Drexel. Martocchia tallied what proved to be the winning goal with 4:13 remaining. He also had two goals and one assist in his team’s loss to sixth-ranked Massachusetts on March 18. Martocchia, an All-Nassau County performer on the high school level, is tied for second among the UAlbany scoring leaders with 10 points (8 goals, 2 assists) and has a .381 shot percentage. Albany (3-3) begins America East Conference play at Binghamton on Saturday, March 29, at 1:00 p.m. MEN'S LACROSSE BEATS DREXEL, 11-10, BEHIND CHRIS MARTOCCHIA'S FOUR GOALS Philadelphia, Pa. - Sophomore attack Luke Daquino scored the go-ahead goal with four minutes and 42 seconds remaining, and Albany held on for an 11-10 non-conference victory over Drexel on Saturday, March 22 at Drexel Field. Drexel (1-5) rallied from a five-goal deficit in the opening half to take a 7-6 lead in the third period. Brendan Morgan, who had two goals and three assists, put his team in front with his seventh of the season. The Dragons won seven of eight face-offs en route to a five-goal quarter. Albany (3-3) regained the lead in the final period, when Daquino, who had two goals and one assist, scored for a 10-9 advantage. Freshman Chris Martocchia then gave the Great Danes some needed insurance with his fourth goal of the game, a career-high total. The Dragons closed the gap as Sean Moloney, last year’s Colonial Athletic Association rookie of the year, netted his ninth goal of the year with 2:22 to play. Drexel had an opportunity to tie the contest on the game’s last possession, but Albany goalkeeper Kevin Rae stopped Patrick Friel’s shot with three seconds left. Rae finished with 11 saves. Friel, a senior, led his team with three goals and one assist, while freshman Matt Musci scored three times. Senior midfielder Chris Driscoll had one goal and two assists for the Great Danes, who rebounded from last Tuesday’s loss to sixth-ranked Massachusetts. *************** Albany 11, Drexel 10 Albany - Scoring: Chris Martocchia 4-0, Luke Daquino 2-1, Chris Driscoll 1-2, Jon Smith 1-1, Michael Solazzo 1-0, Brendan Russell 1-0, Bobby Gabriel 1-0; Goalkeeper(s): Kevin Rae (60:00, 11 saves, 10 GA). Drexel - Scoring: Patrick Friel 3-1, Matt Musci 3-0, Brendan Morgan 2-3, Sean Moloney 1-1, Sean Metz 1-0, Jesse Rumble 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Will Melton (59:00, 13 saves, 10 GA), Pat Walls (1:00, 0 saves, 1 GA). MEN'S LACROSSE LOSES ON THE ROAD AT SIXTH-RANKED MASSACHUSETTS Amherst, Mass. -- Jeff Zywicki had a career-high seven goals and added two assists, as unbeaten Massachusetts overpowered Albany in the second half for a 15-5 non-conference victory on Tuesday, March 18 at Garber Field. Massachusetts (5-0), ranked sixth in this week’s STX/USILA national poll, snapped an early 1-1 tie with three consecutive goals. Kevin Glenz scored the first of his two goals after taking a flip pass from Kevin Leveille, who had a career-best six assists. Chris Doyle later converted a drive from the right side for a 4-1 lead with 29 seconds left in the first quarter. Albany (2-3) closed within 4-2, when freshman Chris Martocchia, who had two goals and one assist, found the cage on the last offensive play of the stanza. The Minutemen finally broke the defensive struggle open with a pair of goals in the final minute of the second quarter. Gene Tundo scored from the top of the crease, before Zywicki fired a shot inside the right post. Massachusetts pulled away with a five-goal third period. Ryan Connolly started that stretch when he scored unassisted on a deflection off a defender’s stick. Zywicki, a junior attacker, scored three straight times over the final seven minutes of the quarter for an 11-3 lead after three periods. The Minutemen took control in that period with 18 shots on goal. Connolly and Tundo, a pair of sophomores, finished with two goals apiece. Starting goalkeeper Bill Schell made 11 saves. Albany’s Luke Daquino had one goal and two assists, while Kevin Rae stopped 16 shots in the cage. *************** #6 Massachusetts 15, Albany 5 Albany Scoring – Chris Martocchia 2-1, Luke Daquino 1-2, Tim Primrose 1-0, Brendan Russell 1-0, Christopher Preble 0-1, Chris Driscoll 0-1, Goalkeeper(s): Kevin Rae (60:00, 16 saves, 15 GA) Massachusetts Scoring – Jeff Zywicki 7-2, Ryan Connolly 2-0, Kevin Glenz 2-0, Gene Tundo 2-0, Chris Doyle 1-0, Andy Kerr 1-0, Kevin Leveille 0-6, Tony Ventiquattro 0-2, Chris Fiore 0-1, Goalkeeper(s): Bill Schell (49:38, 8 saves, 3 GA), Derek Kunkel (7:20, 2 saves, 2 GA), Scott Hinchey (3:02, 1 save, 0 GA).
MICHAEL SOLAZZO NAMED AMERICA EAST MEN'S LACROSSE PLAYER OF THE WEEK Boston, Mass. – University at Albany’s Michael Solazzo has been selected as the America East Conference Player of the Week in men’s lacrosse, as announced on Monday, March 17 by the conference office. Solazzo tied a career-high with four goals and added one assist in a 16-12 non-conference victory over Delaware on March 15. He scored three times in the pivotal three quarter, including back-to-back goals that gave the Great Danes a 12-6 lead. Delaware came into the contest with a three-game winning streak and received votes in last week’s national rankings. Solazzo, a junior attackman from Yorktown Heights, N.Y., ranks fifth among the America East scoring leaders at 2.25 points per game. He has seven goals and two assists for nine points this season. Albany (2-2) travels to Massachusetts (4-0) on Tuesday, March 18. The Minutemen, who are ranked sixth in the latest STX/USILA national poll, are coming off last Saturday’s 18-6 victory over No. 18 Brown. MEN'S LACROSSE KNOCKS OFF DELAWARE, 16-12, WITH SEVEN-GOAL THIRD QUARTER Newark, Del. – Junior attackman Michael Solazzo tied a career-high with four goals and added one assist to lead Albany to a 16-12 non-conference victory over Delaware on Saturday, March 15 at Rullo Stadium. Albany (2-2) leaped to a 4-0 lead in the opening nine minutes behind the play of sophomore Luke Daquino, who had two goals and matched a career-best with four assists. Daquino scored unassisted, before setting up Solazzo for a 2-0 advantage with 11:55 left in the first quarter. The Great Danes, who were coming off losses to Johns Hopkins and Rutgers, a pair of nationally-ranked teams, scored three times within a two-minute span of the second quarter to build an 8-2 lead. Daquino, a second-team All-America East Conference attacker last year, rifled a shot into the top of the cage, and then fed Brendan Russell 17 seconds later after his team controlled the following face-off on the artificial surface. Delaware (4-3) closed within 8-5 early in the third period, when Luke Wiles converted one of this team’s three man-advantage goals. However, the Great Danes ripped off six of the game’s next seven goals to take control. Jon Smith ignited that run with an unassisted goal on a delayed penalty, while Solazzo scored three times, including his seventh of the season, in the quarter. The Blue Hens, who received votes in this week’s STX/USILA national poll and were riding a three-game win streak, trailed 15-7 late in the third stanza, but then responded with five straight scores. Freshmen Kurt Nordhoff, who had three goals and two assists, and Xander Ritz, who scored three times and added one assist, led the charge. Albany’s Bobby Gabriel converted an unassisted goal to quell the storm with 3:04 remaining. *************** Albany 16, Delaware 12 Albany – Scoring: Michael Solazzo 4-1, Luke Daquino 2-4, Brendan Russell 2-0, Jon Smith 2-0, Tim Primrose 2-0, Bobby Gabriel 1-2, Matthew Fiasconaro 1-1, Chris Martocchia 1-1, Randy Donaldson 1-0; Goalkeeper(s): Kevin Rae (60:00, 15 saves, 12 GA). Delaware – Scoring: Kurt Nordhoff 3-2, Xander Ritz 3-1, Scott Evans 2-1, Matt Alrich 1-1, Bob Meunier 1-1, Andy Hipple 1-0, Luke Wiles 1-0; R.C. Reed 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Chris Collins (60:00, 15 saves, 16 GA).
MATTHEW GREEN NAMED AMERICA EAST LACROSSE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK Boston, Mass. – University at Albany’s Matthew Green has been selected as the America East Conference Rookie of the Week in men’s lacrosse, as announced today by the conference office. Green, a freshman midfielder from Canandaigua, N.Y., scored his first collegiate goal against top-ranked Johns Hopkins on March 4. He had one goal and three ground balls in a 14-7 loss to No. 15 Rutgers last Saturday. Green was a U.S. Lacrosse All-American as a high school senior. MEN'S LACROSSE DEFEATED ON ROAD BY RUTGERS, THE NATION'S NO. 15 TEAM Piscataway, N.J. – Ken Springer and Jeff Duca each scored four goals to lead Rutgers, ranked 15th nationally in the latest STX/USILA national poll, to a 14-7 victory over Albany on Saturday, March 8 at Rutgers AstroTurf Field. The Scarlet Knights improved to 5-0 on the season, and are off to their best start since 1956. Rutgers used a four-goal first quarter to seize control early. Springer, a senior attackman, netted his first goal one minutes and 54 seconds into the contest. Duca scored twice in the period, and gave his team a 4-0 lead with 4:45 remaining. Matthew Apel, who had one goal and two assists, and Springer tallied back-to-back goals in the second stanza for a 7-1 lead. The Scarlet Knights, who avenged an 8-6 loss to Albany last year, went into halftime with an 8-3 lead. Albany (1-2) closed within 10-6 entering the fourth quarter. Sophomore attacker Luke Daquino, who totaled two goals and one assist, scored unassisted with 25 seconds to play in the third period. Chris Driscoll and Michael Solazzo also found the net in the quarter for the Great Danes, who were coming off a loss on Tuesday to Johns Hopkins, the nation’s top-ranked team. Rutgers pulled away in the final period by scoring three consecutive times. Delby Powless started that outburst with his 12th goal of the season off a feed from Leif Blomquist, who had a career-high four assists. Freshman goalkeeper Greg Havalchak stopped 15 shots between the pipes. *************** #15 Rutgers 14, Albany 7 Albany – Scoring: Luke Daquino 2-1, Matthew Green 1-0, Chris Driscoll 1-0, Michael Solazzo 1-0, Jon Smith 1-0, Jeremy Smith 1-0, Chris Martocchia 0-1, Luke Smith 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Kevin Rae (41:42, 5 saves, 10 GA), Chris Gill (18:18, 3 saves, 4 GA). Rutgers – Scoring: Ken Springer 4-0, Jeff Duca 4-0, Delby Powless 2-0, Matthew Apel 1-2, Tim White 1-1, John Flanagan 1-1, Nick Schmidt 1-0, Leif Blomquist 0-4; Greg Havalchak (60:00, 15 saves, 7 GA). MEN'S LACROSSE UPENDED IN SECOND HALF BY NATION'S TOP-RANKED TEAM Baltimore, Md. – Senior attackman Bobby Benson tied his career-high with five goals and senior midfielder Adam Doneger scored four times to lead Johns Hopkins, the nation’s top-ranked team, to a 16-7 victory over Albany at Homewood Field on Tuesday, March 4. The win improves Hopkins' record to 2-0, while the Great Danes fall to 1-1. The Blue Jays led just 6-4 at the halftime before taking control with a five-goal third quarter. Doneger, a first-team All-American last year, scored back-to-back goals in a span of just 1:52, plus a Benson goal just eight seconds after Doneger's second tally pushed the lead to 9-4. Doneger and Benson traded goals with Albany's Luke Smith and Brendan Russell over an eight-minute span bridging the third and fourth quarters before Hopkins scored five of the game's final six goals. A pair of Benson goals pushed the lead to 13-6 before Albany's Matthew Green answered with his first goal of the season with 7:30 remaining in the fourth quarter. Joe Benson, the younger brother of Bobby, then sandwiched the first two goals of his career around Peter LeSueur’s tally to account for the final scoring. LeSueur finished with three goals and two assists. Russell, a sophomore midfielder, scored back-to-back goals in the opening eight minutes of the game to give the Great Danes an early 2-0 lead. Doneger got the Blue Jays on the board with a goal with 3:56 remaining in the first quarter and Joe McDermott's first goal of the season just over a minute later tied the game at two apiece. After Jon Smith gave Albany a 3-2 lead with his fourth goal of the season in the second quarter, LeSueur ignited a 4-0 run with a pair of goals just 1:11 apart. Sophomore Kyle Harrison and Bobby Benson also scored during the spree. Russell's three goals paced the Great Danes, who also got one goal and one assist from Michael Solazzo. Sophomore goalkeeper Kevin Rae recorded 10-plus saves for the 14th time in his career by stopping 13 shots. The Blue Jays, who share No. 1 with Virginia in this week’s STX/USILA national poll, are now 17-3 over their last 20 games, including 16 of 17 in regular-season contests. Albany will play at No. 15 Rutgers on Saturday, March 8. *************** #1 Johns Hopkins 16, Albany 7 Albany – Scoring: Brendan Russell 3-0, Michael Solazzo 1-1, Matthew Green 1-0, Jon Smith 1-0, Luke Smith 1-0; Goalkeeper(s): Kevin Rae (60:00, 13 saves, 16 GA). Johns Hopkins – Scoring: Bobby Benson 5-0, Adam Doneger 4-0, Peter LeSueur 3-2, Joe Benson 2-1, Kyle Harrison 1-1, Joe McDermott 1-1, Kyle Barrie 0-3, Kevin Boland 0-2, Corey Harned 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Rob Scherr (60:00, 6 saves, 7 GA). MEN'S LACROSSE DEFEATS PROVIDENCE, 10-7, IN FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON Amherst, Mass. – Senior midfielder Jon Smith had three goals and one assist, and Albany held off a late Providence rally in posting a 10-7 victory in the season opener for both teams at the University of Massachusetts’ Garber Field. Providence rallied from a six-goal deficit in the second quarter to close within 9-7 with 7:55 remaining in the contest. Dan Giuntini ended a run of three straight goals, when he converted a extra-man advantage with a shot inside the right post. Giuntini, a first-team all-conference attackman last year, finished with two goals and three assists. The Friars, who were picked third in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference preseason poll, had two opportunities to get even closer in the final two minutes. However, Albany goalkeeper Kevin Rae, who had 13 saves, stopped Giuntini and Jon Meehan at point-blank range. Off the final save, Rae, the America East Conference’s top rookie last season, delivered a length-of-the-field pass to Chris Martocchia, who sealed the outcome with 6.5 seconds to play. Albany led 8-3 at halftime, as Smith did most of his work in the opening two quarters. Sophomore Brendan Russell also had two goals and one assist in that stretch. Luke Daquino, a sophomore attackman, finished with one goal and three assists for the Great Danes, as the defending America East regular-season champions won their season-opening game for the first time since 1998. The Friars’ Kevin Kornobis added two goals, both in the first half. ************ Albany 10, Providence 7 Providence Scoring – Dan Giuntini 2-3, Kevin Kornobis 2-0, John Hollister 1-1, Jon Meehan 1-0, Skip Dunphy 1-0, David Krasnica 0-2, Goalkeeper(s): Matthew Welch (15:00, 1 save, 5 GA), Andrew McMinn (45:00, 19 saves, 5 GA) Albany Scoring – Jon Smith 3-1, Brendan Russell 2-1, Luke Daquino 1-3, Chris Driscoll 1-0, Tim Primrose 1-0, Michael Solazzo 1-0, Chris Martocchia 1-0, Sean Donnellan 0-1, Matthew Green 0-1, Kevin Rae 0-1, Goalkeeper(s): Kevin Rae (60:00, 13 saves, 7 GA)
ALBANY VOTED PRESEASON CHOICE TO WIN AMERICA EAST MEN’S LACROSSE TITLE Boston, Mass. – Defending America East Conference regular-season men’s lacrosse champion University at Albany has been selected to win the 2003 conference title in voting by the head coaches, as announced on Tuesday, Feb. 18 by the league office. Albany received five of a possible six first-place votes. The Great Danes, who went 5-0 in conference regular-season play last year, posted a 9-7 overall record and reached the America East tournament championship. Albany’s six-win improvement from the previous season was the best one-year turnaround in the program’s history. Scott Marr, the 2002 America East coach of the year, has nine starters returning, including goalkeeper Kevin Rae, the conference’s top rookie as a freshman. Rae ranked third nationally in save percentage (.630) and 15th in goals against average at 8.42 per game. Sophomore attack Luke Daquino, a second-team all-league selection, was third among the conference scoring leaders with 28 goals and 27 assists. His 55 points were the highest total by an Albany player since 1993. Chris Driscoll (30 goals, 8 assists) and Michael Solazzo (23 goals, 11 assists) were also 30-plus point scorers. Jon Smith, another second-team All-America East pick, tallied 15 goals and nine assists from his midfield position, while tri-captain Alan Beach led the team with 61 ground balls. Seniors Luke Smith and Emil Bove are members of a defensive unit that was eighth in Division I in goals allowed at 8.06 per game. The top four teams in the conference will advance to the America East Championship on April 30 and May 3, with the winner of the tournament receiving an automatic NCAA berth. The Great Danes open their schedule on Saturday, March 1 against Providence in Amherst, Mass. The non-conference slate features three nationally-ranked teams in Johns Hopkins (#3), Massachusetts (#8) and Yale (#18). America East Men’s Lacrosse Preseason Poll 1. Albany (5), 35; 2. Stony Brook, 24; 3. Quinnipiac (1), 22; 4. Vermont, 21; 5. Hartford 14, 6. Binghamton 10.
ALBANY RECEIVES VOTES IN INSIDE LACROSSE PRESEASON COACHES POLL Towson, Md. – UAlbany is among others receiving votes for Inside Lacrosse Magazine’s 2003 Preseason Coaches Top 25 National Men’s Lacrosse Poll. The Great Danes, who captured last year’s America East Conference regular-season crown, have 25 lettermen, including nine starters, returning from a 9-7 squad. Defending national champion Syracuse is ranked first, and is followed by Princeton, Johns Hopkins, Virginia and Maryland. Albany was among fourteen teams in the others receiving votes category. The Great Danes, who received votes in the poll for the first time since upgrading to the Division I level in 1999-2000, are slated to meet three top-20 teams this season. UAlbany has No. 3 Johns Hopkins, No. 8 Massachusetts and No. 18 Yale on the 2003 schedule. Sophomore goalkeeper Kevin Rae, the America East rookie of the year, sophomore attackman Luke Daquino (28 goals, 27 assists) and senior midfielder Jon Smith (15 goals, 9 assists) were all-conference selections in 2002.
UALBANY ANNOUNCES MEN'S LACROSSE SIGNINGS FOR 2002-03 Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany head men’s lacrosse coach Scott Marr announced on August 25 that six student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to play for the Great Danes in 2002-03. Defenseman Ryan Olmstead has also transferred to UAlbany from Hofstra University. Matthew Green, a 6-foot, 195-pound midfielder from Canandaigua, N.Y., earned high school All-America honors by U.S. Lacrosse. Green totaled 29 goals and 13 assists as a senior, plus was second on the team in ground balls with 67. Chris Martocchia was an All-Nassau County attacker on Long Island. Martocchia, who is also an inside linebacker on the UAlbany football squad, scored 41 goals and 20 assists last spring. Martocchia (6-2, 225) registered 130 career goals as a scholastic player. Kevin Gallagher, a first-team New Jersey Interscholastic Lacrosse League B Division midfielder, scored 223 career points. He recorded 33 goals and 33 assists as a senior, and posted nine multiple-goal performances. Eric Dunne was an honorable mention All-Nassau County defenseman. Jim Stankard, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound midfielder, tallied 13 goals and five assists last year. Stankard’s Massapequa squads won three Conference A-1 championships. The Great Danes have picked up two transfers who should have an immediate impact. Bakary Janneh, a 6-foot-2 midfielder from Binghamton, N.Y., played for two years at Hudson Valley Community College. Olmstead (6-3, 205) comes to UAlbany from Hofstra, the nation’s sixth-ranked team in 2002. Olmstead, who will have three years of athletic eligibility remaining, was an All-Section I performer at Yorktown High School. UAlbany posted the best one-year turnaround in the program’s history by following a 3-8 season with a 9-7 record in 2002. The Great Danes won the America East Conference’s regular-season title and advanced to the conference tournament championship final. University at Albany Men’s Lacrosse Newcomers Name, Pos., Cl., Ht., Wt., High School, Hometown Eric Dunne, Def., Fr., 5-10, 180, Wantagh, Wantagh, N.Y. Kevin Gallagher, Mid., Fr., 6-1, 200, Kinnelon, Kinnelon, N.J. Matthew Green, Mid., Fr., 6-0, 195, Canandaigua Academy, Canandaigua, N.Y. +Bakary Janneh, Mid., Jr., 6-2, 201, Binghamton, Binghamton, N.Y. Chris Martocchia, Att., Fr., 6-2, 225, Wantagh, Wantagh, N.Y. *Ryan Olmstead, Def., So., 6-3, 205, Yorktown, Yorktown Heights, N.Y. Jim Stankard, Mid., Fr., 6-3, 185, Massapequa, Massapequa, N.Y. +Hudson Valley Community College transfer *Hofstra University transfer
EMIL BOVE NAMED AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE MEN'S SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Boston, Mass. -- Emil Bove, a junior co-captain on the University at Albany men’s lacrosse team, has been selected as the America East Conference Men’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year as announced on Thursday, Aug. 8 by Commissioner Chris Monasch. Bove, a second-team Verizon national Academic All-America selection, posted a 4.00 cumulative grade point average in a dual major of public policy and economics. A 16-game starter as a long-stick midfielder, Bove totaled 49 ground balls in leading a defense that ranked eighth nationally at 8.06 goals per game. UAlbany won the America East regular-season title and reached the postseason tournament championship. The Great Danes went 9-7 overall and posted the best one-season turnaround in the program’s history. A native of Seneca Falls, N.Y., Bove is a Presidential Scholar and Dean’s List student and a member of the school’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He has served an internship with the New York State Energy & Development Authority and has worked with the Capital Region Big Brothers & Big Sisters Mentor Program. Member institutions of the America East Conference for the 2001-02 academic year included Albany, Binghamton, Boston University, Hartford, Maine, New Hampshire, Northeastern, Stony Brook and Vermont.
MEN'S LACROSSE COMES UP SHORT IN AMERICA EAST CHAMPIONSHIP GAME Albany, N.Y. – Senior midfielder Tris Gillen scored the go-ahead goal with eight minutes and 35 seconds remaining, as Stony Brook captured the America East Championship with an 8-6 victory over Albany on Saturday, May 4 at Varsity Field. The Seawolves earned their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth with the conference’s automatic bid. Albany, the America East regular-season titleholder who finished with a 9-7 record, took a 6-5 lead early in the fourth quarter, when junior attacker Chris Driscoll converted a man-advantage situation off a feed from Luke Daquino. Stony Brook (10-6) drew even as senior midfielder Denis Scannell, the championship’s Most Outstanding Player, scored his second goal of the game, a blast inside the left post with 9:10 left in the contest. The Seawolves took the lead 35 seconds later, when Gillen drove from behind the cage and slid an underhanded shot past Albany goalkeeper Kevin Rae. The Seawolves, the tournament’s No. 3 seed, but preseason favorite to win the conference crown, added an insurance goal with 4:37 to play. Kevin Pall tallied his 48th goal of the season, when he scored in transition from Steve Conlon on a play that originated off an offensive turnover. Stony Brook, who has reached double-figure victories for the first time since 1990, erased an early 2-0 deficit with a four-goal second quarter. Scannell gave his team the lead with a driving shot from the right side, before George LaFlare spun to his left and bounced a shot into the net for a 5-3 advantage. Albany’s Daquino, who scored three times and added one assist, sliced the gap to one goal with 44 seconds left before halftime. Michael Solazzo and Driscoll each had one goal and one assist for the Great Danes, who made a dramatic turnaround from last year’s 3-8 campaign. ******************* America East Conference Men’s Lacrosse Championship Stony Brook 8, Albany 6 Stony Brook – Scoring: Denis Scannell 2-0, Steve Conlon 1-1, Kevin Pall 1-0, George LaFlare 1-0, Michael Dworczyk 1-0, Matt Campolettano 1-0, Tris Gillen 1-0, Kyle Pearl 0-1, Dan DaPonte 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Steve Armsworthy (60:00, 13 saves, 6 GA). Albany – Scoring: Luke Daquino 3-1, Michael Solazzo 1-1, Chris Driscoll 1-1, Brendan Russell 1-0, Tim Primrose 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Kevin Rae (60:00, 13 saves, 8 GA). America East Conference All-Tournament Team Denis Scannell (Stony Brook) – Most Outstanding Player, Steve Armsworthy (Stony Brook), Kevin Pall (Stony Brook), Alan Beach (Albany), Luke Daquino (Albany), Kevin Rae (Albany), Joe Baglio (Quinnipiac), Mike Baglio (Quinnipiac), Rorke Greene (Hartford), Brian LaMastro (Hartford).
MEN'S LACROSSE ADVANCES TO AMERICA EAST CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL Albany, N.Y. – Freshman Luke Daquino scored a career-high five goals and added two assists, as top-seed Albany posted a 12-5 victory over Quinnipiac in the semifinals of the America East Conference Tournament on Wednesday, May 1 at Varsity Field. Albany (9-6) will entertain Stony Brook in Saturday's championship at 1:00 p.m. The Seawolves turned back Hartford, 7-6 in overtime, in their semifinal. The Great Danes, who have won seven of their last eight games, used a stingy defense to post a 5-1 halftime lead. Freshman goalkeeper Kevin Rae, the conference’s rookie of the year, made six of his career-best 20 saves in the first quarter. Daquino, who had three goals and two assists in the first half, scored twice in the opening period. Quinnpiac, the fourth seed who dropped a double-overtime game to Albany in the regular season, used three consecutive goals to pull within 6-4 with 8:06 remaining in the third quarter. Dan Kerrigan converted a man-advantage opportunity off a feed from Mike Baglio. But Daquino, who also tied a career-high with seven points, helped Albany pull away with back-to-back goals. He rifled a shot that beat goalkeeper T.J. Barnett to the left side with 4:56 left in the third stanza, and then scored from a low angle at the top of the crease for a four-goal lead early in the final quarter. Quinnipiac (6-7) was still within striking distance, when Andy Pelletier’s goal closed the gap to 8-5. But the Great Danes, who will play for the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament berth in the final, came back with goals 58 seconds apart by Christopher Preble and Brendan Russell. "We are using this momentum and taking the mentality that we are going to the NCAA Tournament," said Rae, who has made 10 or saves against eleven opponents this season. "Our success on defense starts with forcing outside shots and sticking to the crease. We've been doing a good job of that." Albany attacker Michael Solazzo finished with two goals and one assist, while Russell tallied a pair of goals. Barnett totaled 10 saves in the Quinnipiac cage. ******************* America East Conference Tournament – Semifinals #1 Albany 12, #4 Quinnipiac 5 Quinnipiac – Scoring: Jeff Speed 1-0, Joe Baglio 1-0, John Giordano 1-0, Andy Pelletier 1-0, Dan Kerrigan 1-0, Jim Lollo 0-1, Mike Baglio 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): T.J. Barnett (60:00, 10 saves, 12 GA). Albany – Scoring: Luke Daquino 5-2, Michael Solazzo 2-1, Brendan Russell 2-0, Jon Smith 1-1, Christopher Preble 1-1, Bobby Gabriel 1-0, Sean Donnellan 0-1, Chris Driscoll 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Kevin Rae (60:00, 20 saves, 5 GA).
AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE HONORS SCOTT MARR & UALBANY LACROSSE PLAYERS Boston, Mass. – University at Albany’s Scott Marr has been chosen as the America East Conference Coach of the Year in men’s lacrosse as announced on Tuesday, April 30 by the conference office. Freshman goalkeeper Kevin Rae was selected the conference’s Rookie of the Year in voting by the league’s head coaches. The Great Danes, who won the America East regular-season title, made huge strides this spring under Marr’s direction. The Great Danes went from a 3-8 record one year ago to 8-6 this season, including a 5-0 mark in league play. Albany’s defense is ranked 13th nationally at 8.29 goals per game, and is allowing five goals less per game than in 2001. Rae, a native of Yorktown Heights, N.Y., is ranked seventh among the nation’s leaders in save percentage (.616) and is 19th in goals against average (8.72). He has made 10 or more saves against ten opponents, including a season-high 19 on three occasions. His 180 saves is the highest UAlbany single-season total since 1996. Senior defenseman Chris Zaffiro leads a group of four players who were named to the all-conference squad. Zaffiro, a first-team selection, was fourth on the team in ground balls (32) and marked the opposition’s top attackman throughout the season. Luke Daquino, Jon Smith and Rae were chosen to the America East second team. Daquino, a freshman, is fifth among the league’s top scorers with 20 goals and 24 assists. He is tied for 19th nationally in assists at 1.71 per game. Smith, a junior midfielder, turned in his best season as a collegian with 14 goals and eight assists. Daquino and Rae were among four Great Danes voted to the America East Conference All-Rookie Team. Freshman midfielder Lee Busino is UAlbany’s top face-off man with a .527 percentage. Brendan Russell, a freshman attacker, is fourth on the team in scoring with 26 points (17 goals, 9 assists).
MEN'S LACROSSE WINS AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE REGULAR-SEASON CROWN West Hartford, Conn. – Freshman Brendan Russell had two goals and two assists to lead Albany to a 9-4 triumph over Hartford in a battle of unbeaten America East Conference teams on Saturday, April 27 at Al-Marzook Field. The Great Danes won the America East regular-season title and clinched the No. 1 seed in next week’s postseason tournament with the victory. Albany (8-6, AE 5-0) broke a 2-2 tie with a four-goal second quarter. Chris Driscoll, who had a pair of goals, gave his team the lead off a feed from Russell with 14:18 left in the period. Driscoll, a junior attacker, finished off that run with his team-leading 29th goal of the season for a 6-2 halftime advantage. The Great Danes, who have won six of their last seven games, pushed out to a five-goal lead, when Russell scored unassisted early in the third quarter. Hartford (9-6, AE 4-1) closed within 7-4 with 6:52 remaining in the stanza on Tyler Francey’s goal. But Russell and Luke Daquino, a freshman who had two goals and one assist, each found the net one minute apart to help their club pull away. Freshman goalkeeper Kevin Rae matched a season-high with 19 saves for the Great Danes, whose defense kept the nation’s top-scoring offense, at 14.0 goals per game, in check. Hartford’s Rorke Greene stopped 15 shots. Albany hosts Quinnipiac, the fourth seed, in the America East’s semifinal round on Wednesday, May 1 at 3:00 p.m. ********************* Albany 9, Hartford 4 Albany – Scoring: Brendan Russell 2-2, Chris Driscoll 2-0, Luke Daquino 2-1, Bobby Gabriel 1-1, Jon Smith 1-0, Michael Solazzo 1-0, Goalkeeper(s): Kevin Rae (60:00, 19 saves, 4 GA). Hartford – Scoring: Brian LaMastro 1-0, Travis Eckler 1-0, Jamell Vanterpool 1-0, Tyler Francey 1-0, Frank Fenimore 0-2, Tom Fallica 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Rorke Greene (60:00, 15 saves, 9 GA). |
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