FOUR UALBANY FALL ATHLETES HONORED BY AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE

     Boston, Mass. – University at Albany's Nick Leddy was chosen as the America East Conference Rookie of the Week in men's soccer, as the conference office announced on Monday, Sept. 23. Leddy, a freshman striker, scored two goals, including the game-winner, in a 3-2 non-conference win at Central Connecticut State. In addition, he assisted on the game-winner in a 3-2 victory over Iona last Saturday. Albany (4-2) has won three consecutive matches, and hosts Pacific-10 Conference opponent Oregon State on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at Varsity Field.

     In women's volleyball, Alexis Bowens has been named the Baden America East Conference Player of the Week. UAlbany’s Eileen Nicole Rodriguez and Jill Dombrowski were also tabbed as the conference’s Rookie and Setter of the Week, respectively. The Great Danes are off to their best start since 1998 at 7-4 overall.

     Bowens, a freshman middle hitter, averaged 6.33 kills and 1.56 digs in nine games played at the UAlbany Invitational last weekend. She was named to the all-tournament team. Bowens posted a .336 hitting percentage in 125 total attacks, and had a season-high 26 kills and 11 digs, her first career double-double, against Long Island.

     Rodriguez, a freshman from Puerto Rico, was also named to the UAlbany Invitational all-tournament unit. She averaged 2.5 kills, 2.3 digs and 2.0 service aces in 10 games played. Rodriguez, who fashioned a .278 hitting percentage for the week, had eight kills, four digs, three assists and a career-high 10 service aces in a three-game victory over Maryland-Eastern Shore.

     Dombrowski, a sophomore setter, averaged 12.7 assists and 2.3 digs in tournament play last weekend. She had a season-high 52 assists with 10 digs against Long Island, recording 40-plus assists for the 10th time as a collegian. Dombrowksi totaled 36 assists vs. Drexel and 39 vs. Maryland-Eastern Shore, a pair of UAlbany victories.

 

MEN’S SOCCER RECORDS THIRD CONSECUTIVE VICTORY WITH NON-LEAGUE WIN

     New Rochelle, N.Y. -- Midfielder Steven Procknal scored the game-winning goal in the 75th minute to lead Albany to a 3-2 non-conference decision over Iona on Saturday, Sept. 21 at Mazzella Field.

     Iona (0-8) opened the game's scoring at the 17:28 mark on the fourth goal of the season by Giovanni Treglia. Senior Ashtian Holmes, the team's leading scorer, equalized the contest at one apiece at 23:29 off a pass from Greg Chevalier.

     Four minutes and 46 seconds later, Savvas Theofilou connected off a pass from Procknal to stake UAlbany to a 2-1 advantage, which they would hold until late in the second half. The Gaels finally tied the match on an unassisted tally by Michael Marcelino at 67:02 in the final period.

     Procknal took a pass from freshman Nick Leddy and headed home the game-winner at the 75:20 mark for Albany, which improved to 4-2 on the season with its third straight victory. Senior Trevor Serraro stopped seven shots in goal for the Great Danes, while Iona's Patrick McAllen recorded eight saves.

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

Albany 3, Iona 2

     Albany-- Scoring: Steven Procknal 1-1, Ashtian Holmes 1-0, Savvas Theofilou 1-0, Greg Chevalier 0-1, Nick Leddy 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Trevor Serraro (90:00, 2 GA, 7 saves).  Iona -- Scoring: Giovanni Treglia 1-0, Michael Marcelino 1-0, Luke Shkreli 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Patrick McAllen (90:00, 3 GA, 8 saves).

 

MEN’S SOCCER KNOCKS OFF UNBEATEN CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE

     New Britain, Conn. – Freshman Nick Leddy scored two goals early in the second half, and Albany held off a late rally to post a 3-2 non-conference victory over Central Connecticut State on Wednesday, Sept. 18.

     Albany (3-2) took a 1-0 lead in the opening period, when Greg Chevalier tallied his fourth goal of the season. Leddy, who came off the bench, scored his first goal as a collegian at 51:22, as he converted Ashtian Holmes’ crossing pass. Fifteen minutes later, Leddy would give his team a commanding three-goal advantage.

     Central Connecticut State (4-1-1) rallied in the final six minutes of play. William Boulton connected on a penalty kick at 84:05, before Jeremy Lee followed with an unassisted goal three minutes later.

     Sophomore goalkeeper Bouna Coundol had five saves for the Great Danes, who travel to Iona on Saturday, Sept. 21. CCSU’s Jeff Brunetti turned aside three shots.

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

Albany 3, Central Connecticut State 2

     Albany – Nick Leddy 2-0, Greg Chevalier 1-0, Ashtian Holmes 0-2, Steven Procknal 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Bouna Coundol (90:00, 5 saves, 2 GA).  Central Conn. – Williams Boulton 1-0, Jeremy Lee 1-0; Goalkeeper(s): Jeff Brunetti (90:00, 3 saves, 3 GA).

 

AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE RECOGNIZES THREE UALBANY FALL ATHLETES

     Boston, Mass. – University at Albany’s Alissa Gibbs has been selected as the America East Conference Player of the Week in women’s volleyball, as announced on Monday, Sept. 16 by the conference office. Freshman Alexis Bowens received America East Rookie of the Week honors.

     In men’s soccer, UAlbany’s Rodrigo Marion was tabbed as the America East Rookie of the Week. Marion scored the game-winning goal in his team’s 2-1 overtime victory against Canisius on Sept. 13. Marion netted his first goal as a collegian, off a tap pass from Ashtian Holmes, with two minutes and six seconds elapsed in the sudden-death period.

     Gibbs, a senior outside hitter from Ballston Lake, N.Y., was named to the Bucknell Invitational all-tournament team on Sept. 13-14. She averaged 3.23 kills and 3.23 digs in 13 games played, as the Great Danes won two of three matches. Gibbs had 14 kills and 14 digs in a four-game win over Bucknell, and 11 kills and 15 digs in a come-from-behind victory against LaSalle. She moved to ninth place on the school’s all-time digs list with 769.

     Bowens, who earned the conference’s rookie award for the second time this season, contributed 3.15 kills, 1.54 digs and 0.62 blocks per game in three matches at the Bucknell Invitational. She posted a team-high 15 kills with eight kills as her team rallied for a victory in a five-game match with LaSalle. The Great Danes, who finished with a 4-20 record last year, are off to a 5-3 start.

 

MEN’S SOCCER RALLIES FOR OVERTIME VICTORY IN HOME OPENER

     Albany, N.Y. – Rodrigo Marion scored the game-winning goal with two minutes and six seconds elapsed in overtime, as Albany rallied for a 2-1 non-conference victory over Canisius in the Great Danes’ home opener on Friday, Sept. 13 at Varsity Field.

     Marion, a sophomore who tallied his first goal as a collegian, fired a shot into the right side of the net off a tap pass from Ashtian Holmes. The winning play originated off Greg Chevalier’s attempt from the left side.

     Canisius (0-5) took a 1-0 lead at 47:21, when Justin Phillips completed a give-and-go attack from Ryan Dummett with a shot into the left corner. Albany (2-2) drew even with 3:59 remaining in regulation, as Holmes scored on a header that grazed off the bottom of the crossbar.

     Senior goalkeeper Trevor Serraro had four saves for the Great Danes, while Canisius’ Dave Borchard stopped 13 shots.

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

Albany 2, Canisius 1 (OT)

     Canisius – Justin Phillips 1-0, Ryan Dummett 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Dave Borchard (92:06, 13 saves, 2 GA).  Albany – Ashtian Holmes 1-1, Rodrigo Marion 1-0, Tim Roty 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Trevor Serraro (92:06, 4 saves, 1 GA).

 

MEN’S SOCCER CANNOT OVERCOME EARLY GOAL BY ONEONTA STATE

     Oneonta, N.Y.-- Senior Russ Pfeiffer scored at the 20:18 mark of the first half and junior goalkeeper Jack Potter made three saves to record his first shutout of the season as Oneonta State defeated Albany 1-0 in the second round of the 27th Mayor's Cup Tournament on Saturday evening.

     Oneonta State (2-2) opened the scoring in the 20th minute, when Pfeiffer took a pass from sophomore Luke Kitchen and headed a shot over goalkeeper Bouna Coundol. Coundol, a sophomore transfer who was making his first start for the Great Danes, couldn't reach the high shot, and the tally was all that the Red Dragons would need to hand Albany (1-2) its second shutout loss in as many days.

     Coundol recorded six saves in his first action for Albany. The Red Dragons outshot the Great Danes 13-7, including 9-3 in the first period.

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

Oneonta State (2-2) 1, Albany (1-2) 0

     Albany-- Scoring: None; Goalkeeper(s): Bouna Coundol (90:00, 1 GA, 6 saves).

     Oneonta State -- Scoring: Russ Pfeiffer 1-0, Luke Kitchen 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Jack Potter (90:00, 0 GA, 3 saves).

 

MEN’S SOCCER SHUTOUT IN OPENING-ROUND MATCH AT 27TH MAYOR'S CUP

     Oneonta, N.Y. -- Junior midfielder Rob Catana scored one goal and assisted on two others to lead Hartwick to a 3-0 victory over Albany in the opening round of the 27t h Mayor's Cup on Friday evening.

     Catana fed a pass to Ymeric Sanon as Hartwick (1-1-1) opened the game's scoring just two mintues and 58 seconds into the contest. The Hawks, who led 1-0 at the intermission, pushed out to a two-goal advantage at the 43:14 mark when Catana found the back of the net on a penalty kick.

     Greg Victor closed out the scoring for Hartwick in the 52nd minute on a feed from Catana. Goalkeeper Randall Moate made just one save in recording the shutout victory. Senior Trevor Serraro stopped three shots in the losing effort.

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

Hartwick 3, Albany 0

     Albany -- Scoring: None; Goalkeeper(s): Trevor Serraro (90:00, 3 GA, 3 saves).

     Hartwick -- Scoring: Rob Catana 1-2, Ymeric Sanon 1-0, Greg Victor 1-0; Goalkeeper(s): Randall Moate (90:00, 0 GA, 1 save).

 

MEN’S SOCCER USES BIG SECOND HALF TO WIN SEASON OPENER

     Poughkeepsie, N.Y. - Senior Greg Chevalier scored a career-high three goals, all in the second half, to lead Albany to a 7-1 non-conference victory over Marist in the season opener for both teams on Sunday, Sept. 1 at Leonidoff Field. The Great Danes recorded their highest offensive output in nearly seven years.

     Marist carried a 1-0 lead into the 59th minute of play, but Albany reeled off seven unanswered goals. The Red Foxes’ Patrick Safino, a sophomore striker, found the net past a charging goalkeeper with 12 minutes and 25 seconds elapsed in the match.

     Chevalier drew his team even at one apiece off a deflection, before Connecticut transfer Geza Teleky scored on a header off a corner kick at 68:29. Chevalier would score twice more over the next 15 minutes, including an 18-yard unassisted goal that gave Albany a commanding 5-1 lead.

     Sophomore midfielder Ousmane Toure added a pair of goals, while Ashtian Holmes totaled three assists. The Great Danes, who dropped a one-goal decision to Marist in last year’s opener, last scored seven goals against Lehman College on Sept. 9, 1995 in the first round of the Elmira College Invitational.

**********

Albany 7, Marist 1

     Albany: Greg Chevalier 3-0, Ousmane Toure 2-0, Mark Perez 1-0, Geza Teleky 1-0, Ashtian Holmes 0-3, Savvas Theofilou 0-1, Vadim Ivanyushchenko 0-1, Jonathan Stroud 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Trevor Serraro (90:00, 0 saves, 1 GA).

Marist: Patrick Safino 1-0, Alex Giotis 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Mike Valenti (90:00, 8 saves, 7 GA).

 

UALBANY PICKED SIXTH IN PRESEASON AMERICA EAST MEN'S SOCCER POLL

     Boston, Mass. -- Defending America East Conference regular-season champion Boston University is the preseason favorite to win the men’s soccer title, according to a vote of the conference’s head coaches. The Terriers received seven of a possible nine first-place votes.

     UAlbany, who narrowly missed qualifying for the America East postseason tournament in its first year as a conference member, was chosen to finish sixth. Head coach Johan Aarnio has nine starters returning from a squad that went 8-9-0 overall and 5-6-0 in conference play.

     The Great Danes return three of their top four scorers. Greg Chevalier and Ashtian Holmes, a pair of seniors, each scored seven goals and three assists for 17 points in 2001. Steven Procknal added five goals, including the game-winner against conference foe Vermont.

     Senior goalkeeper Trevor Serraro started 15 of 16 matches played. He posted a 2.00 goals against average and a .735 saves percentage. Lucas Machado, a sophomore forward, was a member of last year’s America East All-Rookie Team.

     Aarnio has added eleven newcomers to his roster. Defender Rodrigo Marion played on the Bolivian national team. UAlbany’s midfield will be improved with the addition of Kentucky transfer Savvas Theofilou, a native of Cyprus, and Geza Teleky, who transferred from Connecticut.

     The Great Danes begin their 2002 season on Sunday, Sept. 1 at Marist. Albany’s home schedule includes visits to Varsity Field by Oregon State (Sept. 25) and San Diego (Oct. 6). Conference play opens with a trip to Maine on Oct. 2.

America East Conference Preseason Men’s Soccer Poll

1. Boston U. (7), 78; 2. Hartford (2), 73; 3. Northeastern, 62; 3. New Hampshire, 41; 5. Stony Brook, 39; 6. Albany, 38; 7. Vermont, 37; 8. Binghamton, 21; 9. Maine 16.

 

UALBANY MEN'S SOCCER WELCOMES ELEVEN NEWCOMERS FOR 2002 SEASON

     Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany men's soccer coach Johan Aarnio announced on August 7 that eleven student-athletes have committed to play for the Great Danes in the 2002-03 academic year.

     "This recruiting class should add some experience to our squad," said third-year head coach Johan Aarnio. The 2002 recruiting class features four freshmen and seven transfer students. UAlbany, an America East Conference member, opens its fall schedule on Sept. 1 at Marist College.

     Rodrigo Marion (Felix Eguino Zaballa H.S.) is a sophomore defender from La Paz, Bolivia. Marion competed for the Bolivian National team versus Brazil in the 2000 "Copa Legendarios" in San Antonio, Texas, and was a member of the under-23 Bolivian National squad in 1999. In 1997, Marion captured an under-17 international championship with Bolivia at the Neyso Alamo Cup in San Antonio, Texas.

     Savvas Theofilou (Archbishop Makarios III/Nicosia, Cyprus) is a sophomore transfer from the University of Kentucky. Theofilou, a midfielder, saw action in 14 games for the Wildcats in 2000. Kentucky posted an 11-9-2 record that year, and was the first UK team ever to advance beyond the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Theofilou also competed with Cyprus' under-18 National squad at the UEFA Pan-European Youth Championship in 1997.

     University of Connecticut sophomore transfer Geza Teleky (Clarkstown North/New City, N.Y.) saw action in one game for the Huskies in 2000. The team went 18-3-2 overall that season en route to winning the NCAA Division I championship. Prior to his career at UConn, Teleky was a four-time letterwinner at Clarkstown North High School.

     Four of the incoming recruits are from the Bronx, N.Y., including sophomore goalkeeper Bouna Coundol (Martin Luther King, Jr. High School). Coundol transferred from Bethel College in Tennessee, where he was a member of a squad that captured the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title in 2001. Coundol's team lost in the championship match of the NAIA Region XII Tournament, the furthest the school had ever advanced in men's soccer.

     Midfielder Ousmane Toure (Martin Luther King, Jr./Bronx, N.Y.) is also a sophomore transfer from Bethel College. Born and raised in Mali, West Africa, he came to the United States in 1997 and helped his scholastic team to league championships in 1997, '98 and '99.

     Also from the Bronx are Monroe College junior transfers Mabreco Bowley (Walton H.S.) and Patrick Brown (Wolmers H.S.). Bowley played three years at Walton High School and earned a silver medal while playing in the Westchester Youth Soccer League in 1999. Monroe finished 10-6 in 2001 and totaled a 23-11-1 mark during their two seasons with the program.

     Freshman Jonathan Stroud (Vestal, N.Y.) captained Vestal High School as a senior, leading

his squad to an 11-5 record. Stroud scored 11 goals and added 10 assists as a first-team all-division selection in 2001, and posted 19 goals and 30 assists during a four-year varsity career in which the Golden Bears totaled a 47-17 record.

     Defender Tom Lough (East Syracuse-Minoa/Syracuse, N.Y.) scored 14 goals and assisted on 11 others during his senior season. The two-time captain earned All-National Division honors in his final two seasons at the school, and was the team's most valuable player in each of his three varsity seasons.

     North Merrick's Nick Leddy captained St. John the Baptist High School to a 16-1 record and a league title during his senior season. The Cougars were 2001 Catholic High School Athletic Association state finalists, as Leddy earned CHSAA All-State honors. He scored 34 goals and added 15 assists during a three-year varsity career.

     Caio Silva is a freshman forward from Sao Paulo, Brazil (Colegio Objetivo). Silva played on the club level in his native Brazil, leading Jockey Clube with 17 goals in 11 games during a tournament trip to Japan in 2001. He was selected as the most valuable player of the 2000 Paulista Championship, as he guided Sao Paulo to the team title.

 

2002 UAlbany Men's Soccer Commitments

Name Pos. Cl. High School/Hometown

#Mabreco Bowley M Jr. Walton/Bronx, N.Y.

#Patrick Brown D Jr. Wolmers/Bronx, N.Y.

+Bouna Coundol GK So. Martin Luther King, Jr./Bronx, N.Y.

Nick Leddy F Fr. St. John the Baptist/North Merrick, N.Y.

Tom Lough D Fr. East Syracuse-Minoa/Syracuse, N.Y.

^Rodrigo Marion D So. Felix Eguino Zaballa/La Paz, Bolivia

Caio Silva F Fr. Colegio Objetivo/Sao Paulo, Brazil

Jonathan Stroud F Fr. Vestal/Vestal, N.Y.

%Geza Teleky M So. Clarkstown North/New City, N.Y.

@Savvas Theofilou M So. Archbishop Makarios III/Nicosia, Cyprus

+Ousmane Toure M So. Martin Luther King, Jr./Bronx, N.Y.

# Monroe College transfer

+ Bethel College transfer

^ Catholic University of Bolivia transfer

% University of Connecticut transfer

@ University of Kentucky transfer

 

RUTGER-JAN BEVERS NAMED ASSISTANT MEN'S SOCCER COACH

     Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany Director of Athletics and Recreation Dr. Lee McElroy announced on Thursday, June 13 the hiring of Rutger-Jan Bevers as assistant men’s soccer coach.

     Bevers, 28, recently served as the director of soccer training for Euro Futbol United, a premier youth level club team in Vestal, N.Y. He was involved in the training and coaching of eight youth teams and handled organizational tasks such as scheduling, travel, budgeting and fundraising. Euro Futbol United has won consecutive under-18 boys regional indoor championships and in 2000 captured the first State Cup for the Binghamton District in 12 years. Bevers also held ownership of Soccer Xtra, an academy that specialized in small group training and clinics for youth, ages 12-17. In addition, he coached the girls’ varsity soccer team at Norwich High School last fall and led the Cadets to their first winning season in school history with an 11-6 record. Bevers previously assisted with the Binghamton High School boys’ soccer program.

     A native of Warnsveld, The Netherlands, Bevers brings 20 years of playing experience at the top amateur level in Holland, while holding two coaching diplomas from the Royal Dutch Soccer Association. He carries seven years of coaching experience at the Dutch Premier Youth Level. Bevers received a bachelor’s degree in leisure management from the Leisure Management School in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands, in 1997.

 

WARSHAW & JACKSON ON A-EAST SOCCER TEAM

     Boston, Mass. – University at Albany’s Jason Warshaw, a senior midfielder, and junior sweeper back Sadeky Jackson have been chosen to the All-America East Conference men’s soccer squad in voting conducted by the coaches. Both players were second-team selections. Freshman forward Lucas Machado was named to the America East All-Rookie Team.

     A starter in 14 contests, Warshaw totaled two goals and four assists. He returned after missing most of last season with a knee sprain and was elected captain for a school-record fourth time in five seasons. Jackson, a transfer from Monroe College in the Bronx, stabilized the Great Dane defensive backfield from his sweeper back position. Albany held opponents to two goals or less on 11 occasions and posted three shutouts. Machado, a native of Porto Alegre, Brazil, was one of 11 players, regardless of position, to be selected for the All-Rookie Team. He recorded three goals and one assist in 17 outings.

     Albany finished with an 8-9 overall record, matching last season’s win total in its first year of America East Conference competition. The Great Danes placed seventh out of 12 teams, but were bumped from the final playoff berth for the league’s postseason tournament on the final day of the season.

    2002 Schedule

      All Times Eastern

       Record:  4-2  (AE 0-0)

SEPTEMBER

  1

Sun.

at Marist 

7-1, W

  6

Fri.

at Hartwick+

3-0, L

  7

Sat.

Oneonta State+ 

1-0, L

13

Fri.

Canisius

2-1, W (OT)

18

Wed.

at Central Connecticut State

3-2, W

21

Sat.

at Iona

3-2, W

25

Wed.

Oregon State

4:00

28

Sat.

Siena

1:00

OCTOBER

  2

Wed.

at Maine* 

3:00

  6

Sun.

San Diego

12:00

  9

Wed.

Binghamton* 

3:00

13

Sun.

at New Hampshire*

2:00

19

Sat.

at Boston U.*

1:00

23

Wed.

Vermont*

3:00

26

Sat.

Stony Brook*

3:00

30

Wed.

Northeastern*

2:00

NOVEMBER

  2

Sat.

at Hartford* 

7:00

9-10

 

America East Tournament

 

16-17

 

America East Tournament

 

+27th Mayor's Cup (Oneonta, N.Y.)

*America East Conference Opponent