Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 2
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 29, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
«(ALBAN
UALBANY FALLS AT WOFFORD, 12-5, INNON-CONFERENCE ACTION
Spartanburg, S.C. — Ben Austin struck out nine over six innings to lead Wofford to a 12-5 victory over UAlbany
in non-conference baseball action on Friday, Feb. 29 at Russell C. King Field at Switzer Stadium.
UAlbany (1-3) struck first with a run in the top of the first inning. Junior Dave West singled and scored
two batters later on a groundout by senior first baseman Mike Konstanty. Wofford answered back by scoring in
each of the first two innings. Mo Seay connected for a two-out, two-run home run to give the Terriers a 2-1 lead
in the first inning. Wofford took a 3-1 lead in the second on a sacrifice fly by Jake Williams.
Wofford (4-0), the defending Southern Conference champions, broke the game open in the fifth inning
by scoring seven runs. Williams recorded a two-out, two-run single to left and right fielder Sterling Dye capped
the inning with a three-run homer to put the Terriers up 10-1.
UAlbany scratched across one run in the top of the sixth on a two-out double to left by junior third
baseman Zac Halloran that plated left fielder Gary Pitcheralle. The Great Danes added two unearned runs in
the top of the seventh inning to cut their deficit to 10-4. Junior catcher Ryan Gugel plated designated hitter
Tom Zink on a fielder’s choice and came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Konstanty.
The Terriers got two runs back in the bottom of the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Michael Gilmartin and
an RBI double by Shane Kirkley. UAlbany closed out the scoring with a run in the top of the eighth inning.
Pitcheralle reached on an error and later scored on a balk.
Halloran recorded three hits and West registered two hits and two runs scored to lead the Great Danes’
offense.
r Senior Casey Walsh took the loss for the Great Danes, going four and one-third innings, allowing seven
runs on five hits, while striking out four. Austin earned the win for the Terriers, yielding two runs on six hits.
The Great Danes and Terriers continue their four-game series on Saturday with a doubleheader
beginning at 1 p.m.
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UAlbany (1-3) 100 001 210 - 5 8 {
Wofford (4-0) 210 070 20X - 12 1 8
UAlbany (1-3): Casey Walsh (L 0-2), Matthew Herrick (5), Dave Kubiak (6), Hunter Moffatt (7), Aaron Tilley (8)
and Ryan Gugel.
Wofford (4-0): Ben Austin (2-0), Dawson Smith (7), Jordan Mickleberry (8), Chip Hunt (9) and Adam Kearney.
ARINA GERASIMOVA SETS SCHOOL RECORD IN TRIPLE JUMP AT FASTRACK INVITATIONAL
New York, N.Y. — Senior Arina Gerasimova and junior Jenn Gurrant eclipsed the school record in the triple
jump to lead UAlbany at NYU’s FasTrack Invitational at the New Balance Armory Track and Field Center in
New York City on Friday, Feb. 29.
Gerasimova placed second in the triple jump with a school record leap of 42-feet, 7-inches, while
Gurrant surpassed her previous school record with a leap of 42-feet, 0-inches. Both leaps are ECAC qualifiers
and NCAA provisional qualifiers. Gurrant set the previous school record of 41-feet, 9.25-inches on Feb. 23 at
the America East Championships. Gurrant also placed fifth in the long jump with a leap of 18-feet, 4.50-inches.
In men’s competition, junior Nick Assini placed seventh in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.57
seconds. Senior Will Anger registered a season-best distance of 53-feet, 8.50-inches in the weight throw to
lace seventh. Sophomore Dong Ning Hu had a ninth place finish in the triple jump with a leap of 44-feet and
senior Renauld Buck placed ninth in the shot put with a toss of 47-feet, 11.75-inches.
CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO
PAGE TWO
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@ivcmen'e Results
60 Meter Hurdles: Christen Griffin DNF. Long Jump: 5. Jenn Gurrant 18-4.50. Triple Jump: 2. Arina
Gerasimova 42-7 (School Record, ECAC), 3. Jenn Gurrant 42-0 (ECAC).
Men’s Results
60 Meter Hurdles: 7. Nick Assini 8.57, 11. Garrett Askew Jr. 8.56. 60 Meter Dash: 13. Raphael Jean-Baptiste
7.07. 200 Meter Dash: 17. Raphael Jean-Baptiste 22.70. 5,000 Meter Run: 13. Brian Yurkewecz 15:08.80.
Long Jump: 12. Kyle Nadler 21-9.50. Triple Jump: 9. Dong Ning Hu 44-0. High Jump: Anthony Collica NH.
Shot Put: 9. Renauld Buck 47-11.75. Weight Throw: 7. Will Anger 53-8.50.
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 29, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
» (ALBAN
UALBANY SUSPENDS ASSISTANT BASKETBALL COACH CHAD O’DONNELL FOR BOSTON U. GAME
Albany, N.Y. — University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy, in consultation with
the America East Conference Executive Committee, announced this evening that assistant men’s basketball
coach Chad O’Donnell will be suspended for Sunday’s conference game with Boston University.
O’Donnell’s suspension stems from a postgame incident following last Wednesday’s game against
Binghamton in which it was determined that he violated the coach’s code of conduct.
“| respect Dr. McElroy’s decision,” said UAlbany coach Will Brown. “Coach O’Donnell apologizes for
his role in the postgame incident. His intention was to protect the student-athletes and coaches.”
O’Donnell, who is in his fourth year as an assistant and recruiting coordinator on the UAlbany staff, will
return to the bench when the Great Danes play in the America East Conference Championship’s quarterfinal
round on Saturday, March 8.
ait}.
Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 29, 2008 Brianna LaBrecque / 518-442-5733
ALBAN
UALBANY TENNIS SUFFERS FIRST LOSS OF SEASON AT GEORGETOWN, 4-3
Washington, D.C. — Liz Winokur and Alex Sebia recorded singles wins and teamed up for a doubles victory to
lead Georgetown to a 4-3 win over UAlbany in non-conference tennis action at McDonough Tennis Complex.
Aimee Kern posted a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win at first singles over the Hoyas Courtney Olsen and recorded an
8-1 doubles victory over Elizabeth Sullivan and Steph Cohen while teamed with Susan Ma. Ma also had a
singles win in the second spot, defeating Cohen, 6-2, 2-6, 6-2.
Kim Weltman gave the Great Danes their final singles win, a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Caroline Kuehn.
Winokur defeated UAlbany’s Charlotte Tatler, 6-3, 2-6, 6-1, while Sebia claimed a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 win over
Amanda Hall at No. 6 singles. Maxi Thiels was victorious for the Hoyas over Laine Mackey, 6-3, 6-1 for
Georgetown’s third singles win.
Hall and Mackey fell to Winokur and Sebia, 8-5 in doubles action. In the final and deciding match,
Weltman and Tatler took Olsen and Theils to the tiebreak, but dropped a 9-8 (4) score to give Georgetown the
win.
UAlbany (9-1) will return to action on Saturday, taking on UMBC at 6 p.m.
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Singles
Aimee Kern (UA) def. Courtney Olsen (GT), 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
Susan Ma (UA) def. Steph Cohen (GT), 6-2, 2-6, 6-2
Kim Weltman (UA) def. Caroline Kuehn (GT), 6-2, 6-1
Liz Winokur (GT) def. Charlotte Tatler (UA), 6-3, 2-6, 6-1
@'x Thiels (GT) def. Laine Mackey (UA), 6-3, 6-1
Alex Sebia (GT) def. Amanda Hall (UA), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
Doubles
Kern/Ma (UA) def. Elizabeth Sullivan/Cohen (GT), 8-1
Winokur/Sebia (GT) def. Hall/Mackey (UA), 8-5
Olsen/Theils (GT) def. Weltman/Tatler (UA), 9-8 (4)
mye
Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 29, 2008 Brianna LaBrecque / 518-442-5733
ALBAN
UALBANY SOFTBALL SPLITS TWO GAMES TO START 2008 SEASON AT STETSON INVITATIONAL
DeLand, Fla. - Leah Mcintosh earned her first win of the season to lead the UAlbany softball team to an 8-0
non-conference win over Maine in the first game of the 2008 season at the Stetson Invitational at Patricia
Wilson Field. The Great Danes, who defeated the Black Bears in five innings, later dropped a 10-6 decision to
Western Michigan in extra innings to earn the split on the first day of play.
UAlbany (1-1) posted a six-run first inning against Maine (0-6), led by a two-RBI double by sophomore
catcher Kat Smith. Senior first baseman Leanne Tillman and freshman third baseman Kristine Bill also
recorded an RBI in the inning. Mcintosh allowed a single to the first batter faced, but struck out the next seven
Maine hitters.
The Great Danes added two more runs in the fourth inning. Bill recorded her second hit of the day, and
later scored on an illegal pitch. Centerfielder Nicole Kothe knocked out an RBI single to score Amber Maisonet,
who was hit by a pitch to reach base. Mcintosh was able to keep the Black Bears’ hitters silent, giving the
Great Danes the win by way of the 8-run rule in the fifth inning. McIntosh finished with ten strikeouts and
allowed just two hits in the shutout.
UAlbany started the game against Western Michigan with a four-run first inning, with a lead-off single
by Maisonet. Maisonet and Michelle Connors completed a double steal for the Great Danes, and both were
driven home on a single by right fielder Meagan Butsch. Designated player Bailey Van Deest drove in the final
two runs of the inning on a triple to right field, sending Butsch and Gina Mason across the plate.
Western Michigan (4-2) cut the deficit in half in the top of the second inning, as shortstop Mandi Sayres
and third baseman Sarah Thomas recorded RBI singles for the Broncos. Western Michigan then tied the game
t 4-4 in the top of the fourth as Sayres doubled to right field to score Michelle Bendewald, and later scored a
run of her own on a throwing error by UAlbany pitcher Marissa Powell.
The Great Danes regained a one-run lead in the bottom of the frame on an RBI single by Kothe that
scored pinch-runner Tara Dalton. The Broncos recorded single runs in each of the next two innings to take a 6-
5 lead in the top of the sixth, but UAlbany forced extra innings by tying the game with an RBI single up the
middle by Maisonet.
Western Michigan scored four runs in the top of the eighth, led by Sayres, who finished 2-for-2 with one
run scored and one RBI. The Broncos followed with three straight singles before first baseman Amanda Gelder
doubled to right field, sending two runs home. Kyla Sullivan held off the Great Danes in the bottom of the
frame, and the Broncos turned a double play to end the inning and claim the win.
Powell struck out three and allowed just two walks in a complete-game performance. Sullivan fanned
six UAlbany batters, walking two and allowing five earned runs in eight innings.
The Great Danes continue play at the Stetson Invitational on Saturday, facing off against Western
Michigan at 1:30 p.m. and the host Hatters at 6:30 p.m.
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 27, 2008 Brianna LaBrecque / 518-442-5733
ALBAN
UALBANY SOFTBALL KICKS OFF 2008 SEASON AT STETSON INVITATIONAL
Albany, N.Y. — The University at Albany softball team begins its 2008 schedule at the Stetson Invitational in
DeLand, Fla., starting on Friday, Feb. 29. The Great Danes, the defending America East Conference
champion, open against Maine at 11 a.m. and face Western Michigan at 1:30 p.m. In Saturday’s second round,
UAlbany again squares off with Western Michigan at 1:30 p.m. and Stetson at 7:30 p.m. The consolation and
championship games will take place on Sunday, at 10 a.m. and 12 noon, respectively.
UAlbany won its third straight America East Conference championship last season after defeating
UMBC in the America East postseason tournament and reached the NCAA Regional Finals for the first time in
school history. The Great Danes, who posted a 35-17 overall record, defeated Harvard and host Hofstra to
advance to the 2007 regional final against nationally-ranked Baylor.
Two all-conference first-team honorees return this year, including senior outfielder Amber Maisonet and
sophomore second baseman Michelle Connors. Maisonet led the conference in batting average (.382) and
hits (65), going 7-for-19 in the postseason. Connors finished second in the conference with 41 runs scored and
belted nine home runs.
UAlbany is led in the circle by conference all-rookie team member Leah McIntosh, who went 11-6 on
the mound as a freshman with a 3.02 ERA. Mcintosh tossed four complete-game shutouts and fanned 158
opposing batters. Freshman Brittney Rose posted a 1.03 ERA as a high school senior and was named to the
all-area first team.
Chris Cannata, a three-time America East coach of the year who has compiled a .667 winning
percentage in her 13 seasons at the helm of the UAlbany program, will be working with a very young team this
pring. With just two seniors and one junior on the roster, the Great Danes feature eight sophomores and
seven freshmen.
The 2008 America East Championship will be held on May 8-10 at the highest seed that has a field with
lights.
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 2
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 27, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
ALBAN
UALBANY DEFEATS BINGHAMTON, 74-62, FOR AMERICA EAST ROAD WIN
Vestal, N.Y. - Jon lati had 18 points off the bench and Brian Lillis added 17 in leading UAlbany to a 74-62
America East Conference victory over Binghamton before 4,711 fans on Wednesday evening at the Events
Center. The two teams entered the contest in a four-way tie for third place in the conference standings.
UAlbany (14-14, AE 9-6) led 55-46 with less than eight minutes remaining, but then reeled off a string
of 11 unanswered to pull away. lati, wno made 5-of-7 from the field, canned a three-point field goal to push the
lead to double figures. Brian Connelly added five of his nine points in that stretch, including a pair of free
throws that gave his team a commanding 66-46 advantage with 4:41 to play.
Binghamton (13-15, AE 8-7) trailed by 14 early in the second half, but then rallied behind Lazar
Trifunovic, a 6-foot-7 sophomore who had 10 points. The Bearcats closed within six on three occasions,
including 44-38 on Mike Gordon's three-pointer. Gordon, who was making his 100th consecutive start, finished
with 11 points and eight rebounds.
The Great Danes, who shot a season-best 55.8 percent, answered with nine straight points. Lillis, who
added four rebounds, four assists and three blocks, made a three-point play when he was fouled on a bank
shot. Brett Gifford, who had seven points and four rebounds in his best outing of the season, later hit a layup.
Tim Ambrose scored off a goaltending call for a 53-38 lead.
Brent Wilson was the third UAlbany player in twin figures with 12 points and six rebounds. Reggie
Fuller totaled 10 points and nine rebounds for the Bearcats, who had their three-game win streak halted.
“This was a huge win in order to get momentum for the tournament,” said UAlbany head coach Will
Brown. “Our guys finally played with a sense of urgency in a difficult environment. We mixed our defenses to
@ <<: them off balance. We wanted to force them to adjust to us."
The Great Danes took a 31-18 lead to the intermission by ripping off the final 10 points of the period.
lati drilled consecutive three-point field goals from left of the key to jump-start that run. Connelly scored in the
lane before Lillis converted a layup. The Bearcats, who shot just 27.6 percent from the floor, trailed by eight on
two occasions in the opening eight minutes. Gordon made a 17-foot jumper off the dribble to close the gap to
21-18 with 2:26 remaining.
“| hit some shots early and got into a rhythm,” said lati, one of three seniors who will play in his final
home game on Sunday against Boston U. “We had planned to change our defenses and they struggled to
shoot the ball. This (win) was important in an effort to get that No. 2 seed just in case UMBC should get
knocked off in the tournament."
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 27, 2008 Brianna LaBrecque / 518-442-5733
ALBAN
HARTFORD STIFLES UALBANY IN AMERICA EAST WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ACTION, 57-43
Albany, N.Y. — Lisa Etienne scored a career-high 17 points, all in the first half, and Erica Beverly recorded a
double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds to lead league-leading Hartford to a 57-43 win over UAlbany in
America East Conference women’s basketball action on Wednesday evening at SEFCU Arena.
UAlbany (11-16, AE 9-5) took an early four point lead to start the game, but Hartford reversed the
margin to go ahead 12-8 with 14:17 to play in the first half. UAlbany tied the game at 12-12 just over a minute
later and took a 16-14 lead on a jumper by Britney McGee with 9:35 to play. The Hawks tied the game for the
sixth and final time in the first period at 19-19 as Etienne hit a 3-pointer from the left side of the arc with 9:01 on
the clock.
Hartford scored the next five points on back-to-back possessions, building a 24-19 advantage on a 3-
pointer by Jamie McCabe. Etienne knocked down two free throws and Beverly hit a jumper in the paint to put
the Hawks up seven, 32-25, with under a minute to play. UAlbany’s Amira Ford converted two free throws with
two seconds on the clock to set the halftime margin at 32-27.
Hartford (21-5, AE 11-2) started the second half with a 10-2 run to go up 42-29 midway through the
second half. The Hawks continued to build their lead, getting ahead 51-36, as Hartford’s Danielle Hood scored
two of her 17 points with 5:33 left to play. UAlbany freshman Janea Aiken converted a 3-point play to cut the
lead to 52-39 with 4:39 on the clock, but Hood connected on a free throw and a jumper in the paint at 3:25 to
give Hartford back a 16-point advantage, 55-39.
UAlbany’s Charity lromuanya hit two free throws at 2:10, while Kristin Higy made a steal and finished
@ the fast break layup at 1:43, but the Great Danes would be unable to overcome the deficit.
“We played well for the first 15 minutes,” said UAlbany head coach Trina Patterson, whose team had
won seven of its last eight games entering tonight’s contest. “We needed to focus for 40 minutes. We knew this
was a very aggressive and defensively stingy team.”
Senior Gia Sanders, who was honored along with classmates Higy, Sherri Mikus and Kelly Martinson in
a pre-game ceremony, led the Great Danes with 11 points and also grabbed five rebounds. Higy earned
America East player of the game accolades after scoring nine points and finishing with a team-high 10
rebounds and two steals. McGee added eight points, four assists and two steals.
Katie Kelley’s ten boards helped Hartford out-rebound the Great Danes by a 46-37 margin. Hartford’s
defense also held UAlbany to 29.6-percent (16-54) shooting from the floor to hold the Great Danes to their
lowest point total of the season.
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For Immediate Release . , ws Contact: Brian DePasquale
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 (518) 442-3072
WOMEN'S SOCCER SIGNS SEVEN STUDENT-ATHLETES TO NATIONAL LETTERS OF INTENT
Albany, N.Y. — University at Albany head women's soccer coach Mary-Frances Monroe announced today that
seven student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to play for the Great Danes in the 2008-09 aca-
demic year.
Makenzie Baratta, a midfielder from Manalapan, N.J. (Red Bank Catholic H.S.), Nicole Berard, a
midfielder/forward from Wakefield, R.|. (The Prout School), Katie Grant, a defender/midfielder from
Darthmouth, Novia Scotia (Auburn Drive H.S.), Annika Hanson, a midfielder from Seattle, Wash. (Seattle
Prep), Kendra Harrell-Vigil, a midfielder from Avondale, Ariz. (Westview H.S.), Chrissy Klepper, a midfielder/
forward from River Edge, N.J. (River Dell H.S.) and Katie Norwood, a defender from Rockville Centre, N.Y.
(South Side H.S.) each made her commitment to the UAlbany program.
“With these seven players in addition to our returning players | am excited for the upcoming season, "
said Monroe, who recently completed her second season as head coach. "| am thrilled to have an opportunity
to work with such a dynamic set of individuals. | have been able to get to know these student-athletes through
the recruiting process. This is a special group that will excel both on and off the field and help our program
achieve Success."
Baratta captained Red Bank Catholic to a 12-5-1 record and an appearance in the NUSIAA Non-PublicA
semifinal round. Her team won the 2005 New Jersey state title and captured the 2006 state sectional crown.
Baratta played for the Wall Strikers, a club program that won the 2007 New Jersey State Cup and was a Region
| semifinalist. She twice was in the Olympic Development Program's state pool.
Berard, who scored 25 career goals, was a first-team All-Division Il South selection on two occasions by
the Providence Journal. Berard, who totaled seven goals and led the state in assists with 16 as a senior, led
her squad to a 15-2-2 record. The Prout School garnered the state championship in 2005 and advanced to the
finals in 2006. Berard, who also captains the boys' tennis team, is a member of the Rhode Island Rays club
team and participated in the Olympic Development regional camp.
Grant has both national and international playing experience. Besides playing for her high school team,
Grant is a member of the Canadian National Training Centre. She has competed with the Nova Scotia Provin-
cial All-Stars from 2003-06 and attended the Atlantic Under-15 and Under-16 championships. Grant was also a
member of the Boston Renegades Super Under-20 squad that won a conference championship and has played
with the Dartmouth United club team.
Hanson, who earned honorable Class 3A all-state recognition, was a first-team All-Metro League Moun-
tain Division selection. Seattle Prep placed second in the Class 3A state tournament in 2006 and 2007. A
recipient of the WIAA Sportsmanship Award, Hanson was a district and league qualifier as a track athlete in the
400-meter dash and 800- and 1,600-meter events.
Harrell-Vigil was named the Class 5A-Division Il Desert West Region Player of the Year after scoring 14
goals. As a four-year starter and team captain, she led Westview High to a 12-3 record and a No. 3 ranking in
the region. She earned a combined 14 varsity letters as a scholastic athlete. Harrell-Vigil, wno overcame
several injuries during her career, played for the Southbank Ladybugs Soccer Club and was a four-year mem-
@ of the Olympic Development state team.
MORE
UAlbany Women's Soccer 2-2-2
Klepper was twice named second-team all-state in New Jersey's Group 2 and to the All-Bergen
County first team. An All-Bergen County Scholastic League choice, she totaled 12 goals and 15 assists
as asenior. Klepper, who had 40 career goals and 53 assists, led River Dell to the Group 2 state
championship in 2006 and a combined 72-8-1 record over her four years with the program. She has
played club soccer for the Arsenal Blast, the 2007 state cup semifinalist. Klepper has also won varsity
letters in basketball and outdoor track.
Norwood led South Side High to its fourth consecutive Class A state championship with a 20-0
record. The Lady Cyclones, who have won 27 consecutive playoff games, were ranked No. 1 nationally.
Norwood, a three-time team captain, was voted Class A MVP in Nassau County and earned All-Division
honors twice. Norwood, an Exceptional Senior All-Star Game participant, was a member of three league
championship club teams with the Long Island Rough Riders.
2008 University at Albany Women's Soccer Signings
Name Pos.
Makenzie Baratta Mid.
Nicole Berard Mid./For.
Katie Grant Def./Mid.
Annika Hanson Mid.
Kendra Harrell-Vigil Mid.
Chrissy Klepper Mid./For.
Katie Norwood Def.
Hometown (High School)
Manalapan, N.J. (Red Bank Catholic)
Wakefield, R.I. (The Prout School)
Darthmouth, Novia Scotia (Auburn Drive)
Seattle, Wash. (Seattle Prep)
Avondale, Ariz. (Avondale Westview)
River Edge, N.J. (River Dell)
Rockville Centre, N.Y. (South Side)
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 25, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
KYLE CREAN NAMED AMERICA EAST ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Cambridge, Mass. — UAlbany second baseman Kyle Crean has been honored as the America East
Conference’s Rookie of the Week, as announced by the conference office on Monday afternoon.
Crean, a freshman from Miller Place, N.Y., hit .200 in the opening three games of the season for the
Great Danes at the Clearwater Invitational in Clearwater, Fla. In his collegiate debut against lowa, Crean
registered a hit and scored a run in two at-bats. In UAlbany’s third game of the invitational, Crean recorded a
run-scoring single, walked once and scored two runs in the Great Danes’ 12-4 win over Notre Dame.
UAlbany (1-2) returns to the diamond on Friday, Feb. 29 in Spartanburg, S.C. against Wofford at 4:00
p.m.
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 2
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 24, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
B
on
KONSTANTY AND ROWLAND LEAD UALBANY PAST NOTRE DAME 12-4
Clearwater, Fla. - Senior Mike Konstanty and sophomore Brendan Rowland each registered three hits and
three runs batted in to lead UAlbany to a 12-4 win over Notre Dame on Sunday, Feb. 24 at Jack Russell
Stadium in Clearwater, Fla.
The Great Danes scored their first run in the opening inning as Konstanty doubled in Rowland from
second base with two outs. The Fighting Irish responded with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the
inning. With two outs, Notre Dame (1-2) took a 2-1 lead after stringing together three consecutive hits.
UAlbany (1-2) blew the game open with five runs in the top of the second inning. Following back-to-
back one-out walks, senior catcher Tom Zink doubled down the left field line to plate Zac Halloran and Kyle
Crean. Rowland followed with a two-run blast to left field to give the Great Danes a 5-2 lead. After consecutive
singles by juniors Dave West and Ryan Gugel, Konstanty drove in West from third with a single through the left
side.
The Great Danes added two more runs in the top of the fourth inning on a two-run home run by Gugel,
his second of the season. Notre Dame got one run back in the bottom of the fourth on a two-out double by
freshman Golden Tate.
UAlbany added four runs in the top of the seventh inning to jump out to a 12-3 lead. After Halloran
recorded a sacrifice bunt to advance junior Gary Pitcheralle to second, Crean followed with an RBI single to
center. Two batters later, Rowland singled to center to drive in his third run of the game. Zink scored the third
run of the inning on a groundout by West. Konstanty closed out the scoring for the Great Danes with a double
@iown the left field line to score Rowland. Notre Dame added an unearned run in the bottom to the ninth inning
to deliver the game’s final score.
Junior left-hander Dave Noble picked up the win in relief for the Great Danes by pitching two scoreless
innings. Junior Josh Willimott struck out three, while yielding three runs, over the first four innings. Junior
Matthew Herrick struck out four in two scoreless innings and junior Chris Ott finished the game by striking out
two in the ninth inning. Freshman Brian Dupra took the loss for the Fighting Irish, allowing eight runs over three
innings. |
Zink registered three hits, two RBI and two runs scored for the Great Danes, while Gugel had two hits
and two RBI and West recorded two hits and scored twice.
The Great Danes return to action on Friday, Feb. 29 in Spartanburg, S.C. at 4:00 p.m. against Wofford.
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UAlbany (1-2) 150 200 400 - lz 1 3
Notre Dame (1-2) 200 100 O01 - 4 lz 1
UAlbany (1-2): Josh Willimott, Dave Noble (5 W, 1-0), Matthew Herrick (7), Chris Ott (9) and Tom Zink.
Notre Dame (1-2): Brian Dupra (L, 0-1), Evan Danieli (4), Steven Mazur (7), David Mills (7), Ryan Sharpley (8)
and Sean Gaston, Cameron McConnell (8).
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 2
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 23, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
ALBAN
CANISIUS RALLIES PAST UALBANY, 64-60, IN NON-CONFERENCE PLAY
Buffalo, N.Y. — Rishawn Johnson scored the go-ahead basket with 23 seconds remaining as Canisius rallied
for a 64-60 non-conference victory over UAlbany on Saturday evening at Koessler Athletic Center. The
Golden Griffins snapped a five-game losing streak.
Elton Frazier, who led all scorers with 20 points, gave Canisius (5-22) a 60-58 lead with a short bank
shot from right of the lane. UAlbany (13-14) drew even when Brent Wilson followed up Brian Lillis’ miss in the
lane with 43 seconds to play. After Johnson gave his team the lead from a driving Frank Turner, Wilson
misfired on a three-point field goal attempt from the top of the arc. Bob Bevilacqua sealed the outcome by
making both ends of a one-and-one free throw opportunity with seven seconds left.
The Golden Griffins, who trailed by as much as 18 in the first half, went ahead for the first time, 54-53,
when Bevilacqua banked in a 3-pointer. Lillis, who totaled 15 points, five rebounds and five assists, canned
two free throws and Jon lati drilled a 16-foot jumper to put their team back in front. However, Greg Logins,
who had 12 points and 10 rebounds, scored on the left baseline and Bevilacqua made a 17-footer in the circle,
and Canisius was ahead again.
"It was a bad loss,” said UAlbany head coach Will Brown, whose team was playing in a matchup of
squads from the BracketBuster’s pool. “But give Canisius credit because they made plays down the stretch.
We missed easy opportunities and they got into a rhythm. They play a helter-skelter style and we played like
they wanted us to, especially in the second half."
The Great Danes used a string of nine unanswered to take a 15-3 lead in the opening five-plus
Qos Wilson made an 18-footer in transition and later sank a three-point field goal to finish off that
utburst. UAlbany extended the margin to 23-5 midway through the period when Tim Ambrose hit a layup.
However, Canisius tallied nine straight points, including three baskets by Turner, to get back into the contest.
The Golden Griffins closed the gap to 30-24 at the break, as the visitors went scoreless for nearly four minutes
toward the end of the half.
Wilson finished with 15 points and nine rebounds for the Great Danes, who had 10 of their 15 turnovers
after halftime. Brian Connelly was third UAlbany player in double figures with 12. Turner, last year’s Metro
Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year, added 10 points and seven assists.
“They outplayed us the last thirty minutes,” said Wilson, who scored in double figures for the 16th time
this season. “They were not going away because this is Division | basketball. When you let a 4-22 team hang
around they eventually will think they are going to win."
3).
Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 2
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 23, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
ALBAN
LIBERTY TOPS UALBANY BASEBALL, 5-4, INNON-CONFERENCE ACTION
Clearwater, Fla. - Garrett Young doubled in a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to lead Liberty to a 5-4
win over UAlbany in non-conference baseball action as part of the Clearwater Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 23
at Jack Russell Stadium in Clearwater, Fla. The game was suspended due to rain for over six and one-half
hours in the bottom of the third inning.
UAlbany (0-2) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Junior left fielder Gary
Pitcheralle tripled to right field to drive in shortstop Sean Donovan for the Great Danes’ first run. Third
baseman Zac Halloran followed with an RBI double to right center to plate Pitcheralle. Senior catcher Tom Zink
plated Halloran from third base on a two-out single to second base.
The Flames cut their deficit to one with two runs in the bottom of the third. Shortstop Aaron Phillips and
center fielder Tim Rotola led off the inning with back-to-back doubles to score one run prior to the stoppage in
play. After play resumed, Rotola scored with one out on a wild pitch.
Liberty (2-0) took a 4-3 lead with a pair of runs in the sixth inning. Joseph Feeley singled up the middle
with one out to score Aaron Grijalva from third base. The Flames scored their second run of the inning ona
groundout to Donovan.
The Great Danes responded in the top of the seventh to tie the game at four. Junior designated hitter
Ryan Gugel drilled a one-out home run to right field to knot the score. With two outs in the bottom of the
seventh, Young doubled down the left field line to drive in Kenneth Negron from first base.
Junior Sean Gregory took the loss for the Great Danes, allowing one run on one hit over two innings.
Junior Nate Novak struck out four, while yielding two runs on two hit for UAlbany over the first two innings,
@> <1: being removed from the game following the rain delay. Cory Warrings struck out three batters over four
innings in relief of Novak. Dustin Umberger earned the win for Liberty, striking out four over two and two-thirds
scoreless innings.
UAlbany was led at the plate by Donovan and Pitcheralle, who each registered two hits and a run
scored.
The Great Danes close out their trip to the Clearwater Invitational against Notre Dame at 1:30 p.m. on
Sunday.
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UAlbany (0-2) 030 000 100 - 4 9 0
Liberty (2-0) 002 002 10X - 5 6 0
UAlbany (0-2): Nate Novak, Cory Warrings (3), Sean Gregory (7 L, 0-1) and Tom Zink.
Liberty (2-0): Ryan Page, Tyler Light (4), Dustin Umberger (7 W, 1-0) and Errol Hollinger.
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 2
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 23, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
9 (ALBAN
UALBANY MEN WIN THIRD CONSECUTIVE AMERICA EAST INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD
CHAMPIONSHIP, UALBANY WOMEN FINISH THIRD
Boston, Mass. — UAlbany’s David Parker, Jean Juste and Michael McCadney set conference records to lead
the Great Danes’ men’s team to their third consecutive America East Indoor Track and Field Championship on
Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Boston U. Track and Tennis Center in Boston, Mass. The UAlbany women finished in
third place with 114.5 points. The men’s team scored 186 points to win the meet for the third straight year and
for the fifth time in six seasons. Binghamton placed second with 142 points and New Hampshire finished in
third with 130.5 points. On the women’s side, Boston U. won the championship for the third consecutive
season and tenth time overall with 206.83 points. New Hampshire placed second behind Boston U. with
141.33 points.
Parker, named the meet’s most outstanding field performer for his performance, won the heptathlon
with a school and conference record and IC4A-qualifying 5,262 points to break the previous school record of
5,029 set by teammate Freddie Wills on Feb. 2 at the Syracuse Invitational. Wills also eclipsed his previous
school mark by finishing in second place with 5,127 points, increasing his |C4A-qualifying mark.
In the 55-meter hurdles, UAlbany turned in five of the top eight times. Juste won the event for the
second consecutive season in a season-best and conference-record time of 7.43 seconds. Freshman Daniel
Avery (7.57) placed third in qualifying for the |IC4A meet, sophomore Garrett Askew (7.81) took fifth, junior Nick
Assini (7.85) finished sixth and junior Anthony Assent (7.95) crossed the line eighth. Senior Dieuseul Joseph
Qo the 55-meter dash in an |C4A-qualifying time of 6.48 seconds, while classmate Raphael Jean-Baptiste
placed sixth in the event in 6.65 seconds. In the 200-meter dash, defending champion Pat Weider was edged
out in his repeat bid by 0.01 seconds in an IC4A-qualifying time of 21.73 seconds. Junior Andrew Overbaugh
placed seventh in the 400-meter dash in 50.12 seconds. The Great Danes captured the top two spots in the
800-meter run. Junior Joe Belokopitsky took first in a time of 1:54.05 and freshman Tyler Fogarty finished
second in 1:54.40, as both qualified for the IC4A meet. The UAlbany 4x400-meter (3:17.99) and 4x800-meter
relay (7:51.55) teams each turned in third place finishes.
In the field events, McCadney won the triple jump for the second straight year with an I|C4A-qualifying
and conference record leap of 50-feet, 6.75-inches. Wills (45-7.25) placed fifth in the event, while Kyle Nadler
(45-4.25) came in seventh and Ray Gilman (44-9.5) came in eighth. Parker placed second in the high jump by
clearing the bar at 6-feet, 7.50-inches and freshman Anthony Collica (6-6). A pair of Great Danes scored in the
shot put. Senior Renauld Buck (47-11.25) came in seventh and junior Will Anger (47-10) was eighth.
In women’s competition, junior Kamilah McShine won the 55-meter hurdles for the second straight year
in an ECAC-qualifying 8.06 seconds, while freshman Christen Griffin placed third in a season-best 8.34
seconds. Sophomore Zuliana Fontanez finished second in the 500-meter dash in an ECAC-qualifying time of
1:15.85. In the 400-meter dash, junior Melissa Lee finished fifth in a season-best time of 57.86 seconds and
freshman Corrine Porter Stepney placed eighth with a season-best time of 58.34 seconds. Fontanez and Lee
combined with Octavia Clarkson and Ashley Vives to place second in an ECAC-qualifying time of 3:53.45 in
the 4x400-meter relay. Junior Laura Cummings scored in a pair of events for the Great Danes. In the 1,000-
meter run she finished third in an ECAC-qualifying 2:55.56 and placed seventh in the mile in 5:01.33.
In field competition, junior Jenn Gurrant set the school record to place third in the triple jump with a leap
of 41-feet, 9.25-inches. Gurrant surpassed the previous mark of 40-11.5-inches set by Sarah Charles at New
York’s Collegiate Invitational on Feb. 3, 2007. Senior Arina Gerasimova (39-3.25) placed fourth in the triple
jump, while freshmen Sandy Antenor (38-10.5) and Tiffany Sprenkels (38-4.75) finished sixth and seventh,
@esrectivery. Defending champion Brenna Militello placed third in the high jump by clearing 5-feet, 4-inches. In
the shot put, freshman Kadine Johnson (43-7.25) placed second and junior Candice Mann (43-4.25) finished
third.
CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO
TF
PAGE TWO
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@uers Team Scores:
1. UAlbany 186, 2. Binghamton 142, 3. New Hampshire 130.50 4. UMBC 93.50, 5. Boston University 88, 6.
Stony Brook 59, 7. Vermont 36, 8. Maine 28, 9. Hartford 16.
Men’s Individual Results
Heptathlon: 1. David Parker (UAlbany) 5262 (School Record, IC4A), 2. Freddie Wills (UAlbany) 5127 (IC4A),
3. Mike Buccher (UMBC) 4663. 55 Meter Dash: 1. Dieuseul Joseph (UAlbany) 6.48 (IC4A), 2. Adrian Arthur
(UMBC) 6.50, 3. Aaron Campbell (Vermont) 6.54. 55 Meter Hurdles: 1. Jean Juste (UAlbany) 7.43, 2. Aaron
James (UMBC) 7.52, 3. Daniel Avery (UAlbany) 7.57. 200 Meter Dash: 1. Cazal Arnett (Binghamton) 21.72, 2.
Pat Weider (UAlbany) 21.73, 3. Travis Parker (New Hampshire) 21.95. 400 Meter Dash: 1. Cazal Arnett
(Binghamton) 47.80, 2. Joel Senick (Boston U.) 48.35, 3. Khabir Edwards (Maine) 48.79. 500 Meter Dash: 1.
Christian Smith (Binghamton) 1:04.72, 2. Melvin Genao (Stony Brook) 1:04.81, 3. Chad Steinhauser (Boston
U.) 1:05.19. 800 Meter Run: 1. Joe Belokopitsky (UAlbany) 1:54.05 (IC4A), 2. Tyler Fogarty (UAlbany) 1:54.40
(IC4A), 3. Michael Christmas (UMBC) 1:54.73. 1,000 Meter Run: 1. Robert Edgerton (New Hampshire)
2:27.43, 2. Mike Wlodarski (Binghamton) 2:30.94, 3. Jesse Thompson (Binghamton) 2:31.43. 1 Mile Run: 1.
Robert Edgerton (New Hampshire) 4:05.07, 2. Pat Hoye (Boston U.) 4:11.87, 3. Daire Bermingham (Stony
Brook) 4:14.58. 3,000 Meter Run: 1. Tim Hodge (Stony Brook) 8:13.62, 2. Eric Ashe (Boston) 8:18.84, 3.
Jordan Horwitz (New Hampshire) 8:24.83. 4x800 Meter Relay: 1. UMBC 7:47.97, 2. Boston U. 7:50.56, 3.
UAlbany 7:51.55. 4x400 Meter Relay: 1. New Hampshire 3:15.85, 2. Binghamton 3:17.88, 3. UAlbany 3:17.99.
Triple Jump: 1. Michael McCadney (UAlbany) 50-6.75 (IC4A), 2. Mac-Alen Gerard (Boston) 46-1.50, 3. Cliff
Bridges (UMBC) 45-9.75. High Jump: 1. Jeffery Ramos (Maine) 6-7.50, 2. David Parker (UAlbany) J6-7.50, 3.
Anthony Collica (UAlbany) 6-6. Shot Put: 1. Jan Bicanic (Boston) 53-8.50, 2. Brice Paey (New Hampshire) 50-
8.75, 3. Justin Halleck (Binghamton) 49-5.75.
Q@yomen’s Team Scores:
1. Boston 206.83, 2. New Hampshire 141.33, 3.UAlbany 114.50, 4. UMBC 72, 4. Stony Brook 72, 6. Maine
54, 7. Binghamton 51, 8. Vermont 45.33, 9. Hartford 22.
Women’s Individual Results
55 Meter Dash: 1. Whitney Ford (Boston U.) 7.12, 2. Tahari James (Boston U.) 7.21, 3. Allyson Howatt
(Maine) 7.22. 55 Meter Hurdles: 1. Kamilah McShine (UAlbany) 8.06, 2. Kiah Quarles (New Hampshire) 8.22,
3. Christen Griffin (UAlbany) 8.34. 200 Meter Dash: 1. Allyson Howatt (Maine) 24.60, 2. Whitney Ford (Boston
U.) 24.76, 3. Tahari James (Boston U.) 24.79. 400 Meter Dash: 1. Vicki Tolton (Maine) 57.18, 2. Meghan
Donohue (New Hampshire) 57.27, 3. Lindsay Burlock (Maine) 57.42. 500 Meter Dash: 1. Kaitlin Kwiecien
(New Hampshire) 1:15.40, 2. Zuliana Fontanez (UAlbany) 1:15.85, 3. Rebecca Marshburn (Boston U.) 1:16.39.
800 Meter Run: 1.Carmen Lagala (Vermont) 2:11.08, 2. Katie Weider (Boston) 2:13.47, 3. Kat Warden
(Boston U.) 2:14.59. 1,000 Meter Run: 1. Becky Haley (New Hampshire) 2:51.22, 2. Anne Wighton (Boston
U.) 2:53.74, 3. Laura Cummings (UAlbany) 2:55.56. 1 Mile Run: 1.Marisa Ryan (Boston) 4:45.65, 2. Lucy
VanDalen (Stony Brook) 4:46.73, 3. Holly VanDalen (Stony Brook) 4:51.67. 3,000 Meter Run: 1. Marisa Ryan
(Boston U.) 9:43.29, 2. Laura Huet (Stony Brook) 9:46.48, 3. Andrea Walkonen (Boston U.) 9:47.35. 4x400
Meter Relay: 1. Maine 3:50.82, 2. UAlbany 3:53.45, 3. Binghamton 3:54.00. 4x800 Meter Relay: 1. Boston U.
9:07.48, 2. Stony Brook 9:09.12, 3. New Hampshire 9:16.07. Triple Jump: 1. Tahari James (Boston U.) 42-7,
2. Whitney Ford (Boston U.) 41-10.75, 3. Jennifer Gurrant (UAlbany) 41-9.25. High Jump: 1. Karly Neveu
(Boston U.) 5-6, 2. Latasha Jarrett (Hartford) 5-6, 3. Brenna Militello (UAlbany) 5-4. Shot Put: 1. Ashley
Fauntleroy (UMBC) 43-8.75, 2. Kadine Johnson (UAlbany) 43-7.25, 3. Candice Mann (UAlbany) 43-4.25.
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 23, 2008 Brianna LaBrecque / 518-442-5733
ALBAN
UALBANY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL DEFEATS STONY BROOK, 65-58, IN A-EAST ACTION
Stony Brook, N.Y. — Senior forward Kristin Higy scored a team-high 17 points while classmate Gia Sanders
became UAlbany’s all-time leading shot-blocker as the Great Danes swept the season series with Stony Brook,
defeating the Seawolves 65-58 in America East Conference women’s basketball action on Saturday afternoon
at SBU Arena.
The teams exchanged baskets to start the game, and Stony Brook moved to within one at 15-14 with
7:27 left to play on back-to-back jumpers by Misha Horsey. UAlbany then embarked on a 9-0 run to build up a
24-14 advantage with just over four minutes left to play as Higy nailed a 3-pointer from the right side of the arc.
Stony Brook’s Dana Ferraro converted a conventional three-point play with 3:44 on the clock to cut the
Great Danes’ lead back to single digits, but a trey from freshman guard Janea Aiken at 3:37 gave UAlbany
back a 10-point lead, 27-17. The Seawolves defense held UAlbany scoreless for the remainder of the half,
while Kirsten Jeter hit a jumper from the top of the key with 1:32 left to play to set the halftime margin at 27-19.
Higy hit her third 3-pointer at 18:04 of the second half, but Stony Brook went on a 9-2 run to pull within
one, 34-33, on a running layup by Aly Young at 14:25. The Seawolves continued their run, tying the score and
then taking the lead on two free throws by Jeter.
The Great Danes broke their scoring drought at 12:10, regaining the lead on a 3-pointer by Aiken. The
teams exchanged baskets, with Stony Brook holding a 42-41 advantage with 9:31 to play on back-to-back
baskets by Ferraro, who finished with a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds.
UAlbany held a 46-45 lead with 7:45 on the clock on a turn-around jumper by TaNika Thrower. The
Ons: Danes pulled ahead by three, 53-50, on a three-point play by Aiken, but consecutive baskets by Crystal
ushin put Stony Brook up, 54-53, with just over four minutes left to play.
Higy grabbed an offensive rebound and was fouled on her shot, hitting the ensuing free throw to give
the Great Danes a 58-54 advantage with just under two minutes to play. Charity lromuanya made a steal on
Stony Brook’s next possession, and passed the ball ahead to Sanders, who hit the fast break layup to put
UAlbany up by six with 1:42 left to play. lromuanya, who went 6-of-8 from the line for the game to finish with
eight points, knocked down two free throws with 1:29 on the clock to increase the Great Danes’ lead to 62-54.
"We have a lot of experience in close games,” said UAlbany head coach Trina Patterson, whose team
has won seven of its last eight games. “Thinking back to November and December, we lost them, but the sign
of a good team is showing maturity and poise down the stretch, and now we can win these games. This was a
must win on our route to finishing in the top three of the conference."
UAlbany (11-15, AE 9-4) used strong free throw shooting down the stretch to hold on for the final
seven-point margin. Aiken finished with 13 points and eight rebounds for the Great Danes, while sophomore
guard Britney McGee handed out five assists for the second straight game and grabbed seven caroms to help
UAlbany to a season-high 50 team rebounds.
Young scored a team-high 18 points for Stony Brook (6-19, AE 1-11) while Jeter chipped in with 10
points and seven rebounds. The Seawolves forced UAlbany into 18 turnovers and held the Great Danes to a
32.8 shooting percentage from the floor.
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 4
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 23, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
TOP-RANKED JOHNS HOPKINS DEFEATS UALBANY, 10-5, INLACROSSE SEASON OPENER
Baltimore, Md. — Senior attackman Kevin Huntley had four goals, including three in the second half, in leading
top-ranked and defending national champion Johns Hopkins to a 10-5 victory over UAlbany in the season
opener for both teams on Saturday afternoon at Homewood Field.
The Blue Jays, who captured the program’s ninth national championship last year, turned a two-goal
halftime advantage into a 6-2 lead in the third quarter. Michael Doneger netted his second goal of the game
when he spun to his left shoulder after taking a diagonal pass from Huntley. Paul Rabil, a first-team All-
America midfielder, then rifled a shot from the right point high into the net with 7:47 remaining in the period.
UAlbany (0-1) still trailed by four heading into the fourth quarter, but then mounted a comeback attempt.
Steve Ammann converted a bounce shot from the right side with a penalty flag down on the field. His twin
brother, Mike, then scored 38 seconds later to draw his team within 7-5 with 12:10 to play. Ammann drove
around a midfielder from the right side to find the cage.
Johns Hopkins (1-0) ended the threat with three unanswered over the next seven minutes. Huntley
scored twice in the stretch. He came uncovered from right of the net and deposited Mark Bryan’s feed.
Stephen Peyser connected on a hard angle to far post, before Huntley took a pass from behind and finished off
a blast from the left side.
Jordan Levine scored a pair of goals for the Great Danes, who were bottled up most of the day by a
stifling Johns Hopkins’ defense. The Blue Jays’ Stephen Boyle had two goals and one assist. Sophomore
goalkeeper Michael Gvozden stopped 11 shots in his first career start.
“It was a tough day offensively, but they played well on defense,” said UAlbany coach Scott Marr,
hose team was ranked 11th in the USILA preseason national poll after reaching the NCAA quarterfinals last
year. “They got to all the 50-50 balls and that was the game in our eyes. | was happy with our effort and
passion, but we just didn’t execute on offense and did not have as much movement as we would like.”
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#11 UAlbany (0-1) 2 0 1 2 - 5
#1 Johns Hopkins (1-0) 3 1 3 3 - 10
UAlbany — Scoring: Jordan Levine 2-0, Mike Ammann 1-0, Steve Ammann 1-0, Joe Pompo 1-0, Corey
Small 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Brett Queener (57:29, 6 saves, 10 GA), Dan McKeon (1:25, 0 saves, 0 GA).
Johns Hopkins — Scoring: Kevin Huntley 4-1, Steven Boyle 2-1, Michael Donegar 2-0, Paul Rabil 1-0,
Stephen Peyser 1-0, , Mark Bryan 0-1, Michael Kimmel 0-1, Brian Christopher 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Michael
Gvozden (60:00, 11 saves, 5 GA).
NATIONALLY-RANKED NORTH CAROLINA UPENDS UALBANY IN GREAT DANES’ OPENER
Chapel Hill, N.C. — Freshman attacker Corey Donohue had four goals and Kristen Taylor scored three times in
leading nationally-ranked North Carolina to an 18-6 win over UAlbany on Saturday afternoon at Fetzer Field.
The Tar Heels are ranked No. 3 by Inside Lacrosse and No. 4 in the IWLCA coaches’ poll.
North Carolina (3-0) leaped to a 6-0 lead in the opening 20 minutes of play and was never threatened.
Julia Ryan found the net twice in that outburst, including the game’s first goal with three minutes and 45
seconds elapsed. Jenn Russell, a sophomore midfielder, tallied the first of her two goals after defender Britta
Williams forced a turnover.
The Tar Heels, who reached the NCAA quarterfinals one year ago and opened the 2008 campaign with
victories over Loyola, Md. and Denver, rolled to an 11-0 halftime margin. Kristen and Kelly Taylor, sisters from
Central New York, scored back-to-back goals late in the period.
© UAlbany (0-1) showed some resolve in the second half against the perennial power. Freshman Nikki
Branchini tallied a pair of goals in the opening 10 minutes of the period. Rory Redmond and Tee Ladouceur
scored consecutive unassisted goals to close the gap to 14-5 with 15:05 remaining.
CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO
|
PAGE TWO
North Carolina, who began the 2007 season with eight consecutive victories, regained the momentum with
hree straight goals. Kristen Taylor and Corey Donohue started the spurt. Chelsea Parks added two goals and
wo assists, while Kelly Taylor scored twice.
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UAlbany (0-1) 0 6 - 6
#3 North Carolina (3-0) 11 7 - 18
UAlbany — Scoring: Nikki Branchini 2-0, Kayla Best 1-0, Rory Redmond 1-0, Tee Ladouceur 1-0,
Stacey Brown 1-0; Goalkeeper(s): Katie Neer (60:00, 8 saves, 18 GA).
North Carolina — Scoring: Corey Donohue 4-1, Kristen Taylor 3-1, Chelsea Parks 2-2, Julia Ryan 2-1,
Kelly Taylor 2-0, Jenn Russell 2-0, Megan Bosica 1-1, Amber Falcone 1-0, Erica LaGrow 1-0, Meg Freshwater
0-1, Mia Hurrin 0-1, Meghan Clarke 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Amanda Barnes (60:00, 4 saves, 6 GA).
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 2
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 22, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
@ (ALBAN
UALBANY MEN FIRST, WOMEN THIRD AFTER FIRST DAY OF AMERICA EAST INDOOR TRACK AND
FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Boston, Mass. — UAlbany’s Kyle Nadler won the long jump to lead the Great Danes men’s team into first place
with 54 points through five events of the America East indoor track and field Championships at the Boston U.
Track and Tennis Center in Boston, Mass on Friday, Feb. 22. The UAlbany women are in third place through
six completed events with 31.5 points. The Great Danes men’s team holds a two point lead over Binghamton,
while New Hampshire is in third with 43 points. On the women’s side, New Hampshire leads the competition
with 62 points and two-time defending champion Boston U. is in second place with 57.5 points.
Four Great Danes finished in the top-six of the long jump. Kyle Nadler won the event with a season-
best leap of 23-feet, 6-inches. Junior Freddie Wills (22-7.75) placed third, Michael McCadney (22-7.25)
finished fifth and Valete Graham (22-6.50) came in sixth. In the finals of the 5,000-meter run, junior Brian
Yurkewecz finished fourth in 14:57.37. Freshman Michael Dempsey (15-9) and senior David Parker (15-3)
finished second and third, respectively, in the pole vault to earn 14 points for the Great Danes. Freshman
Wilfredo de Jesus Elias (58-4.75) placed second in the weight throw, while junior Will Anger finished fourth with
a toss of 52-1.25.
UAlbany had five hurdlers advance to the field of nine finalists of the 55-meter hurdles. Junior Jean
Juste turned in the top time in the preliminaries with a time of 7.50 seconds, while freshman Daniel Avery had
the third-best time in 7.55 seconds. Junior Nick Assini (7.81), sophomore Garrett Askew (7.88) and junior
nthony Assent (7.90) also registered qualifying times. The Great Danes had a pair of sprinters qualify for the
finals in the 55-meter dash. Senior Dieuseul Joseph finished first in his heat in 6.51 seconds and senior
Raphael Jean-Baptiste placed second in his heat in 6.61 seconds. Junior Pat Weider (21.90), the defending
champion, and sophomore Jeffery Barnes (21.93) each won their heats in a season-best time to qualify for the
200-meter finals. Junior Andrew Overbaugh ran the 400-meter dash in 49.69 seconds to qualify for the finals.
In the heptathlon, senior David Parker leads the competition through four events with 2,895 points, while Wills
(2,866) is second and freshman Kevin O’Riley (2,524) is fourth.
The women’s distance medley relay team of Kristine Mun, Laura Bolognino, Zuliana Fontanez and
Laura Cummings placed fourth in 12:11.76. In the pole vault, sophomore Krystal Myers tied for fifth in clearing
a season-best height of 10-feet, 4-inches. Junior Jenn Gurrant placed third in the long jump with a leap of 18-
feet, 1-inch, while freshman Tiffany Sprenkels finished seventh with a jump of 17-feet, 6.75-inches. A trio of
Great Danes scored in the weight throw. Freshman Kadine Johnson placed fourth with a toss of 50-feet, junior
Ritshell Verdier (48-2) placed sixth and sophomore Sineaid Corley (48-0) came in seventh.
In the women’s 400-meter dash, junior Melissa Lee and freshmen Laura Bolognino and Corrine Porter-
Stepney advanced to Saturday’s finals. In the 55-meter hurdles, Kamilah McShine, Christen Griffin and Valerie
Maignan advanced to the finals. McShine, the winner in the event last year, registered the fastest time in the
preliminary heats. Fontanez had the top time in the 500-meter dash (1:16.18) and freshman Octavia Clarkson
(1:18.14) placed third in her heat to qualify for the finals.
Day two of the Championships begins at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday with the conclusion of the men’s
heptathlon.
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Men’s Team Results (through five events)
1. UAlbany 56, 2. Binghamton 54, 3. New Hampshire 43, 4. Stony Brook 18, 5. UMBC 8, 6. Vermont 6, T7.
@ iariors 4, T7. Boston U. 4, 9. Maine 2.
CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO
PAGE TWO
Individual Men’s Results:
> 000 Meter Run: 1. Jordan Horwitz (New Hampshire) 14:42.09, 2. Wesley Dinnan (New Hampshire)
14:46.24, 3. Chris Gaube (Binghamton) 14:47.70. Distance Medley Relay: 1. Stony Brook 10:00.54, 2. UMBC
10:05. 38, 3. Binghamton 10:12.06. Weight Throw: 1. Justin Halleck (Binghamton) 58-8.50, 2. Wilfredo de
Jesus Elias (UAlbany) 58-4.75, 3. Justin Miller (Stony Brook) 52-7.25. Pole Vault: 1. Rory Quiller
(Binghamton) 17-2.75, 2. Michael Dempsey (UAlbany) 15-9, 3. David Parker (UAlbany) 15-3. Long Jump: 1.
Kyle Nadler (UAlbany) 23-6, 2. Kevin Ralston (Binghamton) 23-2.50, 3. Spencer Shaw (New Hampshire) 22-8.
Women’s Team Results (through six events)
1. New Hampshire 62, 2. Boston U. 57.5, 3. UAlbany 31.5, 4. Binghamton 29, 5. Stony Brook 24, 6. UMBC 22,
7. Vermont 4, T8. Maine 2, T8. Hartford 2.
Individual Women’s Results:
5,000 Meter Run: 1. Andrea Walkonen (Boston U.) 16:39.77, 2. Dana Hastie (Stony Brook) 16:43.23, 3. Alex
Hyland (UMBC) 16:59.38. Pentathlon: 1. Amy Roccio (New Hampshire) 3293, 2. Marsha Fiesinger
(Binghamton) 3195, 3. Megan LaBella (Boston U.) 3178. Distance Medley Relay: 1. Stony Brook 11:52.26, 2.
Boston U. 11:54.59, 3. New Hampshire 11:56.57. Weight Throw: 1. Ashley Fauntleroy (UMBC) 55-2.25, 2.
Ashlee Lathrop (New Hampshire) 52-1.25, 3. Toni Boyd (UMBC) 51-7. Pole Vault: 1. Rita Ciambra (New
Hampshire) 11-9.75, 2. Carly Gross (Binghamton) 11-3.75, 3. Mimi Maritz (Boston U.) 11-3.75. Long Jump:
1.Whitney Ford (Boston U.) 19-7, 2. Alexis Beaudet (Boston U.) 18-4.25, 3. Jenn Gurrant (UAlbany) 18-1.
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For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 22, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
ALBAN
UALBANY DROPS SEASON OPENER TO IOWA 8-3
Clearwater, Fla. — Junior Nick Erdman pitched five scoreless innings to lead lowa to an 8-3 non-conference
baseball win over UAlbany in the season-opener for both teams on Friday night at the Clearwater Invitational in
Clearwater, Fla.
lowa (1-0) got on the board with four runs with outs in the top of the second inning. Justin Brauer
started the rally with a two-out double down the right field line. Following a hit batsman, Kevin Hoef drove in
Brauer with a single down the left field line. Justin Toole followed with a two-run double down to left to give the
Hawkeyes a 3-0 lead. Toole plated the fourth run of the inning on a double by Caleb Curry.
The Hawkeyes tacked on single runs in the fifth and seventh innings to take a 6-0 lead. In the fifth,
Kody McManis singled up the middle with two outs to plate Kyle Riffel from third. lowa scored in the seventh
during a pick-off attempt.
UAlbany (0-1) closed the gap to 6-3 with two runs in the seventh and a run in the eighth. In the seventh,
junior Dave West followed a Brendan Rowland double with a two-run home run to left. Freshman Kyle Crean
scored from second base in the eighth on an error by the third baseman.
lowa added two insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning to deliver the final score. Ben Geelan
drove in the first run with a double to center and later scored on a throwing error on a stolen base attempt.
At the plate for the Great Danes, Rowland and juniors Ryan Gugel and Sean Donovan each registered
two of the team’s nine hits.
Senior right-hander Casey Walsh took the loss for UAlbany, allowing five runs on seven hits over four
and two-thirds innings to go along with six strikeouts. Senior Marco Rivera allowed one run over two and one-
hird innings, while freshman Dave Kubiak pitched the final two innings, yielding two runs. Erdman registered
the win for lowa, striking out eight over five scoreless innings, yielding just four hits.
UAlbany returns to the diamond for a 10:00 a.m. first pitch on Saturday against Liberty and face Notre
Dame at 7:30 p.m.
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lowa (1-0) 040 O10 102 -
UAlbany (0-1) 000 000 210 -
2
5
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lowa (1-0): Nick Erdman (W, 1-0), Jason Belk (5), Andrew Porter (7), Matt Mossey (9) and Ben Geelan.
UAlbany (0-1): Casey Walsh (L, 0-1), Marco Rivera (5), Dave Kubiak (8) and Ryan Gugel.
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9 (ALBAN
i Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 22, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
UALBANY DEFEATS NIAGARA, 6-1, FOR NINTH STRAIGHT WIN
North Tonawanda, N.Y. — The UAlbany tennis team defeated Niagara, 6-1, in non-conference action to remain
undefeated on Friday, Feb. 22 at the Sportsplex in North Tonawanda, N.Y. Laine Mackey and Amanda Hall led
the Great Danes, pairing up for a doubles win and posting two singles victories.
Mackey and Hall defeated Raquel Solis and Emma Cunnington, 8-3 at second doubles. Mackey
defeated Victoria Tiso, 6-1, 6-3, at No. 5 singles action while Hall recorded a 6-4, 6-0 victory over Kim Roberts
at the No. 6 position. Kim Weltman teamed up with Charlotte Tatler to defeat Tiso and Roberts, 8-0, at No. 3
doubles, while Aimee Kern and Susan Ma completed the sweep of double’s action with an 8-5 victory over
Vanja Lakic and Shella Dargout.
Weltman improved to 7-0 at No. 3 singles with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Lakic while Tatler moved to 8-0 at
No. 4 singles with a 6-3, 6-0 victory against Cunnington. Ma registered the Great Danes’ fifth singles win with a
6-2, 7-5 victory over Dargout. Solis picked up the Purple Eagles’ lone win at No. 1 singles defeating Kern 4-6,
7-6 (8-6), 10-7.
The Great Danes, winners of nine straight to open the season, return to action on Friday, Feb. 29 at
Georgetown.
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Singles
Raquel Solis def. Aimee Kern (UA), 4-6, 7-6 (8-6), 10-7
Oxinv Ma (UA) def. Shella Dargout, 6-2, 7-5
Kim Weltman (UA) def. Vanja Lakic, 6-0, 6-2
Charlotte Tatler (UA) def. Emma Cunnington, 6-3, 6-0
Laine Mackey (UA) def. Victoria Tiso, 6-1, 6-3
Amanda Hall (UA) def. Kim Roberts, 6-4, 6-0
Doubles
Kern/Ma (UA) def. Lakic/Dargout, 8-5
Mackey/Hall (UA) def. Solis/Cunnington, 8-3
Weltman/Tatler (UA) def. Tiso/Roberts, 8-0
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
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February 20, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
ALBAN
UMBC CLINCHES SHARE OF A-EAST REGULAR-SEASON TITLE IN OT WIN OVER UALBANY
Albany, N.Y. — Ray Barbosa had 27 points and Darryl Proctor added 22 points and 10 rebounds as
UMBC held on for an 81-77 overtime win against UAlbany in America East Conference play on
Wednesday evening before 3,380 fans at SEFCU Arena. The Retrievers, who have won seven in a
row, clinched a share of the conference’s regular-season crown.
UAlbany (13-13, AE 8-6) came from 12 down in the final half to force the extra period.
UMBC’s Barbosa, who had 20 second-half points, made pair of free throws with 3.3 seconds
remaining for 68-65 lead. The Great Danes’ Brent Wilson then rifled a three-quarter court pass to
Brian Lillis, who drilled a three-point field goal from the top of the arc with three-tenths of a second to
play to draw his team even.
In overtime, UMBC (19-7, AE 11-2) took a quick lead that it never relinquished. Proctor, who
made 11-of-18 from the field, canned a 10-footer on the right baseline, before Barbosa converted a
driving layup following Cavell Johnson’s blocked shot on the defensive end. The Great Danes closed
within one twice in the period. After Jay Greene sank a 3-pointer and Frank McKnight split a pair of
foul shots for a 76-71 advantage, UAlbany’s Jon lati came up with a four-point play. lati, who tallied
seven of his nine points in overtime, was fouled while making a three-pointer from the left wing
following an offensive rebound.
The Retrievers, who have a three-game lead in the loss column over second-place Hartford in
he league standings, scored on their next two possessions to put the game away. Proctor put back
an offensive rebound basket after Barbosa missed a three-point attempt. Justin Fry then made two
free throws for an 80-75 lead with 15.8 seconds left.
“We did a great job on that possession in overtime, but we gave up the offensive rebound,”
said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team fell to UMBC, 69-65, in the first meeting of the season
on Jan. 30. “Every time we got close they had an answer, so give them credit. They score so easily,
but they also hit some tough shots in the second half.”
UMBC led by as much as 11 in the first half before settling for a 32-24 halftime margin. The
Retrievers, who shot 48.4 percent from the floor, used an 8-2 run early in the final stanza to build a
43-31 cushion. Barbosa, who made 6-of-15 from beyond the arc, nailed two 3-pointers in that stretch.
The Great Danes, who had won four of their last five entering the contest, would then run off
13 unanswered to get back into the fray. Wilson, who had 10 points and nine rebounds, and
freshman Josh Martin netted back-to-back three-pointers in that span. Lillis, wno scored 18 after the
break, connected on a drive and spun to hit a short bank shot that put his team ahead 44-43. The
game remained tight over the final 10 minutes of regulation.
Johnson, a 6-foot-8 senior, was the third UMBC player in double figures with 10 points and
seven rebounds. UAlbany’s Jerel Hastings and Tim Amborse had 10 points apiece.
“The ball just got over the defender’s hands on the inbounds (at the end of regulation),” said
Lillis, who added eight rebounds and five assists. “I Knew there was 3.3 seconds and | had time to
react. We were flat in the first half, and (point guard) Jay Greene did a good job of creating for them.
We picked things up on defense and made some shots in the second half and that’s why we were
able to get back into it.”
Of}.
Attn: Sports Department No.of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 20, 2008 Brianna LaBrecque / 518-442-5733
UALBANY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL DEFEATS UMBC, 62-54, IN A-EAST ACTION
Baltimore, Md. — Kristin Higy tied a season-high with 20 points while Gia Sanders added 18 points and a
game-high eight rebounds to lead the UAlbany women’s basketball team to a 62-54 win over UMBC in
America East Conference action on Wednesday evening at the RAC Arena.
UAlbany (10-15, AE 8-4) got out to a 17-0 lead to start the game, as UMBC missed its first seven
shots. The Retrievers finally got on the board at the 12:00 mark on a 3-pointer by Kristin Drabyn. UMBC
then went on an 11-4 run to cut the lead to seven, 21-14, with 7:08 left to play. Sanders was fouled on a
layup and made the ensuing free throw to give the Great Danes back their double-digit lead, but the
Retrievers scored the next seven points to cut within three, 24-21, on two free throws by Carlee Cassidy.
Sophomore guard Britney McGee knocked down a 3-pointer with 3:10 on the clock to give UAlbany
a seven-point lead, 29-22, with just over three minutes left in the half. The teams would exchange
baskets, ending with a Higy layup at 21 seconds to send the Great Danes to the locker room up, 33-26.
UMBC (8-17, AE 4-8) made back-to-back 3-pointers to start the second half, and took a two-point
lead, 35-33, on a layup and foul shot by Cassidy three minutes into the stanza. Higy scored six straight
points for UAlbany to reclaim the lead for the Great Danes with 13:34 left to play
Sanders hit a 3-pointer and then assisted on Higy’s next basket to give UAlbany a nine-point lead,
52-43 with 6:55 left on the clock. A trey by Cassidy would cut the lead to four, 52-48, with just over four
minutes remaining, but the Great Danes would use strong shooting down the stretch from Sanders and
Higy to hold on to the lead and claim the win.
© “This showed our ability to win the tough games on the road,” said UAlbany head coach Trina
Patterson, whose team had won five straight contests before falling to Vermont in the last outing. “Our
energy in the beginning of the game helped us get back into it at the end. The senior leadership willed the
team to win. The chemistry is very good on the floor for us.”
Higy was named the America East Conference Player of the Game for her efforts, which included
shooting 9-of-13 from the floor, grabbing five rebounds and handing out four assists. Sanders, who
returned to the starting lineup for the Great Danes, filled the boxscore, going 2-of-3 from 3-point range
and recording five helpers, four steals and a block. Senior forward Sherri Mikus added six points, eight
boards and two steals.
Cassidy led the UMBC with 17 points, including a 6-of-7 performance from the free throw line.
Megan Colabella finished with 16 points, a team-high six rebounds and four assists, while Drabyn added
10 points for the Retrievers, who won the first meeting between the two teams earlier this season.
Sf}.
Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 19, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
ALBAN
MELISSA LEE NAMED AMERICA EAST INDOOR TRACK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Cambridge, Mass. — University at Albany’s Melissa Lee has been named the America East Conference
women’s indoor track performer of the week, as announced by the conference office on Tuesday afternoon.
Lee, a junior from Brooklyn, N.Y., won the 400-meter dash in 59.42 seconds to lead the UAlbany women’s
team to a second place finish in a tri-meet with Binghamton and Syracuse on Friday, February 15 at the
Binghamton University Events Center in Vestal, N.Y. Lee also placed second as a member of the 4x400-meter
relay team which finished in a time of 4:00.51.
The Great Danes return to the track on Friday, Feb. 22 and Saturday, Feb. 23 in Boston, Mass. for the
America East Conference Championship.
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
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February 16, 2008 Brianna LaBrecque / 518-442-5733
ALBAN
|
UALBANY TENNIS SWEEPS PROVIDENCE, 7-0, TO REMAIN UNDEFEATED
Albany, N.Y. — The UAlbany tennis team swept Providence, 7-0, in non-conference action to remain
undefeated on Saturday afternoon at The Bubble. Aimee Kern and Susan Ma led the Great Danes,
pairing up for a doubles win and posting two singles victories.
Kern and Ma defeated the Friars’ Avery Gibson and Dara Hawkins-Hodgson, 8-5 to start the
match. Kern later defeated Gibson, 6-0, 6-1, at No. 1 singles action while Ma posted a 6-1, 6-1 victory
over Hawkins-Hodgson at the No. 2 position. Laine Mackey teamed up with Amanda Hall and defeated
Jenn Cusack and Meghan Gilroy, 8-1, at No. 2 doubles, while Kim Weltman and Charlotte Tatler finished
the doubles sweep with an 8-6 win over Ayushi Sinha and Kim Betzner.
Weltman recorded a 6-2, 6-0 win over Cusack at No. 3 singles while Tatler posted a 6-2, 6-0
victory against Sinha. Mackey and Hall also had wins at No. 5 and No. 6 singles, respectively. Mackey
finished with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Kate Lyons while Hall recorded a 6-2, 6-3 win over Gilroy.
The Great Danes, who improve to 8-0 on the season, returns to action on Friday, Feb. 22 at
Niagara.
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Singles
Aimee Kern (UA) def. Avery Gibson (PC), 6-0, 6-1
Susan Ma (UA) def. Dara Hawkins-Hodgson (PC), 6-1, 6-1
Kim Weltman (UA) def. Jenn Cusack (PC), 6-2, 6-0
harlotte Tatler (UA) def. Ayushi Sinha (PC), 6-2, 6-0
aine Mackey (UA) def. Kate Lyons (PC), 6-1, 6-0
Amanda Hall (UA) def. Meghan Gilroy (PC), 6-2, 6-3
Caitlin Crowley (UA) def. Kim Betzner (PC), 6-3, 6-2
|
|
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Doubles
Kern/Ma (UA) def. Gibson/Hawkins-Hodgson (PC), 8-5
Mackey/Hall (UA) def. Cusack/Gilroy (PC), 8-1
Weltman/Tatler (UA) def. Sinha/Betzner (PC), 8-6
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 2
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 16, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
ALBAN
FREDDIE WILLS SETS LONG JUMP RECORD AT BINGHAMTON MEET
Vestal, N.Y. — UAlbany’s Freddie Wills won the long jump in setting the school record to lead the Great Danes
to a second-place finish in a three-way meet with Syracuse and Binghamton at the Events Center. Binghamton
swept both team competitions with the men scoring 137 points, while the Bearcat women tallied 119. The
UAlbany men registered 132 points and the women recorded 116 for second place.
Wills, who registered a leap of 24-feet, 3.5-inches, broke the previous record of 23-11.75 set by Valete
Graham on Friday at Arkansas’ Tyson Invitational. The Great Danes registered first-place finishes in six
events. On the track, Garrett Askew won the 55-meter hurdles in 7.81 seconds, Andrew Overbaugh took first in
the 400-meter dash (51.19) and Jon Hilbert was victorious in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 9:18.32. In the
field, UAlbany swept the jumping events. Freshman Anthony Collica won the high jump (6-6.25) and Dong
Ning Hu registered a first-place leap in the triple jump (46-5.25) to go with Wills’ long jump win.
In the women’s competition, freshman Kadine Johnson won both throwing events with tosses of 43-
feet, 4.50-inches in the shot put and 50-feet, 8.25-inches in the weight throw. Junior Melissa Lee sprinted to a
first-place finish in the 400-meter dash (59.42), while Danielle Trimpop won the 1,000-meter run in 3:05.93.
Freshman Tiffany Sprenkels had an ECAC-qualifying leap of 39-feet, 8-inches in the triple jump.
The Great Danes return to the track on Friday, February 22 in Boston, Mass. for the America East
Conference Championship.
Men’s Team Scores: 1. Binghamton 137, 2. UAlbany 132, Syracuse 60.
UAlbany Men’s Results
@:; Meter Dash: 3. Raphael Jean-Baptiste 6.63, 5. Torshiro Jenkins 6.77, 6. Garrett Askew Jr 6.88. 55 Meter
Hurdles: 1. Garrett Askew Jr 7.81, 2. Freddie Wills 7.83, 3. Daniel Avery 7.85, 4. Nick Assini 7.96, 6. David
Parker 8.00, 7. Alfred Pryor Jr 8.20, 12. Kevin O’Riley 8.78, 16. Nick Jones 10.56. 200 Meter Dash: 2. Torshiro
Jenkins 22.69, 4. Drew Harrison 23.04, 5. Raphael Jean-Baptiste 23.07, 7. Daniel Avery 23.56, 11. Alfred
Pryor Jr 25.17. 400 Meter Dash: 1. Andrew Overbaugh 51.19. 500 Meter Dash: 2. Alan Nimblette 1:07.81.
800 Meter Run: 3. Jared Jupin 2:03.53, 5. Mitchel Troise 2:06.54, 6. LeVar Nero 2:13.33. 1000 Meter Run: 2.
Joe Belokopitsky 2:36.59, 3. Tyler Fogarty 2:37.53, 4. Bryan Lasky 2:39.65. One Mile Run: 5. Brian
Yurkewecz 4:25.28, 10. Chris Jimenez 4:43.52. 3000 Meter Run: 1. Jon Hilbert 9:18.32. 5000 Meter Run: 3.
David Rothman 16:44.08. 4x400 Meter Relay: 2. Torshiro Jenkins, Joe Belokopitsky, Tyler Fogarty, Andrew
Overbaugh 3:25.18, 3. Drew Harrison, Alan Nimblette, Nick Assini 3:26.98, 6. Daniel Avery, Garett Askew Jr,
LeVar Nero, Alfred Pryor Jr. 3:39.95. High Jump: 1. Anthony Collica 6-6.25, 2. David Parker 6-6.25, 3. Freddie
Wills 6-4.25, 5. Kevin O’Riley 5-8.50. Pole Vault: 2. Luke Schoen 16-4.75 (IC4A), 3. Michael Dempsey 15-11
(IC4A), 4. David Parker 15-4, T6. Freddie Wills 12-11.50, 10. Kevin O’Riley 10-11.75, Nick Jones NH. Long
Jump: 1. Freddie Wills 24-3.5 (School Record, IC4A), 2. Kyle Nadler 23-4.75 (IC4A), 4. Fred Casimo 23-0, 5.
David Parker 22-9, 6. Dong Ning Hu 22-1, 12. Nick Jones 17-9.75. Triple Jump: 1. Dong Ning Hu 46-5.25, 2.
Kyle Nadler 45-0.50, 3. Kevin O’Riley 44-4.75. Shot Put: 2. Renauld Buck 49-3.50, 4. Will Anger 46-7.50, 5.
Frank Fazzino 45-10, 6. Jordan Meikle 43-9.25. Weight: 2. Kevin Lee 52-7.25, Will Anger FOUL.
Women’s Team Scores: 1. Binghamton 119, UAlbany 116, Syracuse 109.
UAlbany Women’s Results
55 Meter Dash: 4. Sarah Lapierre 7.50, 7. Christen Griffin 7.52, 8. Kamilah McShine 7.57, 11. Sandy Antenor
7.67, 12. Tiffany Sprenkels 7.68, 13. Arielle Roberts 7.71, 14. Valerie Maignan 7.77, 16. Jessica Hunter 7.83,
18. Jessica Antoniades 8.88. 200 Meter Dash: 5. Ashley Vives 26.67, 7. Christen Griffin 27.30, 9. Jessica
unter 27.65, 10. Kamilah McShine 27.66, 11. Arielle Roberts 27.93, 13. Bryanna Hebenstreit 30.28. 400
Biicrcr Dash: 1. Melissa Lee 59.42, 4. Laura Bolognino 1:00.43, 8. Corrine Porter-Stepney 1:01.36. 500 Meter
Dash: 4. Octavia Clarkson 1:19.57, 6. Rebecca Kelly 1:21.60. One Mile Run: 2. Laura Cummings 5:09.14, 6.
Kristine Mun 5:18.16, 10. Briana McNamee 5:50.32. 800 Meter Run: 2. Zuliana Fontanez 2:17.38, 7.
Esperanza Blanco 2:33.71. 1000 Meter Run: 1. Danielle Trimpop 3:05.93, 4. Ally Panos 3:18.96. 3000 Meter
Run: 3. Laine Sefick 11:06.09. 5000 Meter Run: 3. Kristin Grab 20:08.41. 55 Meter Hurdles: 2. Christen
Griffin 8.56, 4. Valerie Maignan 8.70, 9. Bryanna Hebenstreit 12.95. 4x400 Meter Relay: 2. Octavia Clarkson,
Laura Bolognino, Zuliana Fontanez, Melissa Lee 4:00.51, 3. Rebecca Kelly, Corrine Porter-Stepney, Ashley
Vives, Danielle Trimpop 4:09.29. High Jump: 8. Denise Parker 4-9.50. Pole Vault: 2. Krystal Myers 10-0.
@o": Jump: 2. Valerie Maignan 17-4, 3. Tiffany Sprenkels17-2.25. Triple Jump: 2. Tiffany Sprenkels 39-8
(ECAC), 3. Sandy Antenor 38-3.50. Shot Put: 1. Kadine Johnson 43-4.50, 3. Candice Mann 39-2.50, 6.
Ritshell Verdier 38-4.25, 7. Ashley Lewis 38-3. Weight Throw: 1. Kadine Johnson 50-8.25, 3. Ritshell Verdier
47-10.50, 4. Sineaid Corley 45-7, 5. Candice Mann 44-0.
MICHAEL MCCADNEY PLACES THIRD IN TRIPLE JUMP AT TYSON INVITATIONAL
Fayetteville, Ark. - UAlbany’s Michael McCadney placed third in the triple jump to lead the Great Danes on the
second day of Arkansas’ Tyson Invitational.
McCadney registered a leap of 50-feet, 4.50-inches to qualify for the IC4A meet. Freshman Wilfredo
de Jesus Elias recorded a throw of 51-feet, 5-inches in the weight throw.
In women’s competition, Brenna Militello tied for fourth in the high jump by clearing the bar at 5-feet,
6-inches. In the triple jump, junior Jenn Gurrant placed ninth with an ECAC-qualifying distance of 39-feet,
10.75-inches.
The Great Danes return to the track on Friday, February 22 in Boston, Mass. for the America East
Conference Championship.
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Men’s Results
Triple Jump: 3. Michael McCadney 50-4.50 (IC4A). Weight Throw: 24. Wilfredo de Jesus Elias 51-5.
Women’s Results
High Jump: T4. Brenna Militello 5-6. Triple Jump: Jenn Gurrant 39-10.75 (ECAC).
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 16, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
ALBAN
VERMONT UPENDS UALBANY IN BATTLE FOR SECOND PLACE IN A-EAST STANDINGS
Albany, N.Y. — Amy Rosenkrantz and Courtnay Pilypaitis each had 17 points in leading Vermont to a
68-48 America East Conference victory over UAlbany on Saturday afternoon at SEFCU Arena. The
Catamounts, who have won seven of their last nine games, moved into sole possession of second
place in the conference standings.
The Great Danes, who trailed by as much as 15 in the opening half, closed within 34-30 early
in the final period on an offensive rebound basket by Gia Sanders, a senior forward who had five
points and 11 rebounds off the bench. Vermont (17-7, AE 8-3) responded with nine unanswered.
Rosenkrantz, who made 7-of-10 from field, scored six in that run. She canned jumpers from the
baseline and left elbow and later sank two foul shots for a 43-30 advantage with 15:51 remaining.
The Catamounts, who held the home team to 28.8-percent shooting on 19-of-66 attempts,
were still anead 49-38, but then pulled away with eight straight points. Pilypaitis, who recorded a
triple-double in her last outing, hit a driving layup before May Kotsopoulos drilled a three-point field
goal from the left corner. Pilypaitis, wno added a career-high 14 rebounds to her scoring total, then
connected on a three-point play when she was fouled on a scoop shot in the lane that provided her
team with a commanding 19-point margin.
“That was a great team effort,” said Vermont coach Sharon Dawley, whose squad beat
conference-leader Hartford three days ago. “We played unselfish basketball. Albany creates
@raichup problems with their lineup, but we did a nice job on the boards and defensively.”
Vermont rolled to a 9-0 lead at the start as UAlbany (9-15, AE 7-4) missed its opening eight
field goal tries. The Catamounts were still in front 22-17, but then tallied 12 of the game’s next 14
points. Kelli Poles, a 6-foot-1 junior who had 10 of her 14 points in the period, hit a turnaround in the
lane and Sy Janousek nailed a 3-pointer to ignite that outburst. Poles, who made 7-of-12 from the
floor and grabbed nine rebounds, would later put back a missed three-pointer before Pilypaitis made
two free throws for a 34-19 cushion.
The Great Danes, who had their five-game win streak halted, the longest since December
1998, got back into the contest by the intermission. Freshman guard Janea Aiken, who had all 12 of
her points before the break, delivered a 3-pointer from the left corner. Britney McGee knifed through
the lane for layup and Sherri Mikus split two free throws to slice the deficit to six at halftime.
“We didn't take the shots that we wanted, we took the shots that they gave us,” said Sanders,
whose club was held to a season-low point total. “We needed more intensity and a determination to
win. You can't get in a hole like we did.”
Added UAlbany coach Trina Patterson, “They are a good team that just beat Hartford. We are
trying to get there. We had the effort, but they countered everything with offense and rebounding.
We were not able to get a lot inside touches and were not as patient.”
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 15, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
ALBAN
VALETE GRAHAM SETS SCHOOL RECORD IN LONG JUMP AT TYSON INVITATIONAL
Fayetteville, Ark. - UAlbany’s Valete Graham set the school record in the long jump to lead the Great Danes at
Arkansas’ Tyson Invitational on Friday, Feb. 15 in Fayetteville, Ark.
Graham, a sophomore from Bronx, N.Y., registered a leap of 23-feet, 11.75-inches to place third in the
long jump. Graham’s jump eclipsed the previous record of 23-feet, 11.5-inches set by Luis Soto in 2000.
In the 60-meter dash, junior Pat Weider crossed the finish line in 7.13 seconds, the fastest of the
season by a Great Dane. Junior Jean Juste, the reigning America East Conference track performer of the
week, finished the 60-meter hurdles in 8.20 seconds
Day two of the Tyson Invitational begins at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16.
-agate-
60 Meter Hurdles: 29. Jean Juste 8.20. 60 Meter Dash: 69. Pat Weider 7.13. Long Jump: 3. Valete Graham
23-11.75 (School Record, IC4A).
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 2
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 14, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
9 (ALBAN
JON IATI’S SEASON-HIGH 23 LEADS UALBANY TO 74-60 AMERICA EAST ROAD WIN
Orono, Maine — Jon lati scored a season-high 23 points to pace four players in double figures in
leading UAlbany to a 74-60 victory over Maine in America East Conference play on Thursday evening
at Harold Alfond Sports Arena. The Great Danes, who have won four of their last five games, moved
above the .500 mark for the first time since mid-December.
Maine (7-17, AE 3-8) leaped to a 10-2 lead in the opening minutes when Philippe Tchekane
Bofia canned a three-point field goal from the top of the arc. Tchekane Bofia, a 6-foot-6 junior who
made his first seven field goal attempts, and had 17 first-half points, helped his team push out to a
23-13 advantage. Sean McNally scored in lane from a driving Sean Costigan to give the Black Bears
their 10-point cushion.
The Great Danes, who got off to a tough start by missing their opening seven shots from the
floor, still trailed 27-19 after Troy Barnies converted a drive from the right side. But UAlbany (13-12,
AE 8-5) kicked it in high gear over the final six minutes of the period with 20 unanswered. lati, a 5’9”
senior, buried back-to-back 3-pointers to tie the contest at 27 apiece. Freshman guard Josh Martin
then put his team ahead with a fastbreak layup following a steal. lati sank another long-range jumper,
while Al Turley hit two free throws and made a turnaround in the lane to help their club post a 39-27
halftime margin.
eo The Black Bears, who came from behind to record an 81-70 victory in the first meeting
etween these teams on Jan. 23 at SEFCU Arena, closed within 44-39 when Barnies connected on a
three-point play when he was fouled while scoring off an inbounds pass. UAlbany still led 50-44 with
13:42 remaining, but then tallied 12 of the game’s next 15 points to pull away. Martin canned a three-
pointer from the right wing to begin that run. Brian Lillis, who totaled 10 points, seven assists and five
rebounds, keyed the end of that decisive stretch. He converted a jump hook in the lane and set up
Brian Connelly and Turley on two other baskets for a commanding 62-47 lead.
“The first 10 minutes we were flat on offense and defense,” said UAlbany coach Will Brown,
whose team held Maine to 41.2-percent shooting. “As we started to get stops, we started to make
shots. We played very good basketball on both ends of the floor. Once we got confident, we did
some very good things."
lati, who made 6-of-9 from the three-point arc, and added five rebounds and four assists, later
made a 6-foot jumper after gathering an offensive board and found Lillis open on the right blocks to
give his team its largest lead at 68-49 with 4:48 to play. Connelly, who made 6-of-10 from the field,
finished with 14 points, while Brent Wilson was the fourth player in twin figures with 13.
"My toe has been feeling better, so when I'm on the floor pain free, its easier out there,”
explained lati, who registered his highest point total since netting 25 against Utah Valley State on
Dec. 30, 2006. “I am able to get a lot of open shots, because when we get an offensive rebound they
are able to kick it out to me on the perimeter while my defender is going for the ball."
Bofia ended up with 19 points and five rebounds for the Black Bears, who played without
injured starting guard Junior Bernal and sixth-man Brian Andre. Mark Socoby, the team’s leading
scorer, scored 12 of his 14 points in the final stanza. McNally and Kaimondre Owes had 11 and 10
ec" respectively.
"Our defense was to make sure we knew where (Mark) Socoby was,” said Connelly, a double-
figure scorer for the 15th time this season. “We feel good about this game and our performance.
Hopefully we can ride this train and keep the momentum going into next week’s game with UMBC
(Feb. 20)."
0.
Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 14, 2008 Brianna LaBrecque / 518-442-5733
ALBAN
UALBANY SOFTBALL PICKED SECOND IN AMERICA EAST PRESEASON POLL
Cambridge, Mass. — The defending America East Conference champion University at Albany softball
team has been chosen to finish second in the conference standings, according to the preseason poll of
the league’s head coaches. Boston University, which has appeared in five of the last six championship
title games, was chosen first with five first-place votes, as announced on Thursday, Feb. 14.
UAlbany won its third straight America East Conference championship last season and reached
the NCAA Regional Finals for the first time in school history. The Great Danes, who posted a 35-17
record, defeated Harvard and Hofstra to advance to the 2007 regional final against nationally-ranked
Baylor.
Two all-conference first-team standouts return this year, including sophomore second baseman
Michelle Connors (Shenendehowa) and senior outfielder Amber Maisonet. Connors finished second in the
conference with 41 runs scored and belted nine home runs. Maisonet ended up leading the conference in
batting average (.382) and hits (65) after going 7-for-19 in the postseason.
UAlbany is led in the circle by all-conference rookie team member Leah Mcintosh, who went 11-6
on the mound as a freshman with a 3.02 ERA. Mcintosh tossed four complete-game shutouts and fanned
158 opposing batters
Head coach Chris Cannata, whose team opens the season on Feb. 29 against Maine at the
Stetson Invitational in Florida, will be working with a very young team this spring. With just two seniors
and one junior on the roster, the Great Danes feature eight sophomores and seven freshmen. Brittney
@>.s (Schenectady), a first-year hurler, posted a 1.03 ERA as a high school senior and was named to the
all-area first team.
The 2008 America East Championship will be held on May 8-10 at the highest seed that has a field
with lights.
-agate-
2008 America East Conference Softball Poll
1. Boston U. (5), 47, 2. UAlbany (2), 42, 3. UMBC (1), 35, 4. Stony Brook, 34, 5. Hartford, 23, 6. Maine,
22, 7. Vermont, 12, 8. Binghamton, 9.
UALBANY BASKETBALL SUPPORTS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS WITH “THINK PINK”
Albany, N.Y. — The University at Albany’s women’s basketball program will show their support of the
Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s (WBCA) Breast Cancer Awareness Week on Saturday, Feb.
16 when the Great Danes meet America East Conference opponent Vermont. Tip-off at SEFCU Arena is
2:00 p.m.
More than 900 teams nationally are supporting the WBCA’s “Think Pink” initiative. The “Think
Pink” program is a global, unified effort by the organization’s nation of coaches to assist in raising breast
cancer awareness on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond.
UAlbany is encouraging all fans to wear pink to Saturday’s game to show their support for the
cause. Those that make a $2.00 donation to the Breast Cancer Fund will receive free admission.
Members of the men’s basketball team will be among many UAlbany student-athletes and athletic staff
who will be in attendance.
In addition, all fans will be eligible for a grand prize drawing during the game. A lucky fan will
@": two basketball (chair back) and two football seasons tickets for the 2008-09 season. Giveaways
include UAlbany gear and t-shirts, Mangia’s Restaurant gift certificates and free ice cream from Cold
Stone Creamery. For tickets or to make a donation, contact the UAlbany Athletic Ticket Office at 518-
442-4683.
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 2
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 13, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
9 (ALBAN
UALBANY RECORDS FIFTH STRAIGHT WIN IN 69-54 AMERICA EAST VICTORY AT MAINE
Orono, Maine — Gia Sanders scored a career-high 19 points and Kristin Higy added 15 in leading
UAlbany to its fifth consecutive victory with a 69-54 America East Conference triumph over Maine on
Wednesday evening at Harold Alfond Sports Arena. The Great Danes, who swept the season series
for the first time since joining the conference seven years ago, own their longest winning streak since
December 1998.
The Great Danes, who shot 51.7 percent from the field in the opening half, jumped out to an
11-2 lead when Sanders drilled a three-point field goal from right of the key. UAlbany (9-14, AE 7-3)
was still ahead 24-19, but then rattled off 12 of the game’s next 16 points. Sanders, who made all
five of her field goal attempts in the period, scored seven in that span, including a three-point basket.
Higy, a 61” senior who had 12 first-half points, nailed a 3-pointer from the top of the arc for a 36-23
cushion. But the Black Bears tallied seven unanswered to end the half. Kris Younan had a pair of
baskets, and Sandra Vaitkute converted a jump hook.
In the second half, Maine’s Tanna Ross connected on a three-point play when she was fouled
on a turnaround in the lane that closed the gap to 39-33. The Great Danes responded with a 16-2
run to pull away. TaNika Thrower made a spinning jumper before Charity Iromuanya hit a layup
following a steal to ignite that outburst. Sanders, who made 8-of-10 from the floor and grabbed six
@ erounas in 22 minutes, later buried a three-pointer and an 8-footer from right of the lane. Britney
McGee, who handed out a career-high 10 assists and had four steals, made a long-range jumper for
a 55-35 lead with 12:18 remaining.
"It takes a lot of toughness to win on the road,” said UAlbany coach Trina Patterson, whose
team is tied for second place and one game behind league-leader Hartford in the conference
standings. “Our defense was tremendous and that's what we strive on. We used our pressure and
athleticism to create turnovers. Our pressure defense helps when teams are much bigger than us
(like Maine)."
Maine (6-17, AE 3-7) got as close as 63-51 with 4:54 to play when Colleen Kilmurray sank a 3-
pointer from the right wing. Sanders, a 6-foot-1 senior, followed with a layup on the baseline.
lromuanya made two free throws and Sherri Mikus canned a short jumper to help end the threat. The
Great Danes won for the first time in six trips to Alfond Arena.
"We knew Maine was going to come out hot, looking for revenge from the last game, so we
knew we had to dominate,” explained Sanders, whose team posted a 78-46 victory in the first
meeting on Jan. 13 at SEFCU Arena. “When we are dominating teams, we are not thinking about it.
We play off our energy and instinct."
Sophomore guard Amanda Tewksbury totaled 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Black Bears,
who were held to 35.8-percent shooting on 19-of-53 attempts. Kilmurray and Ross added 10 points
apiece. Maine was coming off back-to-back home wins, but turned the ball over 24 times.
"We are conditioned really well,” offered Higy, who scored in double figures for the 15th time
this season. “We have a great bench that keeps up the intensity. Sometimes they maintain it, and
sometimes it gives us a bigger spark. Our defense sparks our offense, and we are able to create
Gp rportunits.
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(ALBAN
Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 13, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
UALBANY BASEBALL SELECTED THIRD IN 2008 AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE PRESEASON POLL
Cambridge, Mass. — The defending America East Conference champion University at Albany baseball team
has been chosen to finish in a tie for third in the conference standings, according to the preseason poll of the
league’s head coaches. Stony Brook, who has appeared in the last two America East postseason
tournaments, was picked first and received four first-place votes, as announced on Wednesday, Feb. 13.
UAlbany, who won its first America East Conference Championship last season and reached the NCAA
Regionals for the first time in school history, returns 18 letterwinners, including three position player starters
and six pitchers who were in the rotation, from last year’s 29-29 squad. The Great Danes offense is led by all-
conference selections Dave West and Sean Donovan. West, a first-team outfielder, hit .267 with four home
runs and 14 RBI as a sophomore. Donovan, a second-team selection, batted .322 with 34 runs scored and 37
RBI.
UAlbany is led on the mound by all-conference reliever Alexander Beaulieu and senior Casey Walsh.
Beaulieu, who was named to the first team as a junior, led the America East with 10 saves in 24 appearances
out of the bullpen and registered a team-best 2.81 ERA. Walsh recorded a team-high 57 strikeouts last season
and had a 5-6 record.
Head Coach Jon Mueller, whose team opens the season on Feb. 22 against lowa at the Clearwater
Invitational, added an accomplished incoming class for the 2008 season. Junior college transfers Nate Novak
and Gary Pitcheralle and freshman Kyle Crean are expected to make contributions this season. Novak, a two-
time first team All-Region III selection at Hudson Valley Community College, joins the rotation, while
@ itcreratte, a two-time All-Region III first-team selection at Alfred State, will see time in the outfield.
The 2008 America East Championship will be held on May 22-24 at the highest seed that has a field
with lights.
-agate-
2008 America East Conference Baseball Poll
1. Stony Brook (4), 32, 2. Binghamton (2), 28, t8. Albany (1), 24, t8. Maine 24, 5. Vermont 21, 6. Hartford 10, 7.
UMBC 8.
2).
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Contact: Brian DePasquale
(518) 442-3072
UALBANY FOOTBALL HAS 12 STUDENT-ATHLETES SIGN NATIONAL LETTERS OF INTENT
Albany, N.Y. — University at Albany head football coach Bob Ford announced today that 12 student-athletes have
signed national letters of intent to play for the Great Danes in the 2008-09 academic year. UAlbany won the
Northeast Conference championship and earned a Gridiron Classic berth with an 8-4 record last season.
The 2008 signing class features four players from the state of New York, plus three from Georgia and
one each from Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland. The breakdown by position includes one
quarterback, one offensive lineman, one wide receiver, one running back, one defensive linemen, five lineback-
ers and two defensive backs.
“We were able to get our top choices at inside linebacker and two solid outside linebackers," said Ford,
who is first among active Division | FCS coaches with 225 career victories. "We also did well in the state of
Georgia where we recruited two excellent cover corners and a sturdy defensive tackle. On offense, Andrew
Smith is one of the better football players in the state of New York with his all-around talent and agility. His
teammate Paul Booker is an H-Back type with height and strength."
r The Great Danes picked up five linebackers to complement their nationally-ranked defense. Dave
Plungas was named to the Associated Press Division III All-Ohio first team after recording 117 tackles and
three sacks. He earned a spot on the Ohio roster in the Big 33 Classic and was named to the All-Northeast
Ohio and All-Lake County squads. Plungas (6-2, 220) led Mentor Lake Catholic H.S. to the state semifinals.
Jake Ciccarello (5-11, 215) was chosen honorable mention Class 6A all-state in Florida after making 107
tackles, including 19 hits for a loss and three sacks. He competed in the 2007 Central Florida All-Star Game.
Chris Wilk (6-2, 225) was named second-team all-city by the Philadelphia Daily News. He led his team to the
Public League championship. Marc Holloway (6-2, 180) and Jonathan Morgan (6-2, 210) are expected to be
positioned at outside linebacker. Holloway was tabbed honorable mention All-Greater Rochester by the Demo-
crat & Chronicle. Morgan was an All-Division linebacker and receiver and a Suffolk County "Golden 11" Scholar-
Athlete.
UAlbany signed a pair of Capital Region players who led Guilderland High to the Section II championship
game. Andrew Smith, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound quarterback, was named to the Class AA all-state second team
by the New York State Sportswriters Association. Aconsensus All-Area selection, Smith rushed for 994 yards
and passed for 552 while accounting for 17 touchdowns. Smith was chosen Daily Gazette Area Offensive
Player of the Year. Running back Paul Booker (6-4, 210) rushed for 844 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was a
member of the Troy RecordAll-Area first team and was a second-team pick by the A/bany Times Union.
Three high school standouts from the state of Georgia will be playing defense for the Great Danes in the
future. Michael Longo (6-2, 260) earned second-team All-Gwinnett County honors as a defensive end and
played in the Gwinnett all-star contest. Nick Crockett (5-10, 165) received the Gwinnett Touchdown Club's
Cecil Morris Award that is annually given to all-county caliber players who were injured. Crockett, a defensive
ack, led Grayson High to a 10-3 record and a Class AAAAA Elite Eight appearance, but missed part of the
season with a broken leg. Rashad Head (5-10, 180) was chosen Gwinnett County defensive back and special
teams player of the week.
MORE
I I EE IN
UAlbany Football 2-2-2
© Jordan Migliore, a 6-foot-6, 270-pound lineman from Closter, N.J., was an honorable mention
All-Bergen County offensive tackle and member of the North Bergen Interscholastic Athletic League first
team. Wide receiver Nick Hutcherson was named to the Baltimore SunAll-City team and received All-
Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Conference accolades. He totaled 237 receiving yards and two touch-
downs and ran for 239 yards and three scores as a senior.
2008 University at Albany Football Signings
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School)
Paul Booker RB 6-4 210 Schenectady, N.Y. (Guilderland)
Jake Ciccarello ILB 5-11. 215 Altamonte Springs, Fla. (Winter Springs)
Nick Crockett DB 5-10 165 Loganville, Ga. (Grayson)
Rashad Head DB 5-10 180 Lawrenceville, Ga. (Collins Hill)
Nick Hutcherson WR 5-9 160 Baltimore, Md. (Mount St. Joseph)
Marc Holloway OLB 6-2 180 Rochester, N.Y. (East)
Michael Longo DL 6-2 260 Lawrenceville, Ga. (Central Gwinnett)
Jordan Migliore OL 6-6 270 Closter, N.J. (Demarest Northern Valley Regional)
Jonathan Morgan OLB 6-2 210 Copiague, N.Y. (Copiague)
Andrew Smith QB 6-2 $=(.210 Schenectady, N.Y. (Guilderland)
Chris Wilk LB 6-2 225 ~ Philadelphia, Pa. (Archbishop Ryan)
-3(0-
Dave Plungas ILB 6-2 220 Concord Township, Ohio (Mentor Lake Catholic)
Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 12, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
9 (ALBAN
UALBANY PICKED TO WIN AMERICA EAST MEN’S LACROSSE TITLE IN PRESEASON POLL
Cambridge, Mass. — After reaching the NCAA quarterfinal round last year, the University at Albany is the
unanimous choice to capture the 2008 America East Conference championship, as voted by the league’s head
coaches in a preseason poll. UAlbany is coming off a season in which the program won its fourth America
East title in the last five years.
The Great Danes, who begin their schedule on Saturday, Feb. 23 against top-ranked Johns Hopkins on
ESPNU, return 24 letterwinners off last year’s school-record 15-3 team. Tewaaraton Trophy candidate Jordan
Levine is the top returning scorer with 23 goals and 16 assists. Levine, who set the school’s Division | record
with 91 ground balls, earned second-team USILA All-America recognition in 2007. Brett Queener, an
honorable mention All-America goalkeeper, had a 9.68 goals against average with a .520 save percentage.
Head coach Scott Marr, the 2007 USILA Division | National Coach of the Year, will continue to play an
up-tempo style despite losing two of the program’s all-time scorers. Corey Small, a left-handed attacker, had
24 goals and seven assists, while feeder Derek Dale totaled 20 goals and 18 assists. Brian Caufield, one of
the nation’s top incoming freshmen, figures to move right into the first attack line.
Craig McDonald, a first-team all-conference selection, is a member of a veteran defensive group. Mike
and Steve Ammann, twin brothers who were second-team all-league midfielders, elevated their play last
season.
The 2008 America East Championship will be held on May 1 and 3 at the No. 1 seed’s home facility.
-agate-
@ ooo: America East Conference Men’s Lacrosse Poll
1. Albany (5), 25, 2. UMBC (1), 19, 3. Binghamton 17, 4. Stony Brook 14, 5. Vermont 8, 6. Hartford 7.
GREAT DANES TIED FOR FOURTH IN AMERICA EAST WOMEN’S LACROSSE PRESEASON POLL
Cambridge, Mass. — In a preseason poll of America East Conference head coaches, the University at Albany
women’s lacrosse program has been chosen to finish in a tie for fourth in the conference standings. Boston
University, the defending champion, was picked first and received four first-place votes.
UAlbany took the first step in challenging for a conference title on an annual basis when the Great
Danes reached last year’s tournament championship final for the first time. Head coach Lindsey Hart has led
the program to pair of eight-win campaigns in her first two seasons.
The Great Danes have 12 letterwinners, including six starters, returning from last year’s 8-9 squad.
UAlbany’s midfield begins with all-conference standout Kayla Best and senior Brittany Scott. Best, a second-
team selection, totaled 32 goals and 10 assists as a freshman. Scott, who had 16 goals and eight assists,
added 24 ground balls and 28 draw controls. Christine Grueniger was a member of the 2007 America East all-
rookie team after registering 28 goals and three assists from her attack position. Julie Bush, an all-rookie
choice two years ago, bolsters the offense after missing most of last season with an injury.
UAlbany will rely on an accomplished freshman class when the Great Danes open at nationally-ranked
North Carolina on Feb. 23. Tee Ladouceur and Nikki Branchini, a pair of high school All-Americans, represent
this group. Ladouceur and Branchini were the Capital Region’s area offensive and defensive players of the
year, respectively.
The 2008 America East Championship will be held on April 25 and 27 at the No. 1 seed’s home facility.
-agate-
008 America East Conference Women’s Lacrosse Poll
1. Boston U. (4), 35, 2. New Hampshire (1), 29, 3. Stony Brook (1), 27, t4. Albany, 19, t4. UMBC, 19, 6.
Vermont 11, 7. Binghamton 6.
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 12, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
ALBAN
JEAN JUSTE AND LUKE SCHOEN RECOGNIZED BY AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE
Cambridge, Mass. — University at Albany’s Jean Juste and Luke Schoen have been named America East
Conference men’s indoor track and field performers of the week, as announced by the conference office on
Tuesday afternoon. Each athlete was recognized for the second time this season.
Juste, a junior from Hempstead, N.Y., has been selected as the track performer of the week. Juste
placed second in the 55-meter hurdles in an |C4A-qualifying time of 7.52 seconds at Boston University’s
Valentine Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Boston U. Track & Tennis Center. Juste, whose performance
was the second-fastest in the America East this year, was previously honored by the conference for the week
ending Jan. 27.
Schoen, a sophomore from Bohemia, N.Y., has been chosen field performer of the week. Schoen
placed second in the pole vault with a record-tying and IC4A-qualifying height of 16-feet, 8.75-inches at Boston
University’s Valentine Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Boston U. Track & Tennis Center in Boston Mass.
Schoen’s performance tied his own school record set at Yale’s Giegengack Invitational on Feb. 2 and is the
second-highest mark in the America East this season. Schoen received his first weekly honor from the America
East for the week ending Jan. 20.
The Great Danes return to the track for a pair of meets on Friday, Feb. 15, at the Tyson Invitational in
Fayetteville, Arkansas and a three-way meet at Binghamton University.
© -30-
Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 2
R For Immediate Release For Further Information
AL N February 11, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
UALBANY SWEEPS SEASON SERIES IN 64-61 WIN AT VERMONT
Burlington, Vt. - Tim Ambrose had 19 points and Brian Lillis and Jon lati each had 13 in leading UAlbany to a
64-61 America East Conference victory over Vermont on Monday evening before 2,626 fans at Patrick
Gymnasium. The Great Danes swept the season series for the first time since joining the conference in 2001.
UAlbany (12-12, AE 7-5) trailed 55-52 with 3:25 remaining, but went back ahead on consecutive three-
point field goals by lati and Brent Wilson, a 6-foot-8 forward who drilled his shot from the left corner. The Great
Danes were still ahead 62-58 when Lillis sank two foul shots. However, Lillis fouled Kyle Cieplicki on the next
possession while attempting a 3-point basket. After Cieplicki made all three from the line, lati was fouled in the
backcourt with 5.6 seconds left. The senior guard connected on both shots for a 64-61 lead and Cieplicki was
forced to heave a 3-pointer that fell short at the buzzer.
The Great Danes, who held UVM to 32.8-percent shooting overall, led 46-41 with 6:50 to play on a pair
of free throws by lati, who did all of his scoring in the final period. But Vermont (12-11, AE 7-4) wiped out that
deficit with eight unanswered. Mike Trimboli, who had 15 points, nailed a three-pointer in that run. Marqus
Blakely came up with a steal and slam dunk for a 49-46 advantage.
UAlbany would catch the Catamounts at 50-all on a reverse slam dunk on the right baseline by Lillis,
who added eight rebounds and six assists. UVM's Timothy McCrory made two free throws to put his team
back ahead and set up the dramatic ending. Blakely, a 6'5" sophomore, finished with 18 points and 16
rebounds, his tenth double-double of the season. The Catamounts slid back into a tie for second place in the
league standings with Hartford.
"We are definitely the Jekyll and Hyde of the America East,” said UAlbany head coach Will Brown,
hose team won at Vermont in regular season play for the first time. “When we play with energy we are
capable of beating anyone. | am proud of our defensive effort. We mixed up the defenses and that seemed to
bother Vermont. Marqus Blakely is the best athlete we play against. We crowded and doubled to keep him off
balance."
Both teams got off to a slow start offensively in the opening half. UAlbany led 16-12 when Ambrose
converted a fastbreak layup. The Catamounts, who shot 31 percent from the field, drew even at 18 apiece on
Chad Powlovich's basket. UAlbany's Ambrose made back-to-back shots for a 22-18 advantage. But Blakely
tipped in Trimboli's missed jumper to tie the contest 22-all at the intermission.
“Defense has been our Achilles heel,” said Brian Lillis, wno extended his double-figure, scoring streak
to 23 straight. “We have a small margin of error. The coaches did a great job of preparing us for what they
run. Tim Ambrose stepped up his game and (Jon) lati and Brent (Wilson) made some big shots."
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February 11, 2008 Brianna LaBrecque / 518-442-5733
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UALBANY’S GIA SANDERS AND JANEA AIKEN EARN WEEKLY CONFERENCE AWARDS
Cambridge, Mass. — Senior forward Gia Sanders and freshman guard Janea Aiken earned America East
Conference Player and Rookie of the Week honors, respectively, as announced by the conference office on
Monday afternoon. It is the first honor of the season for both.
Sanders led the Great Danes to their third and fourth consecutive wins last week, as she averaged 13.0
points and 8.0 rebounds in the two games. In a 76-50 win over Boston U., Sanders scored 15 points and
grabbed six rebounds, going 6-of-10 from the floor, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range. In a 67-50 win over
New Hampshire, Sanders recorded her fifth double-double of the season with an 11-point, 10-rebound
performance. She also recorded five steals against the Wildcats. Sanders, who did not commit a turnover in
the two games, is averaging 7.7 points and a team-high 6.9 rebounds on the season, and continues to lead the
team with 41 steals and 32 blocks.
Aiken also helped lead the Great Danes to an undefeated week in conference play, averaging 11.5
points and 4.0 assists per game, shooting a team-high 76.9-percent from the floor. Aiken scored 12 points to
go along with six assists and two rebounds against Boston U., shooting 6-of-8 from the floor. In a win over New
Hampshire on Sunday, Aiken scored 11 points, going 4-of-5 from the floor, including 2-for-2 from 3-point range.
She added two assists and one steal in 21 minutes of action against the Wildcats. Aiken is scoring at a 7.5 clip
for the Great Danes on the season.
UAlbany (8-14, AE 6-3) is currently tied with Vermont for second place in the conference standings.
The Great Danes travel to Maine on Wednesday to close out the season series with the Black Bears.
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February 10, 2008 Brianna LaBrecque / 518-442-5733
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UALBANY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL DEFEATS UNH, 67-50, FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN
Albany, N.Y. — Kristin Higy and Gia Sanders both recorded double-doubles while Britney McGee scored a
team-high 13 points to lead the UAlbany women’s basketball team to a 67-50 win over New Hampshire in
America East Conference play on Sunday afternoon. The Great Danes have now won four straight games, the
first time since the 1999-2000 season that the team has won four consecutive contests.
New Hampshire (6-15, AE 3-6) jumped out to an early 5-0 lead after Amy Simpson hit a 3-pointer at
19:57 to start the game. The Wildcats were able to build up a nine-point lead, 15-6 with 12:14 on the clock on a
3-pointer by Ashley Cerniglia. UAlbany cut the lead to 17-14 at 8:50, but Simpson and Candace Williams
scored on back-to-back possessions to hold an eight-point advantage with 7:28 on the clock.
Freshman guard Janea Aiken hit a 3-pointer with 3:40 left to play to give the Great Danes their first lead
of the game, 26-24, with 3:40 to play in the half. Kim Clements hit a jumper in the paint with under a minute left
to play, but Simpson hit her third trey of the first half to end the period and hold UAlbany to a four-point
advantage, 33-29, at the half.
New Hampshire cut the lead to one early in the second half, but UAlbany built up an 11-point lead, 48-
37, with 9:21 to play on a layup by Aiken off a Higy steal. Simpson pulled the Wildcats to within six with 7:14 on
the clock, but UAlbany embarked on a 12-2 run to get ahead by 18, 65-47, with three minutes to play. McGee
drove a layup in the paint with under a minute to go to set the final 17-point advantage.
Higy finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds to go along with three steals, one block and an assist,
while Sanders recorded 11 points, 10 boards and five steals. Aiken added 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting from
the floor, including 2-for-2 from 3-point range.
© “l’m proud of our team effort,” said UAlbany head coach Trina Patterson, whose team swept a single-
season series from a conference opponent for the first time since the 2003-04 season. “We played a little
sloppy at first, but | had total confidence in our players. Our bench players were crucial in this win. We are
playing extremely well.”
Simpson, who was named the America East player of the game along with Higy, scored a game-high
19 points for New Hampshire. Williams added10 points and nine rebounds for the Wildcats, who were forced
into 27 turnovers by the Great Danes.
ELEVEN GREAT DANES QUALIFY FOR IC4A MEET AT BOSTON UNIVERSITY’S VALENTINE
INVITATIONAL
Boston, Mass. — UAlbany’s Luke Schoen tied his own school record as 11 Great Danes qualified for the IC4A
meet at the Boston U. Valentine Invitational at the Boston U. Track and Tennis Center.
schoen tied his own pole vault school record by clearing the bar at an IC4A-qualifying height of 16-feet,
8.75-inches. He set the record at last week’s Giegengack Invitational at Yale. Freshman Michael Dempsey
also turned in an IC4A-qualifying performance in the pole vault of 15-feet, 9-inches. Three Great Danes
registered IC4A qualifying times in the 55-meter hurdles. Junior Jean Juste placed second with a time of 7.52
seconds, junior Joe Greene finished third in 7.55 seconds and freshman Daniel Avery came in seventh in 7.68
seconds.
In the 55-meter dash, senior Dieuseul Joseph qualified for the IC4A meet with a fifth-place time of 6.46
seconds. A pair of UAlbany sprinters qualified for the |C4A meet in the 200-meter dash. Freshman Torshiro
Jenkins placed 12th in 22.18, while junior Pat Weider crossed the line in 22.19 seconds. In the 800-meter run,
freshman Tyler Fogarty qualified for the IC4A meet with a time of 1:54.46. The UAlbany 4x400-meter relay
@ean of Andrew Overbaugh, Jenkins, Joe Belokopitsky and Fogarty finished with an IC4A-qualifying time of
3:18.33.
The Great Danes return to the track for a pair of meets on Friday, Feb. 15 at the Tyson Invitational in
Fayetteville, Arkansas and a three-way meet at Binghamton University.
CONTINUED
PAGE 2-of-2
UAlbany Men’s Results
5 Meter Dash: 5. Dieuseul Joseph 6.46 (IC4A), 15. Pat Weider 6.59, 33. Kyle Nadler 6.73, 34. Raphael Jean
Baptiste 6.73, 51. Drew Harrison 6.81, 56. Valete Graham 6.84. 55 Meter Hurdles: 2. Jean Juste 7.52 (IC4A),
3. Joe Greene 7.55 (IC4A), 7. Daniel Avery 7.68 (IC4A), 23. Nick Assini 8.04, 47. Mohamed Kanu 8.38, 49.
Alfred Pryor Jr. 8.40, 56. Garrett Askew Jr. 8.52. 200 Meter Dash: 12. Torshiro Jenkins 22.18 (IC4A), 13. Pat
Weider 22.19 (IC4A), 32. Dieuseul Joseph 22.47, 75. Jeffery Barnes 22.86, 76. Raphael Jean Baptiste 22.87,
111. Drew Harrison 23.26. 400 Meter Dash: 42. Andrew Overbaugh 49.87. 500 Meter Dash: 25. Alan
Nimblette 1:06.52. 800 Meter Run: 24. Tyler Fogarty 1:54.46 (IC4A), 34. Joe Belokopitsky 1:55.26, 62. Bryan
Lasky 1:57.32.
3,000 Meter Run: 129. David Rothman 9:17.07, 140. Jon Hilbert 9:24.30. 5,000 Meter Run: 66. Brian
Yurkewecz 15:10.97. 4x400 Relay: 12. Andrew Overbaugh, Torshiro Jenkins, Joe Belokopitsky, Tyler Fogarty
3:18.33 (IC4A), 33. Alan Nimblette, Bryan Lasky, Drew Harrison, Raphael Jean Baptiste 3:24.46. Pole Vault:
2. Luke Schoen 16-8.75 (IC4A, School Record), 5. Michael Dempsey 15-9 (IC4A). High Jump: 15. Anthony
Collica 6-2. Long Jump: 18. Kevin O’Riley 21-2. Triple Jump: 14. Kyle Nadler 44-3.50, 16. Dong Ning Hu 44-
0.75, 19. Ray Gilman 42-11.75. Shot Put: 22. Renauld Buck 47-10.50, 32. Will Anger 44-11.50, 35. Frank
Fazzino 43-7, 46. Jordan Meikle 41-1.50. Weight Throw: 10. Will Anger 53-7, 11. Wilfredo de Jesus Elias 53-
6.25, 25. Kevin Lee 49-2.25.
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February 9, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
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UALBANY WOMEN’S TRACK COMPETES AT BOSTON UNIVERSITY’S VALENTINE INVITATIONAL
Boston, Mass. — Freshman Christen Griffin placed 10th in the 55-meter hurdles to lead UAlbany at the Boston
U. Valentine Invitational at the Boston U. Track and Tennis Center.
Griffin crossed the finish line in 8.56 seconds in the 55-meter hurdles to place tenth. Juniors Laura
Cummings and Melissa Lee turned in the top performances of the season by a Great Dane in each of their
events. Cummings crossed the line in the 3,000-meter run in 10:03.06, while Lee had a time of 58.53 seconds
in the 400-meter dash. In the 55-meter dash, Sarah Lapierre (7.61) and Jenn Gurrant (7.62) each turned in
their top performances of the year. Gurrant and Ashley Vives each finished the 200-meter dash in 26.42
seconds for the top times in the event this year by a Great Dane.
Senior Brenna Militello cleared the bar at 5-feet, 4.25-inches in the high jump for a 12th place finish. In
the shot put and long jump, the Great Danes received a pair of top-20 finishes. Kadine Johnson (40-1 1.50)
came in 13th and Candice Mann (39-9.25) placed 17th in the shot put, while Tiffany Sprenkels (16-10) placed
14th and Arina Gerasimova (16-9.75) finished 17th in the long jump.
The Great Danes return to the track for a pair of meets on Friday, Feb. 15 at the Tyson Invitational in
Fayetteville, Arkansas and a three-way meet at Binghamton University.
UAlbany Women’s Results
55 Meter Dash: 39. Sarah Lapierre 7.61, 40. Jenn Gurrant 7.62. 55 Meter Hurdles: 10. Christen Griffin 8.56.
200 Meter Dash: 50. Ashley Vives 26.42, 51. Jenn Gurrant 26.42, 80. Christen Griffin 26.85, 84. Sandy
Antenor 26.96, 88. Laura Bolognino 27.00, 129. Sarah Lapierre 28.02. 400 Meter Dash: 22. Melissa Lee
@s.53. 59. Octavia Clarkson 1:00.86. 500 Meter Dash: 27. Rebecca Kelly 1:19.52. 800 Meter Run: 42. Zuliana
Fontanez 2:20.53, 110. Esperanza Blanco 2:32.69, 117. Ally Panos 2:34.60. One Mile Run: 56. Danielle
Trimpop 5:16.08. 3,000 Meter Run: 16. Laura Cummings 10:03.06, 26. Kristine Mun 10:14.43, 47. Laine
Sefick 10:46.37, 79. Kristin Grab 11:30.04. 4x400 Meter Relay: 14. Octavia Clarkson, Laura Bolognino,
Rebecca Kelly, Ashley Vives 3:58.73, 36. Laura Cummings, Danielle Trimpop, Esperanza Blanco, Ally Panos
4:19.09. Pole Vault: 35. Krystal Myers 9-0.25. High Jump: 12. Brenna Militello 5-4.25. Long Jump: 14.
Tiffany Sprenkels 16-10, 17. Arina Gerasimova 16-9.75. Shot Put: 13. Kadine Johnson 40-11.50, 17. Candice
Mann 39-9.25, 23. Ashley Lewis 37-10.75.
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February 9, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
UALBANY TENNIS SWEEPS YOUNGSTOWN STATE AND ST. BONAVENTURE
St. Bonaventure, N.Y. — Susan Ma won both her singles matches and combined for two doubles victories to
lead the UAlbany tennis team to a sweep of Youngstown State and St. Bonaventure on Saturday at the St.
Bonaventure Indoor Fitness Center.
Ma defeated Tanisha Welch 6-3, 6-1 at second singles for her first victory of the day. She later teamed
with Aimee Kern for an 8-5 win over Anna Volkova and Kelly Culbertson. Kim Weltman topped Irena Lanc 2-6,
6-1, 10-4 at third singles, while Charlotte Tatler defeated Culbertson 6-2, 6-3 at fourth singles.
Against St. Bonaventure, Ma won her No. 2 singles match against Anna Perevenzetseva in straight
sets 6-4, 6-3 and teamed with Kern for an 8-2 victory over Ana Delgado and Yolande Callaghan. Kern defeated
Callaghan 6-2, 7-6 (8-6) at No. 1 singles. Weltman and Tatler earned their second singles wins of the day with
sweeps of Maria Barousse at No. 3 singles and Delgado at No. 4 singles, respectively. Freshman Laine
Mackey picked up a 6-0, 6-4 victory at No. 5 singles, while Amanda Hall won 6-2, 6-2 at No. 6 singles.
In doubles action, Mackey and Hall topped Perevenzetseva and Vanessa Rumple 8-3 at second
doubles and Tatler and Weltman won 8-1 at third doubles.
The Great Danes, who remain unbeaten at 7-0 on the season, return to action on Saturday, Feb. 16
against Providence at 1 p.m. :
-agate-
ingles
1) Anna Volkova (YSU) def. Aimee Kern (UA) 7-5, 6-2
; UAlbany def. Youngstown State 6-1
)
3) Kim Weltman (UA) def. Irena Lanc (YSU) 2-6, 6-1, 10-4
4) Charlotte Tatler (UA) def. Kelly Culbertson (YSU) 6-2, 6-3
5) UAlbany by default
6) UAlbany by default
Doubles
1) Ma/Kern (UA) def. Volkova/Culbertson (YSU) 8-5
2) Welch/Lanc (YSU) def. Amanda Hall/Laine Mackey (UA) 8-5
3) UAlbany by default
UAlbany def. St. Bonaventure 7-0
Singles
Aimee Kern (UA) def. Yolande Callaghan (SBU) 6-2, 7-6 (8-6)
Susan Ma (UA) def. Anna Perevenzetseva (SBU) 6-4, 6-3
Kim Weltman (UA) def. Maria Barousse (SBU) 6-3, 6-3
Charlotte Tatler (UA) def. Ana Delgado (SBU) 6-1, 6-0
Laine Mackey (UA) def. Anna Martorell (SBU) 6-0, 6-4
Amanda Hall (UA) def. Vanessa Rumple (SBU) 6-2, 6-2
Doubles
Kern/Ma (UA) def. Callaghan/Delgado (SBU) 8-2
ackey/Hall (UA) def. Perevenzetseva/Rumple (SBU) 8-3
Tatler/Weltman (UA) def. Barousse/Martorell (SBU) 8-1
Si).
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9 (ALBAN
HARTFORD DEFEATS UALBANY IN BATTLE FOR THIRD PLACE IN LEAGUE STANDINGS
Albany, N.Y. — Sophomore guard Joe Zeglinski scored 14 of his 19 points in the second half as
Hartford defeated UAlbany, 68-63, in America East Conference play on Saturday afternoon at
SEFCU Arena. The Hawks moved into third place in the conference standings.
Zeglinski, who made 5-of-7 from three-point range, drilled a long-range jumper from right of the
key to snap a 56-56 deadlock with 5:07 remaining. Hartford (13-13, AE 7-4) still led 63-61 in the final
minutes, when UAlbany’s Jerel Hastings missed a layup on the left baseline. The Hawks answered
on the other end when Anthony Minor converted in the lane off a pass from a driving Jaret Von
Rosenberg.
UAlbany (11-12, AE 6-5) stayed within one possession when Brian Lillis made a baseline
jumper to close the gap to 66-63. Lillis, wno connected on 8-of-9 from the field, finished with 17
points. But Morgan Sabia made a pair of free throws with 12.2 seconds to play to seal the outcome.
The victory avenged a 73-63 loss in the first meeting of the season on Jan. 19 and ended the Hawks’
eight-game losing streak in the series.
“We feel very fortunate to win,” said Hartford coach Dan Leibovitz, whose team shot 50
percent from the field while employing a small lineup. “We dug ourselves a big hole in the first game
and part of that was our own doing. Joe (Zeglinski) is pretty special; he’s just a winner.”
@ The Great Danes led by as much as 11 points in the opening half. Lillis hit a 16-foot jumper
and freshman guard Josh Martin made a conventional three-point play when he was fouled on a drive
from the right side in providing their team with a 31-20 lead. Brian Connelly had eight of his 10 points
in the period as his team settled for a 33-28 halftime advantage.
Hartford trailed by six early in the final stanza, but wiped that out when Zeglinski nailed a 3-
pointer and Minor delivered a slam dunk. Sabia, a 6-foot-8 freshman who had 10 points, put his team
ahead 42-41 with a turnaround on the left baseline. Zeglinski made another three-pointer from the
right wing for a 56-51 lead, but the Great Danes would drew even. Brent Wilson, who scored 10 off
the bench, sank a three-point shot from the top of the arc, before Lillis made a bank shot to finish off a
fastbreak.
“Their pressure bothered us and we were not aggressive against it,” explained UAlbany coach
Will Brown, whose team has not been able to climb over the .500 mark since mid-December. “We
dribbled into traps and made some bad decisions, but the biggest difference was that they shot 50
percent. They are difficult to defend, especially when they go to a smaller lineup.”
Michael Turner was the third Hartford player in double figures with 13 points. The 6-foot-5
junior totaled five rebounds, four assists and four steals. Von Rosenberg added nine points, seven
rebounds and six assists. The Hawks recorded their first victory at SEFCU Arena since Feb. 22,
2003.
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For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 7, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
BRIAN LILLIS ON ESPN THE MAGAZINE ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT | BASKETBALL TEAM
Philadelphia, Pa. — University at Albany’s Brian Lillis has been voted to the ESPN The Magazine
Academic All-District | University Division Men’s Basketball Team, as selected by CoSIDA (College
Sports Information Directors of America). Lillis, wno has a 3.23 cumulative grade point average in
business administration, advances to the national ballot. The Academic All-America squad will be
announced on Wednesday, Feb. 27.
Lillis, a 6-foot-5 senior from Urbandale, lowa, ranks fifth in the America East Conference in
scoring at 16.3 points per game. He is one of nine NCAA Division | players who leads his team in
points, rebounds (6.3 pg) and assists (3.1 pg).
Lillis, the 2007 America East Defensive Player of the Year, has scored in twin figures in 21 of
22 games this season, including a career-high 29 against Vermont. He has recorded five double-
doubles in points and rebounds this season.
Joining Lillis on the District | academic team is Rhode Island’s Jimmy Baron, Sacred Heart’s
Drew Shubik, Columbia’s Ben Nwachukwu and Brown’s Mark McAndrew.
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UALBANY REGISTERS 80-59 AMERICA EAST CONFERENCE WIN OVER NEW HAMPSHIRE
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 6, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
Albany, N.Y. — Brian Lillis had 19 points and Tim Ambrose added 14 in leading UAlbany to an 80-59
victory over New Hampshire in America East Conference play on Wednesday evening at SEFCU
Arena. The Great Danes moved into a three-way tie for third place in the conference standings.
UAlbany (11-11, AE 6-4) went 7-of-8 from the field in opening five-plus minutes to take a 15-4
lead. Ambrose hit a 12-foot bank shot and Brent Wilson made a jump hook to complete a run of
seven unanswered. The Great Danes pushed out to a 24-10 advantage with freshman guard Josh
Martin and Wilson buried back-to-back three-point field goals and Jimmie Covington connected on a
conventional three-point play when he was fouled on a basket in the lane.
The Great Danes, who led by as much as 18 in the first half, settled for a 41-28 margin at the
intermission. New Hampshire (7-15, AE 4-6) shot just 29 percent from the field in the period on 9-of-
31 attempts.
In the second half, the Wildcats sliced the lead to 10 points on two occasions, including 46-36
with 15:54 left on freshman Alvin Abreu’s 3-pointer from the left wing. Abreu tallied 10 of his 13
points in the period. UAlbany pulled away with 13 of the game’s next 16 points. Brian Connelly made
a baseline turnaround and scored off a high-low pass from Wilson in that outburst. Ambrose sank
two foul shots before Jerel Hastings converted a fastbreak layup for a commanding 59-39 lead
Qriway through the stanza.
“| was trying not to make mistakes and not letting the game come to me,” said Ambrose, a
redshirt freshman who made 5-of-8 from the field and grabbed six rebounds in his second career
start. “You have to play defense in order to get on the floor. | have been watching more film in
attempt to work on my help defense and guarding the ball.”
Tyrone Conley had 17 points, including four 3-pointers, for the Wildcats, who won the first
meeting between these teams by a 75-66 score on Jan. 3. Tyrece Gibbs added 16 points and eight
rebounds. Lillis, a 6’5” senior, netted 14 of his scoring total in the second half and collected nine
rebounds. Wilson totaled 13 points and eight boards off the bench.
“Tim Ambrose is fearless and wants to get better,” offered UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose
team limited UNH to 33.9-percent shooting, the second-lowest mark by an opponent this season.
“Brent (Wilson) gave us some productive minutes. He dove the floor, took charges, and maximized
his time out there.”
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February 6, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
UALBANY RECORDS THIRD STRAIGHT WIN IN 76-50 VICTORY OVER BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Albany, N.Y. — Charity lromuanya and Gia Sanders each scored 15 points in leading UAlbany to a 76-
50 America East Conference victory over Boston University on Wednesday afternoon at SEFCU
Arena. The Great Danes, who have won three straight conference games for the first time since
2004-05, were playing a rare 12 noon game on NCAA Commitment to Education Day.
UAlbany (7-14, AE 5-3) reversed an early 15-14 deficit with eight unanswered. Sanders, who
made 6-of-10 from the field and grabbed six rebounds, put her team ahead with a baseline jumper.
lromuanuya, a sophomore guard who posted the second-highest scoring total of her career, and
Sanders each sank back-to-back three-point field goals to end that run.
The Great Danes led 27-21 later in the period, but finished the opening half with seven of the
half’s final eight points. Sherri Mikus, who totaled eight points and 11 rebounds, put back a missed
free throw. Freshman guard Janea Aiken, who had 12 points and six assists off the bench, converted
a driving layup, before Sanders’ 16-foot jumper provided her team with a 34-22 halftime cushion.
In the second half, Boston U. (12-9, AE 5-3) closed with in 36-26 on Amarac Umez-Eronini’s
fastbreak layup. But the Great Danes put the game away with a 13-4 run. lromuanya scored off an
offensive rebound and made a pair of free throws in that stretch. Aiken connected in transition and
Sanders made a fastbreak layup for a commanding 49-30 advantage with 11:49 remaining. UAlbany
extended the margin above 20 points in the final eight minutes.
©. “We're making small steps as a result of hard work in practice,” said UAlbany coach Trina
atterson, whose team shot a season-best 54.2 percent from the field on 32-of-59 attempts. “Our
bench play was awesome. Our seniors are playing with passion and the freshmen are growing.”
Kasey Devine, a 6-foot-3 senior, was the lone BU player in double figures with 12 points.
Cherri Raffo added nine points, including the 1,000th of her career. The Terriers, who had their
three-game win streak halted, had captured 11 of the previous 13 games in this series.
“| loved the crowd with all of its energy,” stated Iromuanya, who reached double figures for the
sixth time this season by hitting 5-of-10 from the floor and 4-of-5 from the line. “We were very aware
on offense by passing well and finding the open player. When you play the better teams you need to
bring your best game. We got a lot of help from our bench and there was no difference when they
came in.”
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ZULIANA FONTANEZ AND FREDDIE WILLS HONORED BY AMERICA EAST
Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
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February 5, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
Cambridge, Mass. — University at Albany’s Zuliana Fontanez and Freddie Wills have been named America
East Conference indoor track and field performers of the week, as announced by the conference office on
Tuesday afternoon.
Fontanez, a sophomore from Dorado, Puerto Rico, has been selected as the women’s track performer
of the week. Fontanez finished in seventh place in the 500-meter dash in a season and conference-best time
of 1:17.06 at the Giegengack Invitational hosted by Yale on Saturday, Feb. 2 at Coxe Cage. Fontanez was
also a member of the fifth-place distance medley relay team and sixth-place 4x400-meter relay team.
Wills, a junior from Londonderry, N.H., has been honored as the men’s field performer of the week.
Wills won the heptathlon with a record-setting and I|C4A-qualifying total of 5,029 points at the Syracuse
Invitational on Friday, Feb. 1 and Saturday, Feb. 2 at Manley Field House in Syracuse, N.Y. Wills’ performance
set the school record and is the second-highest in the America East this season. The previous record of 4,914
points was set by David Parker at the 2007 America East Championship.
UAlbany returns to the track on Friday, Feb. 8 and Saturday, Feb. 9 at Boston U.’s Valentine
Invitational in Boston, Mass.
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B
UALBANY WILL TRAVEL TO CANISIUS FOR NON-LEAGUE BASKETBALL GAME ON FEB. 23
Albany, N.Y. — UAlbany will travel to Canisius, a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference,
for a non-conference men’s basketball contest on Saturday, Feb. 23. The matchup came out of the
BracketBusters pool of teams that represent 16 conferences. Game time will be announced.
The Golden Griffins, whose four wins have all come at home this season, play in the Koessler
Athletic Center, a facility that seats capacity crowds of 2,176. Sophomore guard Frank Turner, the
2007 MAAC Co-Rookie of the Year, is Canisius’ top player. He averages 12.5 points, 4.4 assists and
4.1 rebounds.
UAlbany (10-11) played much better on the road in month of January by winning three of its
last four away games. The Great Danes, who are currently tied for fourth in the America East
Conference standings, have registered consecutive NCAA Tournament berths after capturing a pair
of conference championships.
Brian Lillis, the 2007 America East Defensive Player of the Year, ranks fifth among the
league’s scoring leaders at 16.1 points per game. Lillis, a 65” senior who is averaging 6.2 rebounds
and 3.2 assists, is one of nine players at the NCAA Division | level who leads his team in points,
rebounds and assists.
The Great Danes appeared on national television as part of the O’Reilly ESPNU
BracketBusters series the last two seasons. UAlbany played thrilling games in narrow defeats at
Diirsinia Commonwealth (70-67) and Boise State (83-82).
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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CELEBRATES NCAA COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION DAY
Albany, N.Y. — The University at Albany women’s basketball program will welcome 15 elementary
schools to the NCAA’s Commitment to Education Day, sponsored by SEFCU, on Wednesday, Feb. 6.
The day features an America East Conference contest between UAlbany and Boston University. Tip-
off is 12 noon at SEFCU Arena. The game will be televised in the Capital Region on Time Warner
Cable (TW3).
Students will participate in various activities throughout the day. The school-age children will
start by taking a guided tour of UAlbany’s athletic facilities, led by nearly a dozen members of the
school’s coaching staffs. UAlbany student-athletes will also sign autographs, while cheerleaders will
conduct a face-painting session. Students will also take part in various educational sessions,
covering nutrition, math, geography, social studies and physical education.
All students will meet Damien the Dane, receive t-shirts and participate in a basketball-
shooting session at University Gymnasium.
Participating area schools include Red Mill School, Van Corlear Elementary, Philip J. Schuyler
Academy, Lynwood Elementary, Sheridan Preparatory, Howe Magnet School, Westmere Elementary,
Brighter Choice Charter School, Eagle Point Elementary, Doane Stuart School, Niskayuna Schools,
Woodlawn, School No. 19, Bethlehem Children and Rensselaer Park.
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 3, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
ALBAN
HALL AND MACKEY LEAD UALBANY TENNIS TO 4-3 WIN OVER UMASS
Albany, N.Y. — Amanda Hall and Laine Mackey each won their singles matches and combined for a doubles
win to lead the UAlbany tennis team to a 4-3 victory over Massachusetts on Sunday at the UAlbany Bubble.
Hall picked up a three-set win at No. 6 singles by topping Lauren MacKay 6-3, 2-6, 6-4. Mackey
dropped her first set against Laura Danai at No. 5 singles, but rebounded for a 6-7 (7-5), 7-6 (8-6), 7-5 victory.
The duo teamed together to defeat Maude Lecluyse and Danai 8-5.
Juniors Kim Weltman and Charlotte Tatler swept their singles matches by scores 6-3, 6-2 at No.3 and
No.4 singles, respectively. Weltman and Tatler were topped at No. 3 doubles by Kristin DiPiero and Tanisha
Hodgson by the score of 9-7.
Senior Aimee Kern lost at No. 1 singles 6-3, 6-3 to Masha Pozar, while freshman Susan Ma fell at No. 2
singles, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2, to Candynce Boney. The duo also dropped their No. 1 doubles match, 8-2, to Pozar and
Boney.
UAlbany, off to a 5-0 start on the season, exceeded last season’s win total with the victory and avenged
last year’s 6-1 loss to the Minutewomen. The Great Danes return to the court on Saturday, Feb. 9 at St.
Bonaventure.
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UAlbany def. Massachusetts, 4-3
Singles
Masha Pozar (M) def. Aimee Kern (UA), 6-3, 6-3
Candynce Boney (M) def. Susan Ma (UA), 7-6 (7-4), 6-2
6. Weltman (UA) def. Tanisha Hodgson (M), 6-3, 6-2
Charlotte Tatler (UA) def. Kaitlyn Carpenter (M), 6-3, 6-2
Laine Mackey (UA) def. Laura Danai (M), 6-7 (7-5), 7-6 (8-6), 7-5
Amanda Hall (UA) def. Lauren MacKay (M), 6-3, 2-6, 6-4
Doubles
Pozar/Boney (M) def. Kern/Ma UA), 8-2
Mackey/Hall (UA) def. Maude Lecluyse/Danai (M), 8-5
Kristin DiPiero/Hodgson (M) def. Weltman/Tatler (UA), 9-7
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 2
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 2, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
ALBAN
LUKE SCHOEN AND WILFREDO DE JESUS ELIAS SET PROGRAM RECORDS AT GIEGENGACK
INVITATIONAL
New Haven, Conn. — UAlbany’s Wilfredo de Jesus Elias set the school record in the weight throw and Luke
Schoen set the pole vault record to highlight the Great Danes performance at the Giegengack Invitational
hosted by Yale at Coxe Cage.
de Jesus Elias, a freshman from Arroyo, Puerto Rico, had a throw of 59-feet, 8.50-inches to place
second in the event and set the new school record. The record was previously 58-feet, 9.25-inches, set by Eric
Opuana in 2005.
Schoen, who previously set the pole vault record of 16-feet, 4.75-inches at the Husky Winter Carnival
on Dec. 2, cleared the bar at 16-feet, 8.75-inches.
Jean Juste won the 60-meter hurdles in 8.02 seconds, while Jeffery Barnes and Brian Yurkewecz had a
fourth place finishes in the 200-meter dash and 5,000-meter run, respectively.
In the women’s competition, Jenn Gurrant qualified for the ECAC meet in the triple jump with a second-
place jump of 39-feet, 0.5-inches. Gurrant also placed fourth in the long jump (17-11).
The Great Danes return to the track on Friday, Jan. 8 and Saturday, Jan. 9 at the Valentine Invitational
in Boston, Mass.
UAlbany Men’s Results
60m Dash: 10. Dieuseul Joseph 7.16, 15. Kyle Nadler 7.26, 17. Raphael Jean Baptiste 7.26. 60m High
Q@piuraies: 1. Jean Juste 8.02, 7. Daniel Avery 8.30, 10. Garrett Askew 8.40, 14. Anthony Assent 8.58, 15. Nick
Assini 8.61. 200m Dash: 4. Jeffery Barnes 22.54, 10. Pat Weider 22.87, 12. Torshiro Jenkins 22.96, 22.
Dieuseul Joseph 23.42, 23. Raphael Jean Baptiste 23.45. 400m Dash: 16. Alan Nimblette 51.36, 23. Drew
Harrison 51.94. 800m Run: 11. Joe Belokopitsky 1:55.49, 37. LeVar Nero 2:09.14. 1,000m Run: 17. Tyler
Fogarty 2:33.29, 24. Bryan Lasky 2:40.26. 1 Mile Run: 30. Chris Jimenez 4:47.19. 3,000m Run: 34. Jon
Hilbert 9:10.53, 35. David Rothman 9:11.33. 5,000m Run: 4. Brian Yurkewecz 14:59.99. 4x400m Relay: 7.
Drew Harrison, Alan Nimblette, Torshiro Jenkins, Jeffery Barnes 3:21.26 Distance Medley Relay: 9. Joe
Belokopitsky, Alan Nimblette, Bryan Lasky, Brian Yurkewecz 10:51.92. Pole Vault: 1. Luke Schoen 16-8.75, 2.
Michael Dempsey 15-9. Long Jump: 6. Kyle Nadler 22-3, 7. Michael McCadney 22-1.50, 16. Ray Gilman 20-
9.25, 20. Dong Ning Hu 20-1.75. Shot Put: 11. Renauld Buck 46-10.75, 14. Will Anger 44-11, 18. Frank
Fazzino 43-5, 19. Jordan Meikle 42-3.5. Weight Throw: 2. Wilfredo de Jesus Elias 59-8.50 (School Record,
IC4A), 9. Kevin Lee 49-9.75, 12. Will Anger 48-4.50.
UAlbany Women’s Results
60m Dash: 14. Sarah Lapierre 8.15, 17. Sandy Antenor 8.27, 19. Arielle Roberts 8.41, 21. Traequanda Brock
8.48. 200m Dash: 33. Ashley Vives 27.26, 35. Laura Bolognino 27.28, 39. Sarah Lapierre 27.85, 43. Arielle
Roberts 28.55. 400m Dash: 15. Rebecca Kelly 1:01.34. 500m Dash: 7. Zuliana Fontanez 1:17.06, 10.
Octavia Clarkson 1:18.11, 16. Melissa Lee 1:19.70, 19. Corrine Porter-Stepney 1:21.64. 800m Run: 23.
Danielle Trimpop 2:24.26. 1,000m Run: 16. Ally Panos 3:19.15. 3,000m Run: 19. Laine Sefick 10:44.42, 25.
Kristin Grab 11:21.72. 1 Mile Run: 14. Kristine Mun 5:16.45. 4x400m Relay: 6. Jenn Gurrant, Zuliana
Fontanez, Corrine Porter-Stepney, Melissa Lee 3:55.35, 12. Octavia Clarkson, Laura Bolognino, Ashley Vives,
Rebecca Kelly 4:04.79. Distance Medley Relay: 5. Danielle Trimpop, Melissa Lee, Zuliana Fontanez, Kristine
Mun 12:41.50. Long Jump: 4. Jenn Gurrant 17-11, 10. Tiffany Sprenkels 17-0, 22. Sandy Antenor 14-6. Triple
ump: 2. Jenn Gurrant 39-0.5 (ECAC), 11. Traequanda Brock 33-3. Weight Throw: 4. Kadine Johnson 50-
@:: 8. Ritshell Verdier 46-4.75, 10. Sineaid Corley 45-10.75. Shot Put: 7. Kadine Johnson 41-11.5, 14.
Ashley Lewis 36-5.75, Ritshell Verdier FOUL. Pole Vault: 9. Krystal Myers 9-10.
CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO
FREDDIE WILLS SETS PROGRAM RECORD IN HEPTATHLON AT SYRACUSE INVITATIONAL
Syracuse, N.Y. — UAlbany’s Freddie Wills and David Parker (Niskayuna) finished first and second in the
eee to highlight the Great Danes’ performance at the Syracuse Invitational at Manley Field House.
Wills, a junior from Londonderry, N.H., finished with 5,029 points in setting the new school record. Wills
finished first in the 55-meter hurdles in 7.93 seconds and second in the pole vault by clearing 11-feet, 9.75-
inches. Parker finished the competition with 4,960 points, also surpassing his previous school record of 4,914
points set at last season’s America East Championships. Parker won the pole vault with a height of 15-feet, 1-
inch and placed third in the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 8.11 seconds.
Freshman Kevin O’Riley placed sixth in the heptathlon with 4,174 points. O’Riley’s best performance on
the second day came in the pole vault.
1. Freddie Wills 5,029; 2. David Parker 4,960; 6. Kevin O’Riley 4,174; 12. Nick Jones 2,123; 13. Chris Palicka
1,607.
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 2, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
ALBAN
UALBANY UPENDS STONY BROOK, 64-46, IN 11TH ANNUAL BIG PURPLE GROWL CONTEST
Albany, N.Y. — Brian Connelly had 16 points and Brian Lillis added 12 in leading UAlbany to a 64-46 victory
over Stony Brook in America East Conference play on Saturday evening before a capacity crowd of 4,538 at
SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes were hosting the 11th annual Big Purple Growl, the University’s Winter
Homecoming.
UAlbany (10-11, AE 5-4) went on a 19-2 run in the first half to take control. Jerel Hastings nailed a
three-point field goal to begin that run, before Jon lati added another long-range jumper following an offensive
rebound. Freshman guard Josh Martin had eight of his 10 points in that stretch, including back-to-back 3-
pointers that gave his team a 27-8 advantage with 6:22 left in the period.
Connelly, who grabbed six rebounds to add to his scoring total, drilled a jumper from left of the lane that
provided his team with a 34-15 halftime margin. The Great Danes held Stony Brook (4-17, AE 1-8) to 27.3-
percent shooting on 6-of-22 attempts before the break.
The Seawolves, who have lost seven in a row, never really threatened in the final stanza. Stony Brook
closed within 46-31 midway through the half on a pair of free throws by senior guard Mitchell Beauford, who
tallied eight points. UAlbany then pushed the lead up to 20 by using the charity stripe. Connelly and lati each
sank two foul shots.
“| thought we played very well in the first half, especially on the defensive end,” said UAlbany coach Will
Brown, whose team won its fourth consecutive Big Purple Growl game. “We were okay in the second half, but
made some free throws. It was nice to see such a big crowd, because every kid wants to play in this kind of
environment.”
@ Lillis, a 6-foot-5 senior who collected 10 rebounds and handed out four assists, posted his fourth
double-double in his last six starts. lati finished with 11 points, the first time he has reached twin figures in
back-to-back games since November.
“We didn't rely solely on our outside shooting,” explained lati, a senior guard who came off the bench to
make 3-of-6 from the floor. “They play a pretty aggressive zone and we able to get mid-range shots and
layups. We need to keep seeing a UAlbany team that is energetic and starts its offense with its defense.”
Ricky Lucas was the lone Stony Brook player in double digits with 11 points. The Seawolves shot 35.6
percent from the field overall. The Great Danes, who have won nine of 11 homecoming games in the event's
history, were coming off a four-point road loss to conference-leader UMBC three days ago.
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 2, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-331-3714
ALBAN
UALBANY UPENDS STONY BROOK, 77-65, IN ANNUAL BIG PURPLE GROWL GAME
Albany, N.Y. — TaNika Thrower scored a season-high 19 points to pace four players in double figures in
leading UAlbany to a 77-65 America East Conference victory over Stony Brook on Saturday afternoon at
SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes were playing in the first half of the Big Purple Growl, the University’s Winter
Homecoming.
UAlbany (6-14, AE 4-3) led 37-35 early in the second half, but then scored 15 of the game’s next 19
points. Kristin Higy, who had 15 points and six rebounds, scored three baskets in that span. Thrower added a
pair of foul-line jumpers. Sherri Mikus, who had 12 points, gave her team a 52-39 cushion by finishing off a
fastbreak.
Stony Brook (6-14, AE 1-6) closed within five points on three separate occasions, including 63-58 with
4:43 to play when Kirsten Jeter connected on a three-point play as she was fouled on a drive in transition. The
Great Danes, who had dropped seven straight Big Purple Growl games, ended the threat with six straight
points. Gia Sanders and Thrower each sank two foul shots, before freshman guard Janea Aiken hit a drive in
the lane.
Stony Brook led 27-20 with 6:08 remaining the first half. The Seawolves used a 12-1 run to gain that
margin. Kairsten Nunn, who netted a career-high 23 points on 7-of-14 shooting, put her team ahead with a
three-point field goal. Crystal Rushin would later make a layup after a steal and Aly Young canned a jumper in
the lane to complete the run. UAlbany responded with 11 unanswered. Higy began that outburst with a 3-
pointer from the right wing off an inbounds play. Higy, a 6-foot-1 senior, would add two free throws and a
jumper. Sanders made two foul shots for a 31-27 advantage with 1:47 left before the break.
@ “Defense is our key,” said UAlbany coach Trina Patterson, whose team held Stony Brook to 40.6-
percent shooting on 26-of-64 attempts. “We had to win ugly because sometimes the defense isn’t going to
cause a lot of turnovers. We had to play with high energy.”
Britney McGee added 12 points for the Great Danes, who snapped a three-game skid in their previous
outing with a league win over Binghamton. Sanders, who was making her second appearance after suffering a
hand injury, totaled eight points and a career-high 15 rebounds. The Seawolves’ Jeter scored in twin figures
for the eighth time this season with 15 points.
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 2, 2008 Brianna LaBrecque / 518-442-5733
ALBAN
UALBANY TENNIS SWEEPS TWO MATCHES IN NON-CONFERENCE ACTION
Albany, N.Y. — Aimee Kern won both of her matches at No. 1 singles to help lead the UAlbany tennis team to
7-0 victories over Holy Cross and Fairfield on Saturday at the UAlbany Bubble.
Kern posted a 6-1, 6-4 win over Holy Cross’ Kristen Meahl for her first win of the day. She also teamed
with Kim Weltman in doubles action, defeating Meahl and Meg Moran. Susan Ma posted a 6-1, 6-0 win over
Moran at No. 2 singles. Weltman, along with teammates Charlotte Tatler, Laine Mackey and Amanda Hall,
swept their singles wins over Holy Cross, all with scores of 6-0, 6-0.
Hall and Mackey posted an 8-0 win in doubles action over Ivette Konopka and Hailee Lange, while
Caitlin Crowley teamed up with Tatler to defeat Chase Fitzsimmons and Meg Manahan, 8-3.
Kern defeated Dana Postupack, 6-0, 6-4, at No. 1 singles against Fairfield, and also teamed with Ma to
win an 8-4 decision at No. 1 doubles against Postupack and Paulina Rys. Ma defeated Rys at No. 2 singles, 6-
0, 6-3, while Kim Weltman defeated Michaela Cerrone, 6-1, 6-0, in her singles match. Mackey and Hall swept
their singles matches against the Stags, 6-0, 6-0.
UAlbany will be back in action on Sunday, hosting Massachusetts at 12 p.m. in The Bubble.
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UAlbany def. Holy Cross, 7-0
Singles
Aimee Kern (UA) def. Kristen Meahl (HC), 6-1, 6-4
Susan Ma (UA) def. Meg Moran (HC), 6-1, 6-0
Kim Weltman (UA) def. Ivette Konopka (HC), 6-0, 6-0
BD orarictic Tatler (UA) def. Hailee Lange (HC), 6-0, 6-0
Laine Mackey (UA) def. Kathy Wilkie (HC), 6-0, 6-0
Amanda Hall (UA) def. Chase Fitzsimmons (HC), 8-0
Doubles
Kern/Weltman (UA) def. Moran/Meahl (HC), 8-2
Hall/Mackey (UA) def. Konopka/Lange (HC), 8-0
Caitlin Crowley/Tatler (UA) def. Fitzsimmons/Meg Manahan (HC), 8-3
UAlbany def. Fairfield, 7-0
Singles
Kern (UA) def. Dana Postupack (F), 6-0, 6-4
Ma (UA) def. Paulina Rys (F), 6-0, 6-3
Weltman (UA) def. Michaela Cerrone (F), 6-1, 6-0
Tatler (UA) def. Alyssa Ruiz (F), 6-3, 6-4
Mackey (UA) def. Gretchen Amberg (F), 6-0, 6-0
Hall (UA) def. Courtney Price (F), 6-0, 6-0
Doubles
Kern/Ma (UA) def. Postupack/Rys (F), 8-4
Hall/Mackey (UA) def. Cerrone/Amberg (F), 8-1
Tatler/Weltman (UA) def. Ruiz/Lauren Bonanno (F), 8-3
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Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 1, 2008 Craig Lane / 518-442-3359
9 ( HLBAN
FREDDIE WILLS LEADS HEPTATHLON AFTER FIRST DAY OF SYRACUSE INVITATIONAL
Syracuse, N.Y. — UAlbany’s Freddie Wills leads the men’s heptathlon after the first day of competition at the
Syracuse Invitational at Manley Field House.
Wills, who has 3,002 points after four events, won the high jump with a height of 6-feet, 6.75-inches and the
long jump with a leap of 23-2. He also came in second in the 55-meter dash with a time of 6.74 seconds and
third in the shot put (37-1). Senior David Parker (Niskayuna) was first in the shot put with a toss of 38-feet,
6.25-inches and has 2,704 total points after day one. In addition, he tied for third in the high jump (6-4.25).
Freshman Kevin O'Riley is in fifth place through four events with 2,663 points. O’Riley had his best
performance in the 55-meter dash with a third place showing. Nick Jones is in 12th place with 1,797 points.
Jones’ best showing came in the shot put. . Chris Palicka tallied 1,607 points through four events. His best
performance came in the 55-meter dash. The heptathlon finishes on Saturday with the 55-meter high hurdles,
pole vault, and 1,000-meter run.
In the women’s pentathlon, senior Valerie Maignan placed fifth and freshman Christen Griffin came in seventh.
Maignan posted four top-5 finishes to accumulate 3,015 points. Her best performance came in the 55-meter
hurdles with a time of 8.76 seconds. Griffin came in third in the 55-meter hurdles as she tallied 2,560 total
points. Jillian Drouin of Syracuse won the pentathlon with 3,862 points.
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Men’s Heptathlion
1. Freddie Wills (UAlbany) 3,002; 2. Jon Buice (Syracuse) 2,819; 3. Eric Cleckner (Syracuse) 2,738; 4. David
Parker (UAlbany) 2,704; 5. Kevin O’Riley 2,663; 6. Mike Chitro (Syracuse) 2,622; 7. Terry Barresi (Syracuse)
2,554; 8. Evan Stivala (Syracuse) 2,410; 9. Shomari Felder (Oswego) 2,391; 10. Nick Damato (Syracuse)
2,334; 11. Chris McAllister (Oswego) 2,040; 12. Nick Jones (UAlbany) 1,797; 13. Chris Palicka (UAlbany)
1,607.
Women’s Pentathlon
1. Jillian Drouin (Syracuse) 3,862; 2. Ununoma Osazuwa (Syracuse) 3,699; 3. Kaity Lambracht (Syracuse)
3,602; 4. Kayla Carter (Syracuse) 3,216; 5. Valerie Maignan (UAlbany) 3,015; 6. Marsha Fiesinger
(Binghamton) 3,015; 7. Christen Griffin (UAlbany) 2,560; 8. Rosie DeFino (Binghamton) 2,499.
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A Attn: Sports Department No. of Pages: 1
ALBAN
For Immediate Release For Further Information
February 1, 2008 Brian DePasquale / 518-442-3072
SATURDAY’S BIG PURPLE GROWL & FEROCIOUS FEAST SOLD OUT
Albany, N.Y. — All tickets have been sold for the University at Albany’s Big Purple Growl and
Ferocious Feast on Saturday, Feb. 2. SEFCU Arena seats a capacity crowd of 4,538. The
University’s Winter Homecoming features a men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader with
America East Conference opponent Stony Brook University at SEFCU Arena. The women’s game
begins at 4:30 p.m., while the men follow at 7:00 p.m.
The Big Purple Growl is a sold-out event for the third consecutive year. The BPG
doubleheader has averaged 3,555 fans over the previous ten years.
Big Purple Growl T-shirts, courtesy of Verizon Wireless, will be distributed to the first 750 fans
at the doubleheader. Students will participate in the CDTA Shot for Tuition, with the winner receiving
an award that is equivalent to one semester's in-state tuition. Alumni will also shoot for prizes.
Residential Life will soonsor a housing lottery for five lucky UAlbany students during halftime of the
men’s game. In addition, one fan, chosen in a random drawing, will play for two other fans in the
SEFCU Money Machine. UAlbany’s pep band, dance team and cheerleaders will perform. The Earth
Tones, the school’s men’s a capella group, and women’s basketball team captain TaNika Thrower
are scheduled to sing the National Anthem prior to each game.
Big Purple Notes: UAlbany head coach Will Brown and his coaching staff will wear sneakers at
saturdays game to show their support in the fight against cancer ... National Association of
Basketball Coaches (NABC) and its member coaches annually attempt to raise awareness to the
importance of cancer prevention and early detection ... the Ferocious Feast will be held in University
Gymnasium, adjacent to SEFCU Arena, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. as part of Big Purple Growl festivities ...
all Ferocious Feast tickets were previously sold ... UAlbany has won eight of 10 Big Purple Growl
men’s games, including last year’s nail-biting 65-62 win over Binghamton ...
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