Women’s Lacrosse Honors Seniors in America East Opener Against Binghamton on Saturday Afternoon
ALBANY, N.Y. – The No. 20/18 University at Albany women’s lacrosse team (8-0, 0-0 AE) looks to continue its undefeated run against Binghamton (6-4, 0-0 AE) on Saturday at 1:00 p.m., at John Fallon Field. The Great Danes will also celebrate the careers of their six seniors: Anna Berman, Meghan Haney, Kathleen Lennon, Ariana Parker, Allie Phelan and Michelle Primomo.
John Battaglino’s squad most recently downed Niagara on Monday 19-9. Nine different UAlbany players scored, led by freshman Sarah Martin with four goals. Senior goalkeeper Anna Berman also earned her 50th career win in the cage.
The Purple & Gold is out to its best start since 2011, when UAlbany went 19-0 before falling to Northwestern in the NCAA Quarterfinals. The Great Danes are one of just six remaining unbeatens in Division I women’s lacrosse.
To complement its undefeated record, UAlbany is also ranked top-10 nationally in scoring offense (8th, 15.14 goals per game), scoring defense (5th, 6.43 goals allowed per game) and scoring margin (5th, 8.71 margin per game). Sophomore attack Rachel Bowles ranks second in the nation in points per game (5.71) and fifth in goals per game (3.86).
Reigning America East Defensive Player of the Week Anna Berman ranks sixth in the nation in goals against average (6.20) and 12th in save percentage (.506).
MAGIC NUMBER 50
Head Coach John Battaglino picked up his 50th win at UAlbany on March 8 with a 13-7 victory at Dartmouth. Senior goalkeeper Anna Berman was not far behind, earning her 50th career win in the cage on Monday with the win at Niagara.
LENNON NAMED TO ALL-AMERICA WATCH LIST
Senior midfielder Kathleen Lennon was named to the Inside Lacrosse Mid-Season Third Team All-America Watch List, ILWomen.com announced on Tuesday.
Lennon has won 42 draw controls to date, and took 103 draws last season. Her total of 103 in 2013 set a new single-season UAlbany program record for draw control victories, ranking fourth in the nation. The senior currently ranks tied for 13th nationally with 5.00 draw per game, and tops the America East. She also leads the team in ground balls with 21 and ranks third in caused turnovers with nine in the Purple & Gold’s 8-0 start.
BERMAN NAMED AMERICA EAST DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Senior goalkeeper Anna Berman was named the America East Women’s Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday.
Berman made a total of 15 saves in two wins for the No. 18 Great Danes last week, recording a save percentage of .612. She also allowed just eight goals to help extend UAlbany’s record to 7-0.
SCOUTING BINGHAMTON
The Bearcats (6-4) have never beaten UAlbany since the two teams began America East play (12-0). In their last meeting in Vestal, Rachael Burek set a new single-game Division I program record for points with 11 in a 22-6 victory for UAlbany. Burek had four goals and seven assists. Battaglino’s squad committed a season-low four turnovers against the Bearcats, while Binghamton turned the ball over 15 times.
Second-year head coach Stephanie Allen has already led the Bearcats to a program-best six wins against Howard, Lehigh, Niagara, St. Bonaventure, Siena and Quinnipiac. Binghamton is 2-3 on the road this season.
Freshman attack Brianne Arthur leads the Bearcats this season with 30 goals and four assists. Five different Binghamton players have scored 10 goals or more this season, including Renee Kiviat (11), Callon Williams (11), Angela Vespa (15), Sophia Racciatti (15) and Arthur.
Binghamton goalkeeper Erin McNulty is allowing 10.28 goals per game and boasts a save percentage of .447. The Bearcats roster also includes Rachel Antelmi, the younger sister of former UAlbany standout Jess Antelmi.
