Albany, N.Y. ? Kayla Best and Melanie Sosnowski each scored three goals in leading UAlbany to a 13-7 America East Conference victory over Vermont on Wednesday, April 1 at John Fallon Field.  The contest was the first half of a home lacrosse doubleheader, as part of Spring Stomp, the school's spring homecoming event.

            UAlbany (5-6, AE 2-1) led 8-5 midway through the final period, but then took control with three consecutive goals.  Best, who tallied three or more goals for the seventh time this season, sent a free-position shot between the legs of goalkeeper Olivia Hatfield to start that run.  Sosnowski then kept a clearing play alive that led to Julie Bush finishing a fastbreak.  Nikki Branchini gave her team a six-goal cushion as she drove from the right point and went low into the cage with 8:29 remaining.

            “I thought our defensive unit made some great stops and did a good job of getting to loose balls,” said UAlbany coach Lindsey Hart, whose squad held the visitors to season-low goal total by an opponent.  “Sara Wolf and Tricia Primomo had great games.  We keyed in on a couple of different people, played solid team defense and shifted as a unit.”

            The Great Danes took a 3-1 lead early in the first half.  Best, who extended her goal-scoring streak to 41 consecutive games, converted a free-position opportunity when she placed a shot into the upper left corner.  Sophomore Jodi Battaglia later scored in transition after Mel Rorie carried the ball from the defensive end on a successful clear.

            The Catamounts, who had won five of their last six starts entering the contest, closed the gap to one on three occasions after that point in the half.  Kristen Millar worked through three defenders midway through the period.  Sarah DeStefano connected on a bounce shot into the lower left side to slice the deficit to 5-4.  Rorie drove from the top and hit the lower left corner for a two-goal advantage at the break.

            In the second half, UAlbany pushed out an 8-4 lead on a pair of goals 36 seconds apart.  Defender Sara Wolf broke up a clearing attempt that led to Best driving to the cage from the right side.  Rorie followed by recovering a stick-check and connecting on a drive.  Vermont (7-5, AE 2-1) came back three minutes later when Sara Buxton found the lower right corner on a free-position attempt.

            Sosnowski, a freshman attack, posted a career-high scoring total, finding the net twice in the final six minutes.  Frink matched a career-best four points by handing out three assists for the Great Danes, who have won four of their last five outings.  UVM's Buxton and Millar led their attack with two goals apiece.  Hatfield, the current America East defender and rookie of the week, made 11 saves.

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Vermont (7-5, AE 2-1)                4          3          -              7

UAlbany (5-6, AE 2-1)                6          7          -             13

            Vermont ? Scoring:  Sara Buxton 2-0, Kristen Millar 2-0, Allison Pfohl 1-1, Megan MacDonald 1-0, Sara DeStefano 1-0; Goalkeeper(s):  Olivia Hatfield (60:00, 11 saves, 13 GA).

            UAlbany -- Scoring:  Kayla Best 3-1, Melanie Sosnowski 3-0, Mel Rorie 2-1, Julie Bush 2-0, Taylor Fink 1-3, Nikki Branchini 1-0, Jodi Battaglia 1-0; Goalkeeper(s):  Katie Neer (60:00, 6 saves, 7 GA).

UAlbany 13, Vermont 7 (Apr 01, 2009)