Albany, N.Y. ? Sophomore midfielder Mel Rorie scored four times in the second half, including the go-ahead goal with 12 minutes and 24 seconds remaining, as UAlbany came from behind for an 11-10 victory over Siena on Tuesday, April 7 at John Fallon Field.  The Great Danes have won all 12 meetings in this series between Capital Region programs, but this was the closest decision.

            Siena (6-6) built a 7-4 lead in the early in the final period when Lindsay Rosecrans worked from the right of the cage and around two defenders to score from the left side of the crease.  The senior midfielder finished with four goals and two assists.

            UAlbany (7-6) regrouped with four consecutive goals, including three in a two-minute-and-four-second span.  Jodi Battaglia, a sophomore attack who scored three times, was set up by Julie Bush on back-to-back goals to begin that run.  Rorie then sent a free-position opportunity into the lower left corner, before connecting in the middle of the zone off Kayla Best's feed from the right.

            The Saints, who had dropped four in a row entering the contest, drew even at eight apiece with 12:49 to play.  Following a restart from the right side, Rosecrans found Courtney Highsmith above the crease.  Rorie put the Great Danes ahead 25 seconds later as she spun in the middle and switched to her left hand in the finding the cage.  The go-ahead goal started when Best caused a turnover in Siena's defensive half of the field.

            UAlbany pushed out to an 11-8 advantage with 7:09 left.  Best, who had two goals and one assist and extended her scoring streak to 43 consecutive games, moved in from the right and delivered a bounce shot after a clearing play.  Rorie tied her career-best goal total when she bounced a free-position attempt into the net from the right.

            Siena came back with a pair of goals two minutes apart.  Rosecrans drove in transition after a successful clear began with a UAlbany turnover.  Highsmith, a senior midfielder, tallied her second goal of the game when she converted a free-position attempt from the left.  Rosencrans had an opportunity to tie the contest with 47 seconds remaining, but her shot went high.

            “Siena was ready to play, fought hard, and had a sense of urgency,” said UAlbany coach Lindsey Hart, whose team moved above .500 for the first time this season by winning for the sixth time in its last seven outings.  “They stuck to their game plan and went hard in numbers to every ground ball.  We started to win draw controls in the second half, but we battled turnovers and taking care of the ball throughout.”

            Sophomore midfielder Erin Hepper had two first-half goals for the Saints, who led 6-4 at the intermission.  UAlbany goalkeeper Katie Neer made 14 saves, the fourth time she has stopped double-figure shots this season.  The senior turned aside two attempts, including a free-position situation, during the final two minutes with the outcome in the balance.

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Siena (6-6)                    6          4          -           10

UAlbany (7-6)                4          7          -           11

            Siena ? Scoring:  Lindsay Rosecrans 4-2, Erin Hepper 2-0, Courtney Highsmith 2-0, Deirdre McQuillan 1-1, Michelle Andreo 1-0, Caitlin Mikel 0-2; Goalkeeper(s):  Liz Peters (60:00, 8 saves, 11 GA).

            UAlbany ? Scoring:  Mel Rorie 4-0, Jodi Battaglia 3-0, Kayla Best 2-1, Taylor Frink 1-1, Melanie Sosnowski 1-0, Julie Bush 0-2; Goalkeeper(s):  Katie Neer (60:00, 14 saves, 10 GA).

UAlbany 11, Siena 10 (Apr 07, 2009)