Stony Brook, N.Y. - Nikki Branchini had a career-high four goals and one assist, all in the second half, as UAlbany stayed unbeaten with an 11-5 victory over Stony Brook on Saturday, April 2 at LaValle Stadium. The Great Danes, who were playing in their America East Conference opener, are one of four undefeated teams at the Division I level.
     Stony Brook (3-7, AE 0-2) closed the gap to 5-4 early the final period when Kaila Gottlick connected on a free-position attempt. UAlbany (9-0, AE 1-0) answered with a pair of goals one minute and 50 seconds apart. Kathleen Lennon and Branchini each scored unassisted.
     Gottlick, a freshman midfielder, tallied her third goal of the game to slice the deficit to 7-5 with 12:41 to play. After Stony Brook goalkeeper Mickey Cahill made two saves off free-position attempts, UAlbany attacker Jodi Battaglia ended that sequence with her 16th goal of the season.
     The Great Danes pulled away by scoring three more times in a span of two minutes and 41 seconds. Branchini set up Amanda Pollock for a 9-5 lead with 5:09 remaining. The senior defensive midfielder later drilled a free-position shot into the cage after being fouled by Seawolves' midfielder Trish Molfetta. Freshman Persy Sample ended that offensive outburst after Lennon broke up a clearing attempt and picked up a ground ball.
     "They came out with a lot of energy," said Branchini, whose team is ranked No. 11 in the IWLCA coaches' poll and No. 9 by deBeer/Inside Lacrosse. "Our defense was able to keep them from scoring. We made some adjustments and started to get the 50-50 loose balls. We are very excited about our success, but we have to take it one game at a time."
     Freshman Ariana Parker had two goals for the Great Danes, who along with Maryland, Northwestern and Loyola, Md. are the nation's only undefeated Division I teams. Stony Brook's Cahill made 10 saves.

Paw Prints:  The Great Danes won their America East Conference opener for the third consecutive year ... the Great Danes are 6-4 all-time in league lid-fiters since joining the conference in the 2002 campaign ... UAlbany (9-0) joins Maryland (12-0), Northwestern (10-0) and Loyola, Md. (8-0) as the only unbeaten NCAA Division I programs ... the Great Danes lead the nation in scoring defense at 6.11 goals per game ... Nikki Branchini posted career-highs in goals (4) and points (5) ... the senior previously had four points (3 goals, 1 assist) in an 8-7 win at Penn State on Feb. 26th.
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#11/9 UAlbany 11, Stony Brook 5
     UAlbany - Scoring: Nikki Branchini 4-1, Ariana Parker 2-0, Jodi Battaglia 1-1, Taylor Frink 1-0, Persy Sample 1-0, Kathleen Lennon 1-0, Amanda Pollock 1-0; Goalkeeper(s): Anna Berman (60:00, 6 saves, 5 GA).
     Stony Brook - Scoring: Kaila Gottlick 3-0, Abby Ford 1-0, Melissa Cook 1-0, Alyssa Cardillo 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Mickey Cahill (60:00, 10 saves, 11 GA).

#11/9 UAlbany 11, Stony Brook 5 (Apr 02, 2011, LaValle Stadium, Stony Brook, N.Y.)

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