ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany women’s lacrosse team will host its 2019 regular season finale on Saturday in the team’s Spread Respect game when they will host UMBC ahead of the America East Tournament.
The Spread Respect initiative was created by the America East with the purpose of furthering awareness and education to ensure equality, respect, and safety for all student-athletes without regard to sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, and more.
UAlbany was scheduled to host its Senior Day ceremony ahead of Saturday’s game, but the lone senior on the 2019 roster, Kaylee Rickert, voluntarily left the team in January to pursue her training at the New York State Police Academy. Rickert’s departure left no senior class members on this year’s UAlbany roster.
The Great Danes (9-6, 5-1 AE) last visited second-year program Hartford, defeating the Hawks 23-5. Freshman Hailey Carroll scored four goals for the fourth time this season, and earned her sixth America East Rookie of the Week award.
UMBC last visited UMass Lowell, defeating the Riverhawks 11-5. Since starting the season 2-9, the Retrievers have gone 4-1, with their only loss coming at the hands of New Hampshire on the road, 15-10.
Following the victory over Hartford, the Great Danes remain tied for second in the America East with New Hampshire while holding a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Wildcats. Defending champion and preseason favorite Stony Brook remains undefeated and in first place, in line to host the tournament. UMBC is currently in fourth place, in the final qualifying spot for the tournament.
The America East Tournament semifinals will take place on Thursday, May 2. The championship field is locked, and the four teams advancing, UAlbany, UMBC, Stony Brook, and New Hampshire, will play Saturday’s game to determine final seeding and site location. The Great Danes can climb as high as the two-seed or fall as low as the four-seed.
THE OUTLOOK: UMBC (6-10, 4-2 AE) | Saturday, April 27, 12:00 p.m. | Albany, N.Y.
Last we met: W, 11-7, April 7, 2018, Baltimore, Md.
Tale of the Tape
- UAlbany is 6-1 at home this season
- UMBC is 4-4 on the road
- UMBC has gone 4-1 after losing nine straight
- Against common opponents, UAlbany is 5-1 and UMBC is 4-2
- UAlbany has won each of the last six meetings in the series
- UMBC last won in Albany in 2009
- UAlbany ranks second in the America East in six team categories, including scoring (13.87) and points (21.33)
- UMBC ranks second in team save percentage (.480)
- Imani Hedgeman leads in caused turnovers per game (1.64)
- Madison Conway ranks 13th nationally in shot percentage (.585)
- Sam Tortora ranks 16th nationally in assists (2.40)
- UMBC’s Carly Tolino leads the America East in save percentage (.478)
Series History: UAlbany leads 14-6
2018 Record: 11-6, (3-4 AE); fifth place America East
Top Offensive Player: Payton Van Kirk, Sr., A, (21g, 16a)
Between the Posts: Carly Tolino, Sr., (6-9, 11.51 GAA, .478 Sv%)
