The University at Albany women’s lacrosse team keeps piling up goals.
The New Hampshire Wildcats were UAlbany’s latest victim, as the No. 7-ranked Great Danes went on a 6-1 run in the second half to pull away for a 16-8 America East victory last Saturday at John Fallon Field.
Two Section II alumni provided nearly half of UAlbany’s goals. Columbia High School graduate Rachael Burek scored four times, and Guilderland High School grad Nikki Branchini added a hat trick.
Our offense is evolving, said UAlbany coach John Battaglino. `As we do, teams try to do some things against us, and we adjust.`
Branchini also came up big for UAlbany (3-0 league, 11-0 overall) on draw controls. The senior midfielder won five center-circle draws to help the Great Danes dominate the time of possession over New Hampshire (1-2, 6-6).
`I was just aggressive, and I love being near the ball,` said Branchini, who has been UAlbany’s top player on draw controls this season. `I’ve learned some techniques that help me get the ball.`
Battaglino ` a former Bethlehem Central High School girls lacrosse coach ` said Branchini has been his most indispensable player.
`In terms of what she brings to the draw controls and in terms of what she brings in leadership, she’s been my go-to girl,` said Battaglino.
Leading scorer Taylor Frink had an off-day for UAlbany, as she found the back of the cage only once. However, she compensated by assisting on four other Great Danes goals to help her team beat New Hampshire for only the third time in 13 career meetings.
`There have been times where she’s guarded by the other team’s best defender, and I expect her to make adjustments,` said Battaglino.
The thing that has allowed UAlbany to remain one of four undefeated NCAA Division I teams is that when one attacker struggles, other players step up. That held true again last Saturday as Jodi Battaglia, Amanda Pollock and Kathleen Lennon all tallied twice to compliment what Burek and Branchini did.
`It’s nice to know that if one person is having trouble [scoring goals], there are six or seven kids out there who can step up,` said Branchini.
UAlbany jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the first half against New Hampshire. The Wildcats closed the gap to 9-6 by the early stages of the second half before the Great Danes went on their final spurt to pull away for good.
Freshman goaltender Anna Berman stopped six shots for UAlbany to pick up her 11th victory.
`She’s not afraid of anything,` said Battaglino of Berman, who played for Section I’s North Rockland last year. `She’s got a lot of poise out there.`
UAlbany has four games left in the regular season, beginning with Saturday’s America East contest against defending league champion Boston University. And though the Great Danes know that they are beginning to garner national attention with their perfect record, they are not overlooking anyone.
`Honestly, I don’t think about records,` said Battaglino, who has guided UAlbany to its best start in the program’s Division I history. `You get a couple of hours to enjoy [a win], and then you look ahead to the next game.“