Buffalo, N.Y. - Jodi Battaglia netted four of her season-high five goals in the opening half and Allie Phelan scored a career-best four times in leading unbeaten UAlbany to a 14-8 non-conference win over Canisius on Thursday, April 21 at Demske Sports Complex. The Golden Griffins had won eight in a row on home turf, dating back to last April.
     Canisius (11-5) jumped out to a 4-2 lead in the opening 12-plus minutes of play. Megan Oosting had her team's first three goals, all in free-position situations. Senior attack Taylor Gray, who scored twice and handed out an assist, added another goal when she picked up a ground ball during another free-position opportunity.
     UAlbany (13-0) regrouped with three unanswered. Freshman Ariana Parker started the run when drove between two defenders and sent a high shot to the left of the goalkeeper. Battaglia scored back-to-back, including a free-position shot from the left. The Golden Griffins tied the contest at five apiece when Theresa Walton found the net in transition after teammate Jackie Loson caused a turnover on the defensive end.
     The Great Danes ran off a string of six consecutive goals to break the deadlock. Phelan, a freshman midfielder, finished off a drive from the right with a low shot and then hit the top right corner after defender Stephanie Kempf caused a Canisius miscue to gain possession. Battaglia found a cutting Amanda Pollock in front of the cage for a three-goal lead. Phelan and Taylor Frink added a pair of unassisted goals in the final minute of the half in posting an 11-5 advantage at the intermission.
     In the second half, UAlbany held at least a five-goal margin throughout the period. Battaglia, a senior attacker who recorded her highest single-game point total in two years with two assists, set up Pollock for her second goal of the game and a 13-7 lead at the midway point of the half. Phelan later wrapped up the scoring by eluding a defensive double-team to find an empty net with 6:44 remaining.
     "We ran some different sets on offense (in the first half), took advantage of opportunities, and our defense adjusted," said Battaglia, who played on the scholastic level five miles from the Canisius campus. "It was my first time playing in Buffalo during my college career and I was definitely excited to be home."
     Oosting had four goals, including her 42nd of the season, for the Golden Griffins, who had won 10 of their last 11 outings entering the contest. Goalkeeper Allison Daley made 10 saves. UAlbany's Frink, who set the school's single-season assist record, had one goal and one assist. The Great Danes, who travel to America East Conference opponent Binghamton on Saturday, are ranked No. 9 nationally in the IWLCA poll and No. 7 by deBeer/Inside Lacrosse.

Paw Prints:  UAlbany (13-0) and Maryland are the only undefeated teams at the NCAA Division I level ... the Great Danes have won 16 of their last 17 non-conference games ... Canisius last tasted defeat at Demske Sports Complex on April 9, 2010 ... Jodi Battaglia's seven points (5 goals, 2 assists) were one off her career-best total, established against Stony Brook on April 18, 2009 ... the senior recorded her 18th career hat trick ... Taylor Frink set the single-season assists record with 27, breaking Jenn O'Donnell's 1996 standard ... Frink moved into a tie for seventh on the school's all-time scoring list with Sarah Spillett (2004-07), as each player has 142 career points ... All-America Nikki Branchini collected a season-high 11 draw controls from her defensive midfielder position.
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#9/7 UAlbany 14, Canisius 8
     UAlbany - Scoring: Jodi Battaglia 5-2, Allie Phelan 4-0, Amanda Pollock 2-0, Taylor Frink 1-1, Ariana Parker 1-0, Persy Sample 1-0; Goalkeeper(s): Anna Berman (56:30, 3 saves, 7 GA), Brett Yenger (3:30, 1 save, 1 GA).
     Canisius - Scoring: Megan Oosting 4-0, Taylor Gray 2-1, Carly Quinn 1-0, Theresa Walton 1-0; Goalkeeper(s): Allison Daley (60:00, 10 saves, 14 GA).

#9/7 UAlbany 14, Canisius 8 (Apr 21, 2011, Demske Sports Complex, Buffalo, N.Y.)

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