Women's Lacrosse Falls To No. 10 Stony Brook In The America East Title Game
STONY BROOK, N.Y. – Senior attack Jess Antelmi paced the University at Albany with two goals, but fell to No. 10 Stony Brook, 14-3, in the America East Conference Tournament Title game on Sunday, May 5 at LaValle Stadium. The Great Danes finish the season 12-5, while the Seawolves improve to 16-2 and advance to the NCAA Tournament.
“We made some errors early, but we battled back from them,” said head coach John Battaglino on the loss. “I think we shot ourselves in the foot a little too many times. They (Stony Brook) are such a strong team overall and to beat them you have to be at the top of every aspect of your game and we were not today.”
Antelmi tallied a team-best two goals, one of which was a free-position opportunity. Junior midfielder Ariana Parker complimented Antelmi with a free-position goal as well. Junior defender Kathleen Lennon broke ex-Great Dane Nikki Branchini's conference and program record for draw controls in a season with 103 (previously 100, set in 2011).
Stony Brook (16-2) jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead with 16:02 left in the first half. The Seawolves scored the game's first four goals in a five-minute and 13 second span. Janine Hillier recorded the first two goals and were followed up teammates Emily Mercier and Alyssa Cardillo.
UAlbany (12-5) retaliated with back-to-back goals off the stick of Antelmi to cut the deficit to three, 5-2, to end the half. Antelmi set up the first goal from a free-position opportunity with 9:24. Then Antelmi's second goal was set up by teammate Nichole Eamer drawing two defenders at the top of the key. Eamer's pass was sent in front of the net where Antelmi redirected passed Stony Brook's Frankie Caridi's stick side for the goal.
Following a quick goal by the Seawolves' Amber Kupres to push the lead to four, the Great Danes responded back four minutes later to stay within three, 6-3, with 24:39 remaining. An aggressive Parker was able to draw a free-position opportunity. The Port Ewen, N.Y. native beat Caridi on a low-bouncing shot for her 21st career free-position goal. Parker's 21 free-position goals places her tied-for fifth all-time with Christine Grueniger in Great Dane history.
However, Stony Brook finished the contest on an 8-0 run and defeated UAlbany, 14-3, to grab its first conference title in program history.
The Great Danes Antelmi, Parker and Allie Phelan were named to the 2013 America East All-Championship team.
UAlbany goalie Anna Berman stood strong between the pipes, recording a game-high nine saves on 23 chances and four ground balls. Stony Brook goalie Caridi tallied four saves in seven chances.
