LAST MATCH
UAlbany defeated the University of New Hampshire, 3-1, on Sunday, Oct. 14. Freshman Phillip Persson scored the game’s first goal and assisted sophomore Pomare Te Anau in the 82nd minute.
Great Dane goalkeeper Tim Allen recorded his fourth win with eight saves on nine chances.
THIS WEEK’S OPPONENTS
Hartwick has dropped three of their last four matches to fall to 4-6-2 on the season. They’ve proven to be stronger at home, posting a 3-1 record at Elmore Field. The Hawks lone victory during their most recent stretch was a 1-0 road win against Bucknell last Wednesday. UAlbany lost to Bucknell 4-0 earlier this season.
Boston is 1-1-2 in America East Conference play this season and 4-6-4 overall. They are coming off a 5-1 road loss against UMBC last Saturday. Sophomore forward Dominique Badji is currently leading the conference with 48 total shots. The Terriers shoot more than any other team in the America East, yet are still only tied for fifth in goals with 17.
IN FRESHMEN WE TRUST
Forward Phillip Persson and midfielder Kit Alexieff, both freshmen, have found the back of the net in each of UAlbany’s last two victories. Alexieff was named America East Conference Rookie of the Week after recording a goal against both UMBC and New Hampshire. Persson led the Great Danes in their victory over UMBC with three points. He scored the match’s first goal and recorded an assist in the 82nd minute.
BATTLE FOR TOURNAMENT SEEDING
UAlbany (4-9, 2-2 A-East) is currently tied for third place in the America East standings with Binghamton University. Their 2-2 conference play record puts them one game behind Stony Brook University (9-3-1, 3-1 A-East) who holds the No. 2 position. The top two teams in the regular season will receive a first round bye in the America East Tournament.
MANNING THE MIDDLE
Pomare Te Anau has found much success roaming the midfield since joining the team in 2011. Te Anau has tallied six assists in his career at UAlbany. His most recent assist was off a free kick sent into the box to teammate Brandon Wilson against Buffalo on Sept. 21.
A LAND OF HIS OWN
Australian goalkeeper Tim Allen, in his first collegiate soccer season, has played well between the pipes. He has tallied 76 saves and one shutout in 13 games this season.
CONFERENCE ACCOLADES
Freshman midfielder Anthony Rozzano grabbed the first accolade of the season for the Great Danes and the first of his career. His performance of two goals and one assist from Aug. 27 thru Sept.3 garnered him America East Conference Rookie of the Week.
Kit Alexieff was also named America East Conference Rookie of the Week after recording two game-winning goals UMBC and New Hampshire in the second week of October. His goals pushed UAlbany up from sixth place to a tie with Binghamton for third place in the conference standings.
ARMBAND WORTHY
Dominic McGarr and Jeff Pierre were honored as
the 2012 UAlbany men's soccer captains this season. Both McGarr and Pierre
played in all of the team's 19 games last season. McGarr will man the
well-experienced back line this season and Pierre will look to lead the midfielders
after the departure of senior captains Anthony DeSalvo and David Pinto
BACK LINE EXPERIENCE
UAlbany brings back all four starters from last
season. 2012 co-captain middle back Dominic McGarr comes back as the lone
starter from last season having played every game last season. Both Thomas Manz
(middle back) and Christoffer Nisser (right back) played 18 of the teams 19
games and Arsenio Elliott (left back) started in 16 of 17 games.
The four returners helped hoist a team total four shutouts last season, including a regular-season 0-0 tie with defending conference tournament winner Stony Brook.
OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER RETURNING
The 2012 Great Danes return 19 of its 24 goals in 2011 and in total, UAlbany
only loses 11 of its 61 points from last season.
Senior forward Quintel Gates returns after leading the squad with seven goals last season, including a team-leading three game-winners. Midfielder Pomare Te Anau led the team with five assists and second in points with 13 and goals with four. Brandon Wilson tallied three goals and an assist, Jeff Pierre put two in the net along with two assists. Defender Thomas Manz tallied a lone goal.
GREAT DANES ARE 2012 UNDERDOGS
UAlbany was chosen to finish tied-for sixth in the
America East with the Binghamton Bearcats.
Second year head coach Trevor Gorman and the Great Danes are in familiar territory having been chosen to finish eighth last season. But being picked eighth last season didn't stop the Danes from an America East Semifinal appearance.
