Great Danes’ 2016 Spring Sports Preview

Last season, the UAlbany men's lacrosse program advanced to the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals and finished with a program best 16 wins, including a 6-0 record in the America East.

ALBANY, N.Y. (March 9, 2016) – From the pitching mound to the lacrosse field, the 2016 spring sports season is officially underway at the University at Albany. With multiple teams coming off conference championships, expectations are high. This year’s spring athletes are looking to add to an already full trophy case.

Here’s a look at six teams who will be representing the Great Danes during the spring semester:

Baseball:

After finishing their 2015 camping with a 14-28 record, the Great Danes will be looking to improve in 2016. They play 52 games this season, including 20 home games. Returning this season is senior outfielder Will Miller and pitcher Sam DeCelle, along with redshirt junior infielder Matt Hinchy, who was named to the 2013 America East All-Rookie Team.

For the first time in conference history, all eligible teams will advance to the America East Championship at LeLacheur Park in Lowell, Mass., home to the UMass Lowell River Hawks, May 25-28.

View UAlbany baseball’s full 2016 schedule.

Men’s Lacrosse:

The UAlbany men’s lacrosse team is a three-time defending America East Conference champion. Last season, they advanced to the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals and finished with a program best 16 wins, including a 6-0 record in the America East.

This season, the Great Danes are once again picked to finish first in the America East preseason poll. The team returns a pair of Inside Lacrosse Face-Off Preseason All-Americans in sophomore attack Connor Fields and senior goalkeeper Blaze Riorden. They are ranked No. 11 in the Inside Lacrosse Pre-Season Face-Off Issue.

The team has eight home games this season, including the annual “Spring Stomp” against Binghamton, on Saturday, April 16.

View the full 2016 schedule for UAlbany men’s lacrosse.

Women’s Lacrosse:

Last season, the Great Danes captured the first NCAA Division I at-large bid in UAlbany athletics history. They have been picked to finish second in the America East preseason poll for 2016.

The team returns eight starters and 14 letterwinners from last season’s NCAA Tournament team. With a late start to their 2016 campaign, the Great Danes will play eight home games and seven on the road. This includes the annual “Spring Stomp” against UMass Lowell, on Saturday, April 16.

View the full 2016 schedule for UAlbany women’s lacrosse.

Softball:

In 2015, the Great Danes placed third in the America East Conference, with a 30-18 overall record, and 11-6 mark in conference play. It was the fifth consecutive season they placed third or better in conference.

This season, UAlbany returns a trio of all conference standouts in senior shortstop Maggie Cocks, and outfielder Kelly Costello, along with junior catcher Liz Snow. They play 50 games in total, with nine home games. The team was picked third in the America East pre-season poll.

View UAlbany softball’s full 2016 schedule.

UAlbany will host the Track & Field Spring Classic on April 23-24. Some 60 teams, including Villanova University, St. John’s University, and the University of Maryland will participate in the two-day event.

Men’s and Women’s Track and Field:

UAlbany’s track and field teams continued America East dominance in 2015, claiming the men’s and women’s conference championships. For the men, it was the 11th consecutive America East crown, while the women took home their 10th championship in the last 11 years. Both programs will look to repeat in 2016.

Of note this season, UAlbany hosts the Track & Field Spring Classic on April 23-24. Some 60 teams, including Villanova University, St. John’s University, and the University of Maryland will participate in the two-day event.

View the full 2016 schedule for men’s track and field, and women’s track and field.

To learn more about all of UAlbany’s Division I teams, or to purchase tickets for upcoming home games, visit www.ualbanysports.com.

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