STONY BROOK, NY -– The UAlbany women’s lacrosse team made a valiant comeback attempt in the final minutes with a 4-0 run, but fell at Stony Brook 14-12 in the America East title game, Sunday afternoon.
Down 14-8, UAlbany (12-5) rallied with four goals in the final six minutes to pull within two at Stony Brook (18-1). UAlbany picked up the next draw control, but could not score again.
UAlbany is hoping to pick up an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament. The selection show is tonight at 9 p.m. on NCAA.com. UAlbany stands at 12-5 overall with a victory over Ivy League runner-up Cornell and all losses against top-10 programs.
Sierra McIver, Dakotah Savitcheff and Sarah Martin were named to the America East All-Tournament Team. UAlbany has been in the America East title game the past seven years.
Kenzie Neal led UAlbany with five goals, including both free position attempts, plus an assist for six points. Savitcheff had four goals on as many shots while Martin had two goals, four assists and four draws. Erin Leghart had the loss in goal with seven saves and 10 goals allowed in the opening 37:18.
For SBU, Kylie Ohlmiller finished with six goals and an assist while Taryn Ohlmiller had a hat trick. Anna Tesoriero got the win in goal with five saves.
SBU struck on its first possession with a Kylie Ohlmiller goal next to the crease. UAlbany defended on the next two possessions, including Martin stripping a stick on a player in the arc. SBU got goals on its following four chances, including netting all three free position attempts.
UAlbany got offensive chances, with Neal getting a pass on a cut and firing, but Tesoriero making the save. SBU added another goal to make it 6-0.
UAlbany got on board a minute later as Martin found Savitcheff next to the right post for the catch and shoot goal. UAlbany’s defense held against a couple of SBU possessions, including one a player-down, then on its own free position attempt, Savitcheff hit another catch and shoot to pull UAlbany to 6-2 with just under seven minutes left in the 1st.
After SBU got one back, UAlbany got two big goals in the final minute of the first, Savitcheff taking the pass next to the crease and scoring point blank, then Neal hitting a free position shot inside the right post, making it 7-4 SBU at the half.
UAlbany kept the momentum going into the second half, attacking in transition and drawing a free position. Neal fired her shot inside the right post for the goal, getting UAlbany within two. Next possession, Leghart made a point blank save with a kick on a shot by Kylie Ohlmiller, holding the score at 7-5 SBU in the opening minutes of the 2nd.
SBU went on a 5-0 run in a span of six minutes, building its lead to 12-5 with 20:15 left in the 2nd half.
UAlbany stopped the SBU streak with a goal in transition as Savitcheff found Neal in front of the cage for a shot and score. SBU got the goal back with just under 13 minutes to play, leading 13-6.
UAlbany made a late push, netting two quick goals with passes from behind the cage to a cutter in front. Martin fed Neal for a goal, then the roles reversed, making it 13-8. SBU scored with 6:45 remaining to make it 14-8 Seawolves.
With the rain coming down, UAlbany started to make a late comeback, with Powlin getting an assist to Savitcheff for a goal. With under three minutes left, Neal scored off a scrum, then Martin had a free position shot. Powlin added a goal of her own under the crossbar to pull UAlbany within two at 14-12. UAlbany got the next possession but lost it on a wide shot, and SBU ran out the clock.
-Dave Vatz, UAlbany Sports Information
