By Christian Hince | November 6, 2023
This past week saw the following outcomes for University at Albany sports:
Great Dane running back Griffin Woodell posted yet another 100-plus yard game Saturday against William & Mary.
Photo Credit: Shawn Ness / The ASP
Tuesday, Oct. 31:
This year ended for men’s soccer with a 1-0 Senior Night loss against NJIT. It was scoreless until the Highlanders player Sergio Martinez Cubel knocked through a penalty kick with 11 minutes left. UAlbany controlled 56% of possession but was outshot 11-10. The Great Danes closed the season on a four-game losing streak, finishing 5-11-1 overall and 1-5-1 in conference.
Volleyball dropped its third straight in a four-set loss on Long Island. After blowing a five-point lead to fall 25-23 in the first, UAlbany held on to win 25-20 in the second before losing a back and forth third set 26-24 and then blowing a 24-21 lead to end the night falling 27-25. Gabriella Karman and Kendall Harris led the team with 13 kills each, and Anna Myhal led on defense with a career-high 20 digs. The Great Danes fell to 2-6 in conference and 7-16 overall.
Friday, Nov. 3 - Field hockey slaughtered Maine 8-1 in the opening round of the America East tournament. Alison Smisdom broke the conference tournament record for goals in single game with a career-high five, Charlotte Triggs, Floor de Ruiter, and Mara Küskes added their own as the team broke the conference tournament record for goals in a single game. UAlbany outshot Maine 19-6, advancing to the America East semifinals and improving to 13-5 overall.
Saturday, Nov. 4:
The University at Albany football team collected their seventh win of the season in a 24-8 triumph over the #24 ranked William & Mary Tribe. The Great Danes defense recorded six total sacks through the game, led by senior defensive lineman AJ Simon, who tallied 2.5 of them. Cornerback Aamir Hall also shined, recording a pick-six off Tribe quarterback Darius Wilson, taking it back 45 yards through a crowd of defenders.
Running back Griffin Woodell ran for 100 yards on 18 carries for his third triple-digit performance of the season, while quarterback Reese Poffenbarger totaled 205 yards on 12-22 passing with a touchdown and interception.
Sunday, Nov. 5:
Field hockey was stunned by Cal in overtime 3-2, ending their hopes at America East title defense in the semifinals. The Bears’ forward Bente Baekers tied it with 5:19 left in the fourth before forward Holly Pears scored the game winner five minutes into the OT period.
UAlbany outshot Cal 16-8, with goals from Smisdom and de Ruiter, who were named to the all-conference team along with Charlotte Triggs. At 13-6, the best the Great Danes can do is hope for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.
Volleyball dropped their fourth straight on Senior Day against New Hampshire in four sets. After a commanding 25-15 victory in the first, UAlbany fell by scores of 25-19, 25-13, and 25-19 to close out. Sthefany Carvalho led the defense with 17 digs, and Zosia Szczotkiewicz served as primary setter with 29 assists. At 2-7 in the America East and 7-17 overall, the Great Danes finish the regular season next week.