by VESTAL, N.Y. – University at Albany women’s lacrosse (12-2, 4-1 AE) downed Binghamton (6-10, 1-5 AE) on senior day for the Bearcats in Vestal, N.Y. Rachel Bowles scored five goals, while freshman Alie Jimerson (Cayuga Nation) had a career-high seven points (3g, 4a).
The Danes won the first three draw controls to take a 3-0 lead. Sarah Martin won the opening draw to hit Dakotah Savitcheff for a goal less than one minute into the game. The sophomore set up at the top of the crease for an assist from Jimerson.
After a shot-and-save each from Rachel Bowles and Maureen Keggins, Katherine Sweeney forced a turnover and picked up the ground ball to send the Danes on their way in the offensive end. Bowles notched her first of the day unassisted shortly after.
Twelve seconds later, Jimerson took the draw and raced downfield. The freshman found Keggins for a 3-0 UAlbany lead
Binghamton got on the board, but after the teams traded turnovers Nichole Eamer forced a miscue and scooped up the ground ball. The senior midfielder eventually found Jimerson for the dish to Bowles. Bowles recorded her 40th goal of the season for a 4-1 edge with 18:24 on the clock in the first half.
Jimerson made it two-straight assists, as she found Savitcheff with just under 15 minutes to play in the first. Keggins scored less than a minute later unassisted for a 6-2 Dane lead, prompting a Binghamton timeout.
Eamer and Sweeney had a few good looks on net, but the teams went back and forth for several minutes. Head coach John Battaglino called timeout to rally the troops with less than 10 minutes to go in the first.
The Danes finally broke through on a free position shot from Keggins. Alexis Drumm kept the momentum going by winning the draw. UAlbany made it five straight goals as Savitcheff scored from Keggins. Jimerson won the draw control following the goal and took it herself for a 9-2 advantage at the break.
In the second half, the Danes added to the run to make it 10-straight goals. Bowles recorded two unassisted. Martin notched a free position goal and Savitcheff scored unassisted with less than 20 minutes to play for a 13-2 lead.
Savitcheff snagged the draw to find Keggins. The nation’s leader in assists per game found Jimerson for a quick goal and a 14-2 edge.
UAlbany would go on to score three more goals. The Bearcats matched the Danes on the scoreboard in the last 15 minutes, but UAlbany would take the 17-5 win.
With four goals, Dakotah Savitcheff is three tallies away from becoming the all-time leader in single-season goals. The sophomore attack has 54 to date. Maureen Keggins needs seven more assists to become the all-time single-season leader in assists.
Stony Brook downed UMBC on Friday to earn the No. 1 seed in the upcoming America East Tournament. UAlbany can take the No. 2 or the No. 3 seed, depending on the outcome of next Saturday’s UMBC vs. UAlbany match at John Fallon Field.
The Danes continue their Central New York road trip on Sunday, as they face Syracuse (10-6, 3-4 ACC) on Sunday at 1:00 p.m., in the Carrier Dome. The game will be broadcast on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel and ESPN3.
