UAlbany set to host Drexel for second of three-game homestand
The University at Albany men’s lacrosse team will host its second of threestraight games to open the 2020 season this weekend, welcoming Drexel to Casey Stadium on Saturday.
Leading the Pack
UAlbany is one of four teams in the country to have not surrendered a man-down goal so far in the early going of the season. Drexel ranks ninth nationally in man-up offense and the Great Danes rank in the top-25 nationally in assists per game, clearing percentage, and saves per game. Danny Mastropaolo leads the America East in faceoff percentage. Drexel went 4-3 on the road last season
Scouting Drexel
Drexel opened the season with a one-point loss at High Point University, 16-15. The Dragons went 7-8 in 2019, and 2-3 in the CAA, before falling
to then-#12 Towson in the CAA championship game, 16-14. Four Dragons earned spots on the Preseason AllCAA Team, including 100goal scorer Reid Bowering, and the Dragons were picked to finish fourth in the league. UAlbany has won each of the last five against Drexel, having lost the previous five-straight, and is 10-8 in the Division I era against the Dragons. Five of the last 11 games have been decided by two goals or fewer.
Last Time vs. Drexel
In one of their most thrilling games last season, the Great Danes defeated Drexel on the road 13-12. Drexel jumped out to a 4-1 lead before UAlbany went on a run to tie the game at five. Davis Diamond gave the Danes a lead with a last-second goal right before halftime. UAlbany scored five of the first six goals after halftime to take an 11-7 lead, only to see Drexel piece together a 5-0 run to lead 12-11 with 9:37 left in the fourth. Jakob Patterson tied the game with 8:02 to go, leading to Diamond’s go-ahead goal with 5:46 left to play. In goal, Nate Siekierski made a big save with 10 seconds left to preserve UAlbany’s victory. Patterson finished with five goals and one assist, and Diamond finished with four goals.
Last Time Out
UAlbany hosted #12 Cornell in their 2020 season opener last Saturday, their first time playing at home to open a season since hosting Denver in 2009. Following a tight first quarter, Cornell jumped out to a 7-3 halftime lead before outscoring UAlbany 9-1 in the third to take command of the game. The Great Danes found their rhythm in the fourth quarter, but ultimately fell to the Big Red 19-10. Cornell dominated the faceoff and ground balls during the game, but Corey Yunker came away with a hat trick and freshman Graydon Hogg scored twice with two assists in his UAlbany debut. It was Cornell’s first victory in Albany in the series’ history.
Hogg Wild
After his first-ever game in a Great Dane uniform, UAlbany freshman Graydon Hogg was named America East Rookie of the Week. Hogg scored two goals in the season opener against #12 Cornell, while also recording two assists, winning two ground balls, and causing two turnovers.
America East Success
UAlbany is looking for its 10th conference championship. The Great Danes have won three of the past five titles, including two of the past three.