UAlbany 7s Going to Vegas Tournament

UAlbany 7s will be traveling to the prestegious Las Vegas 7s Invitational Rugby Tournament February 9-12th. Albany is building on their runner up finish in the East Coast Rugby Conference Tournament and a Plate finalist at the Empire 7s Tournament.

The Danes will face the Southeast Conference's Georgia and perenial power Cal Poly on Thursday. Friday the Albany will face Stanford University and then advance to pool play. Coach Durant "This is a great opportunity for our players. We have made great progress in the olympic version of the sport and this increased competition can only make us better." Albany will start getting after it with 7:00am practices to prepare for the tournament in which stamina and fitness are keys to success,

Stay tuned to the Insider for player interviews, tournament highlights and team news.

Sirkia Kicks Middlebury Past Albany

Courtsy of Rugby Magazine

Written by Alex Goff Saturday, 08 October 2011 22:34

Sirkia Kicks Middlebury Past Albany
Middlebury claimed a hard-won victory 29-22 over SUNY Albany Saturday, coming back from a 17-12 deficit to win.

The Vermont school has been hit hard by injuries and struggled with keeping it together on a hot, 80-degree day.

They also struggled with scoring tries, but were fortunate to have scrumhalf Brian Sirkia there to kick goals. Sirkia notched four penalties in the first half to tries by Albany prop Tyler Coyle, wing Brian Cordero and No. 8 Antony Russo. Center Dan McNammara added a conversion for the 17-12 lead at halftime.

But Middlebury stormed out of the gates in the second half, pinning Albany in their end and forcing Albany into more penalties. Sirkia was good on four more to put his side ahead 24-17 with 15 minutes to go.

“After the game I asked Brian, ‘what did you say to them?’” said Middlebury Head Coach John Phillips. “Somebody said something because we were just more intense – we rucked better and tackled much better.”

With 15 minutes to go sub flanker Sam Murray inserted into the backline and ran a smart angle to score Middlebury’s only try of the match to make it 29-17.

Albany tried to come back, and scored a try through sub prop Justin Barends, but it wasn’t enough.

It was a game where the teams held dominance in different areas, but Middlebury emerged winners because they didn’t commit penalties, Albany did, and Sirkia’s kicking was almost perfect.

“Middlebury’s patience and discipline carried them throughout the game,” said Albany Head Coach John Durant.

SUNY Albany Holds Off BC

Written by Alex Goff Saturday, 01 October 2011 12:17

SUNY Albany Holds Off BC
SUNY Albany edged Boston College 19-18 Friday in the opening East Coast Rugby Conference match for both college teams.

Played on the artificial turf field at Amesbury Sports Park, and finished under the lights, the match was a tight one all the way.

BC dominated early play, scoring through Jake O'Brien and Kyle McVicker at 16 and 20 minutes, respectively. Up 10-0, the Eagles perhaps through they'd roll. But several attacks close to the Albany tryline ended with knock-ons, and let off the hook, the New Yorkers came back.

Adrian Newell ran in two tries later in the first half, the second converted by Daniel McNamara for a 12-10 lead. BC's John Casey clotted a penalty with six minutes left in the half to put his side up 13-12 at the break.

That slim lead lasted well into the second half as both sides played aggressive rugby but couldn't claim any points for their efforts. Late in second half, Albany turned over ball after a BC attack, and countered. Sean Kimmins touched down for the try, and McNamara's conversion gave Albany a 19-13 lead with time winding down.

Seven minutes later BC responded with a try of their own, with sub John Potapchuk claiming the score in the corner. Casey had a tough conversion attempt to take the lead and his effort drifted wide.

As the game came to a close, BC got a penalty, but Casey was no good with the attempt, and Albany held on 19-18.

Danes Level Law

Albany, NY. The Dane’s wrapped up their pre-conference schedule by hosting cross town foes, Albany Law School. The Dane’s started quick with 8 man Anthony Russo making a break off of the opening kick off and feeding #10 Jeff Lahens for a score in the corner 25 seconds into the game. 7 minutes later the duo would strike again this time Russo would score the try and Lahens converted. Lahens would close the first half scoring with a nice dummy and keep into the try zone. Danes 17 – Law 0.

Albany Law picked up their level in the second half with Joe Zapone scoring as the result of some nice Law rucks. The Dane’s would answer 3 time with #9 Mo Aisi scored off a weakside scrum move, #15 Dylan Gandy’s counter off of a Law clearing kick and Kimmins nifty run through the Law defense. Former Dane center, Mike Tedesco would close all scoring with a long run up the sideline for his current Law team to notch Law’s 10th point of the game. Final; Danes 32-Law 10.

The Dane’s controlled the scrum downs which made a great platform for attack. #10 Jeff Lahens was able to take the ball on the run and create pressure on Law’s back line. The Dane’s also controlled the breakdowns, allowing for a multi phased attack. All and all a good effort by the Danes.

Game notes: Dane Alumni Mike Tedesco [center] and Matt Zappala[#8] both suited up for the Law side. Mike is finishing his third year and Matt is in his first semester. The Danes B side lsot 10-0 to Law with many raw rookies in the line up. The Danes start East Coast Rugby Conference play next Saturday when they travel to Storrs, CT to face Uconn.

Danes Handle Hudson Valley B, 46-0

Kingston,NY- The Danes' Purple side traveled to Kingston to take on the Hudson Valley Rugby Club's second side in another pre-season match up for Albany. Anthony Russo led off the Albany scoring with a take off of ruck ball inside the HV 10. HV would try and counter with gutsy forward play that enabled them to maintain possession for a good 15 mins but were unable to punch it in against the stingy Albany defense. Albany gained the ball after a clearing kick was muffed and Dan McNamarra grabbed it on the run to feed Justin Barends who sprinted in 22 meters for the score. Mo Aisi would add a score to close the half with nifty outside of the foot grubber which he scooped and scored. Albany 17-0 at the half.

The second half was all Albany. HV could not match Albany's fitness and outside half speed. Russo (2), Lahens, Newell, and Henrguez would all score off of breakouts from hsyt inside the 50. 46-0 final.

The Danes' Black side traveled to Troy, NY to play RPI's B and one a nailbiter, 24-23. Game details not available at time of stroy.

Danes lose at combine to Brown, 64-0

The Great Danes traveled to Providence,RI for a combined session and game with Brown University Saturday. Brown U and former US U19 coach David LaFlamme put Albany through some contact drills. Albany was instructed in the system that Brown uses and that is used in the US Eagles program. Players gained a higer level of understanding as to what is needed to be done to become a top US rugby program.

Unfortunately the undermanned Albany side was no match for Brown on the pitch. Brown's big men slashed through the Albany defense creating great space for their backline to work with. Several Albany players showed great effort but could not stay with Brown. Final, Brown 64- Albany 0.

RPI Routs Albany, 36-20

Troy, NY – RPI routed rival UAlbany Thursday in a early season non conference match up, 36-20. RPI’s combination of fly half Kevin Stolle and 8 man Mike Taglifirro accounted for all of ROI’s points. Stolle started the scoring as he found a seem in Albany’s defense and scored under the posts after a 30 meter run. Taglifirro followed by picking up a ball off of an Albany turnover and scampering 30 meters untouched to paydirt. Albany’s outside wing Ryan Grant’s score in the corner gave Albany hope for a comeback. However, a costly Albany penalty enabled the strong footed Stolle to convert a PK to end the half at 24-5.

Albany came out fired up for the second half with 8 man Anthony Russo scoring for Albany early in the half. Albany would notch another score by Mo Aisi with a nice break down the sideline. Momentum stalled for Albany as RPI dynamic duo would add 14 points off of two Talifirro tries and 2 Stolle conversions. Albany’s Dylan Gandy would add a late score for Albany. Albany coach John Durant’s was impressed with RPI”s level of play “10 and 8 completely controlled the game. RPI played hard and deserved the win. My boys were had good preparation coming into the game but were mentally out of it after Stolle’s first score. We mad a ton of offensive mistakes that cost us dearly.”

Stolle’s 4 conversions ,penalty kick and a try gave him 12 points on the nigh but could not match his running mate, Taglifirro’s hat trick of 3 tries for a 15 point total.

Albany Notes: Albany takes to the road this Saturday for a combined practice and scrimmage with the IVY’s Brown University. The Danes’s are using this rigorous pre league schedule to prepare for their inaugural season in the newly formed East Coast Rugby Conference.