Danes Dump Buffalo State, 42-18

Albany,NY - The Great Danes of the Univeristy at Albany got back in hte win column and notched their first league win as they dumped Buffalo State, 42-18. The Danes used a revamped and reworked backline to create many opportunities out wide which allowed Albany's forwards to pound it in tight. Albany forwards would puncture the defense and the backs would spin wide to put in a bunch of scores.

Danes drop two straight NY State Rugby Conference games, St Bonaventure [54-5] and UBuffalo [45-10]

Albany, NY – The Danes bow to Buffalo U 45-10 in a NYSRC match up of two teams going in different directions.
As the #9 ranked D1 team in the country, buffalo is undefeated and headed for a showdown this Saturday with
#2 Syracuse U. The Danes host Buffalo State, who are winless in conference play, this Saturday in an effort
to stave off regulation to Division 2. The Danes showed vast improvement from last weeks pasting at St Bonaventure
but the constant mistakes continue to haunt the Danes. The Bonnies kicking game caused havoc last week and this week
it was Buffalo’s mis-direction.
The Danes host Buffalo State [Homecoming 2010] this Saturday before going on the road the next two weeks to Binghamton U
and SUNY Brockport.

Danes Beat Law, 34-10

Albany,NY- The Danes took on Grad School Albany Law in a non league contest Staurday at UAlbany and came out with at victory,34-10. The Danes got scores by Ryan Wundeer, Matt Zapala and Anthony Russo. The Danes were able to get in a bunch of players for the needed experience for the Danes take on St Bonaventure next Saturday in Buffalo. The trip will be a huge test for the Danes who are looking to even off their New York State Rugby Conference record at 1-1.

Danes Rebound Vs. Union College, 34-10

Albany,NY- The Danes rebounded, after a huge loss vs 2nd ranked Syracuse, to rattle Union College, 34-10. The Danes got two quick scores with 8 man Dave Santander and fullback Rob Schafsteck hitting paydirt. Albany's forwards would dominate the action using runners off of the rucks, pick and gos and punches. This allowed for the backs to operate in space. Schafsteck would make use of the space for his second try with a long break down he sideline. Kris Kaiser and James Keirnan would wrap scores around the two Union College tries scored by center Bruce Jesop and flanker Joe Brogus.

Dane Bites: Albany takes on cross town rivals in graduate school-Albany Law on the Danes New York State Rugby Conference byweek.

Danes Pasted BY SU

Albany, NY- The Danes kicked off their 2010 New York State Rugby Conference schedule against American Rugby News #2 ranked D1 Syracuse Uniersity by losing 69=12, The Danes were never in the contest with SU getting on the board at the 3 minute mark and rattling off 50+ points in the first half. Albany managed scores by Matt Zapala and Shane Jacobi.

Game Notes: Both Albany and Syracuse observed a moment of silence in honor of all those touched by 9/11. Albany has a bye week in the league schedule but will face Union College in a Monday afternoon game and Albany Law School on Saturday, 9/18/10.

Danes wrap up preseason with 29-15 win against RPI

Albany, NY-The University at Albany Men‘s Rugby wrapped up their fall 2010 pre season with a 29-15 victory over Capital District rival RPI, 29-15. The D2 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute [RPI ]proved to be a formidable opponent taking an early lead of 12 points, off tries by James Brown and Anthony Policastro , before the Danes showed some life at the 23 minute mark of the first half when flanker Anthony Russo took it to pay dirt. .Albany’s Jeff Lahen would add another score by chasing down center Alex Pashley’s high ball to score with just minutes left in the half to tie it up.

The Albany forwards took to it in the second half , controlling the scums and winning the war of rucks. Albany churned out scores by Jake Touhey, Shane Jacobi and Russo’s second of the day to seal the 29-15 win.

Albany captain Dave Santander was pleased with the way his side played “We played hard today which made the 2 a days that we went through worth the effort.” Coach John Durant added “ The team has worked hard over the past week of and a half playing three lower division men’s club teams in Saratoga, Rutland and Danbury in which they learned some lessons. They played a more focused and deliberate game today which enabled them to come out on top.”

Albany starts New York State Rugby Conference play this Saturday, 9/11/10 when they host ARN #2 ranked Syracuse University.

Danes Upend Union College in Final Game of Season

Schenectady, NY - The Danes finished off the season with a road win against rival Union College, 22-5. The Danes relied on a balanced attack to keep Union at bay for most of the game. Albany's forwards pounded it up the gut making many long breaks. When the outside was available the Danes took the opportunity with a break by Genaro and a feed to Rob Schafsteck for a score in the corner. Center Mike Cyr would score off scrum ball whith crash ball set up by Billy Fenwick misdirection.

Albany honored the 3 seniors that played today by making them game captains. Cairin O'Hara, Casey Leahey ,Jack Reissman and injured Brian Stonaker all ended exceptional careers at Albany and will be missed both on and off the field.

Danes show toughness vs Alumni Legends

Albany,NY - The Rugby Weekend finally found the UAlbany Alumni Legends taking on the Danes. In a strait ahead forwards type game both sides tried to work their pressure through disoganizing the defense with crash ball. Danes 14-Legends 32

Hall of Fame 2010

In a nigth which saw some 50 rugby alums to town, from as far away as Colorado and Tennesee were able to honor both Gary Boccio and Joe DaProcida as the 2010 UAlbany rugby all of Fame.

UAlbany Rails Rogues

Albany, NY - UAlbany faced an upstart men's club team from Rocland,NY and railed them 67-0. They Danes clicked on all 8 cylinders while Rockland showed very little in defense. Albany pounded the ball inside and spun it wide to attack Rockland's unorganized backfield defense. Sr. flander Cairin O'Hara got a hat trick and winger Sean Williams scored a spectacular try while being spun like a helicopter blade and landing on his feet before running in 22 meters for the score.

Jonesy -Live from NJ

Albany Knickerbocker, UAlbany Purple Haze player and former UAlbany scrum coach Mike "Jonesy" Jones Video from Kessler Rehab Center in NJ.

UMass Thrashes Danes, 47-14

Albany, NY - UMASS rugby came into Albany to prep for next weekends USA Rugby's Big 4at Stanford, California and needed all of about 20mins to render the game a no contest. Albany, played excellent rugby for 20mins but after a defensive miscue off of an Albany kick,resulting in a UMASS try, the wheels fell of the Danes. UMASS would knock in 21 more points befor Albany could muster up a score late in the half. The All "B"lacks did not fair much better losing to UMASS B 17-7

Albany looks to rebound next Saturday against start up men's club the Rockland Rogues. The first XV game will be followed by the yeearly alumni game between the Danes and the UA Alumni Legends.

UAlbany All "B"lacks Take Law Series

31Albany, NY- UAlbany All "B"lacks Take Law Series by scoring 31 straight points,31 -7. Albany Law controlled the tempo in the first 5 minutes and busted over a short score and conversion to take an early lead. Thed Danes would counter with a quick score off of multiple phases by Freshman winger Sean Williams. This would lead to a UAlbany landslide with scores by Matt Zapala, Billy Fenwick, Kris Kaiser and Gennaro Anzalone.

The full Dane's squad takes on UMASS at UAlbany Saturday at 1:00PM

Danes Sink USMMA Kings Point, 7-0

Portsmouth, RI - The Danes wrapped up the second day of the Beast of the East Tournament with a hard fought win vs a physical USMMA side. USMMA controlled play for the entire first half maintaining possession for 90% of the time. Albany's defense was up to the task keeping them from pay dirt.

The second half was a different story. Albany's tap penalty to Mike Falatyn netted the deciding score. Jack Reissman converted and Albany closed out the game with a defensive stand inside their 22.

Albany's All "B"lacks travel to Albany Law for the second game of a home and home series.

Danes Blanked on Beast's First Day

Portsmouth, RI- The UAlbany Great Danes lost their two pool matches at the Beast of the East Rugby Tournament in Portsmouth,RI, UA 0 -Brown 22 abd UA 7 - UConn 10. The first match vs the Ivy League's Brown University was a tale of two styles in which Brown's backfield used strategic kicking and strong back play to blank Albany. Albany's forwards did a fine job at controlling tempo on offense but Brown would take advantage, to the tune of 22 points, of any Albany turnover.

In the second game vs UCONN, Albany's 4/10/10 opponent, got their revenge, 10- 7. Poor clearing kicks proved to be Albany's demise. This enabled UConn to stay in Albany territoy which would stymie any Albany hopes for victory. Albany's score came off a nice Gary Owen by flyhalf Dylan Gandy to a streaking center Mike Cyr who took the ball on one hop and downed it to the right of the posts. Jack Reisman added the conversion.

Albany's All "B"lacks faced UMASS B in in a second division match where the UMASS would come out on top 12-5. Albany hooker Kevin Boyle dove in off a truck and trail for Albany's lone score

UAlbany All "B"lacks 12- Albany Law 5

UAlbany, NY - The UAlbany All "B"lacks took on the lawyers in training of Albany Law school in the first of two midweek contest between the schools. UA came out on top in this one with excellent forward play by the pack. UA one the battle of possesion and played stingy defense to keep the pace in their favor. Eight man Matt Zapala would dive in the try zone for the winning score after being set up by Ryan Sweet's quick tap penalty. Sweet would convert the try.

UAlbany travels to Rhode Island this weekend for the prestigous beast of the East Tournament. Follow us live on Twitter off of www.ualbanyrugby.com

"With You Jonsey"

In support of injured Purple Haze standout, former UAlbany scrum coach and longtime Albany Knickerbocker front row player the UAlbany Rugby team is wearing "Jonesy" T-shirts for pre-game warmups for the remainder of the 2010 season. To help Mike out..please go to www.MichaelJonesTrust.org

Danes Upend UCONN, 20-5

The Danes battled NERFU kingpins UCONN on a blustery Albany day. UCONN took great advantage of a strong tailwind to keep the Danes pinned in their own territory for the majority of the first half. Each of Albany's clearing kicks would result in a UCONN lineout which they dominated and set up a good base to attack from with their larger than average pack. Albany would stand tall through much of the pressure but would finally break down and give up a score by UCONN's lock forward. Albany prop Casey Leahey would knot the game at 5 by breaking free off of an Albany ruck and scampering nealy 45 meters for the score.

With the wind a their back, UAlbany put the pedal to the metal to start the second half with a quick score by lock Matt Zapala. Co-captain and 8 man Dave Santander would add another score while Alex Tratros would close out the scoring at 20-5.

UAlbany's All "B"lacks wound up with a 0-0 tie. UAlbany travels to Rhode Island for the Beast of the East Tournament this weekend after the All "B"lacks take on Albany Law at UAlbany on Wednesday.

Danes Split Doubleheader With Clarion at 4 Leaf Tournament

New York, NY - The Danes traveled south on 87 to the newly renovated Randall's dIsland athletic fields for the Village Lions hosted 4 Leaf Rugby Tournament. The Danes opened with an early morining kick off on very blustery, cold day against Clarion of University out of PA. Clarion struck first when No. 8 Thomas Dietz drove over the Danes line on a short plunge off of a driving maul. Early second half saw much improvement by the Albany pack to settle down Clarion's drive and offer a platform for the Albany's attack. Scrum half Jake Touhey served Dylan Gandy's backline the ball and Alex Trataros took the the ball home to tie the game at 5. Clarion would answer with spin ball to the backs where winger Seth Johnson downed the ball in the corner. Albany would counter and with under a minute left in regulation find them selfs with a 15 meter scrum directly in front of the posts however, they were unable to steal Clarion ball and any chance of victory dashed.

In the second match, due to the cancellation of Hofstra U, Albany showed improved form and would play most of the game in Clarion territory. Albany captain Jake Touhey scored the lone points of the game mid way through the second half when he executed a pop kick over the Clarion defense for a chase down catch and score. This was a great victory and a great day of rugby for the Danes. Albany utilized in both games a split side which included as many as 7 players who were in there first ever rugby game. Coach Durant's comment "We were able to come down here and be competitive while accomplishing our goal of Getting everyone game experience. It is a testament to our veterans who who played hard and remained positive despite the mistakes that happen when you go young. Our new players have shown great dedication and patience in their first two weeks in the program and I look forward to see how they progress as the season continues."

Albany travels acroos the Hudson River on Wednesday, April 7th to take on a much improved RPI side and will follow that with big spring game Vs. NERFU powerhouse UCONN on Saturday, April 10th.

Danes Drop Vassar in Spring opener, 27-17

Poughkeepsie, NY (March 24, 2010)- Albany made their yearly trek to the "Farm" at Vassar and dropped the home side 27-17. Albany started of the first 40 minutes with spirited butmistake ridden play. Even though mistakes were many Vassar only capitalized on one to go into hakf time up 5-0 on a Brent Ankler try in the corner.

Albany adjusted to the poor first half scrum thecknique and started winning their own ball and disrupting the Vassar pack. 8 man Bryan Ambery took a break up the sideline and fed Jake Touhey who dished back in to Moses Asis for a try in the corner. Albany would add scores by Tom Ambury, Alex Trataros, Mike Falatyn and Ryan Grant for a final of 27-17.