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.

Brockport Doggies Bite Danes, 34-21

Albany, NY- The Brockport Doggies defeated the UAlbany Great Danes, 34-21, in the final 2009 New York State Rugby Conference match for both teams. The victory puts Brockport into the top 3 and on to the national collegiate tournament while the Danes remained in 5th place above only Binghamton and Cortland.

Both teams had to contend with a steady rain, at times torrential, and slippery field conditions. Missed tackles proved to be the downfall for the Albany side. Brockport’s shifty runners reeked havoc amongst the Albany defense. Albany would continue to fight but could not slow the Brockport offense. Ambery, T, Schafsteck, Santander and Leahy all scored for the Danes.

Danes Out Run Cortland, 39-17

October 17, 2009
Albany, NY – Albany got back in the win column this week with a 39-17 win over SUNY Cortland. Albany opened up with a sluggish first half but would regroup and pour it on in the second forty. Albany was led by co-captain Jack Reisman’s 14 points on a try, penalty kick and 3 converisons. Fullback Rob Schafsteck had 2 trys on kick and chases scores. Alex Trataros, subbing in at wing for Tyler Fritz, scored two tries on the wing. Lock Anthony Russo rounded out the Albany scoring.

Danes Fall to St Bonaventure, 40-24

October 10, 2009
Albany, NY – Albany falls to St Bonaventure 40-24 to damper Albany’s homecoming. St Bonaventure got on the board first when Dennis Mulligan punched one in. 14 minutes later Albany prop Mike Falatyn took off the base of a ruck to plunge in for an unconverted score. St Bonaventure’s Darren Kmicinski would answer when he picked off a 22 meter drop out between two Albany players to scamper in untouched. Albany would bounce back again with center Tom Ambery’s score and a Jack Reisman conversion to bring the Danes within 2.

St Bonaventure would then gain momentum with a penalty kick by Sparks and try by Kmicinski. The Dane’s attempt at a comeback would start and end with a try each by hooker Ryan Wunder and his replacement Matt Shea sandwiched around St Bonaventure’s Will Atkinson try. Final 40-24. Poor tackling proved to be Albany’s down fall where 3 of the tries came right up the middle.

Danes Fall at Buffalo, 12-10

Buffalo, NY- As Willie Nelson sung” On the road againLike a band of gypsies we go down the highway” Albany rugby took to the highway for the 4th game in a row , this time a 10 hour round trip to the University at Buffalo, and lost a heartbreaker, 12-10. Buffalo struck early when Tom Ambery’s clearing kick was blocked and Bufflao’s Steve Jones fell on it in the try zone. Albany would knot the score at 5 with a Dave Santander score in which he touched down off of a driving maul.

Albany would strike first in the second half with lock Anthony Russo getting on the board with a score off of ruck ball. Play would continue back in forth with Albany keeping defensive pressure up but not being able to clear the ball deep enough to get out of their own end. Buffalo fly half Pat McCallum would finally find pay dirt off of a dummy scissors to slice through the line to bring the score to 12-10, conversion made. After a 30min delay for a passing thunder storm both teams took the field well rested for the final 19 min. With back and forth play continuing for some 10 minutes Albany got the momentum off defensive pressure. Albany was able to keep it on with 4 scrum downs and a penalty inside the UB 22 but unable to score. Numerous efforts fell just short against a superb 9 min defensive stand by UB.

Albany will get a nice dose of home cooking with a three game home stand, starting this Saturday against St Bonaventure on UAlbany’s home coming weekend.