UMass dumps Danes, 30-17

9/28/13, Amherst, MA/ UMass used the strong play of prop Todd Theodat who scored three times to dump the Danes, 30-17.  Danes #10 Herno Smith scored twice, flanker Sean Kimmins once and Joe Mandel added a conversion.  Albany really came out with energy and piled up mistakes which is a true recipe for disaster.  

Albany Notes:  Albany travels to UConn for their 2nd ECRC match.  

Danes crushed by Kitztown, 81-0

9/21/13 Albany,NY- The Danes could not match Kutztown's experience, physical ability and size thus a huge margin of victory.  Kutztown's constant pressure forced the Dane's into mental and physical mistakes which Kutztown made Albany pay for with points on the board.  

Albany notes:  Albany travels to UMass Saturday for their first East Coast Conference game.  Kick off at 1:00pm on the UMass Amherst Campus.  UMass is 0-2 in their two ECRC games.

Danes closeout Columbia, 37- 25

9/7/13 NY,NY - The Danes came away with a 12 point victory Vs. Columbia U.  Scoring went back and between both sides with Albany holding the lead throughout.  Wingers Giordani and Scanlon scored for the Danes in the first half to give them a 10 -6 advantage.

The Danes would put the game away late in the second half with late scores by flanker Justin Barends and center Ralph Henriquez.  

Insider notes:

Albany scorers; Grant, Barends, Scanlon , Maxwell, Wolf and Giordani .  Special thanks to all the Alumni, Family and fiends who attended the game.  Special thanks to the Maxwell's for the post game barbecue. 

Brown dumps Danes, 17-12

8/31/13. Providence,RI - Brown U used good solid play to dump the Danes,17-12.  Brown took a 10-0 advantage before winger Joe Mandel scooped up a loose ball and dove in the corner to get Albany on the board mid way through the second half. Brown would storm back with a score 5 min later.  Albany would close the gap with a Gavin Gymesi try but time ran out out on the Danes.  

"The boys played a good game today, especially up front. We went away from our system a bit on offense and had a couple of breakdowns on defense that really cost us." Explained coach Durant. " I love playing Brown because they are a well coaches team and a quality opponent.  It's all about getting ready for conference play and these tests will get us ready."

Albany Insider notes:  Danes travel to Columbia U Saturday to take on a second Ivy League opponent.  Alumni, Family and friends are invited. We will be having the Big Apple Tailgate starting at 1:30pm in Columbia's Baker Athletic Complex parking lot.

Game stats:

Danes travel to Brown U Saturday

8/29/13, Albany,NY - the Danes travel to Providence,RI this Saturday to take on the Ivy League's Brown University.  The Danes are a little bumped up coming out of last Saturday's game vs. SU.  4 of the starting XV will be out due to injuries.  Depth is the key to surviving in D1 rugby and Albany has enough to be competitive. With an excellent Brown squad that gave DArtmouth U all they could handle last year.  "It is a good trip for us" state coach Durant.  The squad gets to compete on one of the best rugby fields in the country against a top side.   We learn a ton from this game at it is a great teat for what we look to see in the upcoming ECRC season".
Insider Notes:
Albany travels to NY,NY to take on another Ivy League foe, Columbia U.  The Big Apple Tailgate will take place at 1:30 pm in the Baker Athletic Complex.  Columbia U 's Soccer stadium will host the game which has a 3:00PM kick off.

Danes Squeeze Orange

8/24/13 Albany,NY-The UAlbany took on upstate rivals Syracuse University in a non conference preseason match at UA's brand new natural grass club sports field.  The Danes were able to pull in front in the last 20 min to secure victory, 43-22.  It was a tight game with both teams trading scores.  SU big pack was able control tempo offensively while Albany used an explosive back line and solid forward play to keep pressure on the well coached Orange.  

Insider Notes:Flanker Sean Kimmins had a standout game for the Danes.  Albany breaks preseason camp Sunday after a brief workout.  The Danes travel to Brown University for the first of two Ivy League opponents, Danes travel to Columbia U the following Saturday.

Danes Open 2013 Preseason Camp

Albany,NY- The UAlbany Rugby squad opened the 2013 season today with the start of preseason camp.  31 players took to the field at 8:00AM for testing and drills.  Afternoon session got all going on full contact drills. "Great turnout and this group is really into it.  We had two great sessions today and got a great deal accomplished." Stated Coach Durant.  Captain Herno Smith " looking forward to the season and pleased to see that the boys came back in good shape."   

The Danes have two more sessions tomorrow before hosting a preseason round robin Saturday with Syracuse U and RPI.