Albany, N.Y. – Kayla Best and Melanie Sosnowski each scored three goals in leading UAlbany to a 13-7 America East Conference victory over Vermont on Wednesday afternoon at John Fallon Field. The contest was the first half of a home lacrosse doubleheader, as part of Spring Stomp, the school's spring homecoming event.

UAlbany (5-6, AE 2-1) led 8-5 midway through the final period, but then took control with three consecutive goals. Best, who tallied three or more goals for the seventh time this season, sent a free-position shot between the legs of goalkeeper Olivia Hatfield to start that run. Sosnowski then kept a clearing play alive that led to Julie Bush finishing a fastbreak. Nikki Branchini gave her team a six-goal cushion as she drove from the right point and went low into the cage with 8:29 remaining.

"I thought our defensive unit made some great stops and did a good job of getting to loose balls," said UAlbany coach Lindsey Hart, whose squad held the visitors to season-low goal total by an opponent. "Sara Wolf and Tricia Primomo had great games. We keyed in on a couple of different people, played solid team defense and shifted as a unit."

The Great Danes took a 3-1 lead early in the first half. Best, who extended her goal-scoring streak to 41 consecutive games, converted a free-position opportunity when she placed a shot into the upper left corner. Sophomore Jodi Battaglia later scored in transition after Mel Rorie carried the ball from the defensive end on a successful clear.

The Catamounts, who had won five of their last six starts entering the contest, closed the gap to one on three occasions after that point in the half. Kristen Millar worked through three defenders midway through the period. Sarah DeStefano connected on a bounce shot into the lower left side to slice the deficit to 5-4. Rorie drove from the top and hit the lower left corner for a two-goal advantage at the break.

In the second half, UAlbany pushed out an 8-4 lead on a pair of goals 36 seconds apart. Defender Sara Wolf broke up a clearing attempt that led to Best driving to the cage from the right side. Rorie followed by recovering a stick-check and connecting on a drive. Vermont (7-5, AE 2-1) came back three minutes later when Sara Buxton found the lower right corner on a free-position attempt.

Sosnowski, a freshman attack, posted a career-high scoring total, finding the net twice in the final six minutes. Frink matched a career-best four points by handing out three assists for the Great Danes, who have won four of their last five outings. UVM's Buxton and Millar led their attack with two goals apiece. Hatfield, the current America East defender and rookie of the week, made 11 saves.

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ALBANY, N.Y. - Kayla Best and Melanie Sosnowski scored three goals each to lead the Albany Great Danes past Vermont, 13-7, and hand UVM its first America East loss of the year in women's lacrosse action on Wednesday afternoon.

The Catamounts fall to 7-5 overall and are 2-1 in league play. Albany improves to 5-6 on the season and 2-1 in the conference.

Albany jumped out to a 3-1 lead to start the game, behind goals from Julie Bush, Best and Jodi Battaglia. Vermont would climb back within one three different times in the half, but the Great Danes took a 6-4 advantage into halftime.

Albany scored two straight to open the second half and stretched its lead to four, 8-4, with 24:30 left in the second half. Sara Buxton (Northfield, Ill.) converted a free position shot at 21:30 to trim the lead by one. The Great Danes responded with three more goals to push the lead to six and held UVM to two goals over the final 8:29 of the game.

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2009-04-01