Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany men's lacrosse coach Scott Marr announced today that 11 student-athletes have made commitments to play for the Great Danes in the 2009-2010 academic year.

"Athleticism, speed and toughness describe the qualities of this group," offers Marr, a former USILA national coach of the year who has an 80-58 career record in nine seasons with the UAlbany program. "We did well in Long Island and brought in two Canadians who are mature with a certain level of playing experience. In addition, we were able to expand our recruiting to the states of Florida and Oregon which is an example of the growth of the game."

The Great Danes picked up their first student-athletes from the states of Oregon and Florida. Portland native Andy Fish was twice named to the Oregon High School Lacrosse Association (OHSLA) all-state first team. A two-time All-6A Columbia League selection, Fish led his team to the 2009 state championship final and a 19-5 record. Ben Young was selected to the Miami Herald All-Broward County first team and South Florida Sun-Sentinel Coaches' All-District 11 squad. The midfielder was chosen second-team all-county as a junior.

Long Island is well represented in the incoming class. Jack Nickla, a 6-foot-2 midifielder from Bellport High, earned All-Nassau County and All-Section XI honors after totaling 45 goals and 19 assists as a senior. He was named to the Class AA all-state football team as a quarterback and kicker. Kevin Glueckert, a two-time all-county midfielder at Bethpage High, had 40 goals and 15 assists last year. As a football standout, he was chosen to the Class A all-state third team and All-Long Island first team as a linebacker and running back. The two-sport star set the single-season rushing record and made 123 tackles. Glueckert's high school teammate, James Haugen, earned all-county recognition while scoring 22 goals and 19 assists from his midfield position.

UAlbany received three more commitments from All-Nassau County standouts. Will Fuller, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound midfielder, led Garden City High to a 17-4 record as the state's fifth-ranked Class B team. Fuller scored 38 goals and 24 assists for the Trojans, who reached the Long Island championship game. Defenseman Anthony Ostrander led Farmingdale High to a top-20 ranking in the state's Class A poll and a 13-5 overall mark. Ostrander, who had six goals and two assists, helped the Dalers capture the county championship as a junior. Brian Winterfeldt, a defenseman from Calhoun H.S., joined Ostrander as a member of the gold-medal winning Long Island scholastic squad at the 2008 Empire State Games. Winterfeldt also played fullback, linebacker and safety for the Colts' football program.

Mike Woods, a 6-foot-2 midfielder who played at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire last year, received first-team All-Northern New England Lacrosse League (NNELL) last year. A native of Newmarket, Ontario, Woods accounted for 24 goals and 21 assists for a program that posted a 14-1 record and was ranked No. 24 nationally. Matt Mackenzie, a left-handed midfielder from Edmonton, Alberta, was coached by Major League Lacrosse all-star Brodie Merrill at The Hill Academy in Ontario. He also played for the Edmonton Miners Junior A in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League. Colin Beavers-Anderson played both lacrosse (midfielder) and football (wide receiver) for Lawrence High in Central New Jersey. He accounted for a season-best eight points (5 goals, 3 assists) versus New Egypt and had seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) against Robbinsville.

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2009-07-30