April 9, 2004

Stony Brook, N.Y. - The Stony Brook men's lacrosse team will take on in-state rival Albany on Saturday afternoon in the state capital. The Seawolves (4-4, 1-1) will look to snap a string of two straight losses to the Great Danes (4-3, 1-1). Face-off is 1 p.m.

Versus Albany: Stony Brook leads the series 5-4

Last Time Out: Stony Brook suffered its first loss in conference play, a 9-7 defeat to Binghamton last Saturday. The Seawolves took an early 2-1 lead but then battled back from a 5-4 halftime deficit and took a 7-6 lead on an Adam Marksberry goal early in the fourth quarter. But the Bearcats responded with three straight to close out the game and earn the victory. Marksberry had three goals and an assist in the loss.

About the Great Danes: Albany is 4-3 entering Saturday's action, 1-1 in conference play. The Great Danes are the most prolific offensive team in the conference, averaging 11.0 goals per game. Freshmen Merrick Thomson (3.0 gpg) and Frank Resetarits (2.29 gpg) ranks one and two in the league in goals per game. The league's top set-up man is Albany's Luke Daquino who is averaging 2.29 assists per game. Goalie Kevin Rae (10.07 GAA) was the 2002 America East Rookie of the Year.

The Man In Goal: Freshman goalie Brendan Callahan has emerged as one of the best in the nation in 2004. In six starts, he has compiled a 4-2 record to go along with an outstanding 5.88 GAA and .683 save percentage. He ranks second among all Division I goalies in each category entering weekend play.

Adam Leads The Way: Sophomore Adam Marksberry has been SB's top goal scorer all year long and he continued his good play against Binghamton last weekend. He registered a new career high in points with three goals and an assist to boost his point total to 14. He has scored in each of Stony Brook's eight games this season and leads the team in goals scored with 12. In his rookie season, Marksberry totaled 15 goals in 16 games.

Pearls Of Wisdom: Junior Kyle Pearl totaled a game-high 11 ground balls last week against Binghamton. He now has 46 in eight games and his 5.75 ground balls per game average ranks 13th in the country.

Poch Faces Off: Michael Poch enjoyed his best day at the x for Stony Brook against Binghamton. Poch won 13 of 19 draws (.684), the most he has won in any game in his SB career.

Breaking A Streak: Albany has won the last two regular season matchups against Stony Brook. The Great Danes earned a 12-8 win during the seasn and then defeated SB 11-5 in the first round of the America East playoffs last spring.

Zetzer Nets Three In A Row: Sophomore Adam Zetzer has found himself in the middle of the Stony Brook attack. He has scored in each of the last three games and has four goals on the season. Zetzer appeared in nine games last year without scoring a goal.

Youth Pitches In: Of Stony Brook's 51 goals, 25 (49 percent) have come from sophomores. Two out of SB's top three scorers are sophomores. Of Stony Brook's 51 goals, 39 (76 percent) have been scored by freshmen and sophomores.

Notes: Stony Brook is 4-for-32 in man-up situations, but has converted three of its last seven opportunities . . . opponents are 6-for-35 in man-up situations . . . the Seawolves are 0-3 on the road this season.