Two UAlbany Women’s Lax Players Named All-Americans

After a record-setting year for the UAlbany women's lacrosse team, the post-season honors and accolades continue to roll in.

UAlbany’s Nikki Branchini and Taylor Frink have been named to the Synapse Sports Division I Women’s Lacrosse All-America Team while John Battaglino was chosen Synapse Sports National Coach of the Year. 

Branchini was a first-team selection, while Frink made the second team. 

Branchini, a senior defensive midfielder, led the Great Danes to the NCAA quarterfinal round where they lost to eventual national champion Northwestern.  The 2011 America East Conference Co-Player of the Year had 21 goals and three assists.  The Guilderland native is the first UAlbany player to be voted all-region three times and all-conference on four occasions.

Frink, who previously was chosen to the WomensLax.com All-America squad, led the nation in assists (2.58 pg) and was tenth in scoring at 4.76 points per game as a senior.  The Tewaaraton Award nominee established school single-season records for assists (49) and points (83).

Battaglino received his second national award during the current postseason as WomensLax.com also named him as Division I’s top coach last week. The America East Conference Coach of the Year guided the Great Danes to the conference’s regular-season and tournament championships, plus a school record for single-season victories. UAlbany (18-1) made its first NCAA Tournament appearance since the program became a varsity sport in 1992. In addition, the Great Danes earned a national top-10 ranking in both the IWLCA and deBeer/Inside Lacrosse polls.