Great Danes' Great Day: Albany Finally Wins America East Crown

Nine straight America East tournaments. That’s how many times Albany had lost in the conference championship game, an actual decade-long span when factoring in the lost 2020 season that didn’t have any postseason play.

Sunday’s celebration was cathartic. Sarah Falk scored the go-ahead goal with 2:50 remaining off a failed Binghamton clear, and Albany rejoiced after a 14-13 win.

The first half was a seesaw battle, with Shonly Wallace scoring 92 seconds before the break for Albany, tying the score at 6. After Olivia Muscolino tied it at 7 for Binghamton, a game of runs ensued.

Albany scored four straight, then Binghamton scored four straight. Knotted at 11, the sides traded goals until Falk’s big play late.

Q4 | 2:50

WHAT. A. PLAY. The Great Danes prevent a clear and Sarah Falk makes a crazy move to put the Great Danes up late in the fourth!

UAlbany 14, Binghamton 13

: https://t.co/LtG5bKyBPa#UAUKNOW // #AEWLAX pic.twitter.com/ipGmxokSAn

— UAlbany Women's Lacrosse (@UAlbanyWLax) May 7, 2023

Binghamton earned possession twice more in the contest, but the Bearcats turned it over both times. Mackenzie Salentre caused four turnovers for the Great Danes, who await their first-round matchup in tonight’s Selection Sunday show at 9 p.m. Eastern on ESPNU.

Falk and Wallace each scored five times, and Bryar Hogg had two goals and three assists. Grace Cincebox made nine saves.