ITHACA, N.Y. - Great Danes goalie Blaze Riorden posted 18 saves and caused two turnovers to lift the No. 15 Albany men's lacrosse team over Cornell, 12-8, this afternoon on the road at John Fallon Field. After a slow start that saw the Great Danes get out to a 9-4 lead early in third quarter, the Big Red pulled within two goals twice down the stretch, but Riorden stopped nine shots in the fourth quarter to thwart any hope of a Cornell comeback.

Junior Domenic Massimilian dominated the face-off circle, winning 19-of-24 restarts and picking up 12 ground balls. The Great Danes used five different players against Massimilian, but only Zach Ornstein managed to win more than one draw, going 4-of-14.

The offense was led by freshman Colton Rupp, who had a career day with four goals on just six shots. Senior Ryan Matthews finished with two goals, while Jordan Dowiak and John Edmonds added one goal apiece. Dowiak also registered one assist, as did defenseman Scott Flynn.

Defensively, the Big Red forced five of Albany's 12 turnovers, with Tony Britton registering two on the day. Cornell also held the Great Danes scoreless on four extra-man opportunities and to a 21-of-26 performance in the clearing game.

Cornell outshot Albany (45-35) and put more shots on goal (26-21). The Big Red also had more ground balls (30-22).

The Great Danes were led by Connor Fields with four goals and two assists, while Justin Reh (2-2) and Seth Oakes (3-1) finished with four points apiece.

TURNING POINT
After a pair of saves with under 35 seconds to play in the third quarter, Donville made a great stop to start the fourth and Rupp scored in transition to pull Cornell within two goals, 10-8, with 10:27 to play in the game. Massimilian won the ensuing face-off, but Riorden made two saves on Cornell's possession and Reh scored a transition goal from point blank range to end the Big Red threat.

NOTES TO KNOW

• Cornell is 1-2 to start a season for the first time since 2003.
• Domenic Massimilian has won double-digits face-offs in 10 straight games.
• Domenic Massimilian has won the face-off battle in six straight contests.
• John Edmonds has registered at least one point in six consecutive games.
• Cornell started four freshman - including its entire starting attack unit - and one member of the first offensive midfield.
• Freshmen defenders Clarke Petterson, Fleet Wallace, and Chad Otterman also saw extended playing time.
• Colton Rupp had a career-high four goals.
• Ryan Matthews posted a career-high two goals.
• Scott Flynn registered his first collegiate point.
• Brennan Donville posted career highs in saves (9) and ground balls (4).