Women’s Notebook – Conference play in full flight
By Stephen Zerdelian
As we approach mid-January, the bulk of the non-league games in the region have been played, so it’s full speed ahead into conference play. As always, the first portion of the season helps to divide teams into categories, although they can be flexible and malleable. But generally, teams fall into a bucket by now, and can be assessed to a degree. Some are obvious; some are less so. Here is this space’s opinion…
Tier 1 – NCAA Tournament or Bust
Jefferson (13-1)
After last March’s disappointing NCAA East regional title game defeat (when the Rams led by 13 points in the second half), Jefferson is back and again one of the favorites to advance to the Elite Eight. Haley Meinel and Morgan Robinson (who had a triple double earlier this year and could easily join Bolivar in the quad-double club) have been their usual excellent selves, and interior force Sam Yencha may be the best Ram of all so far this year. It’s now or never for Tom Shirley’s team to win the region.
Holy Family (13-3)
The Tigers lost their opener, then won 13 in a row but have dropped their last two games, so their strong start requires refreshing. They have size, depth and defend with connection. Taylor Hinkle has had an excellent season, Skyler Searfoss continues to shine as a leader (although injured right now) and Carly Bolivar, author of only the second Division II quadruple double ever (11 points, 14 rebounds, 12 assists and 10 steals in a recent win), adds explosiveness. Bernadette Laukaitis has plenty to work with here.
Bentley (11-2)
Two-time defending NE10 champion Bentley keeps their noses in the top tier despite not having a full roster since the first game of the season. C White’s Falcons are led by veterans Ella Thompson and Maggie Whitmore, while revitalized Kylie DuCharme and exciting rookie wing Niya Morgen add spice to the chili. If they can stay/get healthy, this outfit should be back in the hunt for league and regional honors. Bentley hasn’t won a regional since ‘16, an epic drought by their standards, but have a chance to alter that in March.
Pace (10-3)
Scoring has been an occasional challenge for the Setters, but they defend stoutly and have enough moxie to grind out wins and frustrate opponents. Tower Lorde’s development in the middle has been impressive and she may be the key to their attack. Carrie Seymour’s outfit has experience on its side - multiple regulars such as Kat Mansaray, Arianna Stockinger and Shanice Sinclair were rotation pieces for the 2022 regional championship team – so overlook them at your peril.
College of Saint Rose (9-2)
How about this for a contrast in Albany? By now you probably know that Saint Rose is closing its doors in the spring, which is terrible news, but in the meantime, this totally unheralded team may be the surprise of the season in the region. New but vastly experienced head coach Will Brown has his team playing astonishing defense and with newcomers Payton Graber and Syrita Faraj, and post Aniya McDonald-Perry leading the way, the Golden Knights may be reliving old glory. Can they keep the fun going?
AIC (9-3)
The Yellow Jackets bolstered their roster in the off-season, adding transfers Briana Lee (a powerful inside presence from Felician) and Rhaymi Porter (a springy center from Canisius), and freshman shooter Ruzgar Christina Boyle, and it has paid off handsomely. Kristen Hutchison’s squad also has returners Kayla Robinson, Nora Young and Tia-Marie Martinez back, and all have taken steps forward. Depth may be a long-term issue but for now, AIC is a force at both ends.
Assumption (9-3)
It’s never easy to follow a ‘first’ but Assumption’s encore to their 2023 NCAA East Regional title run has been sharp. The revamped interior game, led by Kaijhe Hall, has been solid, and the veterans of the ’23 post season, Marina Callahan, Molly Stokes, and Amanda Mieczkowski, are as dependable as ever. The Greyhounds won’t sneak up on anybody, but teams must bring their A-game to beat them. Kerry Pharye’s team will be one nobody relishes playing when the chips are down.
Daemen (8-4)
Alahna Paige might be the ECC Player of the Year and leads a potent Wildcats team right now. Daemen started 3-3 but they’ve picked it up, won three league games in succession and claimed their most notable win in years when they knocked off #5 Ferris State last week. The expectations are annually high for this program and if they can lend Paige consistent help, another ECC title and an NCAA bid are in reach for Jenepher Banker’s club.
Southern New Hampshire (8-3)
Doesn’t it seem that Southern New Hampshire is looming in the weeds and has yet to really fire into gear? That’s generally a good sign, so expect the Penmen to keep on stacking up wins. Karen Pinkos can rely upon explosive Adriana Timberlake and inside option Jess Knight again, but it may be the surrounding cast that will determine SNHU’s fate. Meghan Gordon and Sydnie DeVries add frontcourt pop, and if the perimeter corps can evolve around Timberlake, look out for the Penmen.
St. Thomas Aquinas (7-6)
Bill Cleary’s outfit challenged themselves with a difficult non-league slate, so the record may not glitter, but the Spartans will be primed and ready when the ECC schedule kicks in fully. STAC proved their worth by winning convincingly at SNHU recently and most of their losses are to regionally elite teams (Bentley, AIC, Holy Family, Jefferson, Pace). Veterans Sarah Ericson, Erin Leary and Karolina Jaruseviciute have been doing their thing and Trinity Cheatom has elevated her game, too. Don’t sleep on STAC.
Tier 2 – Solid but probably needs to win AQ for NCAA Tournament Bid
UDC (11-4)
An 11-0 start propelled the Firebirds into the limelight, but the wheels fell off and they are on a four-game slide right now, so their roll has been slowed. Still, UDC is 4-0 in ECC play, and they’ll be chasing Daemen and STAC (whom they’ve already beaten once) for post season honors there. John Nakpodia’s squad is led by the talented core of Destiny Ryles, Tori Williams, Latavia Jackson, and Nia Ford, so they’ll likely be a handful all season.
Franklin Pierce (8-4)
If Saint Rose isn’t the biggest surprise so far this season, the honor may go to Franklin Pierce. A young Raven team ravaged by injury last winter has raced out of the gate and owns good wins over Holy Family and Pace thus far. Anna Badosa Soler has been solid, post Colette Mulderig is developing nicely and a cast of diverse parts around them allows head coach Mark Swasey a lot of flexibility. The NE10 gauntlet will be a challenge for the Ravens but they seem equipped to hold their ground and make all take notice.
Chestnut Hill (8-5)
Chestnut Hill is always a team to be reckoned with and this edition is no different. The Griffins played Jefferson tough a month ago and just beat Holy Family, and they should be able to rack up wins against most other CACC foes. Bridie McCann has been a revelation this season, Emily Sekerak is solid, and Reggie Daniels can look to an ever-improving roster to lend depth. Even if the Griffins end up 3rd in the Philly-laden CACC South, they should be a dark horse to remember.
Mercy (7-5)
Following a 5-0 start, Mercy was one of the eye-opening teams in the region, but Scott Lagas’ team has leveled off since then. Katie Wall and Jaclyn Stanavich lead the troops here, with Angelica Barrera stepping to the fore recently. It may be asking too much for the Mavericks to finish in the ECC’s top two and earn a playoff bye, but they can rightfully target a first round home game in the tournament. Should Mercy regain their swagger and get hot at the right time, they can upset more than a few apple carts.
Post (7-6)
Another new CACC coach, Courtney Burns, has a chance to be a contender at Post. The Eagles may be the class of the CACC North and can beat big name teams (wins over Southern New Hampshire and Holy Family) but strive for divisional consistency. Maya Klein, Tai Pagan, and Dede Stevenson are among the top threats for Post as they navigate the season. A first-place divisional finish is in reach and might give Post a pass into the CACC semifinals, and from there (as we saw last season), anything is possible.
Tier 3 – Long shot with slim NCAA chances without the AQ
Southern Connecticut (7-6)
It’s been a .500-type season for the Owls, and that won’t get them far in the rugged NE10. SCSU’s best win of the year was over Pace, which shows they can prosper. They lack a go-to player, though (only Katie Williamson is averaging in double digits), which makes their margin for error tiny.
Saint Anselm (6-7)
The Hawks began 3-1 but have levelled off since. Tatum Forbes has come in made a major difference for St. A’s, while veterans Melanie Hoyt, Liv Robles and Katie Lemanski are dependable. Depth remains a real concern, which means the Hawks can be tough in a one-off situation but have trouble over the long haul.
New Haven (5-6)
Things have been looking up for the Chargers (three straight wins, including knocking off UDC), so maybe the immediate future is bright. Lindsay Hogan and Aurora Deshaies comprise a good keystone duo, and if UNH can start winning more close games (1-3 in single digit games), a playoff run might be possible.
College of Staten Island (5-9)
Despite a seven-game slide, the Dolphins have taken steps forward this campaign. Five of the defeats in the downturn were by single figures, so CSI is hardly a soft touch. Balanced scoring and reasonable depth are nice features to work with as the program grows and could result in an ECC playoff berth.
Molloy (4-8)
The Lions have proven they can defend but scoring is a chore, so they’ve been in some low-scoring battles. Six of their defeats have been by single digits, so Molloy can count themselves a bit unlucky. Trinity Hudson has generally been the Lions most productive player and with some help, Molloy could surprise.
Adelphi (4-9)
The inside-outside partnership of Jenna Jordan and Rolanda Robinson is a bright light for the Panthers and gives them a nice basis to work from. Yet, aside from a recent three-game win streak (where they beat UDC), good news has been thin. They need a few depth pieces to step up; if so, they can be dangerous.
Dominican (4-9)
Last season’s shock CACC champions got off to a slow start, but the CACC North Division is not unforgiving, so the Chargers are a realistic playoff threat. The trio of Cayla Howard, Chidinma Ndukauba and Alexis Saurez is more than competent, so Dominican possesses a puncher’s chance against anyone.
D’Youville (4-9)
It’s been another year of growth and acclimation for the Saints, who have lost four times by single figures. Anna Jankovic and Stella Mollica are the offensive focal points for a team that has a realistic chance of claiming an ECC playoff bid. D’Youville’s steps may seem small but their overall arc is upward.
Tier 4 – Almost no realistic chance at an NCAA Bid
Roberts Wesleyan (4-6)
A two-game win streak sent RWC into the mid-winter break and they’ll hope to carry that momentum over into January. Georgia Haverlock, Danielle DiCintio and Marianna Freeman key the Redhawk attack but they’ll be under the gun to secure a few ECC wins soon, lest the season get away from them.
Caldwell (4-7)
Freshman Jahnel Lewis has been superb for the Cougars, while sophomore Lucy Coogan continues her steady improvement. There is an opportunity in the balanced CACC North for Caldwell to move in the right direction – if so, a playoff bid might be in the picture.
St. Michael’s (4-8)
A pair of wins in Puerto Rico early on gave the Purple Knights a boost and although they have been more competitive than last year, an NE10 playoff spot seems a stretch. Rookie Amber Furch is a find, though, and a source of hope for St. Michael’s to build around.
Felician (4-10)
Despite a chastening 0-9 non-league mark, Felician is doing sound work in the CACC North. Behind a crop of talented freshmen including Katherine Ritchie and Ana Valle, the Golden Falcons have risen to the top of the division and are improving every day. As far as youthful dark horses go, Felician is intriguing.
Queens (4-11)
Injuries have decimated the young Knights squad. However, that has also given rise to chances for newcomers Nkiru Awaka and Jalea Abrams to shine. Briana Davis is another key player Queens needs to stay healthy to get traction. An ECC playoff bid may be too much to ask but the Knights should improve.
Bloomfield (3-10)
Five defeats by ten or fewer points makes Bloomfield’s record look worse than it should be – they are better than last season. Taneshia Turner (42 points against Post) is the top Bears option with Kamrin Bibbs and Deniya Darby also promising. Bloomfield may not be a playoff team but could pull an upset or two.
Bridgeport (3-10)
Six single figure losses (this is a theme, eh?) have blighted Bridgeport’s ledger but at least the Purple Knights have started decently in CACC play. Stephanie McBride has been the bulwark for UB, with some interesting others (Niyah Whitten and Shakira Hester among them) alongside, making UB a good watch.
Georgian Court (1-11)
Another outfit devastated by injury, Georgian Court, has found ways to compete. Freshman Safiatu Kolliegbo is a gem, and the return of Imani Gillette should help the Lions stabilize. The road ahead is rocky but one of GCU, Wilmington and Goldey-Beacom must make the CACC playoffs – why not the Lions?
Wilmington (1-13)
Not much has gone right for Wilmington, who have been wholly unable to get stops and allow a sizeable number of points, including 70 or more nine times already. Amber Washington and Trinity Brittingham give Wildcat fans some hope but unless WU tightens the defense, it may be difficult to gain ground.
Goldey-Beacom (1-14)
The Lightning are painfully young, so they’ll have to take their lumps. Katie Yoder, Rory Ciszkowski and Janissa Varela are among GBC’s top options but defense (seven times allowing at least 70 points) is a concern. Four recent single-digit losses show GBC is not far from earning more wins and making a move.
That’s where it stands – for now. How the leagues, and the region, develop over the next two months will decide who goes where in March. Surprises are likely but it’s tough to see any team moving up or down more than one category. The fun is in the action, so let’s see how it goes.
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One quick update – the Northeast10 Conference has altered their playoff structure for this season and will allow all dozen teams into the mix. After previously agreeing to only let the top nine finishers in, the league will grant the top four teams in the standings byes and send the other eight into first round games.
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