Oct. 22, 2014

2014-15 Patriot League Women's Basketball Media Guide

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - Army capped off the 2013-14 Patriot League season in March by capturing its first League title since 2006. The coaches and sports information directors don't believe the Black Knights will have to wait another eight years for their next title after choosing Army as the top team in the women's basketball preseason poll.

Army received 16 first place votes in a process where voters are not eligible to rank their own team. The Black Knights totaled 159 points to come in front of second-place American, which totaled 132 points and one first-place vote.

Bucknell and Holy Cross were tied for the third spot at 123 points, with the Bison receiving two first place votes. They are followed by Lehigh (88), Navy (85), Lafayette (70), Colgate (47), Boston University (39) and Loyola Maryland (34). The Mids, who finished as the regular season champion last season, received the remaining first place vote.

Army will also enter the Patriot League season with the Preseason Player of the Year, as junior guard Kelsey Minato was given the honor by the poll voters. Minato, a two-time Patriot League Player of the Year, is joined on the Preseason All-Patriot League team by American senior guard Jen Dumiak, Bucknell senior forward Audrey Dotson, Lafayette senior forward Emily Homan and Holy Cross junior forward Raquel Scott.

Army (25-8, 14-4 Patriot League in 2013-14) returns four starters from a team that won 10 of its final 12 games during the regular season and rode that momentum in to the postseason with three wins at Christl Arena en route to the Patriot League crown. Minato led the Patriot League in scoring (22 ppg), free throw percentage (92.4) and 3-point field goal percentage (44.3). All three marks also ranked in the top 20 nationally. Other starters returning for the Black Knights include senior forward Olivia Schretzman, junior forward Aimee Oertner and junior guard/forward Brianna Johnson.

American (22-10, 14-4 PL) reached the Patriot League semifinals in their first season under coach Megan Gebbia before falling to eventual champ Army. The Eagles will miss guard Alexis Dobbs, who was a first team All-Patriot League selection as a senior, but return a pair of third-team performers in guard Jen Dumiak (10 ppg) and forward Arron Zimmerman (10.1 ppg). American was chosen for the field of the 2014 Women's NIT and hung tough with Seton Hall before losing the first round contest 63-60 on the road.

Bucknell (16-14, 11-7) graduated a 1,500-point scorer in Shelby Romine, but brings back senior forward Audrey Dotson (16.1 ppg), a preseason All-Patriot League selection, and 2013-14 Patriot League Rookie of the Year Claire DeBoer (9.8 ppg). The Bison also return sophomore Megan McGurk and a pair of juniors, Claire Maree O'Bryan and Tyler Craig, who figure prominently in coach Aaron Roussell's rotation.

Holy Cross (20-12, 10-8) lose a pair of fixtures in the backcourt with the graduation of Alex Smith and Brisje Malone, but preseason All-Patriot League forward Raquel Scott is back for her junior season. Scott is a double-double machine who averaged 16.3 points and 9.8 rebounds as a sophomore. Her 18 double-doubles were 19th nationally in 2013-14. Also returning in the front court are senior forward Emily Parker and senior center Molly Hourigan. Junior guard Lisa Mifsud is also back after averaging 10.1 points per game over 29 starts as a sophomore.

Lehigh (13-18, 5-13 PL) returns its top five scorers and six players who started at least half of the Mountain Hawks games in 2013-14. Junior forward Kerry Kinek, a third-team All-Patriot League selection as a sophomore, led the team in scoring (15.3 ppg) and rebounding (7.4 rpg). Senior guards Katie O'Reilly (10.1 ppg) and Sarah Williams (8 ppg) also return along with junior forward Elizabeth Sharlow (8.8. ppg).

Navy (24-8, 15-3) won the Patriot League regular season but fell short in their quest for a fourth straight berth in the NCAA tournament after suffering a loss to Holy Cross in the tournament semifinals. The Mids graduated the most decorated class in program history and Coach Stefanie Pemper will have to break in four new starters around senior guard Chloe Stapleton (8.8 ppg).

Lafayette (14-16, 8-10 PL) will continue its quest to move into the Patriot League upper half when they begin their fifth season under Coach Dianne Nolan. The Leopards bring back their top three scorers, led by preseason All-Patriot League selection Emily Homan (13.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg). Also returning are senior guards Linnel Macklin (9.8 ppg) and Maddie Peabody (5.6 ppg) along with junior guard Jamie O'Hare (8.7 ppg).

Colgate (8-22, 4-14 PL) will return three of its top four scorers under fourth-year head coach Nicci Hays Fort. Forward Carole Harris averaged 12.1 points and 7.9 rebounds as a junior to lead the Raiders in both categories. Fellow seniors Mariah Jones (10.7 ppg) and Missy Repoli (7.8 ppg) are also back along with juniors Randyll Butler and Josie Stockill.

Boston University (13-20, 7-11) will welcome a new coach in Katy Steding and plenty of new faces as seven of the ten rostered players are either freshmen or sophomores. Senior forward Mollie McKendrick (9.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg) and junior guard Clodagh Scannell (6.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg) will provide the upperclass leadership. Guard Sarah Hope also returns after starting 24 games as a freshman.

Loyola Maryland (5-25, 2-16 PL) is looking to bounce back after a first season in the Patriot League derailed by close losses and injury. Guard Nai Brown (14.6 ppg), a third-team All-Patriot League selection as a junior, returns along with All-Rookie team performer Lisa Mirachi (7.6 ppg). A return to form by senior guard Kara Marshall (13.5 ppg), who missed the entire League slate due to injury, could provide a boost to Loyola along with steady improvement from junior forward Jeneh Perry.

The women's basketball season begins on Nov. 14, with the 18-game Patriot League schedules opening up for all teams on Dec. 31. The Patriot League Tournament will include all teams and be played entirely at home sites, and concludes with the championship on March 14 at 6 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.

Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year
Army junior guard Kelsey Minato

Patriot League Preseason All-League Team
Army junior guard Kelsey Minato
American senior guard Jen Dumiak
Holy Cross junior forward Raquel Scott
Bucknell senior forward Audrey Dotson
Lafayette senior forward Emily Homan