Nov. 6, 2008

NEC Preseason Release

NEC Preseason Coaches Teleconference Soundbites

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (November 6, 2008) - The Sacred Heart Pioneers received three first place votes and were picked to finish third in the 2008-09 Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches Poll released Thursday afternoon. The Pioneers had two players named to the Preseason All-NEC team in senior center Kaitlin Sowinski (Hopkinton, RI) and senior forward Stephanie Ryan (Coram, NY).

Sowinski, a 2008 first team all-NEC pick, has established herself as the league's fiercest shot blocker over the past two seasons. Swatting 101 shots (3.37 bpg) to lead the conference and finish fifth in the nation, Sowinski topped her sophomore total of 87 blocks (2.72 bpg). The conference's fourth-leading scorer (17.2 ppg) and eight-best rebounder (7.4 rpg), she produced nine double-double performances which place her second amongst NEC returnees. Sowinski, who is one of only four to rank amongst the league's top 10 in scoring and boarding, produced the second-best field goal percentage (.540) in the NEC. Sending her to the line as a way to limit her effect down low won't help much either. Sinking more free throws (121) than any other Sacred Heart player, she converted at a 64.3 percent rate. Both a passing and scoring threat from the block, Sowinski was only one of three Pioneers to start all 30 games for head coach Ed Swanson last season. The Rhode Island native became the 13th player in Sacred Heart history to eclipse the 1,000-point mark when she scored 18 in a NEC Tournament quarterfinal matchup against Monmouth. The all-NEC center is only one of eight Pioneers to score more than 1,000 points (1,016) and grab over 500 rebounds (519).

Like Sowinski, Ryan was one of three Pioneers to start in every game last season and is coming off All-NEC second team honors in her first season in the Red & White. The versatile small forward shares her teammate's knack for double-doubles too. Ryan posted nine of the sort, including the 13 points and 10 rebounds that complimented 33 and 10 from Sowinski in a late-January victory over intra-state rival Quinnipiac. This slashing forward made a major impact in her first season of competition at Sacred Heart following her transfer from cross-town rival Fairfield. Playing a team-high 35.3 minutes per game (seventh in NEC), Ryan contributed on both ends of the floor, inside and out. Her 50 steals and 248 boards were both team highs. She connected on nearly half of her field goal attempts (.485) and knocked down the third-most three-pointers (34) amongst NEC forwards. Nothing short of a welcomed addition, she averaged 11.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per contest.

With the duo of Sowinski and Ryan earning All-NEC preseason honors it marks the first time in school history a pair of Pioneers have garnered preseason accolades. The two follow in the footsteps of alums Amanda Pape and Brooke Kelly who both were named to the preseason All-NEC team during their careers.

Sacred Heart is one week away from tipping-off the 2008-09 season as they take on the University of Kansas next Friday night, November 14th at 8:00 pm eastern time in Allen Fieldhouse. SHU stays on the road to face last year's WNIT Champion Marquette on Monday, November 17th at 8:00 pm eastern time.