Nov. 12, 2008

The 2008-09 season will mark the Sacred Heart Pioneers 10th year of competition in the Northeast Conference and the 19th with head coach Ed Swanson on the bench. The Pioneers have put their stamp on the league as one of the most consistent programs, one that is always in the conversation when it comes to title contenders. This season, the Pioneers are in position to challenge for their second championship with five starters back and the first two rounds of the NEC Tournament being played on their home court, the William H. Pitt Center.

Last season, SHU by all accounts looked headed for a rebuilding year. Having lost the leadership and bulk of their offensive scoring with the graduation of Amanda Pape, Jasmine Walker and Kerri Burke, the Pioneers looked as if they would take a step back in 2007-08 but thanks to a break-out season by center Kaitlin Sowinski, the Pioneers didn't miss a beat. Sowinski along with the addition of transfer Stephanie Ryan, carried Sacred Heart to a 19-11 record and a 14-4 mark in the league that earned the two spots on the All-NEC team and Coach Swanson his second NEC Coach of the Year award.

The outlook this season is just as bright for these Pioneers as SHU was picked to finish third in the league's preseason coaches poll, a spot in the standings they have never fallen below at the end of the year since becoming a member of the NEC. In addition, for the first time in school history the Pioneers placed two players on the Preseason All-NEC team in Sowinski and Ryan.

"What we hope is that all the valuable experience we gained last year, especially returning our starting five, infused with a talented freshman class coming in has us in a position to compete for the NEC title," stated the head coach. "We have put together a tough and rugged non-conference schedule to prepare us for the challenges of the Northeast Conference."

In order for Sacred Heart to return to the top of the mountain and claim the program's second league title, Coach Swanson knows that his dynamic duo and talented supporting cast can't rest on the laurels of past success but needs to work everyday at getting better and developing that championship edge needed to meet their goals and the high expectations set for this team.

"We need to focus on getting better everyday, finding a way to play with an edge on a daily basis. We have the pieces in place to be in it but this league (NEC) is competitive and filled with solid, experienced players," added Swanson. "We need to stay healthy and it will take us being able to develop an edge to achieve at the high level we expect."

The return of seniors Sowinski and Ryan only highlight a deep and talented roster that features all five starters coming back. Sophomore guard Alisa Apo is coming off winning the NEC Rookie of the Year award and is joined in the backcourt by senior Khalia Cain and fellow sophomore, point guard Maggie Cosgrove. The Pioneers can also rely on the experience of senior guard Liz Gruber and junior forward Lindsey Gibson coming off the bench along with added depth up front in forwards Lindsey Greenlee, Maureen Reilly and Markie Schmidt. The final ingredient to the mix is a talented and excitable freshmen class led by forward Callan Taylor and guard Alexis Campbell.

"Our strength is our depth which is going to allow us to do a lot of different things especially on the defensive side of the floor. It should also increase our scoring output and allow us to have good balance both offensively and defensively," commented Swanson. "We will also benefit from consistent guard play with the return of senior Khalia Cain and both Alisa Apo and Maggie Cosgrove who gained valuable experience last season in the starting lineup."

Sowinski came into her own during her junior campaign and was the focal point of the Pioneer offense and defense. The 6-4 center averaged 17.2 points and 7.4 rebounds last season and was the Pioneers leading scorer in 17 games. She was second in the NEC in shooting 54.0% (197-365) and finished the season with a nine double double games and found double digits in all but one game last year. The senior center was the league's fourth leading scorer and for the first time in her career led the conference in blocked shots, turning away a school record 101 shots.

Her 515 points scored as a junior ranked fourth in the SHU record book for points scored in a season while her 197 field goals ranked third for field goals made in a season. In leading the Pioneers to a big 92-82 win at home over Quinnipiac, Sowinski set a new Division I school record for points scored in a game when she netted 33 on 13-of-19 shooting. She put the stamp on her all-conference season by becoming the 13th player in school history to score 1,000 career points and heads into her senior season with 1,016 points. "Kaitlin has some high expectations this season but as team we are much more balance this year," said Swanson. "Last season, she carried us. She is poised for a great senior season."

After sitting out the 2006-07 season due to NCAA transfer rules, Ryan made her debut last season and played her way to All-NEC second team honors. The senior forward shook off a slow start to the season to go on to average 11.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game over a team-high 35.3 minutes per game. Ryan, a guard and swing player, played the #4 spot defensively for most of the season and led the team in rebounding and was first in the NEC in defensive rebounds. She had nine double doubles on the year and scored double figures in 22 of the Pioneer's 30 games.

Ryan also showed she can step outside and shoot the three, hitting 38.6% from behind the arc, a mark that ranked seventh among NEC leaders. "Last season Steph had to defensively play more at the #4 spot but this year we are looking to get her more out on the wing which could help her scoring output, especially on the break where she is a great finisher," stated Swanson. "I thought she had a great year, especially after shaking off the rust of a year off she turned out a terrific season, evident by her selection to the all-conference team. Her rebounding prowess wasn't expected last year but we are hoping her numbers can stay consistent this year. In addition, her leadership both on and off the court is a key to our success."

Apo returns as the Pioneer's most explosive scoring threat after putting together a sensational freshman campaign where she led all NEC rookies averaging 12.3 points per game. Apo earned herself four Choice Hotels NEC Rookie of the Week awards on her way to becoming the third Pioneer in program history to garner Rookie of the Year honors. Apo was second on the team in scoring behind Sowinski and was the Pioneer's top three-point shooter, knocking down 43.3% (45-104) from behind the arc. Apo broke into the starting line-up for good by the New Year and started 22 games on the year.

"Alisa's mental approach to the game, her confidence level, is pretty high heading into this season. She will definitely be a go-to player for us at times especially with her ability to score off the dribble. She is going to see time not only at the off guard position but at the point as well where she is very comfortable."

The Pioneers will benefit from the return of Cosgrove to the point guard position after a freshman campaign where she took hold of the starting spot and blossomed into SHU's floor general. Cosgrove started 28 of the Pioneers 30 games and averaged 6.1 points with a team-best 78 assists on the season. She, along with Apo, showed the knack for knocking down the three, hitting a team-high 48 shots from downtown. Cosgrove finished the year with a positive assist-to-turnover ratio, rare for a freshman point guard, turning it over 64 times against her 78 helpers.

Beyond his two returning sophomores, Coach Swanson has a pair of seniors in Cain and Gruber who bring a wealth of experience to the guard position. Cain started all 30 games last season and can play at both the point and off-guard spots. She put up career numbers during her junior campaign, scoring 8.0 points per game with 77 assists and 42 steals. Gruber will continue to be an offensive spark off the bench for the Pioneers.

Up front, the Pioneers will look to freshman Callan Taylor to make an immediate impact and rely on returnees Gibson, Greenlee and Reilly to provide depth in the paint. Taylor, a 6-0 forward, has impressed Coach Swanson in the early going and will look to challenge for a starting assignment at the power forward spot. "Callan will start at the #4 spot for us. She is a good inside / outside player, has a good feel for the game and gives us a real scoring option. We will give her time early to learn and adapt to the college game."

Another freshman who could challenge for minutes is guard Alexis Campbell, an athletic swing player who could contribute offensively in transition. "Alexis is a really athletic guard who brings a lot of high energy and enthusiasm to the basketball court every day." Fellow freshmen Emily Hyncik, Ericka Sagay and Kris Iovino will round out the 2008-09 roster.

The Pioneers will face teams from the Big-12, Big East, Atlantic-10, America East, MAAC, Ivy and Patriot Leagues as they get ready for the rigors of an 18-game Northeast Conference slate. The season tips-off with a road trip that has stops at Kansas and Marquette, last year's WNIT Champion, before returning to Connecticut for a match-up with rival Fairfield University at the Arena at Harbor Yard.

As the season rolls toward conference play, coach Swanson will be closing in on a pair of coaching milestones, needing just three wins to reach 300 for his career and four wins in conference play to become the NEC's all-time leader in regular season victories.

However, the win that would mean the most this season is the one that is the hardest of all to achieve. It takes four months of countless hours of hard work and practice, playing as a team at the highest level of achievement while overcoming any pitfalls that may arise to get there. To the winner on March 14th goes the ultimate prize, a spot in the NCAA Tournament and this year's Pioneers are ready to being the journey.