'Unlimited Potential' For Skyhawks In 2007-08
The 2006-07 season could have possibly been head coach Trish Brown's best coaching job in her six years at Stonehill. That's quite a statement when you consider that she's won 20 games or more four different times, made four appearances in the NCAA Tournament including two trips to the regional semifinals and another to the regional final.
But after losing two starters to injury for either all or most of the season, Brown still directed the Skyhawks to a 22-9 overall record, a tie for fifth in the Northeast-10 standings, a trip to the conference tournament semifinals and the NCAA Regional Quarterfinals.
Now, with both Kelsey Simonds (Middleboro, Mass.) and Erika Stupinski (Topsham, Maine) returning to form and the continued development of the members of last year's squad, the Skyhawks are poised for big things in 2007-08.
The 6-3 Simonds, the 2005-06 Northeast-10 Rookie of the Year, was a terror on the inside in her inaugural campaign, appearing in 28 contests, averaging 10.3 points and a team-high 7.4 rebounds. She led Stonehill in field goal percentage (.498) and also showed touch from the line, connecting on 81 percent of her attempts. An excellent defender, Simonds added 53 blocks and 45 steals.
Stupinski, meanwhile, returns to the lineup after appearing in only eight contests a season ago. During a sophomore season that saw her start all 31 contests, she led the conference in assists and assist-to-turnover ratio and tie a school record with 15 assists in a game. A dual threat, she averaged 8.7 points per game, reaching double figures on 13 occasions and has connected on 42 three-pointers.
Senior Daryl Cioffi (New Milford, N.J.) stepped into a starting role as a junior, and finished second on the team in assists (64) and third in steals (38). Unafraid to hit the boards, Cioffi twice led the Skyhawks in rebounds, including a career-high nine in a win over St. Michael's.
Fellow senior Meghan Driscoll (Bridgewater, Mass.) had the best season of her career in 2006-07 and that improvement should continue in 2007-08. She set career-highs in almost every category, including tripling her rebounding totals. She notched her first double-double in a key early season win over UMass-Lowell and just missed a triple-double in a non-league win over Concordia.
At times, injuries open the door for other players to gain valuable experience. That case was never more evident than with Northeast-10 Rookie Team member Meghan Methven (Corning, N.Y.). Seeing action in all 31 contests, she finished second on the team in scoring with a 10.8 average. That scoring average was aided by her league high 67 three-pointers on 36 percent shooting from behind the arc. She tied a school record with eight from international waters in a win over Bryant. That contest was just one of four where she scored 20 points or more.
Junior Bethany Tighe (North Easton, Mass.), who appeared in 30 contests and averaged nearly seven points an outing, can be effective as a scorer or on the glass. She grabbed 5.3 per game a season ago, including a career-high 12 in a loss to Franklin Pierce. At 92 percent from the charity stripe, she is a key person to have on the floor late in close games.
Stephanie Pintal (Nashua, N.H.) and Erin Gray (Clifton Park, N.Y.) are two sophomores will provide depth at their position. Pintal saw action in 23 contests as a freshman and in limited minutes, proved to be a fine decision maker with 21 assists. Gray meanwhile, is a transfer from Fordham, who at 6-1 brings a athleticism that should help on both ends.
The Skyhawks welcome three other newcomers in freshmen Ashley Caiafa (Massapequa, N.Y.), Kristen McWhirter (Melvin Village, N.H.) and Amanda Smith (Penacook, N.H.).
Stonehill will face numerous challenges as it traverses the rigors of the ultra-competitive Northeast-10, which features the defending national champion in Southern Connecticut, the preseason favorite, Bentley and American International, a team that advanced to the national championship game two seasons ago. However, with a full compliment of players who are healthy and hungry to return to elite status, the Skyhawks have the pieces for another 20-win season and a deep run into the postseason.
The season tips off on Friday, November 16 at the Assumption Courtyard Classic with a matchup with Concordia (N.Y.).