2008 Woodie Awards
Pioneers' defensive gem makes it nine straight at home
Molly Rosa
Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: Sports
Saturday was 'Think Pink' day at the William H. Pitt Center in honor of breast cancer awareness, but it felt more like a 'Think Red' matchup as the Pioneers battled the Red Flash of Saint Francis (Pa.) in a NEC showdown. From the opening tip-off, it was clear which team controlled the tempo of the game. Junior center Kaitlin Sowinski out-jumped her Red Flash counterpart, tapped the ball to fellow junior Stephanie Ryan, who then dashed towards the basket and converted an easy lay-up which put the Pioneers on the board early.
Ryan scored a game-high 15 points, including the first seven points of the game, while Sowinski added 13 points as the Pioneers defeated the Red Flash 68-36.
Sacred Heart's win over Saint Francis (Pa.) was their ninth-straight at home, improving their record to 17-8 overall and 12-2 in the NEC. The win keeps the Pioneers in second place in the conference behind the Quinnipiac Bobcats, whom they will face next weekend.
The Pioneers came out strong and focused compared to a sluggish start against Monmouth last Monday - a game in which the Pioneers still found a way to come out on top.
Sacred Heart opened the game with a 14-0 run, thanks in part to a lay-up by Sowinski and a three pointer by freshman Maggie Cosgrove.
"Last week we lost our edge, but I was happy with this beginning. Our energy and focus level was there," said Coach Ed Swanson.
Junior Khalia Cain, who netted nine points and played strong defense against Red Flash leading scorer Britney Hodges, also credited the Pioneers' aggressiveness as the reason for the victory.
"We came out with intensity. Our defense was energetic and from tip-off, Ryan took over and we followed suit," said Cain.
The Pioneers were also determined not to let ankle injuries to freshman Alisa Apo and junior Liz Gruber affect their play.
"This is the time of year when everybody gets a sprained knee, sprained ankle, whatever. They're the sniffles. You just have to be tough and play past them," Swanson said.
Ryan scored a game-high 15 points, including the first seven points of the game, while Sowinski added 13 points as the Pioneers defeated the Red Flash 68-36.
Sacred Heart's win over Saint Francis (Pa.) was their ninth-straight at home, improving their record to 17-8 overall and 12-2 in the NEC. The win keeps the Pioneers in second place in the conference behind the Quinnipiac Bobcats, whom they will face next weekend.
The Pioneers came out strong and focused compared to a sluggish start against Monmouth last Monday - a game in which the Pioneers still found a way to come out on top.
Sacred Heart opened the game with a 14-0 run, thanks in part to a lay-up by Sowinski and a three pointer by freshman Maggie Cosgrove.
"Last week we lost our edge, but I was happy with this beginning. Our energy and focus level was there," said Coach Ed Swanson.
Junior Khalia Cain, who netted nine points and played strong defense against Red Flash leading scorer Britney Hodges, also credited the Pioneers' aggressiveness as the reason for the victory.
"We came out with intensity. Our defense was energetic and from tip-off, Ryan took over and we followed suit," said Cain.
The Pioneers were also determined not to let ankle injuries to freshman Alisa Apo and junior Liz Gruber affect their play.
"This is the time of year when everybody gets a sprained knee, sprained ankle, whatever. They're the sniffles. You just have to be tough and play past them," Swanson said.
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Judy
posted 2/21/08 @ 5:35 PM EST
Great article molly! You have a great wayof writing and love the quotes from the team!
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