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| Cardinals' Head Coach Matt Donohue |
From our friends at Catholic University Athletics...
The NCAA Division III women's basketball season starts today and Head Coach Matt Donohue has announced the 2015-16 schedule of the reigning Landmark Champions, The Catholic University of America women's basketball team.
"Like a lot of other coaches and programs, we're extremely excited to finally get going and start working with our teams," stated Donohue. "Once October 15th hits, the time for conjecture comes to an end and the time to buckle down, dive in and work hits a whole new level of excitement."
The Cardinals wrapped up their 2014-15 season earning their third conference title and NCAA appearance under Donohue. The squad finished second overall in the league standings with and final record of 19-9 (11-5), and upset the number one seed, the University of Scranton, to earn the 2015 crown.
"As great as last year was, it's important that we put that behind us and focus on the here and now, and what is in front of us. We play in a great conference with a lot of talented teams," explained Donohue. "The depth of that will be on full display this year and like every other year, it will be an absolute fight just to get into the conference tournament."
CUA opens its 2015-16 campaign on the road with back-to-back tournaments. First, traveling to Ashland, Va., for a classic style tournament. The Lady Cards will match up against Randolph-Macon College Friday, November 13 and Ferrum College Saturday, November 14.
The following weekend Catholic heads northeast to Baltimore for the John Hopkins Tournament. The Cardinals face Trinity University (Texas) on Saturday, November 21. Pending the outcome of Saturday's events the Lady Cards will post up against either John Hopkins or the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford.
After four-straight road games CUA returns to the nation's capital for its home and conference-opener against Susquehanna University on Wednesday, December 2. They follow with four additional road games before hosting the second Jamie Lynn Roberts-Fairfield Inn D.C., Holiday Classic.
"I have every bit of confidence that we'll be focused and ready for the challenge that the opening to our season with eight-of-nine games on the road will present," said Donohue. "Our women understand full well that in order to succeed in the long run, you have to be able to win on the road."
The 2015 Jamie Lynn Roberts-Fairfield Inn D.C., Holiday Classic will feature the Monarchs of Kings College versus the Griffins of Gwynedd Mercy and the Knights of Neumann University versus the Cardinals of CUA on Tuesday, December 29. The Lady Cards will take on the Griffins while the Monarchs face the Knights.
Catholic's 2015-16 campaign will continue into January with Landmark play through February 20. The Lady Card's will close out their regular season play with a rematch against 2015 runner-up Scranton University. This time the Cards will take on the Royals in front of a home crown at 4 p.m., on February 20, with a spot in the conference tournament in sight.
The Lady Cards will return their top nine scorers from last season. All five starters including First-Team All Landmark selection Michelle DeSantis and Second-Team All Landmark selection and tri-captain Josephine Migash are back on the court. Also returning to the court for the Cards are 2014-15 captains Jayni Webster and Kristen Walheim along with 2014-15 freshman standout Payton Smith.
Click here for the Cardinals' full schedule.
