Nov. 20, 2002
The 2002-03 Lafayette College women's basketball season is one of the most widely anticipated in recent memory. The Leopards return their top five scorers from last season, four of whom started, and seven incoming freshmen will mark second-year coach Tammy Smith's first official recruiting class. Last season's growing pains could equate to this season's success because the core of talented young players gained valuable experience which should put the team on a winning path.
THE BACKCOURT... The Leopards lost starting point guard and co-captain Samaiyah Council to graduation but will look to the experience of several returning guards this season. Senior Kim Costello (Pleasant Valley, N.Y./Arlington) averaged 6.8 points and 2.8 assists per game last season while grabbing 48 steals, and will provide experience and leadership and the guard position.
Joining Costello is sophomore guard Lindsay Myers (Allentown, Pa./Dieruff). Myers is coming off an All-Rookie selection after averaging 7.8 points, 2.4 assists per game, while ranking among the Patriot League steals leaders with 60.
Highly touted local product Katie Kokolus (Nazareth, Pa./Notre Dame) could enter the lineup early after averaging 16.5 points per game and finishing her career as the second all-time scorer in Notre Dame High School history with 1,780 career points.
Along with Kokolus, fellow freshmen Brittney Rothweiler (Longmeadow, Mass./Longmeadow) and Kristin Doherty (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) also could make an immediate impact. Rothweiler averaged 19 points and 5 steals per game, and was named Best Female Basketball Player in Western Massachusetts during her senior year. Doherty, an All-Delaware County choice, tallied 18.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in her senior season, and has been outstanding in the preseason for the Leopards.
Also competing for playing time in the backcourt will be junior Elecia Kruise (Coalport, Pa./Glendale) who entered the game 21 times for Lafayette last season, starting five.
THE FRONTCOURT... Lafayette returns a group of talented letter winners in the frontcourt including 2002 second team all-league selection Colleen Fitzpatrick (Springfield, Pa./Notre Dame). Fitzpatrick led the Leopards in scoring and rebounding, averaging 12.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while leading the league in field goal percentage (.620) for the second straight season.
Look for senior Elizabeth Rojahn (York, Pa./York) to continue her solid play in the frontcourt this season. Rojahn scored in double figures in each of Lafayette's last eight contests, on her way to finishing second on the team in scoring, netting 10.0 points per game.
Senior center Jennifer Bayer (Lowell, Ind./Lowell) returns, bolstering the team's rebounding prowess. Bayer tied for the team lead in rebounds with 5.3, also contributed 6.7 points off the bench, shooting .520 from the field. Joining Bayer in the paint will be sophomore Brianne Welte. Welte has performed very well in the preseason, and should make an immediate impact in 2002-03.
Freshman Kelly Murray (Shenandoah, Pa./Shenandoah Valley) will undoubtedly challenge for playing time right away. Murray, a Pennsylvania Small School All-State selection, averaged 18.7 points and 11.5 boards per game during her senior year.
Joining Murray in the paint are newcomers Shannon Dorsey (Wharton, N.J./Morris Hills) and Tricia Indoe (Glen Rock, N.J./Paramus Catholic). Indoe comes to College Hill after averaging 13 points and 14.5 rebounds per game on her way to being named a New Jersey All-State Honorable Mention selection. Dorsey, a high school all-conference performer, averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds per game during her senior season.
Competing for playing time in the frontcourt will also be returning letter winners Ashley MacLelland (Kimberton, Pa./Phoenixville), and incoming freshman Sara Bechtold (Jefferson, N.H./St. Johnsbury Academy).
THE SCHEDULE... The Leopards tip off the 2002-03 season on the road against Quinnipiac (11/23), before playing Sacred Heart in the home opener on Nov. 26. The early part of the season has a distinct Ivy League flavor as the Leopards travel to Yale, and after a home contest against Fairleigh Dickinson, travel to Providence, R.I. for a tournament hosted by Brown. The Leopards' head home to Kirby Sports Center for a game against MAAC opponent St. Peter's. Another Ivy League game follows as the Leopards travel to Ithaca, N.Y. against Cornell.
Lafayette will start the New Year at Albany (1/2), before hosting Wagner (1/4). Lafayette then heads to Cincinnati on Jan. 6 for a tussle with the Lady Bearcats, and returns home for a game with Ivy League foe Pennsylvania (1/8). Patriot League competition begins in Hamilton, N.Y. versus Colgate (1/11), and then the Leopards travel to Army (1/14), before their league home opener against Holy Cross on Jan. 18. League play continues when Lafayette travels to play archrival Lehigh (1/24) and defending league champion Bucknell (1/26). The Leopards break from league play on Jan. 28 and host Ivy League foe Princeton.
The remainder of the schedule is packed with a stretch of league competition including a long home stand when the Leopards host American, Navy, Colgate and Army beginning Jan. 31. The team then heads on the road for one contest at Holy Cross (2/15) before their final home stand against Bucknell (2/21) and they wrap up the home season on Feb. 23 against archrival Lehigh at Kirby Sports Center. The Leopards will close the regular season on the road against Navy on Feb. 27, and at American on March 1.
The 2003 Patriot League Tournament will be played on March 7-9 at Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Md. The championship game will be played on March 14 at the highest remaining seed.
