The Lady Pioneers continued their dominance with key victories over conference rivals during the past two weeks. Their most recent victory, a 67-50 beat down over Ramapo on Feb. 3, improved the team’s overall record to 21-1 and 9-1 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference.
The Pioneers, who are ranked seventh in the nation according to the USA Today/ESPN/Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Division III Poll, stand atop the northern division, and are only behind second-ranked Kean in the NJAC standings.
“Being ranked seventh in the nation is a great accomplishment,” said sophomore guard BriAnna Lucas. “It isn’t our main goal, but it’s still a good feeling.”
The Pioneers ultimate goal is to make a run towards the NCAA title.
“We have many different goals for this season,” said senior Julie Haledjian. “Winning the NJAC tournament and making the NCAA’s are right at the top of that list.”
In order to win the NJAC the team may face another meeting with Kean. The Cougars handed the Pioneers their sole loss of the season, a 102-66 setback on Jan. 9.
“Right now we are taking each game one day at a time,” said Lucas. “But if the time comes to play Kean again, or anyone else, we will be ready for the challenge.”
While their record may indicate that the season has been a breeze, the Lady Pioneers have suffered key losses through the season. Junior April Smith, an All-NJAC First Team forward, went down with a hip flexor injury just five games into the season leaving her sidelined for the rest of the season.
“After losing April, we have had trouble with rebounding down low,” Haledjian said. “But we know we need to work as a team and crash the boards more. Each player works hard every second they are on the floor, and that has helped us a lot.”
Recently, the Pioneers lost forward Elena Noonan to a season ending knee injury.
While the injury bug has been problematic for the Pioneers, they continue to have success behind the play of Lucas and Haldejian. Lucas leads the team in scoring with 16 points per game and possesses an astounding 53 steals to 44 turnovers. Halejian leads the team in assists, but also with her tremendous court presence and leadership.
Lucas attests the team’s success to the “strong bond the team has both on and off the court”. Haledjian agrees, adding that it is imperative to have a close bond with everyone.
“We all get along well and work together as a whole,” she said. “Every second we step on the floor, we give it our all and that's all you can ask for.”
This is a team with skill, drive and confidence; a team that truly believes that they can win a title. They will continue with their quest towards a title against conference foes Rutgers Newark on Wednesday.
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