Holy Cross at a glance
Coach: Bill Gibbons (21st year, 413-183).
Last year: 20-11, 12-2 (first in Patriot).
Returning starters: G Laura Aloisi, 5-9, So. (3.3 ppg, 4.2 apg); G/F Brittany Keil, 6-2, Jr. (9.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg); G Sarah Placek, 5-3, Sr. (8.5 ppg, 2.6 apg).
Other returnees: C Ashley Brennan-McBride, 6-5, Jr. (1.6 ppg); G Shannon Bush, 5-11, Sr. (5.9 ppg); G Jessica Conte, 5-8, Sr. (6.9 ppg); F Kaitlin Foley, 6-4, Jr. (3.1 ppg); F Ashley McLaughlin, 6-1, So. (4.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg).
Newcomers: F Kathy Gruzynski, 6-2, Fr.; F Jessica Merrihue, 6-3, Fr.; G Jessica Pearson, 5-7, Fr.
Outlook: Another season, another Patriot League title for Holy Cross. Actually, the Crusaders don't win every league championship -- it just seems that way. Ten out of 15 titles (and NCAA appearances) have wound up in Worcester. Guarded optimism is the key phrase for 2005-06, thanks to a versatile backcourt led by Aloisi, whose 4.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game earned her a spot on the league's all-rookie team (along with McLaughlin). Placek is as steady as they come, and Keil's 3-point ability (a league-leading 42 percent) will come in handy as the Crusaders try to win 20 games for the 17th time in Gibbons's career.
JUDY VAN HANDLE
Schedule
NOVEMBER18 (Fri.): Northeastern, 7; 20 (Sun.): at UMass, 2; 22 (Tue.): Dartmouth, 6; 28 (Mon.): St. Peter's, 7; 30 (Wed.): at BC, 7.
DECEMBER2 (Fri.): a-Western Kentucky, 10:30; 3 (Sat.): a-Arizona St./Memphis, TBA; 7 (Wed.): URI, 6; 19 (Mon.): at UConn, 7; 28 (Wed.): b-BU, 4:30; 29 (Thu.): Virginia/Yale, TBA.
JANUARY2 (Mon.): at Maine, 7; 7 (Sat.): Lafayette, 1; 10 (Tue.): at Army, 7; 14 (Sat.): at Bucknell, 4; 16 (Mon.): Duke, 7; 21 (Sat.): American, 1; 24 (Tue.): Colgate, 7; 28 (Sat.): at Lehigh, 5; 31 (Tue.): at Navy, 7:30.
FEBRUARY
4 (Sat.): at Lafayette, 4; 7 (Tue.): Army, 7; 11 (Sat.): Bucknell, 1; 14 (Tue.): Navy, 7; 18 (Sat.): at American, 4:30; 21 (Tue.): at Colgate, 7; 25 (Sat.): Lehigh, 1.
MARCH2, 4, 8 (Thu., Sat., Wed.): Patriot League Tourney, TBA.
a-Wells Fargo Holiday Classic at Tempe, Ariz.; b-Cavalier Classic at Charlottesville, Va.
