2011-12 Schedule

Season Preview courtesy of Prof. McArthur's Sports Information Class

Head Coach Michele Davis returns for her 12th season in charge of the Pioneers looking to guide the team to their eighth consecutive winning season and postseason appearance.

Three of five starters return from last season's squad that went 15-10 during the 2010-11 regular season before losing to Ithaca in the Empire 8 Conference semifinals. Despite graduating starters Jessica Berry (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) and Devon Croll (Vernon, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill), who rank No. 1 and No. 4, respectively, on the College's all-time scoring list , Davis is confident that the team is set for another strong showing this season.

“I really don't consider this a rebuilding year,” said who has compiled a 173-117 record in 11 seasons at Utica College. “I am confident that Katie McGee (Philadelphia, PA/Nazareth) and Meghan Fiore (Epping, NH/Epping) will be stepping up and scoring more and I am very confident in Alyssa Filkins (Castleton, NY/Maple Hill).”

The Pioneers are two years removed from an appearance in the NCAA tournament, where they beat Moravian College in the first round before falling to Gettysburg College in the second round.

Taking a Closer Look

“You are never going to replace Devon Croll (Vernon, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill) and Jessica Berry (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy), but we've won in the past and I think we can build off of past success,” Davis said.

Katie McGee (Philadelphia, PA/Nazareth) will be looked to for leadership as one of two seniors. She joins forward Justine Karst (Olean, NY/Hinsdale) as the only other senior. They will lead a younger group that includes 10 freshmen.

Guards

“We are expecting more from Katie this year, scoring-wise,” Davis said of McGee. “She may see some time at the two guard as well.”

McGee will be looked to as a leader both on the court and off. She averaged seven points and 4.7 assists per game last season, starting all but one game for the Pioneers. Filkins, a sophomore, will also play a key role at the shooting guard position. Filkins started 15 games last year and should see her average of 20.6 minute per game increase significantly this season.

Joining McGee and Filkins at the guard spot is junior Brittany Baudanza (Staten Island, NY/Staten Island Tech), who Davis said is a threat from behind the arch and could see more time this season. Seven of the 10 incoming freshmen could see time in either the one or two guard positions.

Forwards

“We are pleasantly surprised with our options at forward,” Davis said. “Losing Jess is huge, but Meghan Fiore (Epping, NH/Epping) has been playing really well. She already scored over 700 points coming into her junior year.”

Fiore will be complimented at the forward position by Karst, a senior defensive standout, sophomore Bridget Greenwald (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) and freshman Sam Stayer.

“We are really excited about Sam Stayer,” Davis said. “She has great size and we just need to get her technique down. She is very strong and athletic.”