One Left

I remember at the beginning of the season a reader asked me not to worry about Marist reaching the NCAA tournament but instead set a season goal at going undefeated in the MAAC. Well folks the ladies are one win away from going undefeated in the MAAC this season. Their regular season concludes this Saturday evening at 7:30pm against St. Peters. It will be their final game and obviously their final home game of the season. They will then go on to the MAAC tournament which will be played in Albany. Their coming off a win over St. Peters on Wednesday night where they knocked off the Peahen's 70-57 in their first meeting of the season. The back end of the home and home will be played at the McCann Center Saturday night. Wednesday night who else but Rachael Fitz had 24 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Red Foxes who were without Julianne Viani for the first time all season. Freshman Elise Caron got the start in her place.
The win over St. Peters was Marist's 17th straight win which is also a program-record. Looking at the rankings they are currently ranked 25 in the nation in the AP poll and 21st in the ESPN/USA Today Poll.
Saturday night Marist looks to extend the winning streak to 18 and finish out the season unbeaten in conference.
The game can be heard on www.maristradio.net. or Goredfoxes.com

Receiving Significant Attention

At the moment Marist finds themself in the middle of a 13-game winning streak. Still undefeated in the MAAC Conference, Marist has yet to lose since their loss to Hartford in the beginning of December. Now sitting at 23-2 overall and 13-0 in the MAAC, Marist is just flat our rolling. Here is a quick idea of what they have done lately. They have won their last five games by an average of 24.4 points. Over that stretch Julianne Viani has hit 19 threes including two different games where she had six in each. Rachele Fitz is averaging 23 points per game (MAAC player of the week) and Marist has jumped into ESPN's top 25 poll be acknowledged as the 25th best women's team in the nation. Throughout the season the ladies have been hovering around the 27th and 28th rankings, but not once have cracked the top 25. They got very close in Decemeber but they're loss at home to Hartford sent them back a couple of steps. I feel that if Marist beats Hartford that night they crack the top 25 before 2008 rolls around and by now, they are top 20 in the nation. Beggars can't be choosers however and I am very pleased that Marist is now top 25. It was pretty cool watching ESPN this morning and when tonight's Marist Niagara game popped up on the bottom line, there was the number 25 sitting next to our school's name. It is pretty cool and the ladies deserve it.
Check in with the Red Foxes tonight as they host the Niagara Purple Eagles at 7:30pm in the McCann Center.
The game can be heard on GoRedFoxes.com. Geoff Brault with the call. It can also be heard on www.maristradio.net. Mike Rolek will have the call there.

House was Packed

Well congratulations to the team, coach Brian Giorgis, the Marist Athletic Department, Mike Ferraro and also the students of Marist and the city of Poughkeepsie. Friday night when Marist wanted to "pack the house" for a home contest against Siena, they did just that. For the first time in Marist Women's Basketball history, McCann was sold out (3,200 strong) and the women could show off to everyone how good they really are. Wait a minute, I think that is the problem right there. The team is so good that against all MAAC opponents (especially at home) that the game is over by halftime. Therefore if a blowout is expected, this may turn fans away. Regardless, Friday night was a special night in McCann as the house was packed and Marist pummeled Siena by thirty, 78-48. They followed up that performance with another win at home on Sunday. I have to congratulate Loyola in this game for keeping the game close through the first half. After Marist went on a 12-2 start to open the game, Loyola closed the gap to seven at halftime. They eventually went on to lose 85-59 in front of 2,128 fans. Here are some notables for the past two Marist wins:

VS. Siena

• Marist holds Siena to 29.5% field goal percentage for the game


• Marist shoots 12-22 from three-point range


• High scorer: Julianne Viani (18pts, 4-6 3-point fg)

VS. Loyola

• Marist holds Loyola to 31% field goal percentage for the game


• Rachele Fitz scores 26 points and hauls in 10 rebounds


• Julianne Viani goes 4-6 from 3-point range again and scores 19

Tonight at 7:30pm the ladies will host Rider @ The McCann Center and try and beat the women after the mens team was beaten by Rider Wednesday night at McCann.

Rider (6-14, 1-8 MAAC) * Last in MAAC

Marist (19-2, 9-0 MAAC) * First in MAAC

Listen:

• WMAR http://www.maristradio.net/. Ryan Schneider and Mike Rolek with the call


• http://www.goredfoxes.com/ Geoff Brault and (myself) Dustin Aglietti with the call