2023-24 Recap
Despite hitting the road for a championship showdown for the first time since the 2016-17 season, the University of Scranton women's basketball team secured its ninth consecutive Landmark Conference title with a hard-fought 57-48 win over top-seeded Catholic University. This marked the fourth time in five seasons that the two teams met in the conference final.
Maddie Hartnett poured in a career-high 20 points to lead Scranton to victory. Her standout performance earned her tournament MVP honors for the second time in her career.
The Lady Royals continued their postseason run, advancing to the Elite 8 for the 16th time in program history. Their remarkable run came to an end against the eventual national champions, New York University.
Other Highlights
For the third consecutive year, the Landmark Conference sent multiple teams to the NCAA postseason. Scranton earned the league’s automatic bid, while runner-up Catholic University secured an at-large berth. The Cardinals made the most of their opportunity, picking up their first NCAA Tournament win since the 2012-13 season with a convincing 71-55 victory over Penn State-Behrend in the opening round.
The University of Scranton is once again the team to beat in Landmark Conference women’s basketball, topping the 2024-25 preseason poll as voted on by the league’s 10 head coaches. The Lady Royals collected 80 points and earned eight first-place votes, putting them in prime position to chase their 10th straight league title. Catholic University, last season’s runner-up, claimed the remaining two first-place votes and tallied 73 points to secure second place.
Elizabethtown College earned third with 64 points, while Susquehanna University came in fourth with 59 points. Moravian University rounded out the top five, collecting 43 points. Drew University narrowly missed the top five, finishing sixth with 41 points. Wilkes University (31 points) and Lycoming College (29 points) hold the seventh and eighth spots, respectively. Goucher College and Juniata College are tied for ninth with 15 points each, completing the poll.
Catholic University
- Head Coach: Matt Donohue (17th Season)
- Team Titles: 3 (2012, 2013, 2015)
- 2024-24 Projected Finish: 2nd
The 2023-24 season was one to remember for Catholic University women's basketball. The Cardinals notched 26 wins, the second-highest total in program history, and kicked off the season with a record-setting 20-game win streak. Their impressive run earned them a top-10 national ranking, peaking at No. 8 in the D3hoops.com poll, and they advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, marking just the second time they’ve reached that stage.
Looking ahead to the 2024-25 campaign, head coach Matt Donahue has a solid core returning. Reigning Landmark Conference Player of the Year Anna Scoblick is back to lead the charge, alongside First Team All-Conference standout Keegan Douglass and Honorable Mention pick Carly Mulvaney. Kerry Flaherty, another key contributor, also returns, giving the Cardinals a veteran presence.
“We’ve got a great group of people committed to each other who share the same vision! That camaraderie and unity has definitely created an air of excitement for the new season and the opportunities that lay ahead! Of course, we’re all equally excited to take on challenges before us in what will undoubtedly be an incredibly competitive and challenging Landmark Conference and regular season schedule. This group has been focused on locking in on our daily growth as a program and If we can all continue to do that, then what we are working on here has all the potential for another exciting run this year!” - Head Coach, Matt Donohue
Drew University
- Head Coach: John Olenowski (9th Season)
- Team Titles: 0
- 2024-25 Projected Finish: 6th
Drew University is poised for another competitive season as several key players return from a team that went 8-10 in Landmark Conference play and earned a postseason berth for the second time in three years.
Though the Rangers will miss All-Conference standout Jamie Struble, along with contributors Maddy Morgan and Sarah Smout, a mix of underclassmen and upperclassmen is ready to step up. Sophomore Amy Rachilla, who averaged 6.5 points and 2.1 assists per game, will be a key leader. She’ll be joined by classmates Olivia Aliotta (5.4 ppg) and Miabella Diaz (3.7 ppg), who both made an impact last season.
Juniors Gianna Pica and Maddie Beyer, who each averaged over five points a game, will play vital roles, while Brenna Hazel adds depth. Izzy Lalo and Gracie Hezel round out the returning core, with Hezel also contributing on the boards, averaging 3.5 rebounds per game.
"We are very excited about our team this upcoming season. We have a good blend of young and experienced players. The team has been working very hard and we are hoping for a very successful season." - Head Coach, John Olenowski
Elizabethtown College
- Head Coach: Veronica Nolt (10th Season)
- Team Titles: 0
- 2024-25 Projected Finish: 3rd
Elizabethtown is set for another strong season in 2024-25, returning five starters and four All-Conference performers from a team with 19 wins, including 14 in Landmark Conference play.
Leading the charge are the Blue Jays’ top two scorers, First Team All-Conference selections Summer McNulty and Cyleigh Wilson. McNulty, a guard, ranked second in the league last season with 15.2 points per game and added 3.4 assists per contest. Wilson, who holds the conference record for made three-pointers in a game (9), averaged 12.8 points and will once again be a key offensive threat.
On the defensive side, Second Team All-Conference forward DaniRae Renno and Honorable Mention Jessica King return to anchor the paint. Both ranked in the conference’s top 10 for blocked shots, with King averaging 1.2 per game and Renno close behind at 1.0.
Head coach Veronica Nolt also has solid depth with Makenna Mummert, Allyia Kennedy, Ella Gordon, and senior Lindsay Boyd rounding out the rotation, giving the Blue Jays a balanced and experienced lineup as they look to make another deep run this season.
"We have a good mixture of returning players and new faces this season and look forward to our competitive non-conference and conference games." - Head Coach, Veronica Nolt
Goucher College
- Head Coach: Mike Ricks (2nd Season)
- Team Titles: 0
- 2024-25 Projected Finish: t-9th
Head coach Mike Ricks heads into his second season at Goucher with a veteran core ready to lead the way. The Gophers return four key players from last year’s squad, including three seniors—Merci Turner, Maiya Villanueva, and Bri Haggins—along with sophomore Brianna Johnson.
Turner was a standout all-around performer for Goucher, leading the team with 12.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. Villanueva contributed 8.7 points and 2.3 assists per game, while Johnson impressed in her debut season with 8.1 points and 1.2 steals per game. Haggins adds depth and versatility, providing 7.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per contest.
"The players have been working hard to prepare for the season. You've got to earn everything in this league, so we will have to be at our best every night. We're excited for the opportunity to compete and to show who we can be." - Head Coach, Mike Ricks
Juniata College
- Head Coach: Marissa Molnar (1st Season)
- Team Titles: 1 (2011)
- 2024-25 Projected Finish: t-9th
Juniata women’s basketball is entering a new chapter under the leadership of head coach Marissa Molnar, as she takes over a program looking to bounce back from a 5-20 season.
The Eagles boast a wealth of experience, with six seniors and four juniors forming the core of the team. This veteran presence will be complemented by six sophomores and four newcomers, providing depth across the lineup.
Among the veteran leaders are Bri Bodtorf, Haily Sherman, Olivia Berg, and Sarah Betts. Bodtorf, an All-Conference Honorable Mention last season, led Juniata with 10.0 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Sherman was just behind, averaging 9.5 points while ranking third on the team in steals with 1.2 per game. Betts contributed 4.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per contest, while Berg added 3.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game.
"I think practices are going great so far! With a new coach coming in there are a lot of unknowns and a lot of new being thrown at them early and often. Everyone has done a great job at understanding new concepts and plays while also applying them right away in drills on a daily basis." - Head Coach Marissa Molnar
Lycoming College
- Head Coach: Shane Rottier (1st Season)
- Team Titles: 0
- 2024-25 Projected Finish: 8th
Lycoming women’s basketball enters a new era this season with Shane Rottier taking the helm, marking the first head coaching change in 32 years. After a year of adjusting to their new conference, the Warriors return a strong core despite graduating just one starter, Honorable Mention All-Conference forward Emily Lockard.
Returning are key starters Meghan Dufner, Ashley Yoh, Mya Wetzel, Alicia Goldenziel, and junior guard Kami Abdo—all of whom played significant roles last season. Dufner, one of the team’s senior leaders, averaged 10.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. Yoh added 9.7 points and led the team with 5.3 rebounds per game.
Abdo contributed 7.6 points and 2.0 rebounds per game, while Wetzel chipped in 6.9 points and 4.0 rebounds. Goldenziel rounded out the returning core with 5.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per contest.
"I am extremely happy with the progress that the team has been making in our early season workouts. We have a very experienced group that has really bought into what we need to do to help us take that next step. We are excited to get going. There’s no doubt that the Landmark Conference has some of the best basketball in Division III, but I know we will be ready for the challenge.” - Head Coach, Shane Rottier
Moravian University
- Head Coach: Mary Beth Spirk (38th Season)
- Team Titles: 1 (2010)
- 2024-25 Projected Finish: 5th
Head Coach Mary Beth Spirk, who led Moravian to its 15th Landmark Conference Tournament appearance last season, is aiming for another strong postseason run in 2024-25.
The Greyhounds return two All-Conference standouts: graduate forward Sam Osorio, an Honorable Mention selection who averaged 11.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 40 steals, and 37 blocks last season, and senior forward Brielle Guarente, a Second Team pick who added 10.6 points and a team-leading 50 steals.
Sophomore forward Grace Steffen, who averaged 8.1 points and 7.4 blocks per game, also returns as a key contributor, along with sophomore guard Lizzie Lustig, junior guards Jayda Cartagena and Juliana Vassallo, and senior guard Mikayla Anderson.
Adding to the mix, the Greyhounds welcome six first-year players, providing even more depth and potential for the upcoming season.
"Every year, expectations are the same, we want to compete for a Landmark Championship. This year is no different. It will be a challenge as our conference is strong, but we are working hard to be among the top teams in our conference. If we are fortunate enough to be among the top teams at the end of the season, anything can happen in the playoffs. We have a strong nucleus returning and mixed in with some new faces, the season should be an exciting one for us. We are striving to turn around our record from last year and get back to Moravian winning basketball." - Head Coach, Mary Beth Spirk
University of Scranton
- Head Coach: Ben O'Brien (3rd Season)
- Team Titles: 12 (2008, 2009, 2014, 2016-24)
- 2024-25 Projected Finish: 1st
The University of Scranton women’s basketball team is set to build on a stellar 28-3 season that saw the Lady Royals make a deep run to the NCAA Division III Elite 8.
Scranton brings back a strong core of players, highlighted by All-American and All-Conference standout Kaci Kranson, who led the conference in scoring last season with 15.8 points per game. Kaeli Romanowski, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference selection was a key part of a defense that held opponents to just 47.5 points per game. Romanowski also led the conference in steals with 95, averaging 3.2 per game.
Tournament MVP Maddie Hartnett, along with Second Team All-Conference forward Maddy Ryan and key contributor Meghan Lamanna, are also back. Head Coach Ben O’Brien welcomes five first-year players, ready to make an immediate impact.
"We are very excited about our team this season. We return several key contributors from last season, and we have added some talented new players as well. We are looking forward to the opportunity to compete in what will be a very competitive Landmark Conference this season." - Head Coach, Ben O'Brien
Susquehanna University
- Head Coach: Gabby Holko (5th Season)
- Team Titles: 0
- 2024-25 Projected Finish: 4th
The Susquehanna River Hawks are coming off a historic 2023-24 season, highlighted by their first-ever home Landmark Conference playoff game, where they triumphed over Drew University to reach the semifinals. With a final record of 18-9 and a strong 12-6 mark in league play, the River Hawks achieved their most wins in a season since 1994-95, as well as their highest win total in the Landmark Conference.
Key players returning include Julia Roth, a First Team All-Landmark forward who ranked third in the conference with 14.9 points per game and led the league in field goal percentage at .505. She also contributed defensively, finishing third in steals with an average of 2.9 per game for a total of 78. Julia Pinckert, an Honorable Mention selection, started all 27 games and averaged 7.4 points per game, while also recording 12 blocks and 27 steals.
"We are extremely excited about this upcoming season and the competition we are about to see within our conference. We are returning a special group of players who compete each day when they step into O.W. Houts Gymnasium. This group is extremely dedicated, and they have developed amazing chemistry on and off the court. Our goal always stays the same, but we know it is going to take getting 1% better each day." - Head Coach, Gabby Holko
Wilkes University
- Head Coach: Al Berger (2nd Season)
- Team Titles
- 2024-25 Projected Finish: 7th
Under the guidance of second-year head coach Al Berger, Wilkes University women’s basketball is looking to make strides in its second season in the Landmark Conference.
Coming off a 9-16 record, the Colonels bring back a strong core, highlighted by Yamirelis Matos, a Second Team All-Conference selection last season who averaged 13.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and totaled 54 steals. Madison Robel, who averaged 4.6 rebounds, and Nadia Evanosky, who contributed 8.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, round out the experienced group of returners.
As Wilkes adjusts to the loss of key contributors Erin Shober, Julia Marino, and Brenna Babcock, they’ll welcome five first-year players to bolster the roster.
"We are excited for our second year in the Landmark Conference. Coming off an eighth place finish last year, and having eight new faces this year, we know we have a significant challenge ahead of us. A difficult non-conference schedule will hopefully prepare us to fight for a playoff spot this season, and of course, we're thrilled and grateful to have the opportunity to play at the Palestra in January!" - Head Coach, Al Berger