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West Hartford, CT – Putting together one of the toughest schedules in the nation continues to be a priority for University of Hartford women's basketball coach Jennifer Rizzotti, and this season she has provided yet another challenge for the Hawks. The 2009-10 non-conference schedule includes eight teams that played in the postseason, six of which were NCAA Tournament participants, including the national champion (Connecticut) and the national runner-up (Louisville).
The 12-game non-conference schedule features six home games and six road contests. Highlighting the home schedule is a chance to welcome the national runner-up, Louisville Cardinals, to Chase Arena at the Reich Family Pavilion on Tuesday, November 17. One other NCAA Tournament participant will venture to Chase Arena, the Temple Owls, while Coppin State and Bowling Green, both Postseason WNIT participants, will also come to West Hartford.
The Hawks will open the 2009-10 season at home for the second-straight year, welcoming the Quinnipiac Bobcats (Nov. 14) for a rematch of last year's game in Hamden, CT. After hosting the Cardinals, the Hawks will take their first road trip of the season with games at Providence (Nov. 20) and Dartmouth (Nov. 22), who was the Ivy League champion and first round NCAA Tournament participant.
Hartford then returns home for its second of three-straight games against NCAA Tournament teams, as Temple will join the Hawks in the friendly confines of Chase Arena. The last meeting between Hartford and Temple was in 2006, when the Hawks defeated the Owls 64-58 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the first NCAA tournament victory in the history of the Hartford program.
Hartford begins the month of December with three-straight road games against Sacred Heart, St. Joseph's and Connecticut. The Pioneers, NEC champions in 2009, open the month for Hartford on December 1 in Bridgeport, CT. The Hawks then travel to St. Joseph's on December 4, renewing a rivalry that ended with the 2006-07 season. Hartford will then continue its in-state rivalry with the 2009 national champion Connecticut Huskies on December 10 at the XL Center in Hartford, CT.
Three of the final four non-conference games in 2009-10 will be played at home with Northeastern (Dec. 13), Coppin State (Dec. 21) and Bowling Green (Dec. 30) all coming to West Hartford. The final road game of the season comes against the Marist Red Foxes on December 19, continuing a rivalry between two of the top mid-majors in the Northeast region.
"Each year we want to measure ourselves against some of the best teams in the country,” said Rizzotti. “Obviously this year is no different as we've scheduled both teams from last seasons' National Championship and five other teams who competed in the postseason."
Rizzotti, who enters her 11th season at Hartford, returns 10 players from last year's squad, while adding four newcomers to the roster. The Hawks (20-12 overall, 14-2 America East) qualified for postseason play for the fifth-straight year, earning the program's first ever at-large selection to the Postseason WNIT. Included among the returning players is senior Erica Beverly, who was named one of 31 John R. Wooden Award candidates. She finished last year averaging 11.1 points-per-game and led the team in rebounding at 7.2 rebounds-per-game. Also returning is the team's leading scorer, senior Diana Delva, who averaged 11.7 ppg. Both Beverly and Delva earned America East All-Conference honors, while Beverly was also an all-defensive team selection.
Season ticket packages are on sale now and can be purchased through the University of Hartford Malcolm and Brenda Berman Athletics Ticket Office. For more information, please call (860) 768-HAWK or visit www.HartfordHawks.com.
