Tweet #gogoldenknights

---

ALBANY - The College of Saint Rose women's basketball team enters the 2017-18 campaign with an exciting mix of newcomers joining a young, yet experienced, group with the goal of earning a postseason berth. The Golden Knights (12-14/7-13 NE10) open on Saturday, November 11 vs. Concordia at the Georgian Court Invitational.  The non-conference game will begin at 2pm in Lakewood, N.J.
 
"Some of our goals for the season include winning 75 percent of our home games and making the Northeast-10 Conference and NCAA Tournaments," said Head Coach Karen Haag. "Even if we don't achieve every goal this season, I know that we are a young team building towards a positive future."
 
Saint Rose, which lost almost 49 percent of its scoring from last season, adds four newcomers, three of which are Division I transfers, to eight returnees.
 
New to the team are: sophomore guards Takora McIntyre and Courtney Clasen, junior guard Isa Vara de Rey, and freshman forward Nina Fedullo.
 
"When adding four new players that will play a lot, getting them acclimated on the floor is important," said Haag. "Thus far, they have fit into our program well. Takora is super quick and can get into the lane. Courtney has an outstanding work ethic and is coachable. Nina is a great athlete who really can have a fantastic career here. Isa is strong and can shoot it."
 
The leading returning scorer is junior guard Ashley Vanderwall, who averaged 11.6 points per game.
 
"The book is out regarding Ashley's shooting ability," said Haag." She has worked hard over the summer to diversify her game, and we expect her to continue being a big point-producer."
 
Other returning guards include: seniors Morgan Sullivan and Analese Dublin, junior Niki Tsiostos and sophomore Cameron Graupman.
 
"Cameron's had a great preseason," said Haag. "Her confidence is up.  We'll be deeper at guard in many respects with her, Morgan, Ana and Niki all back."
 
Up front, junior Karissa Birthwright, who contributed 9.4 points and 6.3 rebounds a night, returns.
 
"Karissa is a tremendous defender," said Haag. "She runs the floor better than most bigs in our conference and continues to extend her perimeter range."
 
Junior forward Zoe McDonald and sophomore forward Leah Dollard also are back. The duo saw action in almost every game last season.
 
"Zoe has emerged as vocal leader for us," said Haag. "She's bigger, stronger and has been shooting well in the preseason."
 
"Leah came out of her shell toward the end of last season," continued Haag. "We are looking for her to continue scoring and being a defensive presence up front."

The Golden Knights, picked to finish seventh in the Southwest Division of the NE10 preseason coaches' poll, will open their home schedule on Saturday, November 18 vs. American International. Sign up for our E-Newsletter for the latest news by clicking here, and for information on the Golden Knights Club, click here. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.