The Collegian

Issue date: 11/14/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Collin Krauthamer Junior Maija Lahde has been one of the key players for the women's basketball team, scoring 11 points for the Gaels against Love and Basketball.

In only their the second game of the year, the Saint Mary's women's basketball team faced one of their stiffest challenges of the season, squaring off against the #21 California Bears.

The Gaels came into the contest after an opening week exhibition loss to the club team, Love and Basketball, a squad composed of former college players.

Head coach Paul Thomas said about the big time match up, "Hopefully, we play hard and aggressive and we're able to compete at the best of our ability."

This is Saint Mary's only ranked opponent on their schedule at this point in the season.

"They're very good at the inside-out game and have the ability to score from the post," said Thomas of his competition.

Although the Bears will provide a major challenge for Saint Mary's, Thomas also offered some keys for the Gaels to win. "We need to challenge shots, not allow a lot of easy baskets, no second chance points."

Some of Saint Mary's strengths early in the season have been the versatility of their players. In a sense, the Gaels' ability to adapt into multiple styles of play reflects their wildcard, small-school mentality, an intangible Saint Mary's hoped to use against their more publicized Berkeley neighbor.

Team leadership has also been a major part of the change this year under first year coach Thomas. Lauren Shaughnessy '08 and Serena Benavente '08, the two team captains, have been "key" in this process, helping develop a sense of unity with the team's new coaching staff.

Three other leaders that have proven themselves at this early stage in the season are Maija Lahde '08, Mikaela Cowles '08, and Monica Mertle '08.

Unfortunately, the Gaels eventually fell to the California Bears, losing 71-56.

The Gaels started out well, keeping up with the Bears for the first 13 minutes of the game. Shortly after, the Bears went on a 17-3 run and never looked back.

Although Saint Mary's outshot California 57-53 and outscored the Bears 49-40 in points from the field, they still could not get themselves back into the game.

However, fouls may have kept the Gaels from reaching victory. Players Shaugnessy and Sierra Chambers '10 both fouled out of the game. California drew 27 fouls in the game, allowing them 37 free throw attempts to the Gaels' 13.

Overall, the Gaels were led by Mertle with 14 points and Lahde with 13.

With the loss, the Gaels are now 0-1 on the season and will face Miami University this Friday, November 17 at 7:35 p.m. at McKeon Pavilion.

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