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Waterbury, Conn. - The Post University women's basketball season will kick off its regular season on Friday as it takes on Merrimack in North Andover, Mass at 5:30 p.m. in a non-conference matchup. 

A Look Back
The Eagles were 10-16 overall last season and 9-10 in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, falling just short of the CACC Tournament by one game in the North Division. The Eagles finished in fifth place.

Post did lose Aubrey Latham (Mystic, Conn.) to graduation. Latham became the school's all-time leading scorer in a game against Concordia. She finished her career with 1,790 points, which is 280 points more than second place. Latham also finished the season as the leading scorer at 22.9 points per game.

Making A Return
Returning for the Eagles this season is point guard, senior Jacquelynne Pugh (Grahamsville, N.Y.). Pugh averaged 8.6 points per game, including 26 points in Post's final game last season against Mercy. Pugh also finished fifth in the CACC in assists per game at 3.8.

Sophomore Liz Falcigno will also be a top contributor this season for the Eagles. As a freshman, Falcigno averaged 10.5 points per game, and was eighth in the CACC in free-throw percentage at 78.5 percent. Falcigno scored over 20 points three times last season, including a career high 24 points against Goldey-Beacom. She also recorded her first double-double of her career, scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 assists in a win over Nyack.

The two leading players off the bench from a season ago, sophomores Jessica Ayala (Middletown, Conn.) and Dericka Sims (Chesapeake, Va.), will also be returning.

This season's team is also very young, sporting six freshmen on the team, including Dominique Woods (Hartford, Conn.) and  Lexus Childs-Harris (New London, Conn.).

Deaisia Acklin (Bronx, N.Y.) and Kristine Ripson (Youngstown, N.Y.), both junior transfers will be playing important roles this season. Ripson scored 13 points in an exhibition loss to UConn.

Stephen Schuler will return for his third season as head coach of the Eagles, along with first year assistant, Kelly Romaine.

Preseason Predictions
The Eagles were picked to finish fourth in the CACC North Division. They received 56 votes. Defending champion, Bloomfield was picked to win the North Division with 98 points. Philadelphia was picked to win the South Division, receiving 94 points.

About Merrimack
Merrimack - out of the Northeast-10 Conference - finished 12-15 overall last season and 8-13 in the conference. Chloe Rothman, the team's leading scorer from a season ago returns. She averaged 13.5 points a season ago, the lone player to average double figures on the team. 

The two teams have met twice in the past, with Merrimack winning both times. It will be the first time they have played since 2007.