MIDDLETOWN, PA - After competing in the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) playoffs for the first time since entering the NCAA, the Penn State Harrisburg women´s basketball team will be looking to expand on that success for the 2009-2010 season. With only two players returning from that team, the Lady Lions will look for sophomores, Amaris Gardner (Virginia Beach, VA/Bayside) and Dorothea Dixon (Middletown, PA/Middletown), to lead the blue and white to their second consecutive NEAC playoff appearance.

"Not only are Amaris and Dorothea talented in their own right," comments second year head coach, Ross Patrick, "but they bring great leadership and are committed to the program."

Gardner and Dixon will not only be expected to serve as team leaders, but will also be looked upon to continue their statistical success from last season. Gardner ranked in the NEAC top-15 last year in three-point field goal percentage and the top-10 in three-point field goals made. Dixon, only playing in the second half of the season, ranked in the top-30 in scoring, top-20 in rebounding, top-10 in assists, and top-5 in steals among the NEAC.

New to the Lady Lions are eight talented freshmen, all from diverse backgrounds as well as solid high school programs. "Each freshman brings something unique to the team," said Coach Patrick, "they all possess a high basketball IQ and drive to be successful."

"With only two returning, that puts three freshmen in a starting role to begin their collegiate careers. Niki Zangari(Etters, PA/Red Land), Stephanie Yetter (Thompsontown, PA/East Juniata) and Daril Foose (Altoona, PA/Altoona) have the ability to play at this level and make their presence felt, while Brittany Adams (Dillsburg, PA/Northern), Alyssa Stirling (Coatsville, PA/Coatsville), Caitlyn Ruggiero (Bangor, PA/Bangor), Shelly Erb(Jonestown, PA/Northern Lebanon) and Jennifer Gordon (Hammondsport, NY/Hammondsport Central) bring an assortment of talent and athleticism to our team."

Coach Patrick continues, "We are a well rounded group that can play intense defense while still maintaining our up-tempo offense. Combine that with our depth and our determination to win, I see us doing good things this year."

Leading her team and looking to repeat, 2008-09 NEAC Player of the Year and Tournament MVP, Courtney Lincoln and the Keuka College Storm pursue their second straight NEAC conference championship in a row. Runner-ups, Penn State Berks, look to return to the championship game powered by 2007-08 NEAC Player of the Year, Courtney Bailey. Joining the NEAC for the 2009-10 season are newcomers, Penn State Abington, St. Elizabeth College and SUNY Morrisville.

"We have a tougher non-conference schedule," admitted Patrick, "in the Albright tournament we play an Albright team that beat Messiah College just a season ago. As for our conference games, we should be competitive and hopefully an above .500 team, putting us top-four in the conference."

The Lady Lions host Penn State Schuylkill Wednesday November 18th to kick off the 2009-10 season. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 P.M. at the Capital Union Building.