Nov. 2, 2012

Bronx, N.Y. - In the aftermath of the severe weather that hit the tri-state area, the Fordham women's basketball team hopes to give students and fans a chance to return to normalcy on campus and a chance to cheer, as the Rams will host Dowling College in an exhibition game at 2:00 PM in the Rose Hill Gym. Admission to the game is free and gives fans an opportunity to preview this year's squad.

LIVE COVERAGE: For those unable to make it to the game, Fordhamsports.com has you covered with the live GameTracker feed.

SEASON PREVIEW: Head Coach Stephanie V. Gaitley begins her second season at the helm of the Fordham women's basketball team, and there is a renewed sense of excitement regarding the 2012-13 season. The Rams welcome back four starters and 10 players overall this season, as well as getting some valued additions to the squad.

The Rams were picked 11th in the Atlantic 10 preseason coaches' poll, but the members of the team and coaching staff have higher expectations, led by senior Arielle Collins, graduate student Marah Strickland, and juniors Erin Rooney and Abigail Corning. Collins returns as the Rams' leading scorer from a year ago, averaging just over 11 points per game, while Corning also averaged in double-figures at 10.5 points a game. Both players should benefit with the return of Strickland and Rooney to Fordham's line-up.

Charlotte Stoddart

Strickland missed last season with an injury, after transferring to Fordham from South Carolina, while Rooney is now eligible to play after sitting out last season due to transfer rules. Strickland is a dynamic offensive player and former McDonald's All-American, who will bring much needed offensive options, while Rooney is a former NEC Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the New Zealand National Team, giving the Rams one of the deeper backcourts in the conference.

In the frontcourt, Fordham returns its English-born duo, Charlotte Stoddart and Christina Gaskin, who both made strides forward last season. Stoddart finished the season as the Rams' top rebounder at 6.4 per contest, while Gaskin led the Rams in blocks with 33. Similar to Corning and Collins benefitting from Strickland and Rooney's additions, Stoddart and Gaskin should also see their productivity rise with the addition of freshman Samantha Clark.

Clark, the niece of former Fordham men's basketball player and Athletic Hall of Famer Joe Paterno, was a top-100 recruit and a McDonald's All-American Honorable Mention at St. Rose High School in New Jersey, scoring over 1,500 points in her career. She brings a paint presence on the offensive end, and should make an immediate impact for the Rams.

Fordham also welcomes back senior Ranait Griff and sophomores Emily Tapio, Taryn Durant, and Liz Milner to this year's squad. Griff missed the vast majority of last season with injury, while Tapio, Durant, and Milner all contributed as freshmen, as each played in at least 20 games a year ago.

Besides Clark, the Rams also have transfers Briana Jordan and Kyra Holiday and freshman Khadijah Gibson joining this year's team, though Jordan, a transfer from Tennessee Tech will sit out this season due to NCAA rules.

WHO'S NEXT: The Fordham women's basketball team begins its regular season on Friday, November 9th, when the Rams travel to Albany to face the Great Danes at 8:30 PM.