The New England College women’s basketball team won their first game of the season at home on Wednesday against Lesley University 79-51.
Scoring for the Pilgrims was led by senior center, Kathleen Rodriguez and sophomore guard, Mackenzie McDonald who both had 15 points. Rodriguez also came close to a double-double leading the team with nine rebounds.
Mackenzie McDonald is looking forward to the rest of the season and says the teams connection this year is part of what will help lead them through this season.
“I think that as a team we are a lot closer than we were last year. There is definitely a lot more chemistry and we have a bunch of transfers and freshmen that are really looking talented, so I’m excited to see where it goes,” McDonald said.
Allisia Corona was also one of the Pilgrims’ top performers, getting it done on both ends. She finished the game with 12 points and lead the team with three steals.
The Pilgrims were strong defensively as they were able to get a total of 19 steals and five blocks.
The Pilgrims not only took a huge margin of victory, but they were also able to do it in commanding fashion, dominating the Lynx in all statistical categories.
Like many other NEC athletic teams, the women’s basketball team will be facing new challenges as they start their first season in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference.
“The expectations of us are very high, we want to be good in the conference. We do a lot more conditioning this year, because coach Ledy’s been telling us that we may not be the most talented team in the GNAC, but we will be the most in shape,” McDonald said.
“Definitely by working a lot outside of practice, not just going and showing up but doing extra shooting, doing extra work with the coaches, extra guard work, extra big work. Also, when we are at practice going as hard as we can so that we accomplish something and we’re not going there to show up,” she said.
Junior guard Amaya Moss said this year’s captains, Allisia Corona, Kathleen Rodriguez, and Juliana Hernandez are great leaders by example and carry a positive attitude that carry on to each teammate.
“The things that make them the captain and who they are, is simply because of the person they are. They are not ones to talk a lot, they are not the ones that stand out a lot, but you know they are there on and off the court. Having a good attitude and show everyone you’re wearing the schools name across your chest, and they do a great job at it,” she said.
