November has arrived, meaning the Concordia University Chicago's women's basketball 2022-23 season is upon us. The year kicks off with a road trip when the team travels to Colorado Springs, Co., to take on Colorado College in the season opener, Friday, Nov. 11.
Last Season
Women's basketball is coming off a 2021-22 season where they finished 7-16 overall and 6-11 in conference play. A 6-5 start showed promise, but a 10-game skid cloudied the path to the playoffs. However, a 54-44 win over Lakeland University in the season finale snuck the Cougars into the playoffs. The first round of the NACC Tournament was as far as CUC would go, with Lakeland taking down Concordia in a rematch of the previous game, 71-54.
A few players did walk away with postseason honors. Mikalah Ellis (Chicago, Ill.) earned her second straight All-NACC Honorable Mention. Ellis led the Cougars in scoring with 10.9 points per game; she also finished top-three in minutes per game (26.9) and rebounds per game (6.1). Meanwhile, at CUC's year-end athletic banquet, the Charlie Awards, graduated senior Marie Baumgartner was awarded the Terry-Schubert Award for her community service efforts.
Coach Martin
This year will be Lauren Martin's fifth at the helm at Concordia. During her tenure, the Cougars have compiled a 27-57 overall record and a 25-39 NACC record. CUC has made a playoff appearance both of the last two seasons, bowing out in the first round both times.
When asked about the upcoming season, Martin said, "Each game gives us an opportunity of 40 minutes to be played one single possession at a time. As the seconds pass, the minutes total, and as the season progresses each and every one of those opportunities to step on that court, face your opponent, compete, battle, and grow as one selfless team are adding up in cultivating us into something special further down the road. Our journey has just begun."
Returning Players
Fortunately for Martin, many of the team's impact players from last year are making a return. The previously mentioned Ellis is back for her senior season as she looks to guide the Cougars to their third consecutive playoff appearance. Joining her is fellow senior Jaylene Wade (Lansing, Ill.). Wade led CUC in minutes last year and acted as quarterback of the offense with her team leading 78 assists.
Five others join Ellis and Wade as senior leaders; Chloe Schaafsma (Lockport, Ill.), Bailey Steinkamp (Cary, Ill.), Madelyn McGrath (Oak Lawn, Ill.), Kayla Jackson (Worth, Ill.), and Jada Dixon (Gary, Ind.).
A pair of sophomores look to build on strong freshman campaigns. Alisyn MacGregor (Loves Park, Ill.) was the rebounds leader for Concordia last season and finished fourth in the NACC with her mark of 9.4 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Prentciss Gates (Gary, Ind.) provided valuable minutes off the bench and finished with the highest field goal percentage on the squad (42%). MacGregor and Gates tied for the team lead in steals with 26 apiece.
2021-22 Stats Leaders
New Faces
Like every season, 2022-23 will see some new faces suit up in the maroon and gold. Freshmen wise, two Cougars are set to make their college debuts. Mckayley Hopkins (St. Louis, Mo.) and Moriah Matthews (Saginaw, Mich.) hope to continue the trend of strong freshmen play on the team.
A trio of transfers are also joining the squad. Katherine Benes (Oconomowoc, Wis.) comes to CUC as a sophomore after a prolific high school career at Lake County Lutheran HS. Melia Perry (Plainfield, Ill.) moves to Concordia from Waubonsee Community College, where she was All-Conference her freshman year. Rounding out the newbees is Alexis Desjarlait (Red Lake, Minn.).
A Look Ahead
This season's schedule is packed as usual. After their opener at Colorado College, the squad spends another day in Colorado to take on Sul Ross State University, who is making the journey from Alpine, Texas. The Cougars then get a taste of conference play early, facing Concordia University Wisconsin on Wednesday, Nov. 16.
Saturday, Nov. 19, represents CUC's first home contest, when the Cougars welcome University of Mount Union to Geiseman Gymnasium. The heart of NACC play really begins versus the Illinois Institute of Technology on Nov. 23, as the Cougars then play 11 conference games out of 12 contests.
The return of the Concordia Invitational Tournament, which has been absent the last few seasons due to Covid-19 worries, is a highlight in this year's slate of games. Jan. 27 and 28 will feature CUC, Concordia Wisconsin, and Concordia Ann Arbor making the trip to Concordia University Nebraska to play each other in an annual tradition that has been sorely missed the past two years. The Cougars's last appearance at CIT ended with two losses to CUW and Concordia Ann Arbor.
The Cougars's season officially kicks off this Friday, Nov. 11, when they take on Colorado College. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. (MT). The home opener is set for Nov. 19 vs. University of Mount Union at 3 p.m. (CST). Coverage for both games and all things CUC women's basketball can be found at cucougars.com, as well as the team's Twitter, @CUCWBall.
