Contact: Emily Zadny, Director of Athletic Communications, 563-588-7970

A-R-C Preseason Coaches Poll

Oct. 16, 2019 – Following a runner-up finish in the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) tournament and its third trip to the NCAA Division III tournament in the past five seasons, the Loras College women's basketball team has been selected to finish second in the A-R-C 2019-20 Preseason Coaches Poll, announced by the conference on Wednesday.

The Duhawks finished the 2018-19 season with an overall record of 22-6 and 14-2 in A-R-C play. The team defeated Simpson College in the conference semifinals, edging the Storm 88-83 behind a double double from Marissa Schroeder 28 points, 11 rebounds) and 20 points and two steals from Riley Eckhart. The Duhawks matched up against Wartburg College in the championship, but fell short after the Knights had a strong fourth-quarter.

The game did not mark the end of the season for Loras as the team earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, playing Depauw University in the regional semifinal. Loras fell 78-54 to the Tigers, but return its leading scorer in Schroeder who put up 406 points last season as well as offensive power-players Eckhart and Kari Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick led the team in total rebounds in 2018-19 while Eckhart had a team-high 65 three-pointers. Schroeder, Fitzpatrick, Eckhart and Macenzie Kraemer all are returning All-Conference selections.

Defending regular season and conference tournament champions Wartburg earned seven first-place votes to sit atop the poll for 2019-20. The Knights advanced to the NCAA Division III Elite 8 last season but fell to St. Thomas, 85-56. The Duhawks earned two first-place votes to seed second, followed by Simpson in third and Luther College in fourth.

Coe College was picked to finish fifth and Nebraska Wesleyan University sixth while Central College, Buena Vista University, and the University of Dubuque were picked seventh, eighth and ninth, respectively.

Loras opens the 2019-20 season on the road at Elmhurst College on Saturday, Nov. 9. Tipoff inside R.A Fanagel Hall is set for 2 P.M.