2009-10 Season in Review

Panthers Reach Skyline Semis, Fall to Eventual Champ
Domes Named All-Skyline

Purchase, NY (Mar. 4, 2010) – Having lost the most prolific scorer in Purchase history to graduation, head coach Steven Loscher worked in a change of philosophy for the 2009-10 edition of the women’s basketball team. 

The finished product: A scrappy defense that ruthlessly forced turnovers and was able to keep pace with the elite teams of the Skyline Conference. 

The Panthers’ run fell just short after an upset win at St. Joseph’s-LI in the league quarterfinals and ended their season at the hands of the eventual tournament champions, Farmingdale State – a team that lost only one game the entire season.

[Pictured above: ALL-SKYLINE 1ST TEAM HONOREE JESSIE DOMES LED THE PANTHERS IN SCORING IN 2009-10. -Photo by Oren Vourman]

Loscher focused heavily on conditioning, epitomizing the ideology that if a team can’t outplay their opponent then you must be prepared to outwork and outlast them.  This season, the Panthers did just that on multiple occasions, most commonly at the courtesy of co-captain Jessie Domes, whose offensive presence was among the most productive in the conference.  Capping her final season at Purchase, Domes was named to All-Skyline 1st Team after finishing the season ranked third in points per game, averaging 16.9 in conference play, first in free-throw percentage, and second in three-point percentage.

Co-captain Shayla Diaz provided vocal stability for the Panthers’ offense as well as some timely shooting in close games, but it was her trademark defensive intensity that helped Purchase go as far as it did this winter. Also playing in her final season, Liila Mack made her last stand at Purchase a memorable one, transforming into one of the most dominant front court players ever to play at the “Purchase Pavilion.”   The senior trio typified the concepts of leadership, hard work and consistency.

Purchase (12-15) will sorely miss the play of Domes, Diaz and Mack, but are primed for another long postseason run with a strong group of underclassmen returning. Alyse LaPadula, Jasmine Davis, and two-sport standout Melanie Culpepper will anchor next season’s returners.  

Also returning next winter will be three-point specialist Amanda Capone and top rookie Imani Floyd, who is expected to have an expanded role with the departures of the team’s two leading scorers.  

-Meghan Lalonde

2009-10 Recaps:
Season Ends in League Semifinals
Road Warriors: Panthers Pull Playoff Upset at SJC
Blakney's Historic Night Lifts FSC
Panthers Drop Last Two
Domes Nearly Breaks Own Record on Senior Night
Purchase Storms Back at OW, Upsets Rival
Domes, Panthers Back on Track
Comeback Stalls, Panthers Fall to SJC
Capone, Floyd Dominant in Win at Sage
Mack's 25 Carries Purchase to 2nd Straight
Strong 2nd Half Fuels Comeback Win
MSMC's 3s Erase Strong Start for Panthers
Dominant Defense Powers Farmingdale
Balanced Attack Falls Short at NYU-POLY
Purchase Motors Past CMSV in 2nd Half
Diaz' Double-Double Not Enough at SJC
Mack's Stellar Performance Lost in Battle of Panthers
Panthers Take Part in Surf City Classic
Panthers Handle CNR with Ease
Balanced Attack Lifts PC at Bard
Sage Escapes in OT, Downs PC 79-76
Panthers Fall at MSMC
Panthers Reach Final in NYU Tip-Off
Domes Nets 33, Panthers Torch Yeshiva

2009-10 News: 
NCAA: Domes Best in Nation from Free Throw Line
Domes Named to All-Skyline 1st Team
Domes Finishes Season with Sixth HR Nod
Mack Concludes Regular Season on HR
Fifth HR Appearance for Domes
Domes Named Skyline, ECAC Player of the Week
Mack Earns 3rd HR Mention
4th HR Nod for Domes
Diaz Back on Honor Roll
Mack Garners 2nd HR Nod
Domes Named to League Honor Roll
Domes Back on Honor Roll
Diaz' Hustle, Stellar Play Earns Honor Roll Nod
Domes Garners Honor Roll Mention
Duo Honored: Domes POW; Mack HR