Feb. 19, 2004
The Wildcats begin the 2004 campaign Friday, Feb. 20 against Western Kentucky at 10:00 a.m. Head coach Maria DiBernardi will be looking for a milestone victory, as she currently stands at 499 wins after 19 seasons at the helm. Click on the PDF link below for a complete version of the game notes.
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THE NOTEBOOK
'Cats Set to Open 2004 Season
Villanova heads to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to open the 2004 season in the Sonic Challenge. The Wildcats, coming off a season that saw them record a 34-15-1 record, as well as a spot in the Big East Conference Tournament championship game, will take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at 10:00 a.m. on Feb. 20 in their first game of the tournament. Villanova will also match up with Purdue, Samford, Virginia, Bradley and the host, the Tennessee-Chattanooga Mocs. Last year, the Wildcats opened the season with four consecutive losses - all against the top 21 teams in Division I collegiate softball.
DiBernardi Goes for 500th Win
Villanova head coach Maria DiBernardi, a 1985 graduate of the Brandywine Hospital/Immaculata College, is in her 20th season at the helm of the Wildcat softball program. DiBernardi boasts many accomplishments during her tenure, including a career record of 499-340-7 (.595). Against Western Kentucky, DiBernardi will have her second opportunity at picking up victory number 500. It has been awhile since DiBernardi's last chance at the milestone - an extra inning loss to Notre Dame in last spring's Big East Conference Tournament. There are currently 33 active Division I softball coaches with 500 or more victories. DiBernardi's winning percentage is better than 10 of those coaches.
Frequent Fliers
The Wildcats will do their fair share of traveling in the early goings of 2004. Following their trip to Chattanooga, Tenn., Villanova will visit Houston, Texas for participation in the Cougar Classic from Feb. 27-29. The 'Cats then go to Tampa, Fla. for the Speedline Classic March 4-7. When it's all said and done, the 'Cats will have played 17 games in 17 days in three different states, before opening up the home portion of the schedule on Sunday, March 14 against Cornell at 12:00 p.m.
Four Wildcats Ready for Collegiate Debut
Villanova's four freshmen will make their collegiate debuts against Western Kentucky on Friday in the Sonic Challenge. Infielder Sheri Donley (Orange, Calif./Villa Park), catcher Cassandra Koenig (Las Vegas, Nev./Silverado), outfielder Lindsey Martin (Sammamish, Wash./Eastlake) and pitcher Tiffany Ross (Medford, Ore./Phoenix) are the newcomers to DiBernardi's program.
Check out Live Coverage of Villanova/Purdue
Villanova's second game of the Sonic Challenge, a 2:30 p.m. contest on Friday, Feb. 21 against the Purdue Boilermakers, can be followed via live stats on the official website for Purdue athletics, www.purduesports.com.
Pair of All-Big East Performers Return
Villanova returns a pair of All-Big East First Team players from a season ago in outfielder Lisa Krueger (Mission Viejo, Calif./Aliso Niguel High School) and infielder Ricci Lugo (San Clemente, Calif./San Clemente). Krueger played in 49 games last season, compiling a .316 batting average with 36 runs scored, 50 hits, 35 RBI, 11 doubles, two triples and six home runs. The runs scored, RBI, doubles, triples and home runs numbers were all career-highs, as were her eight stolen bases in nine attempts. Also, for the second consecutive season in center field, Krueger did not commit a single error. Lugo also turned in an outstanding junior season in 2003. She posted a career-best .404 average, to go along with 32 runs scored, 23 RBI, 13 doubles, three triples and four home runs. Lugo also stole seven bases on the season, and was the 27th toughest player to strike out in the nation.
Wildcats Picked Second in Preseason Poll
The Villanova softball team was tabbed for second place in the conference by a vote of the league's head coaches. The 'Cats lost three seniors (Sara Carlson, Theresa Hornick, Kriste Romano) from a team that finished third in the league's regular season standings last year and advanced to the title game of the annual conference tournament. The Wildcats received 83 points and three first place votes in the poll, second only to defending champion Notre Dame.
2004 Preseason Softball Coaches' Poll
Team Points1. Notre Dame (8) 952. Villanova (3) 833. Boston College 744. Seton Hall (1) 705. St. John's 55 Virginia Tech 557. Syracuse 508. Connecticut 489. Rutgers 4310. Pittsburgh 2011. Providence 12
