Le Moyne (0-0) vs. St. John's University (0-0)
Info: Monday, Nov. 3 | 2:00 PM | Queens, N.Y. | Carnesecca Arena
Watch: ESPN+ 
Listen: FOX Sports 92.5 FM/1490 AM
Live Stats: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=622421
St. John's Links: Schedule | Roster | News

Queens, N.Y. – The Le Moyne College women's basketball team will kick off the 2025-26 regular season on Monday with a non-conference matchup at St. John's University. The game is set to tip-off at 2:00 p.m. at Carnesecca Arena and will be broadcast on ESPN+. Monday's contest will mark the first meeting between the women's basketball programs at Le Moyne and St. John's.

Common Opponents:
The Dolphins and Red Storm have three common opponents this season, Central Connecticut State, New Haven, and Marquette. As NEC rivals, the Dolphins will meet both CCSU and New Haven twice this year, while St. John's will meet the Blue Devils at home on Monday, Nov. 24 and the Chargers on the road on Wednesday, Dec. 17. Le Moyne will travel to take on Marquette in Milwaukee, Wisc. on Sunday, Dec. 14 before Big East conference action begins and the Red Storm and Golden Eagles face off for a pair of games later in the season. 

Year #3:
Le Moyne is in its third year transitioning to the Division I level and is the only institution in the nation in its transition "class." The Dolphins went 18-15 in their first season at the Division I level in 2023-24, including 14-2 in NEC action to earn the second seed in the postseason tournament before advancing to the conference title game. The team then posted a 7-24 overall record last season, including going 6-10 in conference play, en route to their second straight NEC tournament, this time as the fifth seed. 

Returners:
The 2025-26 Dolphins will feature six returners; senior guards Sierra Linnin (Valley Cottage, N.Y. / Albertus Magnus) and Michelina Lombardi (Wynantskill, N.Y. / Averill Park), juniors guard Jessica Wangolo (Ottawa, O.N. / Capital Courts Academy / Buffalo) and forward Sydney Postell (Churchville, N.Y. / Churchville-Chili), sophomore guard Eli Clark (Oakhurst, N.J. / Ocean Township), and redshirt sophomore guard Amya McLeod (Rome, N.Y. / Rome Free Academy / Youngstown State).

Newcomers:
The Dolphins welcomed eight new players to the program this year, including six freshman, one sophomore, and one junior. Guards Peyton Dincher (Jersey Shore, Pa. / Jersey Shore), Ava Lucarotti (Erie, Pa. / Cathedral Prep), and Kayden Clark (Oakhurst, N.J. / Manasquan) join forwards Ava Johnson (Richmond, Va. / The Steward School), Rachel Lynch (Cork, Ireland / Putnam Science Academy (Conn.)), and Praise Matthews (Red Lion, Pa. / Dallastown) as 'Phins freshmen this season. Junior forward Ashley Buragas (Hopewell Junction, N.Y. / John Jay / Mineral Area College) joins Le Moyne's program after a two-year stint at NJCAA Mineral Area College in Park Hills, M.O. while sophomore guard Sophia Bonnell (Horseheads, N.Y. / Horseheads / SUNY New Paltz) played one season in NCAA Division III for the New Paltz Hawks. 5-

NEC Outlook:
Le Moyne's squad was selected to finish fourth in the regular season standings in the NEC preseason coaches' poll, just behind unanimous favorite FDU, Stonehill, and Chicago State. CCSU, Mercyhurst, Wagner, LIU, New Haven, and Saint Francis rounded out the poll behind the Dolphins. 

Eli Clark was named to the preseason All-NEC team, as well, after recording averages of 8.2 points (third on the team), 3.3 rebounds (fifth on the team) and a team-best 2.9 assists over a team-high 31.5 minutes per game as a starter in 27 of 30 games played. During NEC action, she increased her averages to 8.5 points and 3.5 assists to go with 3.1 rebounds as a starter in 12 of 15 games.

Coach DiPillo:
Nick DiPillo was named the seventh head coach in Le Moyne women's basketball program history on May 23, 2024 after stints as an assistant coach at Bowling Green State University, University of Pittsburgh, Seton Hall University and with the New York Liberty, in addition to a successful head coaching stint at the University of Scranton. 

The Dolphins earned the fifth seed in the 2024-25 NEC tournament in coach Dipillo's first season, eventually taking down #4 Saint Francis, 62-51, in the opening round before falling to #2 Stonehill, 41-60, in the semifinals. 

Scouting St. John's:
The Red Storm will be led by head coach Joe Tartamella in 2025-26, his 14th season at the helm of the program. 

St. John's returns six players from its 2024-25 team that worked to a 16-15 record overall and advanced to the quarterfinal round of the Big East tournament.

Senior forward Kylie Lavelle will return for the Red Storm after playing in 31 games last season while averaging 7.7 points with team-highs in field goal percentage (.522), free-throw percentage (.840), and blocks (22). 

St. John's team was voted to finish sixth in the Big East preseason coaches' poll after working to a 5-13 mark in conference action last season.

What's Next:
Following their game against St. John's, Le Moyne will travel to Easton, Pa. for a game at Lafayette College at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9.