Women's basketball: New coach; new direction

 What looked to be a promising season just a year ago, the Lady Cadets are headed in new direction this year, according to Norwich University officials.

Losing in the semi-final game against conference foe Emerson College last year was very disappointing to some but playing under a new head coach, the women's basketball team expects to be even better this season.

Mark Zacher, a native of Charleroi, Pa., is qualified for the job. Last season he was an associate head coach at Bethune Cookman University (BCU), and before that he coached as an assistant at Mount St. Mary's college (The Mount) for 13 seasons and helped lead them to two regular season conference championships.

"We are returning four of the five starters from last season, added four newcomers along with some strong returning underclassman so it is a very strong unit," said Zacher.

"Our goal is to continue the fine tradition here at Norwich and to take it to heights it has not seen," said Zacher.

"I refuse to be outcoached; I am going to put time, effort and energy into everything I do and sign it with my name," he said.

Playing for a new coach is nothing new to the seniors on the team. Their freshmen year they were recruited by one coach and before the season started, another coach entered the picture. They played under Coach Mike Miller for the next three seasons, according to team seniors.

The team is looking forward to playing for Zacher, and players said that the transition will be smooth. 

"He has a lot of the same philosophies which is good for the team, but I think his defensive schemes are going to be even better," said Allyson Daniels, 21, a senior biology major from Concord, N.H.

"I expect him not to hold back just because he is a first-year coach, I don't want him to hold back," said Christine Daniels, 20, a junior criminal justice major from Concord, N.H.

"Adjusting to college was a struggle for me last year. I have a year's experience and I get to prove to my new coach that I'm ready and willing to do whatever it takes to contribute on the court," said Jocelyn Fasulo, 19, sophomore health sciences major from Contoocook, N.H.

"I'm just excited to be here, Zacher said. "I think it's a great opportunity. This is exactly the locale in the job I want, and I'm definitely excited to be working with these young ladies. I think there's going to be exciting days for Norwich University women's basketball."