With a team cut to six players by injury, illness and defections in the final half of last season, the Northeastern Illinois women`s basketball squad could have quit.
Instead, the ”Iron Six” dug deep. The result was only one fewer win in the second half than in the first half. The Golden Eagles` 9-19 mark last year represented the school`s best finish of the last seven seasons.
”It was a tough year for the coaching staff and the players to go through,” said head coach Mike Fogel. ”The adversity brought us together. And because of that, our level of play this year will increase. Those six athletes gained valuable experience that coaching cannot teach.”
Fogel`s optimism is buoyed by a full roster and the return of his battle- seasoned veterans.
Junior Pam Osterbrink, who led Northeastern in almost all offensive and defensive categories last season, returns as the Golden Eagles` center of attention. The 6-foot-1-inch Kewaskum, Wis., post player is the nation`s top returning player among independent schools in scoring and rebounding. Osterbrink averaged 18.2 points and 10.4 rebounds a game last season.
Forward Debbie Pozdol also returns off a solid year. The junior from Morton Grove was the team`s second leading scorer and rebounder, with totals of 16.6 and 7.5, respectively.
The team`s lone senior is 5-5 point guard Tara Minor. The Chicago native will pace the Golden Eagle attack.
”We have the personnel to get the job done,” Fogel said. ”It will just be a matter of time and they will showcase their talent.”
