March 15, 2006

It could be the start of something special. Long Island's only two women's Division I basketball programs, Hofstra and Stony Brook, will meet in a first-round game of the WNIT tonight. It will be the first meeting between the teams since the 1978-79 season.

Although it's not clear why so much time has passed since the two teams last played, it's a matchup both coaches believe will produce positive results. The winner will face Villanova in a second-round game Saturday.

"It's great to be able to play the local schools," said second-year Stony Brook coach Maura McHugh, whose team won 20 games for the first time since the 1988-89 season. "Hofstra's a good program. And as far as traveling, it's great for us."

Another positive factor surrounding the game is recruiting. With so much high school talent in the surrounding area, both coaches believe a postseason appearance will do wonders for their programs.

"I'm just excited. I want this to help lead Hofstra to new heights," said Pride coach Felisha Legette-Jack, whose team fell to Old Dominion in the CAA Tournament semifinal. "This is a huge step for our program."

Both coaches said they have received calls and e-mails from prospective recruits. "I can tell [recruits] you do have a chance to play in the postseason at Stony Brook," McHugh said.

Although the Seawolves, who had an RPI of 40 and a win over Temple on their resume, made a strong case for a place in the NCAA Tournament, McHugh said she was grateful for a WNIT spot. "Everyone shoots for the NCAA," McHugh said. "The key for us [this season] was getting to the postseason."

As for making it an annual event, one Stony Brook official believes it's a possibility. The teams are scheduled to meet next year at Stony Brook. "This could definitely be the beginning of a longstanding relationship," Stony Brook athletic director Jim Fiore said.

Copyright 2006 Newsday Inc.