BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Loyola Maryland finished first in the 2024-25 preseason poll after securing a top-four seed and advancing to the semifinals of last year’s conference tournament. Senior forward Lex Therien of Loyola Maryland and sophomore forward Ashley Sofilkanich of Bucknell were named Preseason Player of the Year and Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, respectively, when the league office announced preseason honors Wednesday.
The Greyhounds received 148 points and 10 first-place votes, followed by Colgate with 120 points and five first-place votes. Lehigh earned 109 points, Army West Point had 108 points and one first-place vote, and Boston University rounded out the top five with 106 points and two first-place votes. Defending champion Holy Cross finished with 102 points and two first-place votes, followed by Navy (101), Bucknell (51), Lafayette (30) and American (25).
Therien leads a five-member Preseason All-Patriot League team that includes five All-League selections from last season, including Navy sophomore guard Zanai Barnett-Gay and Boston University senior guard Alex Giannaros, both first-teamers. Colgate senior guard Taylor Golembiewski, a second-team finalist, and Bucknell sophomore guard Ashley Sofilkanich, a third-team selection, also made the preseason team.
Voting for the Patriot League women's basketball preseason poll, Player of the Year, and All-League team was conducted by league head coaches and sports information directors. Neither group was permitted to vote for their own teams or student-athletes.
2024-25 Patriot League Women's Preseason Player of the Year
Lex Therien, Loyola Maryland, Sr., F, Marlton, N.J./Cherokee
2023-24 Stats: 31 GP, 15.7 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 1.9 apg, 0.2 bpg, 1.45 spg, .554 FG%
- Therien led the Greyhounds to a 10-8 League record last season, averaging 15.5 points per game, which ranked fourth in Patriot League play. She was second in rebounds per game (10.22) and led the League in defensive rebounds with 143.
- The 6-foot-1 forward led the League in field-goal percentage (.574) and finished second in the conference with 16 double-doubles.
- On the national level, Therien ranked 30th in overall shooting percentage (.554), 24th in double-doubles, and fifth in defensive rebounds per game (8.4).
- She has been an All-League selection the past three years, earning second-team honors in 2021-22 and 2022-23, and first-team honors in 2023-24. She was also a two-time Patriot League Player of the Week last season.
- Therien enters her senior year with 1,316 career points, 981 rebounds, and a .500 field-goal percentage.
2024-25 Patriot League Women's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Ashley Sofilkanich, Bucknell, So., F, South Amboy, N.J./Saint John Vianney
2023-24 Stats: 31 GP, 12.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.9 bpg, 1.0 spg, .451 FG%
- Sofilkanich earned Preseason Defensive Player of the Year after being named to the All-League defensive team last season.
- In league play, she ranked second in blocks per game (1.9) and 25th in steals per game (1.0).
- She recorded a league-high eight blocks in a game against Army West Point and ranks 31st nationally in blocks (60) and 33rd in blocks per game (1.9).
2023-24 Patriot League Women's Basketball Preseason All-Patriot League Team
Alex Giannaros, Boston University, Sr., G, Brockton, Mass./Tabor Academy
2023-24 Stats: 30 GP, 14.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, .452 FG%, .720 FT%, 91 assists, 54 steals
Career Honors: First Team All-Patriot League (2024), Third Team All-Patriot League (2023), NCAA Division I Three-Point Percentage Statistical Champion (2022-23), Patriot League All-Rookie Team (2022)
Ashley Sofilkanich, Bucknell, So., F, South Amboy, N.J./Saint John Vianney
2023-24 Stats: 31 GP, 12.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.9 bpg, 1.0 spg, .451 FG%, 60 blocks, 31 steals
Career Honors: Third Team All-Patriot League (2024), All-Defensive Team (2024), All-Rookie Team (2024), Five-Time Rookie of the Week Recipient (2023-24)
Taylor Golembiewski, Colgate, Sr., G, Columbia, Conn./Edwin O. Smith
2023-24 Stats: 33 GP, 12.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, .384 FG%, .803 FT%, 58 assists, 41 steals, 13 blocks
Career Honors: Second Team All-Patriot League (2023), Second Team All-Patriot League (2024)
Lex Therien, Loyola Maryland, Sr., F, Marlton, N.J./Cherokee
2023-24 Stats: 31 GP, 15.7 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 1.9 apg, 0.2 bpg, 1.45 spg, .554 FG%
Career Honors: First Team All-Patriot League (2024), Second Team All-Patriot League (2023), Second Team All-Patriot League (2022), Patriot League Rookie of the Year (2022), Patriot League All-Rookie Team (2022)
Zanai Barnett-Gay, Navy, So., G, Glenn Dale, Md./Riverdale Baptist School
2023-24 Stats: 30 GP, 18.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.0 apg, .406 FG%, .759 FT%, 89 assists, 89 steals
Career Honors: First Team All-Patriot League (2024), Patriot League Rookie of the Year (2024), ECAC Rookie of the Year (2024), Patriot League All-Rookie Team (2024), Seven-Time Rookie of the Week Recipient (2023-24)
2024-25 Women's Basketball Preseason Player of the Year: Lex Therien, Loyola Maryland, Sr., F
2024-25 Women's Basketball Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Ashley Sofilkanich, Bucknell, So., G
2024-25 Patriot League Women’s Basketball Preseason All-Patriot League Team
- Lex Therien, Loyola Maryland, Sr., F
- Ashley Sofilkanich, Bucknell, So., F
- Zanai Barnett-Gay, Navy, So., G
- Taylor Golembiewski, Colgate, Sr., G
- Alex Giannaros, Boston University, Sr., G
2024-25 Patriot League Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll
- Loyola Maryland 148 (10 first-place votes)
- Colgate 120 (5)
- Lehigh 109
- Army West Point 108 (1)
- Boston University 106 (2)
- Holy Cross 102 (2)
- Navy 101
- Bucknell 51
- Lafayette 30
- American 25
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel in both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The League's athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes who are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.