GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Golden Eagles are set to open up a new season, as they will travel to Bourbonnais, Illinois for a Friday night game against the no. 23 ranked Olivet Nazarene Tigers. Head coach
Katie Mattera and a veteran Golden Eagles squad looks to build upon a 14-17 record last season, as they get set to begin the 2017-18 non-conference season. The opening tip at ONU is set for 6:15 p.m. EST. The Tigers will provide live video, audio, and stats, which can be found at cugoldeneagles.com.
Opponent: (23) Olivet Nazarene
Date: Friday, October 27
Time: 6:15 p.m. EST
Location: Bourbonnais, Ill. (McHle Arena)
Internet Coverage: Live Video/Audio/Stats
Scouting Olivet Nazarene
The Olivet Nazarene Tigers come into the 2017-18 season ranked 23rd in the country after posting a historic offensive season last year. ONU averaged an NAIA best 111.2 points per game, getting a large portion of their offense from another NAIA best 18.8 steals per game. The Tigers averaged just fewer than 15 three-pointers a game, led by Maggie Schmidt who shot 64.6% from behind the arc. Schmidt returns in 2017-18 as a part of veteran ONU lineup that sees eight seniors. Other standout returners for Olivet Nazarene include junior Jess Learned who averaged 17.8 PPG last season and sophomore Kayla Ross who ranked top 15 in the NAIA with 143 assists.
History vs. ONU
The Golden Eagles have not played the Tigers since 2007 and have played the CCAC foe just four times since 2000. CU has gone 2-2 in those four games, losing 106-78 in their last appearance on December 29, 2007.
History in Season Openers
The Golden Eagles have been dominant in season openers since 2000-01 going 12-5. Two of those five losses in season openers have come against NAIA top 25 opponents. Last year, CU defeated the newest conference member Rochester College 63-56 in their season opener. Cornerstone has never played the Olivet Nazarene Tigers in a season opener.
2016-17 Season Recap
Head Coach
Katie Mattera and the Golden Eagles are set to begin the 2017-18 season looking to improve upon their 14-17, 11-11 WHAC finish last season. CU finished sixth in the WHAC and fell in the conference tournament quarterfinal to Siena Heights, putting a quick end to their postseason play.
Returning Core
The Golden Eagles return a huge core of their 2016-17 roster. CU will see all five of their leading scorers from last season return in
Jesse Sheridan,
Cass Vredevoogd,
Lizzy Otten,
Shaina DenBesten, and
Taylor Richards. The returning core is now very experienced as well, as Cornerstone has five seniors on the roster this season, two of those being starters.
Local Talent
Head coach
Katie Mattera enters her sixth season tabbing the largest recruiting class she has seen in her time at Cornerstone. Mattera brings in five freshmen that all reign from the mitten state.
Sydney Muller (GR Christian),
Casey Korte (Gaylord),
Brooke Modderman (Allendale),
Allyson Richards (Fruitport), and
Shelby Nyboer (Jenison) are all set to begin their college careers at Cornerstone after posting significant milestones in their high school careers. With these additions for Mattera, CU will see 13 of their 14 players on the varsity roster reign from the state of Michigan. Former NAIA All-American Honorable Mention and All-WHAC First Team performer
Jesse Sheridan stands as the only out of state player for the Golden Eagles being from Argyle, Texas.
Tough Schedule
The Golden Eagles will begin 2017-18 season with a tough non-conference schedule. Four of the first six games for Cornerstone will be against NAIA preseason top 25/RV opponents. Following those first six games, CU will also see a pair of NCAA opponents in division III Calvin College and division II Davenport. Along with all of this, five of the first six games will be on the road for the Golden Eagles.
About Katie Mattera
Katie Mattera is set to enter her sixth season as head coach of the Golden Eagles. In her first five seasons, Mattera has gone 93-63 putting her just seven victories away from becoming just the third coach in program history to record 100 wins. Mattera has led the Golden Eagles to one Division II National Tournament appearance in 2013-14, in which they were eliminated in the first round by Mayville State University. Along with a six year coaching career at Cornerstone, Mattera enjoyed a six-year professional playing career spending four of those years in the WNBA.
