Freshman guard Erika Eisenhut (Mohawk, NY/Mohawk)is the latest Dutchwoman to be recognized by the Upstate
Collegiate Athletic Association. Eisenhut earned the league's “Rookie of the Week” award after she scored 18 points with six rebounds, two assists and a
steal in a win over Clarkson and then came back to score 14 points with three
rebounds, two assists, seven steals and one block. Eisenhut, who was also a
starter for the NCAA-qualifying soccer team this past fall, is the Dutchwomen's
fourth-leading scorer with her 9.3 average. Eisenhut joins sophomore guard
Melissa Marra and freshman guard Kate DeSorrento as Dutchwomen who have been
recognized so far this winter.
One player who does not get many headlines, but has been one, if not THE main
reasons that Union has been so successful the last three years, is junior point
guard Taryn Scinto (Westwood, NJ/Immaculate Heart Academy). In the five years
prior to Scinto's appearance in a Garnet uniform, the Dutchwomen had an overall
record of 40-82. In the 69 games that Scinto has been the team's floor general,
Union has compiled a record of 48-21.
The 2000-01 campaign saw the rookie blend in with a
senior class to produce a college-record 18-9 season which included the
Dutchwomen's first, and only, trip to a postseason tournament. Last year the Dutchwomen
finished with a 15-11 record and this year, the team opened the season by winning
its first 15 games and stands at 15-1 after last week's loss to St.
Lawrence.
“Taryn has been our starting point guard for three years,” said head coach
Mary Ellen Burt. She has taken control of the offense and her overall play is
like having an extension of the coaching staff on the court.
“Taryn has worked numerous camps over the summer to expand her knowledge of
the game and wants to possibly go into coaching after she graduates,” Burt
continued. “She is going to Germany for semester abroad in the spring.”
Scinto usually does not put up the big scoring numbers
that gets players recognized for weekly conference awards. However, she is a
complete player, combining excellent ball handling skills with a tough, “In Your
Face” type of defense. A typical final box score will show her with abound six
to eight points, three to five rebounds, three to seven assists, and a couple of
steals. What never shows up in those box scores is the heart that she brings to
the court every practice and every game. Her “lead by example”
brand of leadership is not something that can be translated into votes. However,
all those qualities, and more, are recognized, and appreciated, by her coaches, her teammates,
and Union fans who have watched her play the last three years.
Scinto and the program have grown-up or matured together. It is no fluke that
the Dutchwomen and their point guard are having the best year in the program's
28-year history.
“The goals and attitudes of this years team are not very different from
previous teams,” explained Scinto. “The biggest difference is this year's team,
although relatively young, truly believes in each other. As we go through the
season we keep improving and moving toward our ultimate goals of a conference
championship and an NCAA bid. I love being the junior captain of this team. This
years squad is truly special, and is in the process of making history. I would
not trade this year for anything.”
Scinto, who is majoring in psychology with minors in sociology and German, enjoys working with kids. She has
done volunteer work for UCARE, a club that gives members an opportunity to
work with young kids who need help academically.
“I have worked at The Holly Child Care Center, which houses disadvantaged
children,” she explained. “At the center I am able to become one of their
friends, and be someone they can turn to for help or just to talk to. My main
interest is to being able to work in the special education field. I would like
to be in a position to utilize my college education and experience to continue
to help these kids. This would also provide me with the opportunity to continue
with basketball as a coach after I graduate.
“I have worked at many summer basketball camps,” she continued, “and I
realize that basketball can be a way to communicate with kids and help them
understand the importance of values such as team work, self-discipline and
sacrifice.”
With a year and a half left before graduation, Scinto has already established
some memorable moments on the court and continues to enjoy her Union
experience.
“As part of the Union basketball team what I remember most from my freshmen
year are the seniors. I learned a lot about college basketball, but more
importantly, a lot about leadership and friendship. Now that I am one of the
“older” members of the team, I find myself trying to be just like those seniors
who welcomed me to Union. I am more convinced now than ever that Union would be
my first and only choice.”
“It's been neat to see Taryn develop over the three
years, not only as a basketball player, but as a person,” explained Burt. “She
came in as a freshmen on a veteran team and worked her way into the starting
lineup. Now things are just the reverse as Taryn is the veteran on a young
squad. “We look to her to bring maturity and leadership to practice and games every day, and she never lets us
down.”
The Dutchwomen, who are second in the UCAA with their 6-1
record, travel to William Smith Friday (8 p.m.) and to Hamilton on Saturday (4
p.m.) The regular-season's final six games will be played in Memorial
Field House.