PHILADELPHIA (09/25/03) - A mid-December matchup with two-time defending National Champion Connecticut highlights the 2003-04 schedule for the Saint Joseph's University women's basketball team. Annually compiling one of the nation's most rigorous slates, SJU will square off against ten teams that made postseason appearances last year. "I am really excited to host some of the top teams in the country this season," assesses third-year head coach Cindy Griffin. "Last year we traveled a lot to compete. This year we want to take advantage of competing on our home court." An early Christmas present, SJU will take on the Huskies, who are coached by former SJU assistant Geno Auriemma, at The Palestra on December 21. By that point, however, SJU should be well tested as the early season non-conference schedule includes encounters with NCAA qualifiers Virginia and Villanova, as well as a clash with crosstown rival Drexel. Also included on the non-conference slate is a home matchup with Penn State (NCAA) and a Philadelphia Big 5 contest with Pennsylvania at The Palestra. Aside from these games, SJU will compete in a pair of in-season tournaments. In late November, the Hawks travel to Miami, Fla. to compete in the Florida International Thanksgiving Classic. The tournament field includes the host Golden Panthers (WNIT), as well as Iowa (WNIT) and Appalachian State. After Christmas, SJU hosts the 14th annual Hawk Classic. Charlotte (NCAA), George Mason and Stony Brook will contend for the Classic crown. Road trips to NCAA qualifiers George Washington and Xavier present difficult challenges once the Atlantic 10 portion of the schedule gets underway. SJU will play home-and-home series with eastern division rivals Temple, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, St. Bonaventure and Fordham. In the West, SJU will host Duquesne, La Salle, and Richmond and take on Dayton, G.W. and Xavier on the road. The Hawks return all five starters and 11 letterwinners from last year's 19-11 team that won the Atlantic 10 East regular season title and was selected for the WNIT. Click here for 2003-04 SJU Women's Basketball Schedule