Mary Goulding (34) with Coach Gaitley and fellow seniors
The accomplishments of Fordham University forward Mary Goulding in being named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team and also achieving All-Academic honours is worth celebrating.
It’s an enormous distinction to be recognized by the conference for your academic achievements or your playing prowess but to achieve in both areas is an outstanding accomplishment.
The former Rangiora High School standout attended Gillette College in Wyoming in her 2016-17 freshman season averaging 16.9 points and 10.6 rebounds per game before being recruited by Coach Stephanie Gaitley to the Fordham programme where she has excelled for the past three years.
“Mary has had a storybook senior year. Her game, her leadership, and her confidence has grown every day. She leads us in every category but scoring. In my opinion she is the most improved player in the conference,” said Gaitley.
The numbers Gaitley refers to make impressive reading. In her last season at Fordham Goulding is averaging 12.1 points per game and 8.4 rebounds, which ranks third in the conference. In addition, she has dished a team high 85 assists and pinched 34 steals.
Fordham closed out the regular season with a nine game winning streak during which time Goulding averaged 15.2 points and 10.1 points per game.
The Rams shared the A-10 regular season title with Akiene-Tera Reed’s Virginia Commonwealth University. They begin conference tournament play against #10 Massachusetts tomorrow.
In 2016 Goulding played for New Zealand Select against China B. It is to be seen if further national honours come the way of the Cantabrian when her college career ends but for now success at the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament, playing alongside fellow Kiwis Zara Jillings and Kendell Heremaia, is the priority.
LACEY LOWDOWN 