Notre Dame (Maryland) announced this week that it will cancel the rest of its women’s basketball schedule after playing one game, citing a depleted roster due to injuries.

Administrators indicated that the program, which competes in the Colonial States Athletic Conference, will return next year.

“After a number of serious injuries to several members of the team, our roster size has been depleted to the point where continuing the season would put the health and safety of our student-athletes at risk,” said Athletics Director Michael Spinner.

“Basketball has a proud tradition at College of Notre Dame, a tradition that includes our program’s advancement to the NCAA tournament three years ago,” he said. “We are fully committed to sponsoring and maintaining a strong basketball program at College of Notre Dame, and it is our plan to take the necessary steps to bring basketball back next year and play a full season’s schedule.”

Notre Dame played November 18 at Goucher with a squad of six. Goucher won, 73-19, and Notre Dame finished the game short-handed after two players fouled out.

The school also announced the resignation of head coach Rob Long after three seasons. Former Luther and Washington (Maryland) assistant Kirsten Russell will step in as interim coach until February, when the school will begin a search for a Long’s replacement.

“Under Kirsten’s leadership, we will supplement the existing members of the team with a strong recruiting class which will allow the basketball program to compete well within the Colonial States Athletic Conference and beyond,” Spinner said. “I am fully confident that Kirsten will provide the program the leadership necessary to steer our team beyond these recent challenges, and allow us to take to the court again next season.”

Notre Dame competes in the six-team South division of the CSAC. Twelve league schools sponsor women’s basketball.