Women's Hockey | 9/15/2016 8:47:00 AM

ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT women's hockey team will compete for its third College Hockey America Championship in 2016-17. Now entering their fifth Division I season, the Tigers return 17 players from last season's team squad and add six talented newcomers who will contribute immediately.
 
"We know we have to work hard and play hard to get back to the level of success we have enjoyed in past years," said Bruce B. Bates Women's Hockey Coach Scott McDonald, now in his 11th season as head coach at the university. "Coming off a disappointing season really refocused us on what we need to do as a team to get back to championship form. We took a lot of things for granted last year and struggled because of it. From spring workouts to the start of this season, the team has worked extremely hard to get back to what allowed us to be successful."
 
The Tigers open the regular season at Minnesota State University on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 before playing four straight games at the Polisseni Center. On Oct. 7-8, Providence University comes to town, while Union of the ECAC invades Rochester for Brick City Homecoming and Family Weekend. RIT plays a home-and-home series against Colgate University and hosts Bemidji State University on Dec. 9-10. The Tigers also play a pair of non-conference road contests at Yale University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
 
"We like having a long road trip to start the season, which allows us to build some instant chemistry," said McDonald. "It will be nice to come right back and play in front of our home fans, especially during Brick City Weekend. Once again we play at least one team from each conference, which will prepare us well for the tough league schedule."
 
RIT plays 20 games against conference foes, including its final 12 regular season contests to begin 2017.  The Tigers open league play with a special throwback contest against Penn State on Thursday, Oct. 27 that will be played at Frank Ritter Arena. RIT played at Ritter Arena, a 2,100-seat on campus venue from 1976-2014 before moving to the Polisseni Center. With six teams in the league this season, the Tigers will play four games against Syracuse, Mercyhurst, Penn State, Robert Morris, and Lindenwood. The CHA Tournament First Round, Semifinals and Championship will be held on March 2-4 at the HARBORCENTER in downtown Buffalo.
 
"We know how tough our league is and need to bring a top effort in every game," said McDonald. As a whole, we are really looking forward to having all six teams at the league championship in Buffalo. We want to be prepared to win three games in Buffalo and represent our league on the national stage at the NCAA Tournament."

Senior Taylor Thurston (Kanata, Ontario/All Saints Catholic) will serve as captain for the second straight year, while classmates Cassie Clayton (Pickering, Ontario/PEAC School) and Mackenzie Stone (Kars, Ontario/South Carleton) are the assistant captains in 2016-17. Thurston is a three-year captain, while Clayton enters her second year in a leadership role.
 
"We couldn't ask for a better group of captains to be role models for our younger players and to represent our team on and off the ice," said McDonald, who is just six wins shy of 200 in his illustrious career. "Most importantly, all three student-athletes are great ambassadors in the community and great representatives of our program. Our senior class is eager to get this team back to its winning ways."
 
Up front, Clayton, and Stone, along with fellow senior Caitlin Wallace (Brantford, Ontario/Assumption Collegiate) will be counted on to provide a spark offensively, while continuing to serve as RIT's top shutdown unit. This line excelled at the end of last season and will remain intact to start 2016-17.
 
McDonald is counting on junior Darcy Henderson (Burlington, Ontario/Burlington Barracudas), along with sophomores Kendall Cornine (Kinnelon, NJ/Morristown Beard), Mallory Rushton (Amherst, Nova Scotia/New Hampton Prep), Kandice Sheriff (Brampton, Ontario), Brooke Baker (Saline, MI/Saline), and Kathryn Kennedy (Hamilton, Ontario) to play a larger role in 2016-17. All six showed flashes of brilliance as 2015-16 progressed and are capable of more production this season.
 
McDonald has brought in four newcomers, who all enjoyed great success in juniors and will add speed and as they get acclimated to the collegiate game. Tori Haywood (Pickering, Ontario/St. Mary's Catholic) and Claudia Black (Newmarket, Ontario/St. Maximilian Kobe) teamed to win a junior championship with the Toronto Jr. Aeros last season, while Madison Farrand (Potomac, MD/Winston Churchill) and Jade Mancini (Burlington, Ontario/Bishop Tonnos) will look to contribute right away.
 
"Up front we have a lot more speed than in past years and some good skill," said McDonald. "We have a young group on paper, but our returners gained valuable experience last year and with our newcomers, should give us more of a dynamic look."
 
RIT returns five defenseman from last year, led by Thurston and sophomore Reagan Rust (Southaven, MS/Moon Area) who served as RIT's top unit late in the season. The 2015 College Hockey America Individual Sportsmanship Award winner, Thurston chipped in offensively with 12 points. Rust, a 2016 CHA All-Rookie Team selection, was third among all Tigers in scoring with 18 points, including a team-high 13 assists. Rust was a two-time CHA Rookie of the Week and CHA Rookie of the Month selection in November.
 
Senior Lindsay Stenason (Oakville, Ontario/Appleby Collegiate) is a consistent defender with a steadying presence and great speed, while sophomore Brinna Dochniak (Marine on St. Croix, MN/Stillwater) will be counted on to play a greater role in 2016-17 after a strong freshman season. Junior Lauren Carroll (Carlisle, Ontario/Oakville Hornets) is a solid, stay-at-home defender, while Christa Vuglar (Crystal Lake, IL/Chicago Mission), who missed all of 2015-16 due to injury will look to return to the lineup this season. As a freshman in 2014-15, Vuglar earned CHA All-Rookie Team honors.  Freshman Taylor Baker (Toronto, Ontario/North Toronto Collegiate Institute), a teammate of Haywood and Black with Toronto last season, will be expected to contribute on both ends of the ice.
 
"We have a good group that can provide some offense, while playing a strong defensive game," said McDonald.   

All three goaltenders will have a chance at the starting role in 2016-17. Senior Brooke Stoddart (Elmvale, Ontario/Elmvale) enters her final season looking to enjoy a career year after playing in 11 contests last season. Sophomore Jenna de Jonge (Abbotsford, British Columbia/George Elliot) improved greatly as the season progressed, earning CHA Goalie of the Month honors in February and two Goalie of the Week accolades. She went 2-1 with a 1.75 goals against average and a .941 save percentage in her final four appearances. Freshman Terra Lanteigne (Hatchet Lake, Nova Scotia/Charles P. Allen) enjoyed an excellent junior career and has impressed the coaching staff during the preseason.
 
"Like last year, this is a position up for grabs," said McDonald. "Every successful team has a strong goaltender and we are excited to see who will step up and be the starter. All three goaltenders have a chance to grab the top role with their play."