Women's Hockey | 9/21/2016 9:00:00 AM

ROCHESTER, NY — The RIT women's hockey team will drop the puck for the 2016-17 season in an exhibition matchup against the Guelph University Gryphons on Friday, Sept. 23. Puck drop from the Gene Polisseni Center is set for 6:05 p.m.

The Tigers return 17 players from last season's team, in addition to adding six talented newcomers who will get their chance to contribute immediately. RIT was picked fifth in the 2016-17 College Hockey Association preseason poll, behind Syracuse, Mercyhurst, Robert Morris and Penn State. This is RIT's third season at the 4,300-seat Gene Polisseni Center.

Guelph, a Canadian University that competes in the Ontario University Athletics Conference, started its season, at home on Sept. 17 against Concordia — a 2-1 loss. The Gryphons will continue the weekend after facing RIT with two more exhibition games in the United States, against Penn State on Saturday, Sept. 24 and Quinnipiac on Sunday, Sept. 25.

Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for RIT staff, faculty, and alumni, and $3 for youth. RIT students receive free admission (one ticket limit per valid RIT ID). Tickets are available at the Gene Polisseni Center and Gordon Field House Box Offices, by calling (585) 475-4121 or by visiting www.rithockey.com.

Video and live stats will available for Friday's game. The contest will also be broadcasted on WITR 89.7 FM and witr.edu.

RIT plays its first two regular season games on the road at Minnesota State on Sept. 30-Oct. 1.