TROY, N.Y. - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) head women's ice hockey coach John Burke has announced the addition of seven student-athletes to the 2016-17 roster. Joining this year's team will be four forwards and three defensemen. Six are from the United States, and one is from Canada.
 
"We are thrilled to have these seven outstanding women join our RPI family," said Burke. "We know that they all will have an immediate impact on our program and community. They are extremely excited and honored to be wearing the Cherry & White this upcoming season." 

Below is an alphabetical list of Rensselaer's recruits:

Kendra Farole
Position: Defense
Height: 5'6"
Hometown: Irvine, Calif.
Previous Team: Anaheim Lady Ducks
Why RPI: "I chose RPI because of the opportunity to play Division I ice hockey, while getting an education from an exceptional institution. I'm excited to move across the country and compete with some of the best teams in Division I."

Megan Hayes
Positon: Forward
Height: 5'1"
Hometown: Hartford, Vt.
Previous Team: NAHA Winter Hawks
Why RPI: "As soon as I walked on campus, I knew it was the place for me. It has everything I have always wanted: One of the best hockey programs and awesome academics."

Kirsten Iwanski
Position: Defense
Height: 5'10"
Hometown: Marquette, Mich.
Northern Cyclones Jr Team
Why RPI: "It has always been a dream of mine to play Division I hockey, while getting a top notch education and I am thrilled that this dream is coming true at RPI. I'm very excited to be playing under a hardworking and passionate coaching staff. RPI is a school that will challenge me in many ways, as well as support me in anything I choose to pursue. I know that at RPI I will have many opportunities to make my mark in the world. RPI is a place where I know I will succeed and grow while being pushed to my full potential as a student and as an athlete. I can't wait to start my college career at RPI."


Samantha Nolan
Position: Forward
Height: 6'1"
Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.
Previous Team: St. Pauls School
Why RPI: "I'm excited to come to RPI not only to play another four years of hockey, but also to compete at the highest level with a great group of girls that share the same passion as myself. I felt, without a doubt, that RPI would be the place I could reach my highest potential on the ice and in the classroom."

Blake Orosz
Position: Forward
Height: 5'2"
Hometown: Chase Mills, N.Y.
Previous Team: Nepean Wildcats
Why RPI: "The feeling of walking in knowing that I can make a positive influence and I could just feel like I was at home. Not just the hockey pointed me towards this, it was also the amazing education offered by RPI."

Sabrina Repaci
Position: Forward
Height: 5'5"
Hometown: Toronto, Ont.
Previous Team: Toronto Aeros
Why RPI: "I'm excited about RPI and all of the opportunities that it holds for me. It is somewhere that I'll be able to challenge myself on and off the ice. I'll be able to play with and against better players and push myself to become that much better. From the first time that I visited the school, I knew that was where I wanted to be. It just felt like the perfect fit. Once I decided to study engineering, there was no doubt in my mind that RPI is the school for me."

Katerina Seper
Position: Defense
Height: 5'9"
Hometown: Lakeville, Minn.
Previous Team: Lakeville North High School
Why RPI: "I'm excited to play at RPI, because college hockey has always been my biggest dream and the facilities, staff and opportunities RPI hockey has to offer are a dream come true! RPI is the best fit for me, because I've always been very interested in the sciences, so when I learned about RPI's outstanding academics along with the opportunity to play hockey, I knew I had found the place for me."

Rensselaer posted a 10-17-7 overall record in 2015-16, with an 8-9-5 ECAC Hockey mark, making the league tournament as the eighth seed. The Engineers will return six of their top 10 scorers from last year, as 10 forwards, four defensemen and two goalies are expected back in the fall.