ERIE, Pa. – Head coach Michael Sisti of the Mercyhurst College women's hockey team announced Tuesday the addition of four newcomers to the 2010-11 women's hockey roster.

Lauren Barnes (Eagan, Minn. / Burnsville), Christine Bestland (Brunkild, Manitoba / Pursuit of Excellence), Christie Cicero (Manalapan, N.J. / New Jersey Rockets) and Ashley Harper (Butler, Pa. / Culver Military Academy) will join 19 players returning from a team that finished 30-3-3 a season ago and three-time All-American Meghan Agosta, who returns after taking the year off to compete at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Barnes, a 5'8”, freshman forward, helped Burnsville High School to a 22-8-1 record last season and its second state consolation title in the past four years. She scored 22 goals and added 28 assists to become the school's all-time assists leader (101) and a top-10 finalist for the 2010 Let's Play Hockey Ms. Hockey Award.

“Lauren has a nice mix of size and skill,” said Sisti. “She has a great knack for winning loose puck battles and will provide us with another offensive threat.”

Bestland, a 5'7”, freshman forward, comes to Mercyhurst after playing for Pursuit of Excellence and the Canadian National Women's Under-18 Team last season. She scored 41 goals and dished out 57 assists for 98 points with Pursuit of Excellence before finding the back of the net three times and totaling eight points for Canada at the 2010 Under-18 World Tournament.

“Christine is a great skater who could play center or wing for us. Her experience playing with the under-18 team should prepare her for the college game.”

Cicero, a 5'2”, freshman forward, led the New Jersey Rockets to a 31-15-3 record during the 2009-10 season. A team captain, she scored a league-leading 84 goals and dished out 30 assists to accumulate 114 points to go along with a +2 plus / minus rating.

“Christie is a tough competitor who will thrive in our enviroment. She is just scratching the surface on how good she can be and we're excited to see her reach her full potential here at Mercyhurst.”

Harper, a 5'7”, senior goaltender, will skate for the Lakers after serving as a team manager for the past few seasons.

“We are very excited for Ashley. She is such a hard working person who has done so well here at Mercyhurst and has always shown her love for the game of hockey and our program.  It is nice to see someone so respectful get a shot at fulfilling her dream.”