April 25, 2007

Erie, Pa. - To maintain excellence and momentum, you must continue to recruit good student-athletes to replace those who depart and head coach Michael Sisti believes his staff and he have succeeded in that regard once again. Sisti announced today that seven players will continue their academic and athletic careers at Mercyhurst next fall. The group includes five forwards and two defenders.

"Associate head coach Paul Colontino and assistant coach Aaron Kemp did a fantastic job in acquiring these seven people," said Sisti. "Each year we lose great character players so it's important that we bring in quality people to continue the momentum we've achieved in recent years."

The seven players who will wear the Mercyhurst uniform for the first time later this year include forward Vicki Bendus, forward Cheyenne Bojeski, forward Ashley Cockell, defender Melissa Lacroix, forward Hayley McMeekin, forward Jesse Scanzano, and defender Cassie Schols. All but Bojeski and McMeekin committed last November. The seven will have big shoes to fill as the Lakers lose senior forwards Julia Colizza, Stefanie Bourbeau, Sarah Kurth, Lesley McArthur and defenders Michelle Bonello, Jill Nugent, and Ashley Pendleton. The seven combined for 173 goals and 275 assists in their four years and were parts of teams that won four conference championships, made three straight trips to the NCAAs, and compiled an overall 109-23-15 mark in their Mercyhurst careers. Bourbeau leaves tied for first in all-time scoring (130 points) while Colizza finished third (126 points). Furthermore, the seven played a combined 971 contests. Colizza and Pendleton never missed a game (147) while Nugent missed only 1, Bourbeau 2, Bonello 4, and McArthur 9.

Short biographical sketches of the seven newcomers, in alphabetical order, follow:

1. Vicki Bendus (Forward)
Hometown: Wasaga Beach, Ontario
Last Team: Aurora Panthers (PWHL)
Height: 5'2"
Shoots: Right
Intended Major: Pre-Med
Hockey: Finished the 06/07 regular season third in the league with 23 goals and 22 assists in 27 games. Tied for first in points per game at 1.7. Won a Gold medal at the Canada Winter Games with Team Ontario in 2007.
Parents: Gary and Pat
Quote: "I chose Mercyhurst because I felt like it was the perfect place for me to excel not only athletically but academically as well. The great team, amazing coaches, and beautiful campus were more than enough reasons for me to decide on Mercyhurst as my future school."

2. Cheyenne Bojeski (Forward)
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
Last Team: Colorado Select (MWEHL)
Height: 5'7"
Shoots: Left
Intended Major: Business or Communications and Journalism
Hockey: Played in 38 games for Colorado Select and scored 16 goals and added 24 assists. First Team all-star in 2006 and honorable mention in 2007.
Parents: Jeff and Pam.
Quote: I chose Mercyhurst because it's a small school and I see myself doing well in that environment, Also, it has a great academic program and a very good hockey program, one of the best in America. I'm happy to be joining the team. I'm also Canadian, born in Ontario, and moved to Texas at a young age. Mercyhurst will give me the chance to see my relatives in Ontario more."

3. Ashley Cockell (Forward)
Hometown: Fort Assiniboine, Alberta
Last Team: Edmonton Chimos (NWHL)
Height: 5' 8"
Shoots: Right
Intended Major: Undecided
Hockey: Played in 22 games with the Chimos and finished third in points with eight goals and 10 assists. Was also a member of Team Alberta in 2005.
Parents: Brian and Peggy
Quote: "The minute that I arrived at the Mercyhurst campus I felt like it was the right place for me. I just felt at home. I really liked the size of the school. This was a very important aspect of my choice because I felt like a valued individual and not just a number. I was also really glad to hear from more than one person that the professors were willing to work with you, especially when you were going to be missing class for a certain sport.
When I saw the rink, I loved it right away, I just can't wait to get the chance to skate and compete on the ice surface. The dressing room was also really good, Mercyhurst has a lot of class and pride. The girls on the team were easy to talk to and willing to work together to achieve both their goals and the team's.
Also, I felt like the coaching staff was doing all it could to see the team excel. The girls on the team know exactly what the coaches expect. That was another big part of my decision to go to Mercyhurst. I like having coaches who are approachable and tell you their expectations."

4. Melissa Lacroix (Defense)
Hometown: Penetanguishene, Ontario
Last Team: Toronto Aeros (PWHL)
Height: 5"9
Shoots: Right
Intended Major: Sports Medicine - Athletic Training
Hockey: Played for the Toronto Aeros this past season and recorded three goals and nine assists in 31 games. Won a Gold medal at the Canada Winter Games with Team Ontario in 2007.
Parents: John and Pauline
Quote: "I chose Mercyhurst because of the small community and the cordial atmosphere as well as the small class sizes. I really like the amount of support and respect the students and athletes are given and I know they have a great hockey program that will help me develop further as a player and person."

5. Hayley McMeekin (Forward)
Hometown: Unionville, Ontario
Last Team: Quinnipiac University (ECACHL)
Height: 5'6"
Shoots: Left
Intended Major: Undecided
Hockey: Led the Bobcats in scoring this past season with 15 goals and 15 assists in 29 games. Was also a member of the Canadian U-22 team.
Parents: Rob and Mary
Quote: "I chose Mercyhurst because it is one of the schools that offer both excellent academics and athletics. Mercyhurst has a high profile women's hockey program and I'm very excited to be part of it. Having a tri-semester system and being a small school were other big attractions to me."

6. Jesse Scanzano (Forward)
Hometown: Montreal, Quebec
Last Team: Montreal Axion (NWHL)
Height: 6'0"
Shoots: Right
Intended Major: Intelligence Studies
Hockey: Played 35 games with Montreal and scored 24 goals and added 22 assists. Was also a member of the Canadian U-22 team.
Parents: Brian and Rosemarie
Quote: "The moment I walked onto the campus, I knew it was where I belonged. Academically and athletically, Mercyhurst offers everything I'm looking for in a school. The small community atmosphere, players and coaching staff made me instantly feel at home."

7. Cassea Schols (Defense)
Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta
Last Team: Edmonton Chimos (NWHL)
Height: 5'9"
Shoots: Right
Intended Major:
Hockey: Cassea has played the last three years for the Edmonton Chimos in the NWHL. Schols was the assistant captain for Team Alberta in 2005. She was invited to Team Canada's U22 June camp and hopes to play for Team Canada in the future.
Parents: Joey and Barb
Quote: I chose Mercyhurst College because it is a small school and it offers a wide variety of programs and doesn't limit me to something I might not want to take. I also chose Mercyhurst because it has smaller class sizes and I feel more like a student and not just a number. The hockey team was a huge help because all the girls were very friendly. Finally, I know the coaching staff will push me to be my best."