SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Union College head women’s hockey coach Josh Sciba has announced the seven student-athletes who will join the Dutchwomen for the 2020-21 season, as Union welcomes Celeste Beaudoin (Stouffville, Ontario), Hope Crisafi (Bay Village, Ohio), Kaitlyn Ehmann (Bloomingdale, Ill.), Meredith Killian (St. Paul, Minn.), Josie McLeod (Okotoks, Alberta), Olivia Rinzel (Chanhassen, Minn.) and Allison Smith (Rochester, Minn.) to campus this fall.
Snapshots of the Class of 2024 are below:
Celeste Beaudoin • 5-5 • Forward • Shoots: Left • Stouffville, Ontario • Toronto Jr. Aeros (PWHL)
Sciba on Beaudoin: “Celeste is a very grounded, passionate player and person. She has tremendous explosiveness and makes those around her better. We really like her shot and her ability to take pucks to the net. We believe she can help us in all three zones. We value her leadership skills and ability to connect with her teammates.”
Why Union: “As soon as I stepped foot on campus, I knew that Union was the school for me. The students and faculty welcomed me with open arms, which left me with a great feeling of being at home. Having learned the excellent balance between academics & athletics, I realized that Union was where I wanted to spend four years of my life. The amazing community surrounding the school as well as the opportunities offered at Union will give me the chance to best prepare myself for the future.”
Prior to Union: Spent her last two years with the Toronto Jr. Aeros (PWHL) … appeared in 89 games, scoring 14 goals with 33 assists for 47 points … ranked fourth on the team in points (25) and second in assists (18) as the team captain in 2019-20 … competed at the U18 National Championship with Team Ontario Blue … valedictorian of her class at Bill Hogarth Secondary School and also played rugby, volleyball and soccer for the Hornets.
Hope Crisafi • 5-7 • Goalie • Catches: Left • Bay Village, Ohio • Gilmour Academy
Sciba on Crisafi: “Hope is a competitor who will push others around her to get better. We love seeing the joy she has for the game. We like her size and her skating, and we feel that her save cycle allows her to make saves. We look forward to seeing how she grows and matures here at Union.”
Why Union: “I wanted to attend a college that had a tight community and where I could have friends that I consider family. I wanted a place where I could make a home away from home. When I visited Union, I knew this was the place where I could make all of that happen. I knew that the teaching style and class size at Union would be a big advantage for me, and I realized pretty quickly that Union is a good fit for me.”
Prior to Union: Played four years in goal for Gilmour Academy … also played three years of lacrosse and one year of field hockey for the Lancers.
Kaitlyn Ehmann • 5-6 • Forward • Shoots: Left • Bloomingdale, Illinois • Chicago Mission
Sciba on Ehmann: “Kaitlyn is a tough, gritty player who knows how to finish around the net. She plays fast and we like her ability to hunt pucks. She’s someone who values being a great teammate and we know her work ethic will allow her to grow tremendously.”
Why Union: “I chose Union because of its beautiful campus and tight-knit community. Union’s small class sizes and excellent academics will prepare me for the future, and it is is the perfect place for me to develop academically while playing the highest level of hockey.”
Prior to Union: Played three seasons with the Chicago Mission, including the last two with the U-19 team … helped the U-16 team to a 66-5-1 record and its first national title in 2017-18.
Meredith Killian • 5-7 • Defense • Shoots: Right • St. Paul, Minnesota • St. Paul United
Sciba on Killian: “Meredith is a very balanced player and person. We like her ability to create offense from the blueline and join the rush in transition. She possesses a great shot and sees the ice well. She’s very mature and we believe she’ll be a leader here at Union.”
Why Union: “I chose Union because it will provide me with a great education while giving me the opportunity to fulfill my hopes of playing Division I hockey.”
Prior to Union: Played four years of varsity hockey for St. Paul United … combined for nine goals and 40 assists in 108 games on the blue line with the Blazers … a three-time All-Independent Metro Athletic Conference selection … a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and a team captain as a senior … helped the team to a Class 1A state runner-up finish in 2017 … also a team captain and a three-time All-IMAC selection on the soccer field for the Blazers … a three-time high honor roll selection in the classroom.
Josie McLeod • 5-9 • Forward • Shoots: Right • Okotoks, Alberta • Pursuit of Excellence
Sciba on McLeod: “Josie is a hockey player. She’s made incredible strides as a player, specifically in her shot and her speed. Physically, she’s strong on the puck and we like that she values play at the front of the net. She’s a joy to be around, and we believe that her personality will inject more of the right energy into our locker room.”
Why Union: “I liked the community aspect that the staff and students bring, as well as the beautiful campus.”
Prior to Union: Spent the 2019-20 season with the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy … scored 13 goals with 13 assists for 26 points in just 22 games last year … spent the previous two seasons with the Rocky Mountain Raiders (AFHL), scoring 13 goals with 13 assists in 61 games … earned AFHL Top Rookie honors in her first year and led the Raiders in scoring in her second season.
Olivia Rinzel • 5-10 • Goalie • Catches: Left • Chanhassen, Minnesota • Chaska-Chanhassen
Sciba on Rinzel: “Olivia is extremely articulate and has a drive to win. She’s very focused, loves to compete, and we really like her ability to manage a game. She has a presence in the net and a sense of maturity that will help push our team culture forward.”
Why Union: “I chose Union because of the high-quality academics it offers and the competitive hockey program. The members of the coaching staff are amazing and always welcoming, and I feel at home on campus.”
Prior to Union: Played four years of hockey with the Chaska-Chanhassen Stormhawks, including three with the varsity team … captained the squad and named Team Most Valuable Player as a senior after posting a 2.52 goals against average and .917 save percentage with two shutouts … an All-Metro West Conference selection … attended Team USA National Player Development Camp in 2017 and 2018.
Allison Smith • 5-6 • Defense • Shoots: Right • Rochester, Minnesota • Rochester Lourdes
Sciba on Smith: “Allison has grown tremendously throughout her high school career. She’s a very versatile defenseman who can move the puck well in transition/breakout situations and knows how to get pucks to the net. She’s a wonderful human being who has a passion for the game and a desire to get better.”
Why Union: “I chose Union because of how welcoming the team and coaches were. They really made me feel like I could call Union my home for the next four years. I also felt that Union would provide me with the resources and academics for a successful future.”
Prior to Union: Played four years of varsity hockey for Rochester Lourdes … scored 15 goals with 30 assists for 45 points from the blue line … a Rochester All-Area selection in both of her final two years … captained the team to a third straight Section 1A title and a fourth-place finish in the state as a senior … in addition to hockey, also played four years of soccer and helped the Eagles to three straight Hiawatha Valley League (HVL) championships and three Section 1A titles … also was an All-HVL selection in her one year with the track & field team … Vice President of the National Honor Society and a Student Council member.
