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Kenneally '90 Announces Women's Hockey Class of 2021
5/25/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Ice Hockey
2017-18 Roster
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Brown University women's hockey team will welcome seven incoming freshmen for the 2017-18 season as part of the class of 2021, head coach Bob Kenneally '90 announced on Tuesday.
The seven newcomers include: Kaitijane Blumberg, Megan Forest, Maddie Fouts, Darby Melia, Abby Nearis, Lauren Rippy and Maddie Sisokin.
"Our staff is extremely excited to announce our 2017 incoming class," said Kenneally. "We will have four new forwards, two D and one goaltender. This class, added with our returners, will provide more skill and depth to our program. All of our new players have been leaders of their travel teams and have excelled at the national level. All seven of them have also been successful in the classroom, community and school groups."
Kaitijane Blumberg
Number: 15
Position: Forward
Height: 5-7
Shoots: R
Hometown: Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
High School: Wylie E. Groves High School
Junior Team: Honeybaked
Athletic Honors: Competed in hockey and lacrosse at Wylie E. Groves High School ... Attended the USA Development Camp from 2013-2016 ... Helped her team win the state championship in 2014 and 2016 ... Received HPHL Academic Honors 2014-17.
Why Brown?: "I chose Brown because I was given the opportunity to play a Division I sport and the immeasurable education compared to any other school."
Kenneally on Blumberg: "KJ brings an offensive skill set that will allow her to be quite successful at the Division I level. KJ turned down a number of scholarship offers to come to Brown and we could not be more excited to have her."
Megan Forrest
Number: 64
Position: Forward
Height: 5-7
Shoots: R
Hometown: Enfield, Nova Scotia
High School: Ridley College
Junior Team: Dartmouth Whalers Midget AA
Athletic Honors: Competed in soccer, hockey and track & field at Ridley College ... Recorded 22 goals and 41 assists for 63 points in 61 games played as a senior ... Top goal scorer for Midget AA ... Competed in the U18 Hockey Nationals and the U18 Hockey Atlantic Challenge Cup, earning a gold medal and MVP while leading the team in points and assists.
Why Brown?: "It is a small Ivy League university with the unique "open curriculum", a strong neuroscience program on a beautiful campus!."
Kenneally on Forrest: "Megan is a steady forward who works hard at both ends of the ice. She is a very good play-maker and should be able to contribute right away."
Maddie Fouts
Number: 4
Position: Defense
Height: 5-5
Shoots: R
High School: Convent of the Sacred Heart
Prep School: The Lawrenceville School
Junior Team: Mid-Fairfield Stars
Athletic Honors: Competed in hockey and lacrosse at Convent of the Sacred Heart ... Guided her team to two Connecticut State Championships in 2016 and 2017 ... Led her teams to a U16 World Select Invitational Championship and a U16 East Coast Selects, Q Team Championship ... Invited to the USA National Development Camp (2013-15).
Why Brown?: "I am excited to attend Brown because of the open curriculum and 70 different concentrated studies. Brown's open curriculum has the rigor that will challenge my intellect while simultaneously providing me with the flexibility to satisfy my intellectual curiosity in new areas so that I can grow as a human being. The diversity of Brown students brings different values to campus as a result of their unique cultures. Through the Distinctively Brown Abroad Programs, I would be able to continue to strive to reach the academic standards of Brown while simultaneously emerging myself into the culture from part of the world I have yet to see. Additionally, as an aspiring college athlete, I am looking for a place that can combine my passion for hockey with renowned academics. Brown's ability to foster my academics and social relations makes me confident I can be the best me at Brown."
Kenneally on Fouts: "Maddie has played for two successful programs -Lawrenceville Academy and Mid-Fairfield. Maddie will bring flexibility to our lineup as she can play both defense and forward."
Darby Melia
Number: 10
Position: Forward
Height: 5-6
Shoots: R
Hometown: Marshfield, Mass.
High School: Thayer Academy
Junior Team: Bay State Breakers Tier I
Athletic Honors: Competed in field hockey, hockey and track & field at Thayer Academy ... Recorded 28 goals and 28 assists for 56 points in 30 games played as a senior ... Three-year captain of the hockey team ... Two-time MVP and All-Independent School League Team ... Invited to the USA National Development Camp (2013-15).
Why Brown?: "I want to think, not just do. I like that Brown trusts students to engineer their learning, but also provides expert guidance from academic and student advisors. In this combination of freedom and collaboration, I will think more, aspire to learn more, and explore beyond the boundaries of a set course or curriculum. I attend an independent school and appreciate the opportunity to find my own way to see, understand and interact with my learning. I've benefited from the fact that my fellow students are afforded the same opportunity, exposing me to many ways of thinking and learning. Brown will further my exposure to independent thinking. I love ice hockey, but decided that I would only continue to play at a highly competitive level if the university supported my academic goals."
Kenneally on Melia: "Darby had a great career at Thayer Academy. She has a scoring touch we are looking for and is extremely coach-able. Darby will also be a great addition to our locker room."
Abby Nearis
Number: 22
Position: Defense
Height: 6-0
Shoots: L
Hometown: Beverly, Mass.
High School: The Governor's Academy
Prep School: The Kent School
Junior Team: Assabet Valley
Athletic Honors: Competed in field hockey, hockey, lacrosse and crew ... Selected to ISL First Team and Honorable Mention in her career ... Two-time Team MVP ... Also named Team Defensive MVP ... Received All-New England First Team honors.
Why Brown?: "I chose Brown to get a great education and play the sport that I love."
Kenneally on Nearis: "Abby is a tremendous pick up for our program. Her size, shot and tenacity will have an immediate impact on our Defense. Last year, Abby had a tremendous post-grad year at The Kent School under Head Sean Rousseau."
Lauren Rippy
Number: 38
Position: Goalie
Height: 6-0
Catches: L
Hometown: Plymouth, Mich.
High School: Canton High School
Junior Team: Honeybaked
Athletic Honors: Competed in hockey and lacrosse at Canton High School ... Participated in the USA National Camp ... Achieved Academic Honors.
Why Brown?: "I chose Brown because of the amazing atmosphere on campus and the unique academics found nowhere else in the country."
Kenneally on Rippy: "Lauren has the size and agility to have success at Brown. She is a mobile goaltender with great focus and determination."
Maddie Sisokin
Number: 26
Position: Forward
Height: 5-8
Shoots: R
Hometown: Oakville, Ontario
High School: Appleby College
Junior Team: Oakville Junior Hornets
Athletic Honors: Competed in field hockey, hockey and softball at Appleby College ... Received the Colours Award ... Assistant captain for the Oakville Junior Hornets ... Helped the Hornets win the 2017 Provincial League Championship ... Also an assistant captain for Appleby College.
Why Brown?: "I chose Brown because of the world class education, the diversity, and the opportunity to play Division I hockey."
Kenneally on Sisokin: "Maddie comes from a very successful Oakville program where she was a two-year captain. She will bring toughness and grit to our team for the next four years."
