Women’s Hockey Announces Class of 2025

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brown University women's hockey first-year head coach Melanie Ruzzi announced the addition of six student-athletes, from the Class of 2025, set to join the program for the upcoming 2021-22 season. The newcomers include three forwards, two defenders and one goalie.

Paige Gross
Position: Forward
Height: 5-8
Previous Team: Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles
Hometown: Clarence, N.Y.
High School: Nichols School
Before Brown: Competed in hockey, field hockey and lacrosse at the Nichols School … Team captain in 2020-21 … Received the Coaches Award (2020-21) … Named Honorable Mention All-WNY Scholar Athlete (2020-21) … Selected Team MVP in 2019-20 … Assistant captain in 2019-20 … Named NAPHA Playoff Tournament All Star (2019-20) … In field hockey, two-time Team MVP, All Western New York First Team selection, Honorable Mention All-WNY Scholar Athlete and All Western New York Second Team honoree … In lacrosse, team captain, All Catholic Team Second Team selection and Monsignor Martin Champion … Also competed for the Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles and the Buffalo Bisons … Assistant captain for the Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles 19U team and captain for the Buffalo Bisons 16U team … Invited to the 2018 USA Girls Select 15 Player Development Camp … USA Hockey Kent State Multi-District Camp Selection in 2019 … Achieved highest honors all four quarters as a senior.
Why Brown: "I chose Brown because it offers the opportunity to receive an exceptional education and play Division I hockey at one of the most prestigious universities in the country. When I visited Brown, I fell in love with the campus and the city of Providence. I'm looking forward to continuing my hockey career with a great coaching staff and teammates."

Abby Hancock
Position: Defense
Height: 5-7
Previous Team: Benilde-St. Margaret's
Hometown: Maple Grove, Minn.
High School: Benilde-St. Margaret's
Before Brown: Competed in hockey and lacrosse at Benilde-St. Margaret's … Three-time All-Conference selection ... Named Honorable Mention ... Two-year captain ... Received the Principal Leadership Award ... Achieved the Highest Honor Roll.
Why Brown: "The open curriculum, campus location, the welcoming atmosphere."

Anna Hurd
Position: Forward
Height: 5-3
Previous Team: Mid-Fairfield Connecticut Stars
Hometown: Pelham, N.Y.
High School: Loomis Chaffee School
Before Brown: Competed in hockey at Loomis Chaffee School and Phillips Academy Andover (prep) … Awarded Founders League Honors in 2019 and 2020 ... Also competed for the Mid-Fairfield Connecticut Stars ... Achieved the Junior Philosophy, Psychology and Religious Studies Award ... Received the Melissa Maniscalco 2021 Scholarship Award.
Why Brown: "I chose Brown because I believe it will push me in all areas athletically, academically, and socially."

Grace Kedziora
Position: Goalie
Height: 5-6
Previous Team: Chicago Young Americans
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
High School: Trinity
Before Brown: Competed for the Chicago Young Americans ... U19 Team Captain ... Competed in the USA Hockey National Tournament in 2021 ... Helped her team place second in state's in 2020 ... Selected for USA Hockey 15 National Camp (2017), 16/17 National Camp (2018) and 16/17 National Camp (2019) ... International Baccalaureate Programme Certificate Candidate ... Achieved High Honors (2018-21) ... Received the Academic Excellence in Social Studies Award and the IB Internal Assessment Excellence in Science Research Award ... Member of the National Honor Society, the National Art Honor Society and the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica.
Why Brown: "I chose Brown because it offers the opportunity to play hockey at the highest level and to pursue a rigorous and unique liberal arts education."

Hannah Partigianoni
Position: Forward
Height: 5-4
Previous Team: Cortland High School
Hometown: Cortland, N.Y.
High School: Cortland
Before Brown: Competed in club hockey, club lacrosse, varsity lacrosse and varsity soccer at Cortland High School ... Team captain ... Invited to the USA 15 Select Player Development Camp ... Four-time NYS Champion ... In soccer, named All League Honorable Mention, All League Second Team and Rookie of the Year ... In lacrosse, named Team MVP, All-State and ranks second all-time in scoring ... Named Most Outstanding Female Athlete ... Member of the National Honor Society, French National Honor Society and French National Honor Society Historian ... Permanent Honor Roll member ... Ranked in the top 10% of her Class (#10) ... Member of Student Council, the Student Advisory Committee and the NYS Section 3 Leadership Academy ... Special Olympics volunteer.
Why Brown: "I chose Brown because it will give me the opportunity to pursue my goals academically and athletically. It was a perfect distance from home and blends all my wants and needs into the amazing open curriculum."

Cameron Sikich
Position: Defense
Height: 5-5
Previous Team: Etobicoke Junior Dolphins
Hometown: Thornhill, Ont.
High School: Bill Crothers Secondary School
Before Brown: Competed in hockey and rugby at the Bill Crothers Secondary School … Also played for Etobicoke Junior Dolphins (2020-21), Toronto Junior Aeros (2019-20), Toronto Aeros Midget AA (2018-19), North York Storm Bantam AA (2017-18), Aurora Barbarians Rugby Club (2017-20) and the Ontario Junior Blues (2018-19) ... International Aurora Silver Stick Champion (2018), Kitchener-Waterloo USA Canada Cup Champion (2018), Best in the Nest Oakville Hornets Tournament Champion (2018), Toronto Aeros Holiday Classic Tournament Champion (2020) and Eastern National Rugby Champion with Team Ontario (2018 and 2019) ... Received the Bronze Medal at the Ontario Summer Games (2018) ... Selected to Hockey Canada's U18 Team Canada Summer Training Camp (2020) ... In rugby, helped her team win the Canlan YRAA Tier 2 Rugby 7's Championship (2018) ... Received the Aurora Barbarian Rugby Club Coaches Award (2018) ... U17 Ontario Rugby Club Champion (2019) ... Named Ontario Scholar in 2021 ... Achieved the Honour Roll (2017-21) ... Had the Highest Overall Female Average (2017-20) ... Received the Outstanding Achievement Award in Principles of Mathematics (2018 and 2019).
Why Brown: "I chose Brown because of the combination of the high level of athletics as well as the amazing academic opportunities available. I've always wanted to attend an Ivy League school and after visiting Brown I knew it was the perfect fit for me. I also love the campus and like that it's not too big or too small and is isolated while still having lots of things around it. Overall, I chose Brown because it is an amazing school and I can't wait to start this fall!"

Brown University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Paige Gross

Abby Hancock

Anna Hurd

Grace Kedziora

Hannah Partigianoni

Cameron Sikich

Related Videos