Lindenwood University's women's hockey head coach Vince O'Mara has announced the first group of student-athletes that will join the program in the 2011-12 season and guide the program in its transition to NCAA DI hockey.

The group includes seven forwards, three defensemen and two goaltenders. Two are coming to Lindenwood from Alberta, Canada, two from Michigan, two from Minnesota, two from Ontario, Canada, one from Finland, one from Kansas, one from Maryland, and one from Wisconsin.

“We are proud to announce the new additions and quality student-athletes to our program,” said head coach Vince O'Mara. “We focused on player's mental makeup, players that could play with the physical and mental toughness to compete at this level as a new program.”

Briar Bache – Goaltender – Barrie, Ontario – Aurora Panthers
Bache played last season with the Aurora Panthers Intermediate A team and finished with an 8-10-4 record with a 2.04 GAA and .930 save percentage.

“We were real impressed with her work ethic and her desire to compete. We know she will put in the work necessary to add to our goaltending depth.”

Kendra Broad – Forward – Petrolia, Ontario – Southwest Wildcats
Broad will attend Lindenwood after playing last season with the Southwest Wildcats in the Provincial Women's Hockey League. Broad, a forward, scored eight goals and 14 assists in 35 games last season. Broad finished third on her team in scoring.

“Broad is a speedy forward with good hockey sense. She can also play a physical game when needed.”

Jordyn Constance – Forward – Calgary, Alberta – Calgary Chaos
Constance will join the Lady Lions after playing last season with the Calgary Chaos of the Alberta Major Midget Female Hockey League (AMMFHL). Constance, a forward, finished the season with 14 goals and nine assists in 27 games. Her 23 points were second the team and ranked 29th in the league. She finished second on the team in scoring and was named to the AMMFHL all-star team.

“Constance is an all-around tier one women's hockey player. She plays with size, speed, strength, and with great athletic ability, proven by her representing Team Canada in lacrosse.”

Megan Cox – Defense – New Richmond, Wisc. – Shattuck-St. Mary's U19
Cox will join Lindenwood after helping guide Shattuck-St. Mary's to a U19 Girls National Championship. Cox, a native of New Richmond, Wisconsin, played in 49 games and registered one goal and six assists.

“She is a very solid defenseman and we are looking for her to be a mainstay in our top four defensemen.”

Taylor Fairchild – Goaltender – Overland Park, Kan. – Little Caesars U19
Fairchild will join the Lady Lions after playing with the Little Caesars U19 program. Fairchild finished the season with a 19-3-2 record including a 1.02 GAA and .945 save percentage. She helped guide her Little Caesars U19 team to a second place finish at the U19 Tier I Girls National Championship.

“Fairchild has all the ability to claim our top goaltender spot, especially if she continues the hard work that has helped her become the goaltender she is today.”

Sydney Gorzitza – Defense – Medicine Hat Hounds
Gorzitza will join the Lady Lions after playing last season with the Medicine Hat Hounds of the Albert Major Midget Female Hockey League. In 31 games last season, Gorzitza recorded four goals, including two power play goals and two short-handed goals, and eight assists.

“Gorzitza is a versatile player that can play both defense and forward. We like her speed from the blue line and her ability to play special teams.”

Samantha Moore – Forward – Lakeville, Minn. – Lakeville South HS
Moore finished a strong senior campaign with 20 goals and 35 assists. Her 55 points led her team and ranked in the top 30 in the state of Minnesota. Moore also tallied six goals and five assists in playoffs before her team lost to Hill-Murray in the state quarterfinals. She was also named an Honorable Mention All-State selection.

“She has been a top point producer at every level and we look for her to come in and continue that scoring touch here at Lindenwood.”

Caitlyn Post – Forward – Clarkston, Mich. – Little Caesars U19
Post will join the Lady Lions after players last season with the Little Caesars U19 program. In 15 league games this past season, Post scored eight goals and four assists. She helped lead her team to a runner-up finish at the U19 Tier I Girls National Championship. At the national tournament, the talented forward recorded five goals and two assists in six games, and her seven points tied for eighth in the tournament.

“A very smart, hard working power forward type who plays a fearless game. The best part of her game is her ability to go into the dirty areas and create offensive chances for herself and line mates.”

Mara Post – Forward – Prior Lake, Minn. – Lakeville South HS
Post will join teammate Samantha Moore with the Lady Lions after a strong senior season at Lakeville South. She tallied 21 goals and 16 assists during the regular season. Her 37 points ranked third on the team. Post also chipped in with five goals and two assists in her team's run to the Minnesota state quarterfinals.

“Post is a hard working player who brings smarts and quickness to her game that makes her a very good playmaker.”

Hanna-Riika Turpeinen – Defense – Oulu, Finland - Ilves
Turpeinen will join Lindenwood after playing last season with Ilves. This past season she helped guide Ilves to the 2011 European Club Championship. Turpeinen, a defenseman, also helped guide the Finnish team to a silver medal this past season in the World University Games. She also competed with the Finland U-18 in the 2008 World Championships.

“Turpeinen brings a strong transition game to our blue line. Her international experience will be important with our young defensive corps.”

Alyssa West – Forward – Macomb, Mich. – Little Caesars U19
West is the third member of the Little Caesars U19 program that will be joining the Lady Lions. In 15 league games this past season, West recorded two goals and 10 assists. The Macomb, Mich. native helped lead her team to a second-place finish at the U19 Tier I National Championships.

“West is a quick, tenacious player who always is around the puck. The puck always seems to find her stick in and she plays big in big games.”

Alison Wickenheiser – Forward – Gaithersburg, Maryland – Washington Pride U19
Wickenheiser comes to Lindenwood after an impressive final season with the Washington Pride U19 team that included 42 goals and 27 assists in 66 games. She also recorded four power play goals and three short-handed goals. Wickenheiser helped lead her team to the quarterfinals of the Tier I U19 National Tournament.

“Wickenheiser is a dynamic two-way forward who should have an instant impact. She is a smart hockey player who has a knack for finding the back of the net.”