HOME OPENER
Rensselaer plays the first of 17 regular season home games this Saturday, when it welcomes Holy Cross to the Houston Field House for a 3pm puck drop. 

ENGINEERS FALL AT MANKATO
RPI opened the season with a pair of losses at Minnesota State last weekend, falling 2-0 and 3-1 to the Mavericks. Josefine Hansen netted the Engineers' lone goal, while Lovisa Selander stopped 56 of 61 shots on the weekend.

ALL-TIME VS. THE CRUSADERS
The Engineers are a perfect 9-0 all-time against Holy Cross, dating back to their first ever meeting on February 10, 2001. RPI has given up a total of four goals in the nine contests, which includes five shutouts. 

LAST TIME OUT VS. HOLY CROSS
Sarah Daniel (1 goal, 3 assists) and Bridget Rice (4 assists) combined for eight points in a 6-0 victory over the Crusaders on January 16, 2005. RPI Athletics Hall of Famer Rosina Schiff made four saves in the first 40 minutes, before giving way to Julie Vallarelli for the final 20.

TOP RETURNERS FOR RPI
The Engineers bring back four of their top five scorers from a season ago, including top point-getter Jaimie Grigsby (10 goals, 10 assists), who had 20 in 34 contests. Sabrina Repaci (4 goals, 10 assists) was third with 14 points, while Makenna Thomas (6 goals, 7 assists) had 13.

GOALTENDERS
Seniors Lovisa Selander (9-16-5; 2.22 GAA; .932 SV%) and Kira Bombay (0-3-1; 2.06; .939) are both back between the pipes for the Engineers.

PRESEASON ALL-LEAGUE
Senior goaltender Lovisa Selander was selected Preseason All-ECAC Hockey by the league's coaches. A second-team All-ECAC Hockey choice after last season, she was also the conferences preseason pick prior to the 2016-17 season.

COACHES POLL
Rensselaer picked to finish ninth in the 12-team ECAC Hockey in the league's coaches poll. Receiving 36 points, the Engineers were named just ahead of area-rival Union College (10th), Dartmouth (11th) and Brown (12th). Defending National Champions Clarkson earned 11 first place votes in the top spot, with Colgate earning one in the second spot.