GAMEDAY (Feb. 16, 2019): Rensselaer hosts Clarkson in the season finale for both teams ... The Engineers are 11-13 overall and 6-11 in the league, while the Golden Knights are 7-17 and 4-13.

SENIOR DAY: The game marks the final contest in the careers of seniors Elizabeth Eckhardt, LaKissa Martin and Sam O'Keefe ... They, along with Team Impact member Keeghan Nadeau, will be honored in a pre-game ceremony.

PAYING TRIBUTE: Below are messages to each of Rensselaer's three seniors written by one of their teammates... 

•ELIZABETH (ZIBBY) ECKHARDT (Written by Celia Tomlinson):

Zibby,
Where to begin? I'll start by informing everyone here, in case they don't already know, that you are the most hardworking individual I have ever met. On behalf of the team, I would like to thank you for giving us all heart attacks every day when you are at ECAV four hours before practice starts.

I would like to thank you for pushing the team and me every single day; for being an exceptional role model; and for having the most moral integrity on this team. I could literally list 1,000 things you have done for this team.

Last year, when we were paired as Position Partners, I was shocked. First that the coaches thought we could ever be the same position in anything, and second, with how hard you worked. You helped me find my place at this school and on this team.

We cannot thank you enough for setting the bar so incredibly out of reach. And for always being an exceptional leader on and off the court. I know you will take your work ethic with you and I only hope Deloitte knows what kind of special individual they are receiving,

With love always,
Your ex PP

•LaKISSA MARTIN (Written by Ines Ortea):
The day you always wished would come sooner has finally arrived, only to realize it is the last thing you truly wanted. 
 
I still remember the day I first met you when I came to visit and you showed us your room, specifically your walls and the stories behind them. Soon after, you became a teammate, who as much as I appreciated, I have to confess I was a little scared of. But now I can call you my friend and say that I've had the immense luck of getting closer to you, to find out how sweet, caring, hardworking and funny you are. You've been like a big sister to me, you've been there through thick and thin, always having my back and believing in me. For all that I wanted to thank you today.

You've left it all on the court, showing us what working hard and being determined looks like. You've been supportive and caring for all of us and helped the team grow.

We'll never forget how easily you make anyone laugh, how you are able to hype anyone up in a matter of seconds, or how excited you get when your favorite songs play. And the crazy dance moves that go along with them… Wherever we are! And, of course, you'll never stop surprising us with your exceptional/amazing hairstyles and fashionable outfits. All in all, we're going to miss your fabulousness.

One of the things I admire the most about you is how strong and passionate you are. You've worked really hard to become the person you are today and anyone around you would be proud of you. So as much as we hate to say goodbye, we are happy for you, because we know you're going to get far and get whatever you strive for, just like you've been showing us these past years.

Thank you for being such a great friend, teammate and captain. You've left such a big impact on all of us, and we'll definitely miss you a lot, so, whatever happens, remember you'll always have a family here. So you better come back and visit whenever you have a chance!

We love you Kissa!

•SAM O'KEEFE (Written by Courtney Lewis):

Dearest SamO,
Ever since I have been here, you are the true leader of this team. You motivate everyone to be better both on and off the court. Being the point guard, everyone on this team looks to you for guidance and you have never let us down. At halftime you always have good positive and negative insight to help us adjust in the second half. I think you've inspired this team in so many ways. Especially, when you break your own ankles, you get right back up. But seriously, even after a loss Sam encourages everyone and is always on to winning the next game. And after a win Sam is the first one celebrating in the locker room.

On behalf of everyone, I'd like to thank you for playing this whole season through an injury. The extra bone in your shoulder couldn't stop you from exceeding expectations. Even with your concussion, you were calling plays from the sideline.

I know we will all miss you on the court crashing the boards for rebounds and even hitting the occasional jumper, but we know that you're onto bigger and better things at Air Products Chemical Company. Don't forget about us when you make your million dollar idea and be sure to visit all the time.

Love,
Your favorite locker buddy, Courtney

KEEGHAN NADEAU: Through Team Impact, Keeghan has been a member of RPI Women's Basketball for the past several years, but she is graduating from high school this spring and moving on to college. The success she has had at Catholic Central High School, such as being a member of the Student Council, the Future Business Leaders of America, the Social Media Club and the National Honor Society will undoubtedly follow her throughout her future!

ALL-TIME AGAINST CLARKSON: The Engineers are 51-22 against the Golden Knights, including 29-8 in Troy ... There have been 61 conference contests with RPI leading 42-19.

LAST 10: RPI is 4-6 in its last 10 games versus Clarkson with each coming in league play ... Three wins have come in Troy.

FIRST MEETING: A 14-0 run to end the second quarter put Clarkson ahead and the Golden Knights secured a 59-46 win over Rensselaer on November 30 ... Carly Assimon led Clarkson with 16 points ... Ines Ortea scored 20 points and Elizabeth Eckhardt had 16 for RPI.

RECORDS & HISTORY: A variety of historic Rensselaer women's basketball information are at rpiathletics.com, including all-time year-by-year results, all-time rosters, coaches records, team photos and more. ... Click on 'Records & History' under 'Fan Central' on the main page menu bar.