Swiss, Canadian Join Wisconsin & California Products
Momentum continues to build in the Colgate women’s hockey program with Tuesday’s announcement of this year’s recruiting class.
Head coach Greg Fargo and staff have added four newcomers to what should be another exciting Raiders team.
“We are excited to add these four newcomers to our group to help build upon recent program success and continue to put an exciting brand of hockey on the ice,” Fargo said. “We are adding to our depth at every position this fall, and our plans are for each of these players to fill important roles throughout our lineup while having an immediate impact at Colgate both on and off the ice.
“It’s a group with a lot of big-game experience, and we can’t wait to work with these players on a daily basis.”
Colgate finished with a No. 8 national ranking after climbing into the top 10 for the first time in program history. The Raiders posted a 22-9-7 overall record for a .671 winning percentage. Both the victory total and percentage were program records, and the Raiders also made history by finishing fourth in the ECAC Hockey standings and hosting a league tournament quarterfinal series for the first time.
Colgate captured that series in dramatic fashion, defeating Harvard 2-games-to-1 thanks to an overtime goal in the decisive third game. That overtime tally came in the final collegiate contest played inside historic Starr Rink and further etched the storybook finish into Colgate lore.
Livi Altmann, Defense, 5-5, Graubuenden, Switzerland
Before Colgate: Attended high school at Buender Kantonsschule in Switzerland … Then attended Pen High and OHA Female Prep in British Columbia … Played for multiple club teams in Switzerland … Member of Swiss Senior National Team since 2012-13 season, participating in three Worlds and one Olympic Games … Notched nine goals and 16 assists in the 2015-16 season in the Swiss Women’s Hockey League … Served as captain of the ZCS Lions in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons … Also served as captain of the Switzerland National Team in the 2015-16 season … Helped lead the ZSC Lions to the Swiss Women’s Hockey League Championship in 2012-13 and 2015-16 … Earned a bronze medal with the Swiss National Team in the 2014 Sochi Olympics … Was named Most Inspirational Player by Female Prep OHA in 2012 … Earned SIHF MVP in 2014-15 and won the Swiss Golden Player Award for a Defense player in the 2014-15 season … Took home MVP for Team Switzerland in the 2016 Worlds.
Personal: Full name is Livia Altmann … Parents are Adrian and Yvonne Altmann … Has one brother … Born in Chur, Switzerland.
Liz Auby,Goaltender, 5-5, Stoughton, Wis.
Before Colgate: Attended Stoughton High School … Played three seasons with the Milwaukee Jr. Admirals from 2011-14 … Played with the Madison Capitols from 2014-16 … Served as assistant captain of the Admirals in the 2013-14 season … Helped her team become Tier 1 Elite League champions and Wisconsin state champions in 2012 … Attended the USA Hockey Player Development Camp from 2012-15 … Participated in the Warren Strelow Goaltending Development Camp in 2014 … Chosen for the USA Hockey Women’s National Team Goaltending Development Camp in 2015 … Earned the Badger Conference Top Scholar award … Member of National Honor Society and Yearbook.
Personal: Full name is Elizabeth Auby … Parents are Jeff and Dawn Auby … Has one sister … Born in Madison, Wis.
Bailey Bennett, Forward, 5-4, Gardena, Calif.
Before Colgate: Attended Pacific Lutheran High School and the North American Hockey Academy … Notched 25 points in 25 games played during the course of her senior campaign … Helped lead her team to the Junior Women’s Hockey League Cup … Named to the JWHL All-Star team.
Personal: Bailey Bennett is the daughter of Kirk and Louanna Bennett of Gardena, Calif. … Has three brothers … Brother, Beau Bennett, recently won a Stanley Cup with the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins and currently plays with the New Jersey Devils.
Anonda Hoppner, Forward, 5-11, Ottawa
Before Colgate: Attended All Saints Catholic High School … Helped lead her team win three consecutive Varsity Girls Hockey League Championships … Served as assistant captain in the 2015-16 season … Notched 11 goals and 11 assists in her senior season … Was named MVP of her high school team … Served as an assistant captain in 2015-16 with the Ottawa Lady Sens … Selected to represent Hockey Canada for the 2015 U18 USA vs. Canada series in Lake Placid … Also played soccer.
Personal: Full name is Anonda Mae Hoppner … Parents are Ken and Denise Hoppner … Has one brother and one sister.