Koetteritz and Gentile to Wear "C"

Marissa Gentile (l) and Jackie Koetteritz

SCHENECTADY, NY – Defenseman Jackie Koetteritz and forward Marissa Gentile will captain the 2009-10 Union College women’s ice hockey squad, head coach Claudia Asano announced on Monday. Koetteritz will be the only senior on the team and carries with her three years of college hockey experience, while Gentile is coming off her first season as an assistant captain.

“We are very pleased to have named two great individuals as our captains for next season,” Asano said. “Jackie will provide senior leadership as well as leadership on the defensive end. Marissa will lead our offensive charge. Both will be relied on heavily next year to lead our young squad.”

Koetteritz, who played in all 34 games last season, finished tied for third on the team with a career-high nine points. She led all defenseman with five goals and four assists and had a .111 shooting percentage. Since joining the team during the 2006-07 season, the Breckenridge, CO native has appeared in 91 games, posting seven goals and 12 assists for 19 points. She also has four power-play goals and one game-winner.

“My expectations for myself are to keep a positive atmosphere on and off the ice,” Koetteritz said.” I want to make sure work ethic remains high, motivate my teammates, set an example of positive attitude and hard work ethic, make sure team chemistry is there, support my teammates, keep everyone in line, and respect my coach.”

Gentile was given the “A” patch around the midway mark of last season and took responsibilities as an on-ice captain the rest of the way. In 2008-09 she finished atop the Dutchwomen scoring chart with a career-high 10 points with two goals and eight assists. In 66 career games, the Groton, MA native has produced 17 points with six goals and 11 assists.

“To be named captain means to take on a leadership role that provides encouragement and the willingness to push others for the benefit of the team,” Gentile said. “You must lead by example, promote communication and have a humble and trustworthy relationship with your teammates.”

Union opens the 2009-10 regular season on Saturday, Oct. 3 with a 2 p.m. game at Northeastern. The home-opener follows two weeks later on Friday, Oct. 16 with a 7 p.m. outing against Sacred Heart.