COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. --- Five Minnesota State women's hockey players have been selected by USA Hockey to attend this summer's National Festival, held August 2-8 in Lake Placid, N.Y.

The festival, which brings 46 of the top American born college players together, where they'll eventually name the 25-person roster for the Collegiate Select team that will take on Canada, August 12-15 in Richmond, B.C.

Representing Minnesota State will be senior goaltender Hailey Hansen, senior defenseman Lauren Zawoyski, junior forward Ayla Puppe and sophomore forwards Mercury Bischoff and Zoe Lopez.

Additionally, associate head coach Jeff Giesen, assistant coach Mackenzie Bruch and Director of Hockey Operations, Matthew Meyer will also be in Lake Placid.  Giesen will serve as an evaluator, while Bruch will serve as the goaltending coach for the U18 Selects team that will take place at the same time, and Meyer will work as a video coach.

"We couldn't be happier for Hailey, Lauren, Ayla, Zoe and Mercury," said head coach Shari Dickerman. "To have our players rewarded for their hard work with this opportunity is awesome – we're excited to see how they compete among the best American born collegiate players."