Pittsburgh, Pa. – The
Robert Morris University women's hockey team received votes in the United States College Hockey Online (USCHO) and USA Today / USA Hockey Magazine polls this week.
In the preseason edition of the USCHO rankings, Robert Morris joined Northeastern and College Hockey America (CHA) foe RIT in the 'receiving votes' section with two points. This is the second time the Colonials have earned a vote in a preseason national poll, as they received one from USCHO in 2012-13.
RMU received nine points in the USA Today / USA Hockey Magazine rankings, joining the Huskies and Minnesota-Duluth in the 'receiving votes' category. This is the first time in program history that the Colonials have been recognized in the preseason version of the USA Today / USA Hockey Magazine Poll.
A mainstay in the national rankings last season, RMU made 13 straight appearances in the Top 10 of both the USCHO and USA Today / USA Hockey Magazine rankings from Nov. 25, 2013 to March 4, 2014. The Colonials previously spent four consecutive weeks in the 'receiving votes' portion of the polls before cracking them for the first time in program history after a series win at Syracuse.
Minnesota was picked as preseason No. 1 by USCHO for the third-straight year, receiving 12 of the 15 first-place votes. No. 4 Harvard, No. 6 Boston University, and No. 7 Clarkson received the remaining first-place votes. Upstate rival Mercyhurst slotted in at No. 9.
RMU has four teams recognized in the poll on its schedule in 2014-15. The Colonials host Northeastern on Oct. 24-25 and No. 10 Quinnipiac on Jan. 16-17, and have two CHA series each with the Lakers and Tigers. Over the past two seasons, RMU has gone 6-5-2 against nationally-ranked foes.
Robert Morris is one of eight NCAA Division I women's hockey teams opening up its regular season this weekend as the Colonials welcome Bemidji State to the Steel City. The first contest with the Beavers is set for Friday, Sept. 26 at 7:05 p.m. from 84 Lumber Arena.
