Women's Hockey | 9/21/2017 8:18:00 PM

PITTSBURGH – Head coach Paul Colontino, entering his seventh season at the helm of the Robert Morris women's hockey team, knows a thing or two about polls. He also knows a thing or two about College Hockey America, having been named the conference's coach of the year for last season. Furthermore, he knows that, once the puck drops, polls don't matter.

Still, Colontino had plenty to say before practice Thursday about this year's CHA Preseason Poll, in which his fellow coaches picked his Colonials to repeat as conference champions, among other things.

"Sometimes I think they don't even pay attention. It doesn't faze them, and, truthfully, that's a good thing," Colontino said about the latest in a series of preseason accolades his team received this week. "It's an excellent year for CHA hockey coming in...to get picked [first] is awesome, but you've got to start playing." 

Robert Morris received five of six possible first-place votes in the poll. Syracuse, which RMU defeated for last season's CHA Tournament title, received the other, coming in second overall. Mercyhurst, Penn State, Lindenwood and RIT rounded out the predicted order of finish. This was the exact order of finish in 2016-17, save for Lindenwood and RIT trading places.

The '16-'17 Colonials became the first CHA team not from Mercyhurst to finish the regular campaign in sole possession of first place. They enter 2017-18 ranked 10th nationally in the USCHO.com Women's Preseason Poll released Monday, as is the case with the subsequently released preseason poll from USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine. These are the first preseason top-ten rankings in program history.

After the '16-'17 team receives its CHA championship rings in a special ceremony at the RMU Island Sports Center Friday evening, the current Colonials will return there Saturday night for a 7:05 exhibition game against Ryerson at Colonials Arena, their lone preseason contest.

Fans can call 412-397-4949 or visit rmutickets.com for tickets. Student admission is free via Freedom Card, with $5.00 tickets available to university faculty and staff.