Moon Township, Pa. – The Robert Morris women's lacrosse team has announced its captains for the upcoming 2023 season. Graduate student Kelsey Nelson and senior Colleen Tifft were chosen to take the captaincy for the upcoming campaign.

Coming off their second season in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), the Colonials enjoyed a successful year, making an appearance in the MAC Women's Lacrosse Championship game for the second straight season. Robert Morris joined the MAC prior to the 2021 season where they captured their very first MAC Title.

"I'm really excited for Kelsey and Colleen to be captains for this team going into the spring," RMU head coach Katrina Silva said. "They both come with really unique skill sets in terms of leadership, and we're ready to see them excel this spring."

Nelson was a leading midfielder for the Colonials in 2022, ranking fifth with 26 points after carding 18 goals and eight assists for RMU. The Rochester, N.Y., product launched 40 shots last year, 28 of them coming on goal. The two-way standout was productive on the defensive side as well, collecting 24 ground balls, causing seven turnovers, and winning 29 draws controls

"Kelsey leads by example everywhere she goes," Silva continued. "Ground balls, defense, and offense, she's one of those kids that does it all for us. We want her to play hard all the time and really show that grit and determination on why it was an obvious choice that she was picked a captain."

Tifft is coming off a very productive year for RMU, earning 2022 All-MAC Second Team accolades. The Liverpool, N.Y., native finished fourth on the team after boasting a 37-point season, tallying the second most goals with 31. Tifft also added six assists while firing 91 shots, 70 of them coming on goal. A true two-way midfielder, the senior was also a force on the defensive end, grabbing 19 ground balls, causing 16 turnovers and winning 13 draw controls.

"Colleen is vocal and attentive and can recognize what the coaches are asking while communicating that to her teammates," Silva said. "She's a voice that understands, and she's also a very smart individual that realizes what both the team and coaches need from their players while being able to push them in the right direction."

The Colonials open their season on Friday, February 10, when they travel to Columbus, Ohio, to take on the Buckeyes of Ohio State at 3:00 p.m.

Follow The Colonials: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | RMU Athletics Gameday App