MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The RMU women's hockey team drops the puck on the 2025-26 campaign this weekend, opening the year with a two-game non-conference series against Assumption at Clearview Arena. The Colonials host the Greyhounds on Friday, September 26 at 7:00 p.m. before concluding the series on Saturday, September 27 at 3:00 p.m. Both games will stream live on FloHockey with Gero von Dehn on play-by-play and Adam Gusky providing analysis.
 
COLONIAL LEADERS RETURN
RMU enters the new season with a veteran core highlighted by several key returners. Senior forward Morgan Giannone once again projects as a primary scoring option after leading the Colonials last year in goals (9), assists (11), points (20), and shots (105). On the blue line, sophomore Thalia D'Elia paced all defensemen in scoring as a freshman with three goals and eight assists, while classmate Emma Goding added five goals from the back end. Sophomore defender Shayne Desjardins was a workhorse in her first collegiate season, recording 91 blocked shots—second most in the AHA.
 
At center, junior Catriona Crarer returns as an alternate captain and a steady presence in the faceoff circle, ranking second on the team last year with 160 draws won while also chipping in four goals and five assists across 27 games.
 
The captaincy this season belongs to junior forward Alaina Giampietro, who has already compiled 22 goals, 17 assists, and 39 points in just 46 career games. A proven clutch scorer, Giampietro has tallied four game-winning goals in her first two seasons in Moon Township.
 
Between the pipes, alternate captain Maggie Hatch anchors the defense. Hatch started 25 games last season, recording seven victories, two shutouts, and 839 total saves while posting a .910 save percentage. Twice named to the Hockey Commissioners Association's Goaltender of the Year Watch List, she enters the season with 16 career wins, and a .916 career save percentage.
 
NEW FACES IN THE MIX
Head coach Logan Bittle's staff welcomed a strong transfer class, headlined by sophomore forward Rowyn Ringor, who arrives from Post University after earning NEWHA Rookie of the Year honors. Ringor scored 10 goals and 16 assists for 26 points in 37 games as a freshman, showing special teams' ability with three power-play markers and a shorthanded goal.
 
The Colonials also bring back a familiar face in graduate forward Ellie Marcovsky, a Pittsburgh native and member of RMU's 2021 College Hockey America (CHA) Tournament Championship team. Marcovsky returns for her graduate season after transferring back to the program, bringing both leadership and championship experience.
 
In addition, RMU has bolstered its depth with two transfers from Clarkson in forwards Jessica MacKinnon and Taylor Storey, who add further offensive potential and experience to the lineup.
 
FIRST-EVER MEETING
This weekend marks the first all-time meeting between Robert Morris and Assumption. While the Greyhounds are a new opponent, RMU has historically thrived against the NEWHA, carrying a 20-1-1 record all-time against teams from the conference.
 
SCOUTING THE GREYHOUNDS
Assumption opens its season in Moon Township after being picked to finish sixth in the 2025-26 NEWHA Preseason Poll. Last season, the Greyhounds posted a 10-23-3 overall record with a 10-16-2 mark in conference play.
 
The Greyhounds returned their top scorer in junior forward Rachel Agerter, who recorded five goals, nine assists, and 14 points a year ago. In net, junior goaltender Jadyn Weiser provides stability after posting a .939 save percentage and 1.98 goals-against average in 20 appearances last season, picking up six victories along the way.
 
COMMON OPPONENTS
RMU and Assumption share at least one common opponent this season in Long Island University (LIU). LIU will serve as a non-conference opponent for the Colonials while competing against the Greyhounds as part of their NEWHA slate.
 
UP NEXT
Following the season-opening homestand, RMU will head west for its first road trip of the year, visiting WCHA foe Bemidji State. The Colonials face off against the Beavers on Friday, October 3 at 7:00 p.m. ET before wrapping up the series on Saturday, October 4 at 4:00 p.m. ET. Both games will stream live on BTN+.
 
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