Robert Morris Colonials women's ice hockey is a college ice hockey program representing Robert Morris University in NCAA Division I as a member of the Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) conference.

The program was suspended, along with the men's team, after an announcement by the university on May 26, 2021. On December 17, 2021, it was announced both programs would be reinstated for the 2023–24 season. Shortly after that season, the Atlantic Hockey Association and College Hockey America, respectively home to the Colonials men's and women's teams, merged to form Atlantic Hockey America.

History

March 31, 2004: Robert Morris University announced that an NCAA Division I women's ice hockey team would compete, in the College Hockey America (CHA) Conference, starting with the 2005–06 season.

Kevin McGonagle was named the first head coach, but following a 1–7–0 start he was dismissed. Assistant coach Jody Katz was named the interim head coach for the rest of the season, and men's assistant coach Nate Handrahan was named new head coach for the 2006–07 campaign.

Nate Handrahan was head coach for five years from the 2006–07 through the 2010–11 seasons. He successfully built a stable program, bringing talented players into the program who would excel after his tenure. and amassed a 52–111–14 record, before taking the head coaching job of the Ohio State women's hockey program.

Paul Colontino was named head coach for the 2011–12 season, and remains in the position. He made the Colonials a competitive team, finishing with more wins than losses in 5 of 6 years. In his first year, Colontino led the Colonials to their first CHA Tournament championship. As the CHA had not automatic berth in the NCAA tournament at the time, their CHA win ended their season.

The most successful season for the Colonials was the 2016–17 season. Their 24–5–6 record (15–3–2 in the CHA) earned them their first year-ending ranking, 8th, in both the USCHO and USA Today polls. They won the CHA regular season championship for the first time, and took the Tournament Championship as well, to earn their first entry to the NCAA national championship. They were defeated by top ranked Wisconsin 0–7 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Colonials forward Jaycee Gebhard scored 44 points on the season, making her the highest scoring first year player in the country for the season. Brittany Howard became the first Colonial player to be named CHA Player of the Year.

The Colonials went on to finish at the top of the CHA standings in 2017-18 and 2018–19, marking three years in a row that they won the regular season championship. They went to four straight championship games, ending the season as conference runner up in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Over the course of four seasons (2016–20), the Colonials posted an overall record of 62-22-12 (.777 points percentage), including the program's first ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017. The program qualified for the 2021 NCAA National Collegiate Women's Ice Hockey Tournament, ranked as the #8 seed.

On February 3, 2022 Logan Bittle was named the head coach for the program's return in the 2023-2024 season

Year by year Won championshipLost championshipConference championsLeague leader

2025–26Logan Bittle13212AHA81426th AHAWon First round vs. Delaware Lost Quarterfinals vs. Lindenwood Did not qualify2024–25Logan Bittle8243AHA21626th AHALost Quarterfinals vs. Syracuse Did not qualify2023–24 Logan Bittle 15 19 1 CHA 11 8 1 3rd CHA Lost Semifinals vs. Mercyhurst Did not qualify2022–23 Program was suspended by the university2021–222020–21 Paul Colontino 16 8 1 CHA 11 7 1 3rd CHA Won Quarterfinals vs. RIT Won Semifinals vs. Mercyhurst Won Championship vs. Syracuse 2nd Appearance Lost Quarterfinal vs. Northeastern 2019–20 Paul Colontino 20 12 4 CHA 13 5 2 2nd CHA Won Semifinals vs. Syracuse Lost Championship vs. Mercyhurst Did not qualify2018–19 Paul Colontino 16 14 6 CHA 13 4 3 1st CHA Won Semifinals vs. Penn State Lost Championship vs. Syracuse Did not qualify2017–18 Paul Colontino 21 8 4 CHA 14 3 3 1st CHA Won Semifinals vs. Penn State Lost Championship vs. Mercyhurst Did not qualify2016–17 Paul Colontino 24 5 6 CHA 15 3 2 1st CHA Won Semifinals vs. Lindenwood Won Championship vs. Syracuse 1st Appearance Lost Quarterfinal vs. Wisconsin 2015–16 Paul Colontino 17 16 5 CHA 7 9 4 4th CHA Won Quarterfinals vs. Lindenwood Lost Semifinals vs. Mercyhurst Did not qualify2014–15 Paul Colontino 11 19 5 CHA 8 8 4 4th CHA Lost Quarterfinals vs. RIT Did not qualify 2013–14 Paul Colontino 24 8 3 CHA 13 5 2 2nd CHA Lost Semifinals vs. RIT Did not qualify2012–13 Paul Colontino 15 15 3 CHA 9 10 1 4th CHA Won Quarterfinals vs. Lindenwood Lost Semifinals vs. Mercyhurst Did not qualify 2011–12 Paul Colontino 19 9 4 CHA 6 3 3 2nd CHA Won Semifinals vs. Niagara Won Championship vs. Mercyhurst Did not qualify 2010–11 Nate Handrahan 6 21 7 CHA 2 9 5 4th CHA Won Quarterfinals vs. Wayne State Lost Semifinals vs. Mercyhurst Did not qualify 2009–10 Nate Handrahan 11 24 1 CHA 3 12 1 5th CHA Won Quarterfinals vs. Wayne State Lost Semifinals vs. Mercyhurst Did not qualify 2008–09 Nate Handrahan 12 20 3 CHA 5 9 2 3rd CHA Lost Semifinals vs. Wayne State Did not qualify 2007–08 Nate Handrahan 12 22 1 CHA 2 10 0 4th CHA Lost Semifinals vs. Mercyhurst Did not qualify 2006–07 Nate Handrahan 11 22 2 CHA 1 11 0 4th CHA Lost Semifinals vs. Marcyhurst Did not qualify 2005–06 Kevin McGonagle 5 24 2 CHA 1 9 1 4th CHA Lost Semifinals vs. Mercyhurst Did not qualify 2004–05 Jody Katz 4 17 2

Awards and honors Brittany Howard, 2018 Dapper Dan Sportswoman of the Year Brittany Howard, 2017-18 Second Team All-America Brittany Howard, 2016-17 CHA Player of the Year Kirsten Welsh, 2017-18 CHA Defender of the Year Jaycee Gebhard, 2017-18 CHA Rookie of the Year Jaycee Gebhard, 2017-18 Women's Hockey Commissioners Association National Rookie of the Year Paul Colontino, 2016-17 CHA Coach of the Year Paul Colontino, 2011-12 USCHO Women's Coach of the Year Paul Colontino, 2011-12 CHA Coach of the Year Lexi Templeman: 2021 College Hockey America All-Conference First Team

Colonials in professional hockey = CWHL All-Star = NWHL/PHF All-Star= Clarkson Cup Champion= Isobel Cup Champion Player Position Team(s) League(s) Years Michaela Boyle Forward Buffalo Beauts PHF 1 Delayne Brian Goaltender Calgary Inferno CWHL 6 1 (2016) Playoff MVP Anjelica Diffendal Forward Buffalo Beauts PHF 2 Megan Eady Melbourne IceSDE AWIHLSDHL Anissa Gamble Forward Toronto Furies CWHL 1 Jaycee Gebhard Forward Brynäs IF SDHL 1 Brittany HowardForwardToronto SixToronto FuriesDream Gap TourPHFCWHLPWHPABrianne McLaughlin Goaltender Buffalo Beauts NWHL 1 (2017)

International Olympians Brianne McLaughlinGoaltender 2010 Winter OlympicsSilverBrianne McLaughlinGoaltender 2014 Winter OlympicsSilver

See also Robert Morris Colonials men's ice hockey List of college women ice hockey coaches with 250 wins

References