The defending College Hockey America Champion RIT women’s hockey team, who begins its third season of Division I competition, is selected to finish third in the 2014-15 CHA preseason coaches poll, announced by the league on Friday, Sept. 19.
RIT swept Penn State in the first round of the CHA playoffs last season, upended Robert Morris, 4-1 in the semifinals, and defeated host Mercyhurst, 2-1 in double overtime to claim the 2014 CHA crown. The Tigers return 16 skaters, including 10 forwards and goaltender Ali Binnington (Oakville, Ontario/Mississauga Chiefs), the CHA Tournament MVP and Regular Season Goaltender of the Year from last season’s championship squad. RIT enjoyed an excellent season, winning its final seven games of the year to finish 20-15-3 overall, while finishing third in league play with an 11-7-2 mark. RIT will be eligible for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 2014-15.
Last year’s regular season champion, Mercyhurst is tied for the top pick in this year’s preseason poll for the 13th straight season. The Lakers collected one first place vote for 21 total points. Mercyhurst was the 2013-14 regular season winner and advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four for the second straight season. Robert Morris also garnered 21 points, with a league-high three first place votes. RIT was chosen to finish third with 20 points and a pair of first place votes. Syracuse is picked to finish fourth with 13 points, while Penn State comes in fifth with eight points, and Lindenwood is picked to finish sixth with seven points.
“There is a ton of parity league wide from top to bottom and the preseason poll proves that,” said RIT head coach Scott McDonald. “With the league now receiving an automatic bid (to the NCAA Tournament) we know this is going to be an exciting year and we look forward to the challenge of defending our CHA title.”
The 2015 College Hockey America playoffs begin with a best-of-three series for the third through sixth place finishers from Feb. 27 – March 1. The top two teams get a first round bye. The CHA Tournament Semifinals and Championship will be held on March 6-7 at the home of the regular season champion.
RIT opens its inaugural season at the Gene Polisseni Center with an exhibition contest against Pursuit of Excellence, a junior team out of British Columbia on Sept. 29, then begin the regular season with four straight home games, two against Union on Oct. 3-4, University of New Hampshire on Oct. 10 and Northeastern onOct. 11. RIT will play four regular season games (two home, two away) against each CHA foe during the 2014-15 season. RIT plays its final 13 regular season games against league opponents.
2013-14 College Hockey America Preseason Coaches Poll
1) Robert Morris (3) – 21 points
Mercyhurst (1) – 21 points
3) RIT – (2) 20 points
4) Syracuse – 13 points
5) Penn State – 8 points
6) Lindenwood – 7 points
