Robert Morris Lady Colonials ice hockey

The Robert Morris Colonials women's ice hockey program represented Robert Morris University. The Colonials competed in the College Hockey America conference.

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[2]. Assistant coach Jody Katz[1] 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 payers 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 after six years. 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.

On May 26, 2021 the university announced the cancellation of both the men's and women's hockey programs effective immediately as "part of a series of strategic initiatives intended to position the university to be amongst the most agile and professionally focused schools in the nation as it prepares for its upcoming 100th anniversary". The university announced that it would honor all athletic scholarships and would help those wanting to transfer to other universities. They also announced the establishment of a women's club team and three men's club teams.

Arenas

 * Colonials Arena (2005-2021) previously known as RMU Island Sports Center Ice Arena and 84 Lumber Arena

Head Coaches

 * Kevin McGonagle (2005-2005) 1-7-0 dismissed mid-season
 * Jody Katz (2005-2006) (interim) 4-17-2
 * Nate Handrahan (2006-2011) 52-111-14
 * Paul Colontino (2011-2021) 183-114-41 as of end of 2020-21 season

Awards and honors

 * Brittany Howard, 2017-18 Second Team All-America