Women's Hockey | 9/21/2015 12:41:00 PM

College Hockey America release

ROCHESTER, NY - The two-time defending College Hockey America Champion RIT women's hockey team, who begins its fourth season of Division I competition, is selected to finish third in the 2015-16 College Hockey America (CHA) preseason coaches poll, announced by the league on Monday, Sept. 21.

RIT, who entered last year's CHA Tournament as the No. 6 seed, swept Robert Morris in the first round, upended top-seed Mercyhurst, 4-1 in the semifinals, and defeated Syracuse, 2-1 in double overtime to claim the 2015 CHA crown. The Tigers return 15 skaters, including seven forwards, six defensemen, and two goaltenders. RIT advanced to the NCAA Division I Tournament for the first time in 2014-15, finishing with 15 victories.

Syracuse is the top pick in this year's preseason poll. The Orange collected three first place votes for 23 total points. Mercyhurst, the three-time defending regular season champions, collected two first place votes for 21 total points. RIT was chosen to finish third with 16 points and one first place vote. Penn State is picked to finish fourth with 12 points, while Robert Morris and Lindenwood were picked to finish tied for fifth with nine points apiece.

"Our conference has great parity throughout the six teams and any team can finish first or sixth," said Bruce B. Bates Women's Hockey Coach Scott McDonald. "Everything will depend on who can stay healthy during the year and what team will be playing the best hockey in March."

The 2016 College Hockey America playoffs begin with a best-of-three series for the third through sixth place finishers from Feb. 26-28. The top two teams get a first round bye. The CHA Tournament Semifinals and Championship will be held on March 4-5 at the HARBORCENTER in downtown Buffalo, N.Y.

RIT opens the 2015-16 season, its second at the Gene Polisseni Center with an exhibition contest the Ottawa Lady Senators on Sept. 25, then begin the regular season with four straight home games, two against Minnesota State on Oct. 2-3, and Rensselaer on Oct. 9-10. The Tigers play 15 of their first 21 games on home ice. RIT will play four regular season games (two home, two away) against each CHA foe during the 2015-16 season. RIT plays its final 12 regular season games against league opponents.

2015-16 College Hockey America Preseason Coaches Poll
1) Syracuse (3) - 23 points
2) Mercyhurst (2) – 21 points
3) RIT – (1) 16 points
4) Penn State – 12 points
T-5) Lindenwood - 9 points
T-5) Robert Morris - 9 points