ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The RIT women's hockey team was selected to finish third in the Atlantic Hockey America Preseason Coaches' Poll, while senior defender Emma Pickering was named to the Preseason All-Conference Team while receiving votes for preseason player of the year honors.
 
RIT posted 16 wins last season and finished fourth in Atlantic Hockey America with 34 points and 11 wins. The Tigers had three wins over ranked opponents including an overtime win against Penn State late in the season.
 
The Tigers scored a Division I record 100 goals last season averaging 2.90 goals per game. RIT scored a Division I record 36 power play goals, including a program-record six power play goals against Post.
 
Pickering returns in 2026-27 after recording career highs in points (26) and assists (15) and tied her career-high, scoring 11 goals. The senior captain finished third in the AHA with six power play goals, fifth in the league with 76 blocked shots and ninth averaging 0.42 goals per game.
 
Preseason Poll
1. Penn State (6 first-place votes)
2. Mercyhurst (1)
3. RIT
T-4. Lindenwood
T-4. Syracuse
5. Robert Morris
6. Delaware
 
Preseason All-Conference Team
F: Jessica MacKinnon, Jr., Robert Morris
F: Grace Outwater, Jr., Penn State
F: Julia Perjus, So., Mercyhurst
D: Danica Maynard, So., Penn State
D: Emma Pickering, Sr., RIT
G: Magdalena Luggin, Jr., Mercyhurst
Also receiving votes: Maja Alenius (So., D, Mercyhurst); Peyton Armstrong (Jr., F, Syracuse); Ava Drabyk (So., G, Syracuse); Alaina Giampietro (Jr., F, Robert Morris); Maggie Hatch (Sr., G, Robert Morris); Mikah Keller (So., F, Penn State); Sofia Nuutinen (Sr., F, Mercyhurst); Abby Stonehouse (Jr., F, Penn State)