RMU Athletics 2015-16 Annual Report by Robert Morris University Athletics

Robert Morris By The Numbers

Teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2015-16 in volleyball and women’s basketball, the third consecutive year RMU sent a pair of programs to the Big Dance

156

Career points by forward ZAC LYNCH of the men’s ice hockey squad, a school record

Programs that qualified for a conference postseason tournament in 2015-16, the first time in school history all eligible programs accomplished the feat

100

Career points by forward NECO BRETT of the men’s soccer team, just the third player in program history to eclipse the mark

NEC Tournament championships by the Robert Morris women’s basketball program after claiming the 2016 title

644

Career draw controls by JESSICA KARWACKI of the women’s lacrosse team, an NCAA career Division I record

225

Victories for head women’s basketball coach SAL BUSCAGLIA at Robert Morris, the most by a basketball coach in school history

Wins by the RMU men’s ice hockey team in 2015-16, the second straight campaign the Colonials accomplished the feat and tying a school record

Consecutive Northeast Conference Tournament appearances by the volleyball program, the longest active streak by a program at Robert Morris

3.31 Average grade point average (GPA) of RMU’s 16 Division I programs in 2015-16

Dear Member of the RMU Athletics family, As has become an annual custom, we are pleased to present the 2015-16 Department of Athletics Annual Report. In the pages that follow, you will find a very long list of impressive accomplishments by our excellent student-athletes and coaches, supported by our superb staff and University faculty. This marks the culmination of so much hard work by so many people, and we are proud of each and every accomplishment noted. Of particular significance is that our student-athletes have proven once again that success in athletic competition can be accomplished without sacrificing excellent achievement in the classroom and while maintaining a commitment to community service. Sending two teams to the NCAA Tournament in volleyball and womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basketball, the third consecutive year a pair of programs have accomplished the feat, are examples of a University and Athletic Department that continue to thrive. Finally, while this report outlines all of the tangible results attained by our studentathletes, coaches, and staff, the long-term benefit to our student-athletes of their athletic experience can best be measured by their success in their careers and/or postgraduate studies. Combined with the outstanding education and student life opportunities that Robert Morris University affords, the 450+ student-athletes at RMU are all winners! Sincerely,

Craig S. Coleman, M.D. Director of Athletics

Academic Success

NICK FARACI

n As a department, Robert Morris posted a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.316 among its 16 Division I programs in 2015-16, with a total of 14 of RMU’s 16 programs finishing with team GPA’s of 3.0 or higher. n Overall, nearly 70 percent of all of RMU’s 450+ studentathletes posted a 3.0 or higher grade point average in 2015-16. n A total of four Robert Morris student-athletes were named to their respective District II Academic All-America Teams by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). n Redshirt senior center Nick Faraci of the RMU football team was named to the 2015 Academic All-America First Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). It marked his second consecutive honor, as he was also tabbed to the second team in 2014.

ZAC LYNCH

n Senior forward Zac Lynch of the Robert Morris men’s ice hockey squad was named to the 2016 Academic All-America Second Team as an at-large selection by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). It was his second honor, as Lynch garnered third team honors in 2014. n Faraci was selected as one of two student-athletes as the recipient of the 15th Division I Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) ScholarAthletes of the Year, joining defensive lineman Derek Crittenden from the University of Montana. Selected from a group of 10 finalists, Faraci earned a $5,000 postgraduate scholarship. n The 2015-16 academic year featured 77 Robert Morris student-athletes that were named to the 2015 NEC Fall Academic Honor Roll, 37 to the 2016 NEC Winter Academic Honor Roll and 78 to the 2016 NEC Spring Academic Honor

APRIL KRIVONIAK

Roll. To be eligible, a studentathlete must own a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher. n Robert Morris placed 27 student-athletes on the 2015 NEC Fall Commissioner’s Honor Roll, 10 to the 2016 NEC Winter Commissioner’s Honor Roll and 26 to the 2016 NEC Spring Commissioner’s Honor Roll. To be eligible, a student-athlete must own a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or better. n A trio of RMU studentathletes were named the NEC Student-Athlete of the Year in their respective sports a total of four occasions, as Nick Faraci garnered the honor for football for the second consecutive year, while April Krivoniak was bestowed the accolade for both volleyball and indoor track & field. Anna Niki Stamolamprou, meanwhile, took home the honor in women’s basketball. n Sophomore forward Alex Dagnal was one of six studentathletes from across Atlantic

ANNA NIKI STAMOLAMPROU

Hockey to be honored as the 2015-16 Atlantic Hockey Student-Athlete of the Year. A biology major, Dagnal posted a perfect 4.00 grade point average (GPA) during the 2015-16 academic year. n The Robert Morris men’s ice hockey squad featured a league-high 26 student-athletes tabbed to 2016 Atlantic Hockey All-Academic Team, the fifth consecutive year the Colonials have led the conference. To qualify for the honor, a studentathlete must post a 3.00 GPA in the academic semesters they are competing. n A total of 18 student-athletes from the RMU women’s ice hockey team were named to the 2016 College Hockey America (CHA) Academic Team. To qualify for the honor, a studentathlete must post a 3.00 GPA in the academic semesters they are competing. Since the CHA expanded to six programs in 2012-13, the Colonials have

ALEX DAGNAL

NEC SCHOLAR-ATHLETES OF THE YEAR Nick Faraci – Football April Krivoniak – Volleyball April Krivoniak – Indoor Track & Field Anna Niki Stamolamprou – Women’s Basketball AHA SCHOLAR-ATHLETES OF THE YEAR Alex Dagnal – Men’s Ice Hockey CoSIDA DISTRICT II ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS Nick Faraci – Football April Krivoniak – Volleyball April Krivoniak – Track & Field Zac Lynch – Men’s Ice Hockey * Andy Smigiera – Football

been honored with a leaguehigh 78 spots on the CHA Academic Team. n The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) named a league-high 17 student-athletes from Robert Morris to its 2016 Women’s Rowing All-Academic Team. To be eligible, a studentathlete must have completed at least two semesters and hold a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher. n In April of 2016, the Robert Morris men’s ice hockey team was one of six hockey programs to earn a perfect Academic Progress Rate (APR) score from the NCAA. The Colonials posted a perfect four-year average APR score of 1,000 from 201115, joining Canisius, Colgate, Dartmouth, Merrimack and Minnesota. n The Robert Morris men’s golf squad was bestowed the National Golf Coaches Association of America (NGCAA) Outstanding Team Academic

Award. To be eligible, an institution must carry a 3.0 team grade point average (GPA) that includes all golfers on its official squad list for the academic year. In 2015-16, RMU posted a team GPA of 3.301.

CoSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA FIRST TEAM Nick Faraci – Football CoSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA SECOND TEAM Zac Lynch – Men’s Ice Hockey * FCS ADA SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Nick Faraci – Football * at-large selection

n A total of 28 student-athletes from the RMU women’s rowing team earned spots on the 2016 MAAC Academic Honor Roll. To be eligible, a student-athlete must own a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher. Freshmen are eligible for the accolade, and the honor roll is unlike the MAAC All-Academic Teams announced during the year. n The Robert Morris track & field team was one of 220 programs across the country to be honored by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) and earn 2016 All-Academic Team honors. During the 2015-16 academic year, the Colonials finished with a 3.50 team GPA. ANDY SMIGIERA

Women’s Basketball — SEASON IN REVIEW —

ASHLEY RAVELLI

Robert Morris sends “Coach Sal” Out A Winner As Colonials Claim Sixth Northeast Conference Tournament Title

JOCELYNNE JONES

In his final season as a head coach, Sal Buscaglia couldn’t have dreamed of a better outcome. Led by a total team effort, Robert Morris went on the road to earn its fourth Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament championship under Buscaglia and sixth overall with a 56-51 victory @ Sacred Heart (3/13/16). A look at another record-breaking season … n Robert Morris finished with an overall record of 20-13 (.606), including a mark of 11-7 (.611) in the Northeast Conference (NEC). The Colonials finished in a tie for third place in the league standings.

NIA ADAMS

n RMU recorded at least 20 victories for the ninth time in program history, including the seventh time under Buscaglia. n The Colonials paced the NEC in scoring defense (59.9 ppg), scoring margin (+4.0), field goal percent defense (.338) and three-point field goal percent defense (.282) n In its 2015-16 season opener, Robert Morris established single-game team records for points (124), scoring margin (+65), field goals (49), assists (37) and rebounds (67) in a 124-59 triumph over West Virginia Wesleyan (11/13/15). n Junior guard Anna Niki Stamolamprou paced the Colonials in scoring by averaging

ANNA NIKI STAMOLAMPROU

13.7 points per game. She also led Robert Morris in both assists (110) and steals (49) while ranking third in rebounding with an average of 5.5 per contest. n Stamolamprou enters her final season of eligibility in 2016-17 as RMU’s active leading scorer with 1,301 points. She became the 30th member of the Robert Morris 1,000-Point Club by scoring a game-high 22 points in a 78-63 victory over Sacred Heart (1/2/16).

LEAH WORMACK

n Stamolamprou became the program’s all-time leader for career three-point field goals in 2015-16 and on her career has connected for 210 shots from beyond the arc. n Senior guard Ashley Ravelli averaged 8.0 points per game in her final season with the Colonials and became the 31st member of the RMU 1,000-Point Club in a 72-55 victory over Central Connecticut (2/8/16) at the Sewall Center. SHAKEMA DASHIELL

JANEE BROWN

RANDI JACKSON

n Ravelli concluded her career with totals of 1,116 points, 310 rebounds, 285 assists and 146 steals. She ranks fourth all-time in school history with 196 career three-pointers.

n Junior forward Mikalah Mulrain averaged 7.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per contest while leading the Colonials in blocks with 47, an average of 1.42 per game that ranked third in the NEC.

n Pacing the Colonials in rebounding in 2015-16 was sophomore forward Megan Smith, who pulled down an average of 5.7 caroms per game. Smith also contributed 7.8 points per contest.

n Charlie Buscaglia, who has spent the last 13 years as the top assistant under his father, Sal, will enter his first season as head coach of the Colonials in 2016-17.

REBECCA NAVARRO

LOU MATALY

MEGAN SMITH

MIKALAH MULRAIN

Women’s Basketball — NEC TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHTS —

n Robert Morris earned its fourth Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament championship and subsequent berth in the NCAA Tournament under 13thyear head coach Sal Buscaglia in 2016. It marked the program’s sixth NEC Tournament title overall in program history.

n Stamolamprou scored 24 points, grabbed six rebounds, dished out six assists and recorded three steals in the quarterfinals, a 68-59 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson (3/6/16) at the Charles L. Sewall Center.

n Junior guard Anna Niki Stamolamprou was named the 2016 NEC Tournament MVP after averaging 13.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists in three games.

n The Colonials opened the fourth quarter with a 13-4 run to grab a 59-47 advantage en route to a 72-59 victory @ Bryant (3/9/16) in the semifinals of the NEC Tournament. Stamolamprou led RMU in the win with 19 points.

n Joining Stamolamprou on the 2016 All-NEC Tournament Team was senior guard Ashley Ravelli, who averaged 12.0 points, 3.7 assists and 2.3 steals in three contests. In the championship game win over the Pioneers, Ravelli scored a game-high 14 points and added seven assists.

n RMU owned a 31-27 halftime advantage in the championship game @ Sacred Heart (3/13/16) as Ravelli scored 10 points and dished out four assists before the break. Ravelli also converted a pair at the free-throw line with 13 seconds to play that gave the Colonials a 54-51 advantage.

2015 NEC TOURNAMENT ROUND

OPPONENT

SITE

SCORE

Quarterfinals Fairleigh Dickinson Moon Township, Pa.

W, 68-59

Semifinals

@ Bryant

Smithfield, R.I.

W, 72-59

Final

@ Sacred Heart

Fairfield, Conn.

W, 56-51

Women’s Basketball — NCAA TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHTS —

n Robert Morris drew a 16 seed for the 2016 NCAA Tournament, squaring off with No. 1 overall seed Connecticut at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn. n RMU was the only team in the NCAA Tournament to outscore the Huskies in a quarter, winning the fourth quarter, 25-16, in a 101-49 setback. UConn went on to win its fourth consecutive national championship.

n Anna Niki Stamolamprou was the only player for the Colonials to reach double figures, finishing with 11 points while recording three rebounds, two assists and two steals.

QUOTABLE

“I always teach that life lessons are more important. UConn’s a great team. They beat our butts, especially in the first quarter. I just hope they reflect on the fight, because that’s what we personified in the fourth quarter. We executed plays. I couldn’t be more proud of our team, because we kept battling and never quit.” — HEAD COACH SAL BUSCAGLIA

Sal Buscaglia CAREER REVIEW • 2003-2016

Inheriting a program that had suffered through 14 consecutive losing seasons, Sal Buscaglia saw an opportunity to put the Robert Morris women’s basketball program on the map. After establishing himself at Hilbert College in Hamburg, N.Y., and resurrecting programs at both the University at Buffalo and Manhattan College, Buscaglia revived the program at RMU, turning the Colonials into perennial NEC contenders. After 38 years as a head coach, Buscaglia retired from coaching in 2016. A look at his accomplishments …

n The all-time leader in victories for Robert Morris basketball, having accumulated 225 wins against 178 losses, a winning percentage of 55.8 percent. Buscaglia established a new record for coaching victories with his 212th in a 78-63 win over Sacred Heart (1/2/16) at the Charles L. Sewall Center. n After posting a record of 3-24 (.111) in his first season as head coach at RMU, Buscgalia guided the Colonials to 20 victories in his second campaign, the third best turnaround in NCAA Division I at the time.

n Seven of RMU’s nine 20-win campaigns came with Buscaglia at the helm. n Led the Colonials to six postseason national tournaments, including four automatic berths in the NCAA Tournament (2007, 2008, 2014, 2016). Buscaglia also took Robert Morris to the 2010 Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) and the 2012 Women’s Basketball Invitational (WBI). n The architect of four NEC regular-season championships at RMU (2007, 2008, 2014, 2015).

QUOTABLE

“Don’t let anybody get in your way just because you’re a female. Knock those walls down. Jump over them. Don’t be the vice president, be the president. Don’t be an assistant commissioner, but the commissioner. That’s what I want to teach them, and I hope they learned. I hope in life they will go on and remember what I said and never let anybody treat them as second class.” — SAL BUSCAGLIA

n A three-time NEC Coach of the Year honoree, earning the award in 2005, 2010 and 2013. n Buscaglia coached four players that went on to earn NEC Player of the Year honors, including Sugeiry Monsac (2005), Sade Logan (2008), Angela Pace (2010) and Artemis Spanou (2013, 2014). Spanou was also named the 2011 NEC Rookie of the Year, an award that Ashley Ravelli also garnered in 2013. n Began his coaching career at Hilbert College, posting a record of 253-62 (.803) from 1977 to 1990. In eight seasons at the University at Buffalo he posted a mark of 155-71 (.686) from 1990 to 1998 before finishing 79-65 (.549) in five years at Manhattan.

n Overall throughout his career posted an overall record of 712369 (.659), including 443 wins at the Division I level. n One of 12 members that was selected as part of the Class of 2016 for the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place in October of 2016.

BUSCAGLIA YEAR-BY-YEAR Robert Morris

YEAR

RECORD

2003-04

3-24 .111

PCT.

2004-05

20-10 .667

2005-06

20-9 .690

2006-07

24-8 .750

2007-08

23-10 .697

2008-09

13-18 .419

2009-10

23-9 .719

2010-11

16-14 .533

2011-12

18-14 .562

2012-13

7-22 .241

2013-14

21-12 .636

2014-05

17-15 .531

2015-16

20-13 .606

TOTAL

225-178 .557

Volleyball

RMU RETURNS TO NCAA TOURNAMENT

TAYLOR LORD

Featuring a roster that had just one senior, Robert Morris built momentum throughout the course of the 2015 season, culminating in a 3-1 victory @ LIU Brooklyn (11/22/15) in the championship game of the 2015 Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament. Led by head coach Dale Starr, the Colonials earned their first NEC Tournament crown and subsequent bid to the NCAA Tournament since 2003. A look at some of the highlights …

BRIANNA FRAKES

n RMU posted an overall record of 19-13 (.594) in 2015, including a mark of 11-3 (.786) in the Northeast Conference to earn the No. 2 seed in the 2015 Northeast Conference Tournament.

n Senior middle blocker Kristin Thompson led the NEC in attack percentage at .340, racking up 300 kills against just 63 errors in 698 total attempts. Thompson also finished second for the Colonials in 2015 with 82 total blocks.

n As a team Robert Morris led the NEC in digs, finishing with 2,096 in 120 games, an average of 17.47 per contest. The Colonials finished 14th in NCAA Division I in digs per set.

n Junior Arden Fisher was the only member of the Colonials to start all 32 matches, and she led the Colonials in kills (368), an average of 3.07 per game that ranked third in the NEC. Fisher also ranked third in the NEC in digs per game (4.54) thanks to a team-high 545.

n RMU qualified for its 17th consecutive NEC Tournament in 2015, the longest active streak by any program at Robert Morris as well as the league’s longest active streak. Over the last 17 seasons, the Colonials have compiled a record of 154-36 (.811) against league opposition.

LIZ CAMPBELL

n Fisher enters her final year of eligibility with career totals of 869 kills and 1,254 digs. She ranks ninth in career digs and will have a chance to become just the third player in program history to eclipse career totals of both 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs.

BRIANNA SCHMID

LEAH DUNIVAN

KRISTIN THOMPSON

n Freshman outside hitter Taylor Lord contributed 243 kills and 439 digs in her rookie campaign and also led the Colonials in service aces with 25. n Junior middle blocker April Krivoniak, the 2015 NEC Tournament MVP, finished with 238 kills, 327 digs and 58 blocks on the season. n Junior middle blocker Leah Dunivan paced the NEC in blocks with an average of 1.18 per game, concluding the season with 114 total blocks. She also contributed 181 kills and an attack percentage of .265 that ranked fifth in the conference.

ALLIE YURKOVICH

n Sophomore setter Brianna Frakes posted a team-high 631 assists, an average of 9.14 per set that led the NEC, while freshman setter Liz Campbell compiled 580 assists, averaging 7.16 per set to rank sixth in the league. n In July of 2016, Fisher was named to the 2016 European Global Challenge U22 All-Tournament Team. She was one of 13 members of the team after playing for Team BIP in multiple European countries, including the host site in Pula, Croatia.

APRIL KRIVONIAK

SCHAELY RENFREW

ARDEN FISHER

Volleyball

NEC TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHTS

n Robert Morris earned its first Northeast Conference Tournament championship under head coach Dale Starr and its sixth overall in program history. n Junior middle blocker April Krivoniak was selected as the 2015 NEC Tournament MVP. In victories over Bryant and LIU Brooklyn, Krivoniak compiled 30 kills, a .394 attack percentage, 23 digs, three service aces and three blocks. n In the semifinals of the 2015 NEC Tournament, the Colonials posted a 3-1 victory over No. 3 seed Bryant. RMU split the first two games with the Bulldogs before earning a 25-13 win in the third set and a 25-22 triumph in set four. n Senior middle blocker Kristin Thompson led RMU against Bryant with 16 kills and a .343 attack percentage, while junior middle blocker April Krivoniak and ju-

nior outside hitter Arden Fisher each recorded double-doubles. Krivoniak finished with 14 kills, 14 digs and a .424 attack percentage, while Fisher tallied 11 kills and 28 digs. n Robert Morris dropped the first set against No. 1 seed LIU Brooklyn, 25-21, before roaring back to win three straight to claim the 2015 crown. n Krivoniak posted a team-high 16 kills against the Blackbirds to go along with a .368 attack percentage and nine digs. n Fisher racked up 10 kills and a game-high 23 digs in the 2015 NEC Tournament final against LIU Brooklyn, while freshman outside hitter Taylor Lord contributed 12 kills and 15 digs. n Thompson recorded 15 kills and a .324 attack percentage in the victory over the Blackbirds.

2015 NEC TOURNAMENT ROUND

OPPONENT

SITE

SCORE

Semifinals vs. Bryant

Brooklyn, N.Y.

W, 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-13, 25-22)

Final

Brooklyn, N.Y.

W, 3-1 (21-25, 31-29, 25-14, 25-23)

@ LIU Brooklyn

Volleyball

NCAA TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHTS

n Robert Morris traveled to Columbus, Ohio, to take on No. 12 seed Ohio State at St. John Arena. The Colonials fell in three sets, 25-13, 25-16 and 25-11. n Junior outside hitter Arden Fisher and junior middle blocker April Krivoniak each finished with five kills to lead RMU. Fisher also finished with 10 digs.

n Junior middle blocker Leah Dunivan paced the Robert Morris defense with three block assists, while freshmen Taylor Lord and Allie Yurkovich combined for 18 digs.

QUOTABLE

“I’m extremely proud of these kids. I’m proud of how they came together with such a big split in our classes. We’ve got five upperclassmen and nine underclassmen, and the way they came together (in the locker room) afterward, they’re such a family. It’s really nice to see, and I’m really excited for the future.” — HEAD COACH DALE STARR

Men’s Ice Hockey

COLONIALS CLAIM SECOND CONSECUTIVE ATLANTIC HOCKEY REGULAR-SEASON TITLE

n Robert Morris tied a school record for victories in 2015-16, concluding the year with an overall record of 24-11-4 (.667).

n Lynch and Shafer were each named to 2015 Three Rivers Classic All-Tournament Team, with Lynch taking home Most Valuable Player (MVP) accolades after finishing the two games with four goals and an assist.

n The Colonials earned their second consecutive Atlantic Hockey regular-season crown in 2016, posting a mark of 20-7-4 (.710) against league opposition.

n Lynch led RMU in scoring in 2015-16, finishing with 25 goals and 30 assists for 55 points. He established a new single-season record for points and for his efforts was tabbed 2016 Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year as well as being a Top 10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.

n In the national rankings, Robert Morris ranked third in scoring offense with an average of 4.05 goals per game. RMU also ranked third in the power play at 28.3 percent (49-for-173) and seventh in scoring margin (+1.31).

n Senior forward Greg Gibson led the Colonials in goals (29) and finished second on the team in scoring with 51 points. He also led Robert Morris with five game-winning goals.

n RMU won its second Confluence Cup, knocking off No. 8 UMass-Lowell (12/29/15) in the championship game of the 2015 Three Rivers Classic at CONSOL Energy Center, 5-3. Senior forward Zac Lynch scored a pair of goals in the win to help the Colonials erase a 3-1 deficit in the second period.

n Senior forwards Brandon Denham and David Friedmann each scored 42 points in 201516, with Denham recording 22 goals and 20 assists and Friedmann tying for team-high honors in assists (30) with Lynch to go along with 12 goals.

n In the opening game of the Three Rivers Classic, Robert Morris posted a 6-4 win over No. 14 Penn State as six different Colonials scored and senior goaltender Terry Shafer recorded 52 saves. TERRY SHAFER

EVAN MOORE

GREG GIBSON

BRANDON DENHAM

n Shafer appeared in 31 games in net in 2015-16, including 30 starts. He posted a record of 19-10-2 (.645), compiling a 2.54 goals against average, .927 save percentage and 935 saves.

MATT COPE

n A total of nine Colonials signed professional contracts at the conclusion of the 201516 campaign, including six with the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). Joining ECHL squads were Gibson (Florida Everblades), Friedmann (Fort Wayne Komets), Shafer (Indy Fuel), senior defensemen Chase Golightly (Florida Everblades) and Evan Moore (Elmira Jackals) and senior forward Matt Cope (Norfolk Admirals).

Denham and Wilson each inked deals with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League (AHL), while Lynch signed with the Portland Pirates of the AHL. n RMU was one of just six Division I men’s hockey programs to be recognized in 2016 by the NCAA for its excellent Academic Progress Rate (APR), as it received a Public Recognition Award in April. Men’s hockey was the only program from Robert Morris to be honored in 2016. n Over the last four seasons the Colonials have accumulated 87 victories, which ranks in the top 10 in all of Division I.

NCAA DIVISION I HOCKEY WINS LAST FOUR SEASONS (2012-16) SCHOOL

2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 Total

1. North Dakota

109

Quinnipiac

109

3. Minnesota State

100

UMass-Lowell

100

5. Boston College

6. St. Cloud State

7. Minnesota

8. Providence

9. Denver

10. Robert Morris 20 19 24 24 87

DAVID FRIEDMANN

Zac Lynch COMPLETING A LEGACY • 2012-16

Following in the lineage of great scorers for the Robert Morris hockey program was senior forward Zac Lynch, who established single-season and career records for scoring in 2015-16. A look back at his accomplishments … n Helped guide Robert Morris to its second straight Atlantic Hockey regular-season championship in 2016 and tying a school record for wins as the Colonials finished 24-11-4 (.667).

n Lynch owns both the singleseason and career record for short-handed goals, establishing the season mark in 2015-16 with eight and registering 14 during his career.

n During Lynch’s four years in an RMU uniform the Colonials registered 87 victories, which ranks 10th among NCAA Division I programs during that span.

n In 2015-16 posted shorthanded goals in four consecutive games, establishing an NCAA record.

n Named the 2016 Atlantic Hockey Player of the Year after establishing an RMU single-season record for points (55), compiling 25 goals and 30 assists. n Led Robert Morris to the 2015 Confluence Cup as part of the Three Rivers Classic at CONSOL Energy Center and garnered Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors after finishing with four goals and assist. n Concluded his career as RMU’s all-time leader in points with 156, ranking second all-time in program history in both goals (67) and assists (89).

n Was one of 10 finalists for the 2016 Hobey Baker Award, becoming the second consecutive member of the Colonials to garner the honor, joining Cody Wydo in 2015. n During his four years at Robert Morris, Lynch helped the Colonials earn five championships, including two Confluence Cups (2013, 2015), two Atlantic Hockey regularseason titles (2015, 2016) and the 2014 Atlantic Hockey Tournament championship.

RMU CAREER RECORDS — Points NAME (Years)

Goals

Assists

Points

1. Zac Lynch (2012-16)

156

2. Cody Wydo (2011-15)

150

3. Nathan Longpre (2007-11)

138

4. Chris Margott (2005-09)

136

5. Greg Gibson (2012-16)

117

n Named a finalist for the 2016 Senior CLASS Award for excellence on the ice and in the classroom and was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-America honoree, earning third team honors in 2014 and second team accolades in 2016 as an at-large selection. n At the conclusion of his career signed a contract with the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League (AHL) and played seven games, recording an assist.

n In July of 2016 attended the development camp of the NHL’s Florida Panthers, which was held at the team’s training facility in Coral Springs, Fla.

CAREER STATS YEAR

A Pts Shots Shot% Pen-Min +/- PPG SHG GWG

2012-13

.068

11-22

0 0

2013-14

159

.119

23-68

+21

2014-15

136

.132

16-32

+15

2015-16

137

.182

21-50

+25

152

156

506

.132

71-172 +64

TOTALS

Neco Brett COMPLETING A LEGACY • 2012-15

Senior forward Neco Brett of the RMU men’s soccer program became the first student-athlete in Northeast Conference (NEC) history to be named Player of the Year three times, as he was bestowed the honor in 2015 to complete the hat trick after garnering the award in both 2013 and 2014. One of the most dominant offensive players in school history, a look at his accomplishments …

n In addition to being named the 2015 NEC Player of the Year as well as being selected to the 2015 All-NEC First Team, Brett became the first player in school history to earn a spot on the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) NCAA Division I AllAmerica Team. He also earned NSCAA AllNortheast Region First Team accolades for the third consecutive season in 2015. n Led the NEC in scoring for a third straight season in 2015, tallying 12 goals and five assists for 29 points. Brett tied for second in NCAA Division I in game-winning goals (7), tied for fifth in goals per game (0.72), tied for sixth in points per game (1.72) and tied for seventh in total goals.

n In the second game of the 2015 campaign, Brett scored all four goals in a 4-1 victory @ Cleveland State (8/30). The performance against the Vikings marked Brett’s second four-goal performance as well as his third hat trick, which tied him with Jacek Przednowek (2005-07) for the most in program history. n In the Robert Morris career record book, Brett established school records for gamewinning goals (18), shots on goal (136), shots per game (3.82) and shots on goal per game (2.03).

RMU CAREER RECORDS NAME (Years)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Goals

No.

Musa Shannon (1993-96).............. 44 Neco Brett (2012-15)............... 42 Tony Bunbury (1985-89)................ 40 Troy Fabiano (1990-93)................. 39 Jacek Przednowek (2005-07)........ 38

Points Per Game

NAME (Years)

1. 2. 4. 5.

No.

Musa Shannon (1993-96)............ 106 Tony Bunbury (1986-89).............. 104 Neco Brett (2012-15)............. 100 Troy Fabiano (1990-93)................. 95 Jacek Przednowek (2005-07)........ 87

NAME (Years)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Points

No.

Troy Fabiano (1990-93).............. 1.73 Said Ali (2002-03)....................... 1.53 Jacek Przednowek (2005-07)..... 1.53 Neco Brett (2012-15)............ 1.49 Musa Shannon (1993-96)........... 1.34

Men’s Soccer n Robert Morris posted an overall record of 10-8-1 (.553) in 2015, including a mark of 4-2-1 (.653) in the Northeast Conference. n The Colonials reached the 10-win plateau for the first time since 2005 and qualified for the NEC Tournament for the first time since 2006, earning the No. 3 seed.

BENNETT JULL

n RMU dropped a 2-1 decision to Saint Francis U (11/13) in the semifinals of the NEC Tournament, with senior forward Neco Brett scoring the lone goal for the Colonials on a penalty kick. n Freshman midfielder Lucas Puntillo finished second for Robert Morris in scoring with 16 points thanks to five goals and a team-high six assists. Puntillo was named to the AllNEC Rookie Team along with freshman forward Zac Sherman, who recorded two goals and an assist on the season.

ZAC SHERMAN

n Earning spots on the 2015 All-NEC Second Team for the Colonials were redshirt junior defender Bennett Jull, sophomore midfielder Keane McIvor and Puntillo. Jull anchored an RMU defense that yielded a goals against average of 1.15, which ranks second in school history. McIvor recorded two goals and four assists. n One of four Colonials to start all 19 games, senior goaltender Brenden Alfery finished with a goals against average of 1.15, registering 112 saves, a total that ranked second in the nation, and a .830 save percentage. n Alfery signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the United Soccer League (USL) in March of 2016. He started 37 consecutive games for the Colonials after transferring from Grove City and ranks third in school history in save percentage (.813) and fourth in goals against average (1.25).

BRENDAN ALFERY

n Owns RMU single-season records for game-winning goals with seven during his senior year in 2015, while in 2013 he established single-season marks for shots (95), shots per game (5.28), shots on goal (53) and shots on goal per game (2.94). n Brett was selected in the second round of the 2016 Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft in January of 2016 with the 40th overall pick by the Portland Timbers. He became the second member of the Colonials to be picked in the MLS Draft, joining Musa Shannon (1993-96), who was picked in the third round of the 1997 draft as the 28th overall selection.

CAREER STATS YEAR

2012

2013

2014

2015

Min.

Pts

Shot

NECO BRETT

Shot% SOG SOG% GW PK-ATT

781

.000

.476

0-0

1,588

.147

.558

1-1

1,606

.217

.478

0-1

1,560

.183

.563

3-3

TOTALS 67 5,535 42 16 100 256 .164 136 .531 18 4-5

Fall Sports

RMU TEAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2015

— CROSS COUNTRY — n Robert Morris claimed seventh at the 2015 Northeast Conference Championships in Smithfield, R.I., under firstyear head coach Caitlin Cotter, finishing with 184 points. n Sophomore Maggie Prorok led the Colonials at the 2015 NEC Championships, posting a time of 19:02.0 in the fivekilometer course to finish 21st. Sophomore Rachel Crane claimed 40th, posting a time of 19:31.0. n At the Slippery Rock Invitational in the second meet of the season, Prorok took home a top 15 finish, claiming 13th with a time of 26:04.28 in the six-kilometer course.

MAGGIE PROROK

— FOOTBALL — n RMU finished with an overall record of 4-7 (.364) under second-year head coach John Banaszak, including a mark of 2-4 (.333) in the Northeast Conference. n Redshirt freshman wide receiver Kyle Buss was selected as the 2015 NEC Offensive Rookie of the Year in a vote of league head coaches and was also the lone student-athlete from the NEC to be named a finalist for the STATS National Freshman Player of the Year award. In 2015, Buss established RMU freshman records for receptions (50), receptions per game (4.55) and receiving yards (742). n Buss established RMU freshman single-game records for both receptions and

KYLE BUSS

n Buss ranked fourth in the NEC in receptions per game and fifth in receiving yards per contest (67.5).

receiving yards in 2015. On two occasions he finished with nine catches, posting nine receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown in a 35-24 win over Notre Dame (Ohio) (9/19/15) as well as nine catches for 138 yards and a score in a 21-9 victory over East Tennessee State (11/7/15). His single-game mark for receiving yards came @ Central Connecticut (10/13/15), as he hauled in eight catches for 160 yards.

n In his rookie season as the starting quarterback, freshman Mathew Barr completed 90 of his 188 attempts (47.9 percent) for 989 yards. Barr also tied for team-high honors in rushing touchdowns with four. n Sophomore running back Cole Blake led the Colonials in rushing, compiling 722 yards on 170 attempts in 11 games, averaging 4.2 yards per carry and scoring a pair of touchdowns. n Redshirt senior linebackers Jake Tkach and Mike Stojkovic led the NEC in tackles per game in 2015, as each finished with

COLE BLAKE

Continued ➔

JAKE TKACH

JIMMY MASSON

an average of 8.5 per contest. Each finished with 93 tackles, with Tkach compiling 36 solo stops, while Stojkovic recorded 41 solo takedowns. Stojkovic also finished with three forced fumbles, an average of 0.27 per game that paced the NEC. n Robert Morris had a trio of student-athletes finish in the top 10 in the NEC in sacks. Redshirt senior Forrest Mason led the Colonials with seven, which tied for third in the circuit. Junior linebacker Jimmy Masson posted five sacks to tie for sixth, while junior defensive lineman Ryan Lewis recorded four and-ahalf to tie for ninth.

n Junior kicker Connor Shennan averaged 40.7 yards per punt in 2015, which led the NEC. n In a 35-24 victory over Notre Dame (Ohio) (9/19/15), freshman Warren Robinson returned a punt 66 yards for a touchdown to give the Colonials an early 14-0 lead. It marked only the fourth punt return for a score in school history and the first by a rookie.

JOHN KOWALSKI

n Robinson averaged 18.2 yards per punt return in 2015, which ranked second in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). He trailed only Khris Gardin of North Carolina A&T, who averaged 23.1 yards per punt return.

CHELSEA DE JAGER

CONNOR SHENNAN

— WOMEN’S SOCCER — n Led by 15th-year head coach John Kowalski, RMU finished with an overall record of 10-11 (.476), including a mark of 5-3 (.625) in the Northeast Conference. n For the first time in program history, the Colonials qualified for the NEC Tournament, earning the No. 2 seed. n Robert Morris advanced to the NEC Tournament final thanks to a 2-1 victory over Bryant (11/1/15) in the

LAUREN SULKOWSKI

semifinals. In the championship game, Fairleigh Dickinson earned a 1-0 win over the Colonials. n Kowalski was selected as the 2015 NEC Coach of the Year. n Redshirt senior forward Cassie Raymond led the Colonials in scoring with 18 points. She finished with seven goals and four assists and ranked fourth in the NEC in points per game (0.90).

n Junior midfielder Erin Ritzer and senior midfielder Lauren Sulkowski each scored 13 points on the year. Ritzer finished with five goals and three helpers, while Sulkowski compiled four goals and five assists. n Senior midfielder Kristie Hamilton registered a team-high six assists among her 10 points. Hamilton concluded her career ranked ninth in career points with 33 thanks to eight goals and 17 assists. Her career assist total ranks second in school history.

KRISTIE HAMILTON

n In 18 games, senior goalkeeper Chelsea de Jager posted a record of 9-8 (.529), recording 98 saves, a .784 save percentage and a 1.58 goals against average. She ranked second in the NEC in saves per game (5.44).

ERIN RITZER

Winter Sports RMU TEAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2015-16

KAVON STEWART

BILLY GILES

— MEN’S BASKETBALL — n Led by sixth-year head coach Andrew Toole, Robert Morris finished with an overall record of 10-22 (.313) in 2015-16, including a mark of 8-10 (.444) in the Northeast Conference. n The Colonials advanced to the NEC Tournament for the 13th consecutive year, the longest active streak in the conference, but fell to No. 1 seed Wagner (3/2/16), 59-50, in the quarterfinals. n Senior Rodney Pryor paced RMU in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 18.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, averages that ranked second and sixth, respectively, in the Northeast Conference.

n Thanks to a pair of free throws with 37 seconds to play that helped secure a 74-67 victory over LIU Brooklyn (2/18/16), Pryor became the 24th member of the Robert Morris 1,000-Point Club. In just two seasons with the Colonials, Pryor scored 1,068 points, becoming the fourth player in school history, and third at the NCAA Division I level, to score at least 1,000 points while playing just two years. n Junior guard Kavon Stewart supplied averages of 9.2 points and 4.5 assists per contest in 2015-16 and moved into a tie for 10th place all-time at RMU in career assists with 385. He enters his final season of eligibility in 2016-17 as the program’s active leader in points (642), assists (385) and steals (144).

RODNEY PRYOR

ISAIAH STILL

n Freshman guard Isaiah Still supplied Robert Morris with averages of 9.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game and reached double figures in scoring in each of his final eight games of the 2015-16 campaign. n Junior forward Billy Giles paced the NEC in field goal percentage, converting 60.6 percent (120-for-198) of his shots from the floor. He averaged 8.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. n Freshman guard Matty McConnell paced the Colonials with 57 steals, an average of 1.97 per game that topped the NEC. In 18 games against league foes, McConnell finished with 43 thefts, an average of 2.39 per contest.

CONRAD STEPHENS

MATTY McCONNELL

n Pryor scored in double figures in 28 of his 29 games on the season and also had a streak of 30 consecutive double-figure scoring games dating back to the 2014-15 season. It marks the second longest streak in school history. n RMU finished 5-1 (.833) in 2015-16 when outrebounding its opponent, improving to 77-16 (.828) in six years under Toole when turning the trick. Continued ➔

PAUL COLONTINO

ASHLEY VESCI

— WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY — n Robert Morris, led by fifthyear head coach Paul Colontino, posted an overall record of 1716-5 (.513) in 2015-16, including a mark of 7-9-4 (.450) in College Hockey America (CHA). n RMU advanced to the semifinals of the 2016 CHA Tournament, winning a threegame series with Lindenwood, 2-1, at the RMU Island Sports Center before falling to No. 1 seed Mercyhurst, 4-2, in the semifinals at the HARBORCENTER in Buffalo, N.Y. BRITTANY HOWARD

n In the history of the CHA Tournament, the Colonials became the first team to force and win a third game in a bestof-three series thanks to their series win over Lindenwood. n Robert Morris set a new team record for points (292) thanks to 108 goals and 184 assists and also established a new mark for points per game (7.68). RMU’s 184 assists during the 2015-16 campaign is also a new singleseason mark. n Redshirt sophomore forward Brittany Howard led the Colonials in scoring, producing team-high totals in goals (17), assists (23) and points (40). For her efforts, Howard, who scored the most points in the CHA in 2015-16, was named to the 2016 All-CHA First Team.

SARAH QUARANTA

n Junior forward Mackenzie Johnston and freshman Kirsten Welsh were two of 10 players to play in all 38 games and tied for second on the team in scoring with 25 points. Johnston provided 12 goals and 13 assists, while Welsh tallied seven goals and 18 helpers. n In just two seasons, Howard already ranks fifth in career points with 82 thanks to 34 goals and 48 assists. Her average of 1.14 points per game stands as the top mark in program history. n A total of nine different Colonials scored at least 20 points in 2015-16. The top rookie was freshman forward Sarah Quaranta, who finished with 24 points thanks to five goals and 19 assists.

KIRSTEN WELSH

n Senior forward Ashley Vesci finished with 13 goals and 10 assists in 35 games and concluded her career with 25 goals and 24 assists for 49 points. Throughout her career she produced four gamewinning goals. n Robert Morris finished 14-0-1 (.967) in 2015-16 when leading after two periods.

MACKENZIE JOHNSTON

BREANNA MANZOLILLO APRIL KRIVONIAK

MARIA SCANLON

— INDOOR TRACK & FIELD — n Under the guidance of firstyear head coach Caitlin Cotter, RMU finished fifth at the 2016 Northeast Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships, registering 55.5 points. It was the second-highest total by the Colonials in the last 11 years.

n Also garnering All-NEC Second Team honors at the 2016 NEC Indoor Track & Field Championships was sophomore Breanna Manzolillo, who posted a personal record with a leap of 3.50 meters (11’5.75”).

n Junior April Krivoniak earned silver and All-NEC Second Team accolades in the shot put at the 2016 NEC Indoor Track & Field Championships with a toss of 13.65 meters (44’9.50”).

n Krivoniak set a new school record in the shot put and in the process earned 2016 All-East Coast honors with a toss of 14.06 meters (46’1.50”) at the 2016 ECAC Championships in Boston, Mass. She finished fourth individually.

RACHEL CRANE

n Senior Olivia Loy posted a mark of 3.75 meters (12’3.50”) in the pole vault at the 2016 ECAC Championships to finish eighth and also earn 2016 All-East Coast status. Her leap is tied for second in program history. n Sophomore Rachel Crane posted three of the top 10 times in school history in the 800 meters in 2015-16, including a personal record of 2:17.17 at the SPIRE Midwest Open. That time ranks second in program history.

TATIANNA STRUBLE

Spring Sports RMU TEAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2015-16

MICHAEL McMORROW

DANIEL FRANCO SAAD

GARRETT BROWNING

— MEN’S GOLF — n Led by head coach Jerry Stone, RMU finished fourth at the 2016 Northeast Conference Championships at the LPGA International Jones Course in Daytona Beach, Fla., with a threeround score of 883 (+19). n Freshman Daniel Franco Saad took home top honors for the Colonials at the 2016 NEC Championships, finishing in a tie for fifth with an even-par score of 216. He fired a one-under par 71 in the first round, 73 in the second round and an even par 72 in the third and final round.

n Senior Garrett Browning led Robert Morris with an average round score of 74.6 during the 2015-16 season. He produced four top 10 finishes and won a pair of events. Browning posted a two-round score of 137, three shots under par, at the 27th annual Leo Keenan Invitational in Olean, N.Y., to claim the individual title and also finished first at the Appalachian State Event with a score of 73.

n Browning carded the lowest round by a member of the Colonials in 2015-16, shooting a 68 on two occasions. He accomplished the feat in the first round of the Leo Kennan Invite en route to the individual title as well as the third round of the Cape Fear National Intercollegiate. n Senior Michael McMorrow averaged 76.2 strokes per round in 17 rounds to finish second for RMU in 2015-16, while Franco Saad averaged 76.4 strokes per round.

n Robert Morris posted an overall record of 7-8 (.567) in 2015 under the tutelage of fifth-year head coach Andrew McMinn, including a mark of 4-2 (.667) in the Northeast Conference. n The Colonials returned to the NEC Tournament in 2016, falling in the semifinals, 14-7, to Saint Joseph’s (5/5/16) in Philadelphia, Pa. n Senior attack Luke Laszkiewicz led the NEC in scoring in 2016, averaging 3.53 goals per game and 4.60 points per contest. He finished the season with 53 goals and 17 assists for 70 points and also ranked second in NCAA Division I in goals per game and fifth in points per contest. n A three-time NEC Player of the Week, Laskiewicz tied the Robert Morris single-game record for points on two

ADRIAN TOROK ORBAN

season in 2016 and ranks sixth in program history with 129 career points thanks to 84 goals and 45 assists.

— MEN’S LACROSSE — occasions in 2016. He recorded eight goals and an assist for nine points in a 15-6 victory @ Canisius (4/19/16) and 11 days later registered seven goals and a pair of helpers for nine points in an 18-12 win @ Wagner (4/30/16). Laskiewicz’s eight goals against the Golden Griffins also established a new RMU single-game mark. n In the RMU career record book, Laskiewicz set a new record for starts (56) while ranking second all-time for both goals (125) and points (167).

JAMES RAHE

n Rahe concluded his career at Robert Morris ranked fourth in career assists (53), ninth in goals (65) and 10th in points (118). n Senior midfielder Eric Rankel finished with 13 goals and seven assists for 20 points in his final

n In 13 games, including three starts, freshman goalie Alex Heger posted a goals against average of 8.92, recording 89 saves. He posted a 4-3 record. n Laszkiewicz and Rankel were each selected to play in the 75th annual United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association / Nike North-South Senior All-Star Game. The game was played at Cabrini College in Radnor, Pa., Friday, May 27, 2016. Continued ➔

ERIC RANKEL

NCAA DIVISION I LEADERS Goals Per Game

n Senior midfielder James Rahe finished second for the Colonials in scoring with 42 points thanks to 24 goals and a team-high 18 assists, while sophomore attack Adrian TorokOrban racked up 39 points on 29 goals and 10 assists.

n Sophomore attack Adrian Torok-Orban compiled 39 points on the season, finishing second for the Colonials in goals (29) while notching 10 assists.

LUKE LASZKIEWICZ

NAME

School

Games

Goals

1. Nate Lewnes

UMBC

Per Game

3.91

2. Luke Laszkiewicz

Robert Morris

3.53

3. Dylan Molloy

Brown

3.44

4. Kylor Bellistri

Brown

3.32

5. Joseph Radin

Marist

3.19

NAME

School

1. Dylan Molloy

Brown

116

6.44

2. Pat Spencer

Loyola (Md.)

4.94

3. Ben Reeves

Yale

4.94

4. Kylor Bellistri

Brown

4.84

5. Luke Laszkiewicz

Robert Morris

4.90

Points Per Game Goals Assists Points PPG

— WOMEN’S LACROSSE — n Robert Morris posted an overall mark of 9-8 (.529) in 2016, including a record of 5-3 (.625) in the Northeast Conference, under 12th-year head coach Katy Phillips. n For the third consecutive year the Colonials qualified for the NEC Tournament, earning the No. 3 seed. RMU fell to No. 2 Wagner (5/6/16) in the semifinals, 17-7, in Smithfield, R.I. n RMU led the NEC in caused turnovers, producing an average of 9.47 per game. n Senior midfielder/attack Corey Karwacki led the Colonials in scoring with 39 points, producing 24 goals and a team-high 15 assists. Corey’s twin sister, Jessica Karwacki,

scored a team-high 31 goals and dished out seven helpers to finish second for Robert Morris with 38 points. n Sophomore midfielder Dana Davis recorded 26 goals and eight assists for 34 points, while senior midfielder Emily Jamison contributed 25 goals and four assists for 29 points. n Corey Karwacki and Jamison each concluded their respective careers ranked in the top 10 alltime at Robert Morris in scoring. Karwacki finished fourth in points (161), while Jamison is tied for eighth (123). Jamison’s 109

EMILY JAMISON DANA DAVIS

career goals ranks third in school history, while Karwacki tallied 107 career goals to finish her career fourth. Karwacki also ranks third all-time in career assists (54). n In just two seasons Davis has accumulated 96 career ground balls, an average of 2.82 per game that would establish a new program record. She finished second in the NEC in 2016 with an average of 3.06 per contest. n Junior midfielder Katie Breeze has compiled nine career man-up goals, which is tied for the RMU career record that is also held by Jamison.

COREY KARWACKI

n Jamison appeared in 67 career games throughout her four years at Robert Morris, a career school record, while Jessica Karwacki started 66 career games, a school mark. n Jessica Karwacki, Corey Karwacki and Jamison joined Micah Brown, Amanda Harrington and Brittany Byerly in the Class of 2016. The group compiled 37 victories over the last four years, the most wins by a class in program history.

MAGGIE STELLA BRITTANY BYERLY

— ROWING — n Under the direction of first-year head coach Nelle Stahura, Robert Morris finished sixth at the 2016 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championships in West Windsor, N.J., compiling 31 points.

n RMU’s Varsity 8 boat also finished first at the Lubbers Cup at Spring Lake in Grand Haven, Mich. The Colonials finished with a time of 8:02.2. Continued ➔

n The RMU Varsity 8 and second Varsity 8 each claimed gold at the Sacred Heart Invitational in Shelton, Conn.

n The RMU Varsity 8 finished with a time of 7:56.50 at the Sacred Heart Invite, with junior Katie Carlton serving as the coxswain. Carlton was joined in the boat by junior Katelyn Goodman, sophomore Lauren Smith, juniors Emily EngleYoung and Taylor Andree, senior Caitlin Ryan, sophomore Sierra Neft and juniors Taylor Childers and Tina Sahr.

n The second Varsity 8 boat to claim gold at the Sacred Heart Invitational saw junior Savanah Buhite serve as the coxswain along with senior Rebekah Noorlag, freshman Grace Faye, sophomore Lindsay Feltz, freshmen Kathryn Gossel and Allison Freeman, senior Paige Oster and sophomores Kate Cecchi and Miriam Levenson. The boat posted a time of 8:17.52.

OLIVIA LORUSSO

KRISTEN GABELT

— SOFTBALL — n Led by Craig Coleman, M.D., in his 25th season as the head coach of the Colonials, RMU finished with an overall record of 23-33 (.411) in 2016, including a mark of 10-6 (.625) in the Northeast Conference.

JORDAN GURGANUS

LAURA COULTER

n Robert Morris forced an ‘if necessary’ game in the championship round of 2016 NEC Tournament @ LIU Brooklyn (5/13/16) before falling to the host Blackbirds, 3-2. The Colonials posted a record of 3-2 in the NEC Tournament after defeating LIU Brooklyn, 3-1, to force the ‘if necessary’ contest. n RMU advanced to the championship round of the 2016 NEC Tournament in dramatic fashion with a 5-4 victory over Saint Francis U (5/13/16) in 15 innings. Sophomore third baseman Olivia Lorusso reached base in five of her seven plate appearances in the win over the Red Flash, producing a game-tying RBI double with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning to help keep the Colonials alive. In the bottom of the 15th inning, Lorusso worked a walk and came around to score the game-winning run thanks to an RBI single from junior Jordan Gurganus. n Lorusso and freshmen Laura Coulter and Abrielle McCartney each earned spots on the 2016 All-NEC Tournament Team. Lorusso hit .438 (7-for-16)

ASHLEY GERHART

in five games with three runs, three RBI, three doubles and a home run, while McCartney hit .400 (5-for-16) with a double and three RBI. From the pitching circle, Coulter went 1-0 in four appearances, including two starts, yielding just two earned runs in 17.2 innings for an ERA of 0.79. She struck out 14 and walked just three. n Gurganus hit .346 (66-for-191) on the season to lead Robert Morris, which ranked fourth in the NEC.

HAILEIGH STOCKS

n Senior outfielder Ashley Gerhart hit .286 (48-for-168) in 2016 with 10 doubles, five home runs and 23 RBI. She concluded her career with the Colonials a .318 hitter and ranks fourth all-time in program history in hits (187), sixth in runs (101) and eighth in doubles (27). n Senior outfielder Kristen Gabelt led Robert Morris in runs (29) and tied for the team lead in home runs (8) with senior infielder Haileigh Stocks. Stocks, meanwhile, paced the Colonials in RBI (27).

KAITLIN ELLZY

n Freshman Kaitlin Ellzy led RMU from the pitching circle, finishing with a record of 14-14 and an ERA of 2.87. She pitched 180.1 innings, striking out 108 and allowing opponents to hit just .227.

LAUREN HACKETT

OLIVIA LOY KIERA MOONEY

RACHEL CRANE

— OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD — n Robert Morris, under the direction of first-year head coach Caitlin Cotter, placed fourth at the 2016 Northeast Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships in New Britain, Conn., scoring 81 points. n Freshman Sam Buck was tabbed the 2016 NEC Most Outstanding Rookie Performer after compiling 17 points across three events. She finished second in the javelin, fourth in the discus and fifth in the hammer throw, earning All-NEC Rookie Team status in each of the three events and All-NEC Second Team accolades in the javelin.

posting a time of 9:20.79 to finish second. The team, which earned All-NEC Second Team accolades, consisted of juniors Amanda Choma and Kiera Mooney, freshman Mathilde Terleth and sophomore Rachel Crane. n Junior Rachel Boody garnered All-East Coast honors in the discus in Princeton, N.J., at the 2016 ECAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Boody posted a toss of 45.76 meters (150’1”) to earn bronze.

n A week after establishing a new school record in the 4x800-meter relay at the 2016 NEC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, RMU recorded the second fastest time in school history at the ECAC Championships, clocking in at 9:21.49. n Boody set a new school record in the discus at the Dave Labor Invitational, hosted by Slippery Rock University, in early April. She finished with a toss of 47.65 meters (156’4”) to win

n Senior Jessica Guyett posted a toss of 13.55 meters (44’5.50”) in the shot put to claim gold and earn All-NEC First Team honors. The performance was good enough to crack the top 10 alltime in the event, ranking seventh. n RMU’s 4x800-meter relay established a new school record at the 2016 NEC Outdoor Track & Field Championships,

the event, which stood as the longest mark in the NEC in 2016. n Boody also posted a distance of 47.97 meters (157’4”) in the hammer throw at the Dave Labor Invite to claim gold. It was one of two occasions in 2016 in which she finished first in the hammer throw, also posting a toss of 47.41 meters (155’6”) at the JMU Invitational in April. n Senior Olivia Loy posted the top mark in the NEC in the pole vault in 2016 with a leap of 3.65 meters (11’11.75”) at the JMU Invitational. Loy’s leap helped her win the individual title in the event, marked a personal record and is tied for fifth in the RMU outdoor record book.

SAM BUCK

JESSICA GUYETT

RACHEL BOODY

MATHILDE TERLETH

Jessica Karwacki COMPLETING A LEGACY • 2013-16

Going on the offensive is important in any sport. For women’s lacrosse, it starts in the draw circle. No Division I student-athlete in the history of the sport was better at controlling draws than senior Jessica Karwacki, who concluded her career with the NCAA Division I record (644). A look back at her accomplishments …

n As a senior in 2016 scored a career-high 31 goals and finished with 38 points to go along with 107 draw controls. For her efforts, Karwacki was named to the 2016 AllNortheast Conference First Team. n Owns NCAA Division I single-game, single-season and career marks for draw controls. She established the single-game record with 25 against Quinnipiac April 19, 2013, and set the single-season mark with 216 in 17 games (12.71 per contest) as a sophomore in 2014.

n In a 13-11 victory @ Saint Francis U (4/22/16), Karwacki scored a career-high seven points thanks to four goals and three assists. One of her goals was scored six seconds from the time of the draw control, tying an NCAA record for the fastest goal in women’s lacrosse history. n Concluded her career by appearing 66 games, compiling 78 goals and 26 assists for 104 points. She also finished with 97 career ground balls and 58 caused turnovers. Karwacki also ranks tied for second in school history in free-position goals with 25.

n Invited to play in the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) North/South Division I All-Star in June of 2016, Karwacki took home MVP honors. She scored three goals and recorded seven draw controls for a North squad that earned a 13-4 victory.

n In June of 2016 Karwacki was one of 105 players selected by US Lacrosse to try out for the 2017 U.S. Women’s National Team, becoming the first student-athlete in school history from Robert Morris to earn a tryout.

NCAA DIVISION I RECORDS Draw Controls

NAME (Years)

School

No.

1. Jessica Karwacki (2013-16)

Robert Morris

644

2. Kaylin Morissette (2013-16)

Louisville

572

3. Loren Green (2012-15)

Navy

493

4. Alyssa Leonard (2011-14)

Northwestern

469

5. Kailah Kempney (2012-15)

Syracuse

439

CAREER STATS YEAR

2013

13 10

A Pts Shots SOG GW GB CT DC

2014

35 18 216

2015

16 14 169

2016

26 17 107

97 58 644

TOTALS 66 78 26 104 201 134

9 152

All-Conference Honors — MAJOR AWARDS —

FOOTBALL

MEN’S SOCCER

WOMEN’S SOCCER

MEN’S ICE HOCKEY

Kyle Buss

Neco Brett

John Kowalski

Zac Lynch

Sam Buck

2015 NEC Offensive Rookie of the Year

2015 NEC Player of the Year

2015 NEC Coach of the Year

2016 AHA Player of the Year

2016 Most Outstanding Rookie Performer

KEANE McIVOR

CASSIE RAYMOND

OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD

LUCAS PUNTILLO

KAYLA KELLEY

— NORTHEAST CONFERENCE (NEC) — MEN’S SOCCER

VOLLEYBALL

MEN’S BASKETBALL

MEN’S LACROSSE

Neco Brett All-NEC First Team

Kristin Thompson

Rodney Pryor

Luke Laszkiewicz

All-NEC First Team

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

All-NEC First Team

Bennett Jull

Leah Dunivan

All-NEC Second Team

Keane McIvor

Arden Fisher

All-NEC Second Team

Lucas Puntillo All-NEC Second Team

Lucas Puntillo All-NEC Rookie Team

Zac Sherman All-NEC Rookie Team

WOMEN’S SOCCER

FOOTBALL Forrest Mason All-NEC First Team

Mike Stojkovic All-NEC First Team

Marcelis Branch All-NEC First Team

Kristie Hamilton

Kyle Buss

All-NEC Second Team

Kayla Kelley

Andy Smigiera

All-NEC Second Team

Cassie Raymond All-NEC Second Team

Anna Niki Stamolamprou All-NEC Second Team

WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD April Krivoniak All-NEC Second Team (shot put)

Breanna Manzolillo All-NEC Second Team (pole vault)

Sam Buck All-NEC Rookie Team (weight throw)

MEN’S GOLF Garrett Browning All-NEC Second Team

James Rahe Eric Rankel All-NEC Second Team

Eddie Smith All-NEC Rookie Team

Alex Heger All-NEC Rookie Team

WOMEN’S LACROSSE Jessica Karwacki All-NEC First Team

Megan Wolfgang All-NEC First Team

Dana Davis All-NEC Second Team

Corey Karwacki All-NEC Second Team

Maggie Stella All-NEC Rookie Team

LEAH DUNIVAN

JAMES RAHE

MIKE STOJKOVIC

ANNA NIKI STAMOLAMPROU

KRISTEN GABELT

SOFTBALL Kaitlin Ellzy

MARCELIS BRANCH

GARRETT BROWNING

AMANDA CHOMA

Jessica Guyett All-NEC First Team (shot put) *

All-NEC Second Team

Sam Buck

Ashley Gerhart

All-NEC Second Team (javelin)

All-NEC Second Team

Amanda Choma

Jordan Gurganus

All-NEC Second Team (4x800-meter relay)

Lauren Hackett Haileigh Stocks All-NEC Second Team

BREANNA MANZOLILLO

MEGAN WOLFGANG

TYSON WILSON

KAITLIN ELLZY

MIKAELA LOWATER

WOMEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD

Kristen Gabelt

All-NEC Second Team

EDDIE SMITH

CHASE GOLIGHTLY

All-NEC Second Team

RODNEY PRYOR

Rachel Crane All-NEC Second Team (4x800-meter relay)

Kiera Mooney All-NEC Second Team (4x800-meter relay)

Mathilde Terleth All-NEC Second Team (4x800-meter relay)

Sam Buck

ATLANTIC HOCKEY ASSOCIATION (AHA)

COLLEGE HOCKEY AMERICA (CHA)

MEN’S ICE HOCKEY

WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY

Greg Gibson

Brittany Howard

All-AHA First Team

All-CHA First Team

Zac Lynch

Mikaela Lowater

All-AHA First Team

All-CHA First Team

Tyson Wilson

Maggie LaGue

All-AHA Second Team

All-CHA Rookie Team

Brandon Denham

Sarah Quaranta

All-AHA Third Team

All-CHA Rookie Team

Chase Golightly

All-NEC Rookie Team (javelin, hammer, discus)

All-AHA Third Team

* NEC Champion

All-AHA Third Team

Terry Shafer

CONFERENCE LEGEND NEC – Northeast Conference AHA – Atlantic Hockey Association CHA – College Hockey Association

Colonials In The Community The Robert Morris Department of Athletics continues to be an active member of the community, both on a local and regional level. Some highlights of the 2015-16 academic year … n The RMU Adopt a Highway litter cleanup project is in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Robert Morris has been part of the program since 1996, and every year, Robert Morris student-athletes on two occasions clean a twomile stretch on I-376 in Moon Township.

donated 1,907 items to the West Hills Food Pantry.

n In the summer of 2015, volleyball players Kristin Thompson and Arden Fisher traveled to Costa Rica for a trip with Beyond Sports, an organization that provides educational experience through sport for student-athletes. The itinerary consisted of three service events and three volleyball matches. Included among the service duties, the duo helped host a Special Olympics event for a group of 50 kids and their families.

n Throughout the course of the 2015-16 season, the Robert Morris women’s ice hockey team created the Big Sister/ Little Sister program, which was founded by assistant coach Chelsea Walkland with the help of the U10 Pitt Elite program and two of its team managers, Jen Hewitt and Cristy Meinert. At the start of the season, the Colonials hosted a pairing ceremony, during which each RMU student-athlete was assigned a “little sister” from the U10 Pitt Elite program for the course of the year. The youth players got the opportunity to skate to the blue line with their “big sister” at each home game at 84 Lumber Arena.

n In September of 2015, the Robert Morris softball squad raised money to benefit Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma, a local charity to helps fund research

n The RMU women’s lacrosse team hosted its 10th annual Colonial Classic Hope for the Cure Tournament Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015. The annual youth and high school 7 vs. 7 clinic and tournament helps raise money and awareness for Huntington’s Disease.

for a cancer of the connective tissues that can strike at any age. RMU and West Virginia Wesleyan raised over $1,200 for the organization. n Student-athletes from the RMU men’s ice hockey squad volunteered at the 25th annual Sewickley Harvest Festival Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015. The festival, which is held at Broad and Thorn Streets in Sewickley, Pa., features over 130 vendors and live music.

n The Robert Morris SAAC, in conjunction with the Duquesne SAAC, sponsored its fifth annual food drive when the Colonials and Dukes squared off on the gridiron October 24, 2015, at Joe Walton Stadium. Items collected by RMU were turned over to the West Hills Food Pantry in Moon Township, Pa., a non-profit charitable organization that serves between 150 and 200 families in the community and has never closed in its 25 years of operation. Robert Morris

n For the past nine years, members of the RMU men’s basketball team have taken part in after-school activities at the Mooncrest Community Center in Moon Township, Pa. Studentathletes take part in activities like dodge ball, kickball and other activities to help kids become active while also assisting in tutoring with homework. n The Robert Morris SAAC hosted an indoor soccer tournament Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015, at the indoor dome at the RMU Island Sports Center. Proceeds from the tournament went toward a

college fund for the daughter of the late Midge McPhail, the RMU head rowing coach that passed away in September of 2015 after a battle with lung disease caused by complications from Syögren’s Syndrome. n The women’s basketball team hosted its fifth “Elementary School Game,” a 124-59 victory over West Virginia Wesleyan at the Charles L. Sewall Center Nov. 13, 2015. More than 200 students from Brooks Elementary School out of the Moon Area School District attended the game.

n In the opening game of a two-game series against Maine at 84 Lumber Arena Friday, Nov. 27, 2015, student-athletes from the RMU women’s ice hockey squad sold baked goods and auctioned off items to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). n The Robert Morris men’s ice hockey team held its third annual Military Appreciation Night when it hosted Mercyhurst at the RMU Island Sports Center Jan. 22, 2016. All military personnel, active or veteran,

received free admission and a five-dollar concession stand voucher. The Colonials wore camouflage jerseys, which were auctioned off in partnership with It’s About the Warrior Foundation. The IATW Foundation assists and empowers all Tri-State Area (Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio and Northern West Virginia) post 9/11 veterans and their families with various programs that help lead to a successful and enriched life. Continued ➔

n The RMU men’s lacrosse team held the IMPACT Winter Corn Hole Classic Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, at the Charles L. Sewall Center. Teams and individuals that registered paid a fee, with all proceeds going toward Team IMPACT. n Women’s ice hockey hosted its 10th annual Skate for the Cure weekend at the RMU Island Sports Center Friday, Jan. 29, and Saturday, Jan. 30,

2016, during a two-game set with Lindenwood. Founded by College Hockey America (CHA) during the 2006-07 season, Skate for the Cure is a league-wide initiative that involves member institutions dedicating one or two games toward raising funds and awareness for the Pink Steel Dragon Boat Team, a group of breast cancer survivors based out of Pittsburgh, Pa.

n Robert Morris women’s lacrosse alumni joined together for the second consecutive year to raise money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation, which is searching for a cure for neurofibromatosis (NF). A total of 10 graduates took part as “Team Peaches” in Cupid’s Undie Run, which took place Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016. The group raised $2,150.

n Student-athletes from the RMU women’s basketball team wore pink uniforms at every home game throughout the month of February for breast cancer awareness.

n At the RMU men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, student-athletes from both Robert Morris and Fairleigh Dickinson wore special camouflage uniforms. The benefit, called Hoops for Troops and presented by Shale Land Services, benefited Legacies Alive, a non-profit organization located in Washington, Pa., that supports families of our nation’s fallen heroes. Legacies Alive is designed to bring awareness to the lives and character of all service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

n The Colonials celebrated National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) on Friday, Feb. 5, 2016, at the RMU women’s ice hockey game against Mercyhurst and Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, at the RMU women’s basketball game against Bryant. A mini-sport clinic was held prior to the women’s basketball game at John Jay Gymnasium from student-athletes from volleyball, soccer, rowing, softball and track & field, and student-athletes from women’s ice hockey and women’s basketball provided autographs after their respective games.

n The Robert Morris University Department of Athletics teamed up with the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots initiative for the eighth consecutive year, collecting over 200 toys. RMU fans that donated a toy were given free admission

to five different RMU home intercollegiate athletic events, including football, men’s and women’s basketball and men’s and women’s ice hockey. n Throughout the course of the 2015-16 season, both the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams held various community programs. Included this year were four “Skate with the Colonials” nights, which were free to fans that brought their own skates.

n Seniors Micah Brown and Brittany Byerly of the women’s lacrosse team, as part of a project for RMU’s Colonial Leadership Academy, organized a drive to collect mobility and hygiene items for Global Links. Through Global Links, communities in need of medical and hygiene resources receive surplus items. Brown and Byerly focused on mobility needs, collecting crutches, walkers, canes and wheelchairs.

participants. In addition, a pair of youth basketball clinics were also held at the Charles L. Sewall Center, one in the fall in 2015 and another in the spring of 2016. Over 150 participants are at each clinic, and in 2015-16 canned food drives were held. Over 200 canned goods were donated to the West Hills Food Pantry from the basketball clinics.

that provides “unexpected amazingness” through financial and emotional support for families by cancer. Junior Tina Sahr planned and coordinated the event, which raised almost $900.

HEADstrong Cancer Awareness Week, which took place from April 15 to April 23, 2016. The game helped raise funds for cancer patients and their families.

n The RMU men’s lacrosse team hosted its inaugural United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA)/

n The RMU rowing team hosted its inaugural Ergathon in March of 2016 at John Jay Center to benefit Bringing Hope Home, a non-profit organization

HEADstrong Foundation Cancer Awareness game Saturday, April 23, 2016, against Saint Joseph’s at Joe Walton Stadium. The initiative was part of the USILA/

n The Robert Morris softball team hosted a doubleheader Sunday, May 1, 2016, against Saint Francis U and raised funds for Crusaders in America, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is dedicated to people that serve or have the desire to serve their nation. The organization awards grants and scholarships to high school students that espouse the values of faith, patriotism, respect for human right and health and fitness. The Colonials held a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction to help raise funds. The president of Crusaders for America is Susan Perich, who was a four-year letterwinner from the RMU softball program from 2006 to 2009.

n Student-athletes from the RMU men’s ice hockey program rotated on a weekly basis, volunteering their time with the Artic Foxes, a youth hockey program based out of the RMU Island Sports Center. n Robert Morris continued its popular youth soccer clinics, which are held each spring in Joe Walton Stadium and annually draws over 100

RMU Athletic Hall of Fame CLASS OF 2015

The RMU Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1991 to honor those who have made an outstanding contribution to Robert Morris athletics. Nominations are solicited and individuals selected by the Hall of Fame Committee. Players, coaches and administrators are eligible for selection five years after they have concluded their career at Robert Morris. Veteran’s choices, those who have concluded their career for at least 20 years, are also considered. n The 25th annual class of inductees into the RMU Athletic Hall of Fame was comprised of four former student-athletes, one coach and one administrator. n The RMU Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2015 included former student-athletes Jeremy Chappell (men’s basketball; 2005-09), Mark Leyenaar (football; 1998-2001), Vaughn Luton (men’s basketball; 198689) and Chris Margott (men’s ice hockey; 2005-09), former defensive coordinator and as-

sistant head football coach Dan Radakovich (1994, 1996-2007) and former athletics administrator Bill Priatko (director of academic support services / compliance; 1984-92). n The class was inducted at the third annual RMU Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner Friday, Feb. 5, 2016, at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport. n The Voice of the Colonials, Chris Shovlin, served as master of ceremonies.

RMU All-Sports Banquet

The Robert Morris University Department of Athletics honored its student-athletes for the 2015-16 school year at its 22nd annual All-Sports Banquet, held at the Charles L. Sewall Center, April 10, 2016. Led by master of ceremonies Chris Shovlin, the radio playby-play voice of RMU athletics for the last 29 years, Robert Morris presented most valuable player plaques to each of its 16 intercollegiate sports, while 13 individuals and one team were also honored, respectively, with major awards. Garnering the Presidential Scholar-Athlete Award, presented by Robert Morris University President Dr. Christopher B. Howard, was senior Kristin Thompson of the volleyball team and senior Zac Lynch of the men’s ice hockey squad. Thompson compiled a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.62 as a biology major and was a key component in helping lead the Colonials to the 2015 Northeast Conference

Tournament title and subsequent bid to the NCAA Tournament. A middle blocker, Thompson led the NEC in attack percentage (.340) while finishing fifth in points per game (3.29) and eighth in kills per game (2.78). She also added 82 blocks. Thompson concluded her career with a .308 attack percentage, which ranks fifth in the volleyball record book. Lynch concluded his career in 2015-16 by establishing both single-season and career records for points. He scored 25 goals and added 30 assists for 55 points as a senior, pushing his career totals to 67 goals and 89 assists for 156 points. Lynch scored eight short-handed goals in 2015-16, including a stretch in which he tallied one in four consecutive games, an NCAA record, and finished with 14 career short-handed tallies. He also owns the RMU career mark for plus-minus rating (+64). As a manufacturing engineering major, he maintained a 3.87 cumulative GPA. Earning the honors for the

Highest GPA Award, which are bestowed to the senior student-athletes with the highest cumulative grade point average, were Paige Oster of the rowing team and Dan Maier of the golf squad. Oster compiled a perfect 4.00 GPA as a nursing major, while Maier studied accounting and owned a 3.90 GPA. For the second consecutive year, the RMU men’s ice hockey team earned the Team GPA award, presented by Robert Morris Associate Director of Athletics Ryan Fleischer. The Colonials posted a 3.624 team GPA during the 2014-15 academic year, the highest of RMU’s 16 Division I programs. Taking home the RMU Athletic Department Appreciation Award, handed out by RMU Director of Athletics Craig Coleman, M.D., was RMU Provost David Jamison. The RMU Athletic Department Appreciation Award is bestowed annually to an individual or individuals from outside the athletic department that display exemplary service.

RMU Associate Athletic Directors Don Smith and Sean Simmons presented the honors of Outstanding Senior Female to Jessica Karwacki of women’s lacrosse and the Outstanding Senior Male to Neco Brett of men’s soccer, respectively. The winners of the eighth annual Strength & Conditioning Student-Athletes of the Year, presented to a male and a female by RMU head strength & conditioning coach Todd Hamer, were awarded to senior Aaron Tate of the men’s basketball team and the four student-athletes that make up the 2016 women’s basketball senior class. Included in that group were Randi Jackson, Lou Mataly, Ashley Ravelli and Leah Wormack. The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) award for 2016, which was presented by Haley Johnson, was bestowed to junior Megan Gold of the women’s lacrosse team. A total of 22 student-athletes were honored with MVP plaques at the 2016 All-Sports Banquet.

2015-16 RMU MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS Year

OUTSTANDING SENIOR FEMALE

NAME

Sport

Brenden Alfery Sarah Ambrosini Marisa Bellemare Kelley Bittner Chelsea de Jager Nick Faraci Kristie Hamilton Brittany Howard Jessica Karwacki April Krivoniak Mikaela Lowater Zac Lynch Ryan Prokay Maggie Prorok Ashley Ravelli Jon Scenna Nicole Sleith Anna Nikki Stamolamprou Kavon Stewart Mike Stojkovic Kristin Thompson Tara Van Schie

Men’s Soccer Sr. Cheswick, Pa. / Central Catholic Cheerleading (Co - ) Sr. McKees Rocks, Pa. / Montour Cheerleading (Co - ) Sr. Gibsonia, Pa. / Deer Lakes Rowing Sr. Gibsonia, Pa. / Hampton Women’s Soccer (Co - ) Sr. Grimsby, Ontario / Governor Simcoe Football (Offense) R-Sr. McDonald, Pa. / South Fayette Women’s Soccer (Co - ) Sr. Pittsburgh, Pa. / Shaler Women’s Ice Hockey (Co - ) R-So. St. Thomas, Ontario / London Jr. Devilettes Women’s Lacrosse # Jr. Sparks, Md. / Hereford Indoor Track & Field Jr. Latrobe, Pa. / Latrobe Women’s Ice Hockey (Co - ) Jr. Thornhill, Ontario / Mississauga Jr. Chiefs Men’s Ice Hockey Sr. Pittsburgh, Pa. / Bay State Breakers Men’s Golf # Sr. Grove City, Pa. / Grove City Cross Country So. Franklin, Pa. / Rocky Grove Women’s Basketball (Co - ) Sr. Milano, Italy / The Hun Preparatory of Princeton Men’s Lacrosse # Sr. Collegeville, Pa. / Perkiomen Valley Softball # Sr. Smithton, Pa. / Yough Women’s Basketball (Co - ) Jr. Thessaloniki, Greece / Aristotelio College Men’s Basketball Jr. Paterson, N.J. / Hudson Catholic Football (Defense) R-Sr. Katy, Texas / Katy Volleyball Sr. Monroe, Ohio / Bishop Fenwick Outdoor Track & Field # Sr. Haarlem, Netherlands / Driehuis NH

Hometown / High School

# MVP for 2015 spring season

RMU ALL-SPORTS BANQUET AWARD HISTORY PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR-ATHLETE Year

Name(s)

Sport(s)

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Tim Souders John Roach Sandy Dobran Christina Soster Jolene Streit Shannon Telenko Kristen Pries Tracy Frey Nicole Aloi Natalie Aloi Michelle Bartlett Amy Miller Julie Wolf Jonathan LeDonne Lauren Gombert Lisa Jaszka Joel Gasper Taryn Reichard Alaina Gibson Adam Lawrence Amanda Graham Alexa Bryson Kiel Matisz Casey Folga Brad Banas Thea Imbrogno Sean Meagher Nicole Sleith Cody Wydo Kristin Thompson Zac Lynch

Track & Field Soccer Softball Track & Field Basketball Soccer/Rowing Rowing Softball Softball Softball Volleyball Soccer Tennis Football Rowing Volleyball Ice Hockey Soccer Volleyball Football Volleyball Softball Lacrosse Track & Field Football Ice Hockey Lacrosse Softball Ice Hockey Volleyball Ice Hockey

Year

Name(s)

Sport(s)

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Dawn Bauer Yolanda Shakespeare Kristie Tuxford Tina Friel Erica Schwanke Sara Headley Elise James Genita Dickey Lauren Dickinson Katie Noble Katie Radford Nicole Downing Megan Bell Jill Spargo Sugeiry Monsac Chinata Nesbit Brianne McLaughlin Melitta Brown Angela Pace Amanda Graham Hannah Veith Kristen DiCiocco Artemis Spanou Nicole Sleith Jessica Karwacki

Softball Track & Field Volleyball Volleyball Softball Softball Basketball Track & Field Softball Volleyball Volleyball/Rowing Track & Field Volleyball Softball Basketball Basketball Ice Hockey Basketball Basketball Volleyball Volleyball Ice Hockey Basketball Softball Lacrosse

HIGHEST CUMULATIVE GPA

Awarded to Graduating Senior Student-Athlete Year

Name(s)

Sport(s)

2013 2014 2015 2016

Una Japundza Ben Ridgeley Anneline Lauziere Carolina Mourao-Teixeira Travis Denny Katelynn Scott Nick Faraci David Rigatti Paige Oster Dan Maier

Volleyball Football Ice Hockey Tennis Tennis Ice Hockey Football Ice Hockey Rowing Golf

Year

Name(s)

Sport(s)

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Cory Hunt Tim Hall Musa Shannon Jake Newman Bart Mease Gene Nabors Nick Downs Ray Thomas Tim Levcik Jarrad Pencek Rhian Dodds Aaron Thomas Jonathan LeDonne James Noel Ray Gensler Tony Lee Jeremy Chappell Sherrod Evers Rob Robinson Trevor Moore Myles Russ Denny Urban Shadrae King Nolan Nearhoof Velton Jones Karvel Anderson Chris Carper Cody Wydo Neco Brett

Track & Field Football Soccer Football Golf Basketball Football Football Football Track & Field Soccer Basketball Football Football Football Basketball Basketball Football Basketball Lacrosse Football Ice Hockey Football Football Basketball Basketball Track & Field Ice Hockey Soccer

OUTSTANDING SENIOR MALE

TEAM GPA AWARD Year

Team

1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15

Women’s Tennis Women’s Soccer Men’s Tennis Women’s Cross Country Women’s Tennis Softball Softball Women’s Track & Field Women’s Tennis Women’s Tennis Women’s Tennis Women’s Rowing Women’s Rowing Softball Volleyball Softball Women’s Cross Country Women’s Tennis Women’s Cross Country Volleyball Men’s Ice Hockey Men’s Ice Hockey

RMU Inks Deal With Under Armour

Robert Morris University announced May 2, 2016, a multiyear partnership with Under Armour, the global leader in performance footwear, apparel, and equipment, as the exclusive outfitter and supplier for the university’s 16 NCAA Division I athletics programs. “Our partnership with Under Armour demonstrates the reputation for excellence the Colonials have earned in competition as well as in the classroom,” said RMU President Chris Howard. “Robert Morris is grateful to Under Armour and we proudly welcome them to the Colonial Nation.” The partnership between RMU and Under Armour commences Sept. 1, 2016. Under the terms

of the agreement, the brand will provide uniforms, footwear, accessories, equipment, and other apparel to all the university’s Division I teams. Under Armour also will have the exclusive right to sell all authentic and replica RMU Athletics products. “We endeavor to provide the best possible experience for our student athletes, and this partnership is proof of that. Our athletes and coaches are thrilled to be able to compete in Under Armour gear,” said Craig Coleman, M.D., RMU director of athletics and head softball coach. More than 450 student athletes compete for RMU, and over the past 40 years,

the Colonials have claimed 43 regular-season championships and 44 league tournament titles. Since 1992, Robert Morris has placed 56 student-athletes on Capital One District II Academic All-America Teams. Included in that group are 23 studentathletes that were honored in consecutive years. Nine of those student-athletes went on to earn Capital One Academic All-America honors. Since 1988, RMU student-athletes have been named the Northeast Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year in their respective sport 38 times. Thirteen of RMU’s intercollegiate athletics programs have earned at least one conference championship.

In 2016, the women’s basketball team earned its fourth appearance in the NCAA Tournament, and the men’s basketball team has made eight appearances in the Big Dance, a Northeast Conference record. The softball team has eight regular-season conference championships, and football and volleyball have six each. The men’s and women’s ice hockey teams each have won a conference tournament championship, and the men’s team has an NCAA Tournament appearance under its belt. This year, the men’s ice hockey team earned a perfect Academic Progress Rate score from the NCAA.

In Memoriam

Midge McPhail

The Robert Morris University Department of Athletics mourned the loss of rowing head coach Midge McPhail, who passed away Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, after a battle with lung disease caused by complications from Sjögren’s Syndrome. She was 50 years old. “Midge McPhail was an unbelievable role model for the female student-athletes that she coached during her time at Robert Morris,” Craig Coleman, M.D., said. “Midge placed a high priority on teaching her student-athletes to be strong, independent women who would succeed in life. She had a tremendous impact on many

of our rowing alumni as well as our current student-athletes. It serves to remind us about what is truly important about what we do, and Midge certainly needed no such reminder.” McPhail was in her 10th season as head coach of the RMU rowing team and during her tenure helped oversaw the program’s transition into the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) as an associate member. Her programs not only competed annually for MAAC Championships but also finished as one of the top programs in the conference in the classroom.

Prior to Robert Morris, McPhail spent five seasons at Ohio State University as both the head women’s novice coach and an assistant varsity coach. In 2006, she helped an OSU squad that claimed both the Big Ten and Central Regional championships. As head novice coach, McPhail led the Buckeyes to both regional and Big Ten championships in 2002, while Ohio State also claimed Central Regional championships under her watch in 2002 and 2004. McPhail is survived by her husband, Jimmie, daughter Jada and sons James, Sam and Jordan.

2015-16 RMU Student-Athletes of the Week

LUKE LASZKIEWICZ

RYAN RICHARDS JR.

ANNA NIKI STAMOLAMPROU

FORREST MASON

LUCAS PUNTILLO

TERRY SHAFER

TAYLOR LORD

BRENDEN ALFERY

Date

Name

Sport

Date

Name

Sport

Sept. 2, 2015

Neco Brett Arden Fisher

Men’s Soccer Volleyball

Nov. 18, 2015

Neco Brett Kristin Thompson

Men’s Soccer Volleyball

Sept. 9, 2015

Ryan Richards, Jr. Liz Campbell

Football Volleyball

Nov. 25, 2015

Kyle Buss April Krivoniak

Football Volleyball

Sept. 16, 2015

Mike Stojkovic Cassie Raymond

Football Women’s Soccer

Dec. 2, 2015

Zac Lynch Mikaela Lowater

Men’s Ice Hockey Women’s Ice Hockey

Sept. 23, 2015

Forrest Mason Garrett Browning

Football Golf

Dec. 9, 2015

Rodney Pryor Anna Niki Stamolamprou

Men’s Basketball Women’s Basketball

Sept. 30, 2015

Lucas Puntillo Kristin Thompson

Men’s Soccer Volleyball

Dec. 16, 2015

Terry Shafer Brittany Howard

Men’s Ice Hockey Women’s Ice Hockey

Oct. 7, 2015

Connor Shennan Taylor Lord

Football Volleyball

Dec. 23, 2015

Rodney Pryor Megan Smith

Men’s Basketball Women’s Basketball

Oct. 14, 2015

Keane McIvor Sarah Quaranta

Men’s Soccer Women’s Ice Hockey

Dec. 30, 2015

Zac Lynch Megan Smith

Men’s Ice Hockey Women’s Basketball

Oct. 21, 2015

Brenden Alfery Lauren Sulkowski

Men’s Soccer Women’s Soccer

Jan. 6, 2016

Jessica Gazzola Anna Niki Stamolamprou

Women’s Ice Hockey Women’s Basketball

Oct. 28, 2015

Greg Gibson Cassie Raymond

Men’s Ice Hockey Women’s Soccer

Jan. 13, 2016

Terry Shafer Mikalah Mulrain

Men’s Ice Hockey Women’s Basketball

Nov. 4, 2015

Dalton Izyk Chelsea de Jager

Men’s Ice Hockey Women’s Soccer

Jan. 20, 2016

Conrad Stephens Jocelynne Jones

Men’s Basketball Women’s Basketball

Nov. 11, 2015

Kyle Buss Brianna Frakes

Football Volleyball

Jan. 27, 2016

Kavon Stewart Olivia Loy

Men’s Basketball Track & Field

DALTON IZYK

CHELSEA DE JAGER

MIKALAH MULRAIN

CONRAD STEPHENS

KAVON STEWART

OLIVIA LOY

MAEVE GARVEY

LAUREN BAILEY

BRITTANY BYERLY

DAVID FRIEDMANN

ALEX HEGER

RACHEL BOODY

LAUREN HACKETT

DANIEL FRANCO SAAD

OLIVIA LORUSSO

Date

Name

Sport

Date

Name

Sport

Feb. 3, 2016

April Krivoniak Maeve Garvey

Track & Field Women’s Ice Hockey

April 20, 2016

Luke Laszkiewicz Jessica Karwacki

Men’s Lacrosse Women’s Lacrosse

Feb. 10, 2016

Isaiah Still Anna Niki Stamolamprou

Men’s Basketball Women’s Basketball

April 27, 2016

Eddie Smith Olivia Loy

Men’s Lacrosse Track & Field

Feb. 17, 2016

Terry Shafer Kaitlin Ellzy

Men’s Ice Hockey Softball

May 4, 2016

Luke Laszkiewicz Daniel Franco Saad

Men’s Lacrosse Golf

Feb. 24, 2016

James Rahe Lauren Bailey

Men’s Lacrosse Women’s Ice Hockey

May 11, 2016

Eric Rankel Jessica Guyett

Men’s Lacrosse Track & Field

March 2, 2016

Greg Gibson Lauren Bailey

Men’s Ice Hockey Women’s Ice Hockey

May 18, 2016

Laura Coulter Olivia Lorusso

Softball Softball

March 9, 2016

Luke Laszkiewicz Brittany Byerly

Men’s Lacrosse Women’s Lacrosse

March 16, 2016

David Friedmann Anna Niki Stamolamprou

Men’s Ice Hockey Women’s Basketball

March 23, 2016

Adrian Torok-Orban Anna Niki Stamolamprou

Men’s Lacrosse Women’s Basketball

March 30, 2016

Alex Heger Kaitlin Ellzy

Men’s Lacrosse Softball

April 6, 2016

Rachel Boody Lauren Hackett

Track & Field Softball

April 13, 2016

James Rahe Jessica Karwacki

Men’s Lacrosse Women’s Lacrosse

MOST STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE WEEK HONORS 2015-16

Name

Sport

Anna Niki Stamolamprou Luke Laszkiewicz Terry Shafer

Women’s Basketball 5 Men’s Lacrosse 3 Men’s Hockey 3

No.