The RMU Men's D4 Club Hockey team excelled throughout the 2023-2024 season finishing with a final regular season record of 14-1, going 9-0 in divisional play, and earning the title of back-to-back CHE Men's Division 4 Champions.
The team started off their season on the road at Carnegie Mellon University and Penn State Behrend where they won the series against CMU and split with PSB. Despite their loss in the second game against PSB, the Colonials did not let this discourage them as they went on to win every game after. RMU returned home and absolutely dominated in their home opener with a 10-1 victory over Cal U. The next weekend, the team traveled to Carnegie Mellon University where they handed CMU a 2-7 loss. The next three games took place on home ice and were big wins against Penn State Altoona and the division 3 Duquesne Dukes.
The Colonials traveled to Cal U to take on the Vulcans in their first game of the spring semester and returned home January 20th to host Carnegie Mellon. Both of which, RMU dominated. The next three games of the regular season were against these two teams, RMU securing wins in them all both on the road and at home. The tremendous amount of hard work from this team earned them a spot as the #1 seed heading into playoffs.
This past Saturday, the Colonials went head to head against Carnegie Mellon University in the CHE Men's Division 4 Championship game hoping to hold on to their title from last season. Looking back, RMU was 5-0 against CMU this season, but some worry struck as CMU came back stronger each match up. Senior goaltender Brock Mroczka sequred the win for the Colonials finishing with a 7-1 record this season. Not to mention his most intriguing stat, a goal in the final game before winter break against Duquesne. Sophomore Ryan Riffner, the leading goal scorer and points leader for the Colonials set the tempo for the Colonials scoring his 18th goal of the season only 5 minutes into the game with assists from Julian Drass and Crawford Bosack.
Despite a last second 1st period goal from the Tartans to tie it up, Kristopher Connelly and the Colonials answered back early in the 2nd period to regain the lead. Only moments later did Julian Drass add a goal of his own set up by Brandon Lindsey, putting RMU at a 3-1 lead. CMU added one more about 5 minutes into the third period, but RMU worked hard the remainder of the game and celebrated not only a 3-2 victory but a back-to-back CHE title!
Despite initial struggles after the inauguration of the RMU Men's Division 4 Club Hockey team only a few years ago, the culture that has been built around this team is undeniably strong. Between the coaching staff, returners, and newcomers, The RMU Men's D4 team has been put on the map, earned a seat at the table, and is currently a force to be reckoned with as they earn the title of 2 time CHE champions!
Check out the full game including the post game ceremony on YouTube @rmucampusrec:
Stay up to date on all things RMU club sports and Men's Division 4 Club Hockey at https://rmuclubsports.com/sports/mens-d4-club-ice-hockey
