Robert Morris women’s soccer ready to keep momentum going under new coach Michelle Rick

A new era begins on Sunday for a program that’s looking to keep building positive momentum as Robert Morris women’s soccer team kicks off its 2024 campaign taking on Le Moyne at North Athletic Complex on Sunday (1 p.m.), with a new head coach, Michelle Rick making her debut.

Taking over for Chris Shaw, who moved on to the head coaching gig at Temple University, Rick inherits a roster that includes 21 returning players along with two transfers and four freshmen. The Colonials reached new program heights in Shaw’s fourth season.

Many of the players coming back were part of a team that earned its first-ever Horizon League Tournament victory in its 4-1 win over Wright State while improving from five points to 16 in the league standings from 2022 to 2023.

Shaw built the program with a combination of local players, and others who come from outside the Pittsburgh region.

“Everything we’re doing is a step-by-step approach to get us as close as we possibly can to our best level, to our best version of ourselves,” Rick told Pittsburgh Soccer Now, as she’s completed her first preseason camp and the team readies for its season opener on Sunday.

“We’re returning a lot of talent, we’ve got young players stepping up to in key roles, and we’ve got 27 players bought in and ready to get to work on the field. ”

Among the Colonials biggest losses from last year, will be midfielder Kaoru Hayashi an All-League First Team selection (RMU’s first-ever Horizon League First-Team selection), but the heart of the roster though has returned boasting plenty of players from the Pittsburgh region.

Among the former WPIAL stars include: graduate student Haliegh Finale (South Park), junior Emerson Johngarlo (Kiski Area), junior Jillian Marvin (Peters Twp / Beadling), senior Carson Bogan (Upper St. Clair / Beadling), junior Malia Kearns (Penn-Trafford), junior Renae Mohrbacher (Freedom), junior Madie Jesih (Gateway), sophomore MacKenzie Pritts (Yough), sophomore Paloma Swankler (Norwin), junior Emily Rocco (Upper St. Clair), and sophomore Maria Veiga (North Hills).

Adding to the mix, all four of Rick’s freshman recruits are WPIAL products, including Riley Hall (Montour), Madison Hurst (Hampton), Macrina Robb (Knoch) and Ava Weleski (Plum), while they’ll add two transfers who have plenty of collegiate experience, with defender Jasmin Sorrell (Mt. St. Mary’s) and midfielder Ava Trethewey (Marshall).

Finale, Mohrbacher and Kearns were three key pieces to a balanced Colonials attack in 2023 who also each played more than 1,200-plus minutes, who return to the mix.

Mohrbacher, brought plenty of versatility, scoring seven goals and adding seven assists, while Kearns  earned second-team All-League honors with a seven goal, four assist season that included three game-winning goals.  Finale was always a constant threat and playmaker too, scoring four goals and contributing five assists.

In goal, RMU will have additional continuity, as Graduate Student Brenna Murray returns to provide experience and leadership and helping direct the defensive corps.

Murray started in all 20 of RMU’s matches in 2023, after transferring from UNC-Charlotte.

“Returning the core of the team this year, we have a group that is motivated off of last year’s success, but is definitely hungry for more,” Murray said.

“We know the potential of this team and that it’s worth fighting for — learning how to unlock this mentality in preseason has been crucial for us. Getting to officially start our season with a home opener this weekend has brought a competitive energy to training this week, and we are excited to get going!”

Things will get going for the Colonials as they face Le Moyne in a non-conference match-up, on Sunday at home to begin an 18-match campaign

“Sunday for us is a chance to celebrate the start of a new season and continue raising the standard for what success looks like to us. We want to be evolving year over year, taking the qualities that lead the team to a history-making season last year and adding new layers and looks to become a program that’s consistently in the conversation.”

Sounding Off On Soccer Podcast: Robert Morris’ new women’s Head Coach Michelle Rick

Closer Look at RMU’s New Recruits

Jasmin Sorrell | Junior | Defender | Waldorf, Md.
–          Transfer from Mount St. Mary’s
–          Appeared in 28 games in her two years with the Mount
–          Started in all 18 games last season, scoring one goal

Ava Trethewey | Sophomore | Midfielder | Charleston, W. Va.
–          Transfer from Marshall
–          Appeared in 13 matches, starting in five games
–          Played 592 minutes and posted three shots on goal

Riley Hall | Freshman | Defender | McKees Rocks, Pa.
–          Attended Montour High School
–          Named All-Section and All-WPIAL her senior year
–          Lettered all four years

Madison Hurst | Freshman | Forward | Wexford, Pa.
–          Attended Hampton High School
–          Helped her team win the section title in 2020 and 2021
–          3x All-WPIAL and All-Section player
–          Produced 36 goals and 24 assists in her high school career

Macrina Robb | Freshman | Forward | Butler, Pa.
–          Attended Knoch High School
–          4x All-Section and 3x All-WPIAL player
–          Named her team’s MVP 3x

Ava Weleski | Freshman | Forward | Pittsburgh, Pa.
–          Attended Plum High School
–          3x All-Section and 2x All-WPIAL selection
–          Helped her team win the section title four years in a row
–          Scored 60 goals in her career, including six in the PIAA playoffs

Head Coach Michelle Rick talking about the incoming Colonials‼️ #BobbyMo pic.twitter.com/DzJZnrqnUb

— RMU Women's Soccer (@RMUWSoccer) July 15, 2024