A new hockey season brings new captains.  For Robert Morris women’s hockey, the captain is Dayna Newsom, while Cobina Delaney, Jamie Joslin and Thea Imbrogno are the assistant captains.  Each of these girls bring a different style of leadership to the team, yet they work together in perfect harmony both on and off the ice.

As head coach Paul Colontino stated, “As individuals, they are very strong, but as a group, they have a really wide brushstroke.”

Newsom has big plans for herself as well as the team.  Personally, she plans to “have the best season I’ve had so far at Robert Morris and hopefully lead the team right.”

She has a history of stellar seasons at RMU.  She has played in every game during her career with the Colonials.  As for the team, she has her sights set on the returning to the CHA Championship game and continuing to compete in the Frozen Four Tournament.

Newsom cites hard work as a main component of the team’s success.  “We work together as a team.  We’re always encouraging each other.  We’re always putting in a lot of effort in practice trying to make ourselves better.”

Through leading by example, hard work, and encouragement, Newsom hopes to accomplish all these goals.  Newsom is “a well-rounded individual, someone that’s got a good grasp on everything,” said Colontino.  “She really knows how to prioritize the facets of her life.”

Previously, Newsom was an assistant captain for the Colonials, which contributes to her maturity and ability to lead.

Assistant captain Cobina Delaney, senior forward, is another hard working player.  She “will do whatever it takes to get the job done on the ice,” said Colontino of Delaney.

“We don’t give up, we’re really competitive,” claimed Delaney.  Her freshman year, she set team records for number of goals (8) and points (14) in a season.  Last season, she continued to stand out as she skated in all 32 of the team’s games.

Similar to Newsom, she puts emphasis on hard work.  “I try to motivate them through my work ethic,” said Delaney.  “I try to be always working hard on and off the ice.”

A main influence throughout Delaney’s hockey career has been her sister, Brianna.  “She’s always been there to push me to do better.  I don’t think I’d be here without her.”

Joslin, a defenseman is one of the most looked up to players on the team.  The senior assistant captain is “a fierce competitor, yet she’s very outgoing and easy to talk to,” says Colontino.  “She’s very talented.  She’s in all our tough situations from power play to PK, and I think because of that she gains a lot of respect from her teammates.”

In the 2011-2012 season, Joslin had 69 blocked shots, a career high.  She was also ranked seventh in terms of power play goals, having eight.  Joslin is said to embody the closeness of the team.  Players from all classes can approach her.  No matter where she is, she provides support for all her teammates.

Imbrogno, a junior forward, is the youngest assistant captain for the Colonials.  Despite her youth, she takes the women’s hockey program very seriously.  Last year, Imbrogno tallied 36 points, ranking her second on the team in terms of points.

According to Colontino, “When we say we like to prioritize, where it’s school, hockey, then your social life, she does that extremely well.  She models what we’re trying to do.”

Each of these players has developed in their own way.  “They’ve matured a ton, in the sense that they’ve taken more ownership to both their actions on the ice and off the ice, from Friday and Saturday nights, to the classroom,” said Colontino.

The girls have a true sense of responsibility when it comes to their team.  “The mindset I think has shifted to where they’ve set new standards for themselves,” continued Colontino.  “They’ve got a good understanding of what’s acceptable and what’s not and what they’re capable of and how important it is to always try to push to achieve.”

With the new combination of players leading the team, this season is shaping up to be a spectacular one.

“We’re excited for the season to start,” said an eager Delaney.  “Hopefully we can get some fans out there this year.”