ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University Department of Athletics and Recreation proudly announces the hiring of Rebecca Morse as its new Head Women's Ice Hockey Coach. A respected leader in women's hockey, Morse brings an extensive background as both a high-level player and accomplished coach, with experience spanning NCAA Division I hockey, professional hockey, and elite player development.
 
Morse joins Neumann after building an impressive coaching résumé throughout the Northeast. Most recently, she served as Associate Head Coach of The Pingry School girls' varsity ice hockey team and briefly as Head Coach of the New Jersey Colonials Girls 19U Major AAA team. In addition, she works as a skills and development instructor, training athletes from the youth level through collegiate hockey.
 
From 2021–2025, Morse served as Head Coach and Hockey Director for the Princeton Tiger Lilies, overseeing girls' teams ranging from 8U through 19U. During her tenure, she helped advance dozens of athletes to NCAA, ACHA, Tier I, and prep school programs while guiding teams to two semifinal appearances at the USA Hockey Girls Tier II National Championships. She also served as Assistant Director for Black Bear Sports Group, contributing to the expansion of grassroots hockey initiatives and introducing more than 300 new athletes to the sport.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome Rebecca Morse as the next Head Women's Ice Hockey Coach at Neumann University," said John Krimmel, Director of Athletics and Recreation at Neumann University. "Morse brings an outstanding background as a Division I student-athlete at Providence College, along with valuable experience competing at the professional level. She has built a strong coaching résumé through her work in youth, club, and high school hockey, and what truly sets her apart is her passion for developing young women both on and off the ice."
 
"Her professionalism, energy, and commitment to student-athlete success make her an excellent fit for our university community. We are confident she has the vision and leadership to elevate our women's hockey program, and we look forward to the impact she will have on our student-athletes and the future of Neumann Women's Ice Hockey."
 
As a player, Morse competed professionally for six seasons in the PHF/NWHL with the Metropolitan Riveters and the Connecticut Whale. During her professional career, she served multiple seasons as both an Assistant Captain and Players' Association Representative. She was a member of the Riveters' 2018 Isobel Cup championship team, earned selection to the 2020 NWHL All-Star Game, and received the NWHL Foundation Award that same year for leadership and service.
 
A 2014 graduate of Providence College, Morse enjoyed a standout four-year NCAA Division I career with the Friars. Over 136 games as a defenseman, she recorded 16 goals and 44 assists for 60 career points while anchoring the defensive corps with a +27 rating and 122 blocked shots. Her collegiate honors included Hockey East All-Rookie Team recognition and All-Hockey East Honorable Mention accolades in 2012–13. Morse later earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Providence College and served as a Graduate Assistant in the Writing Center.
 
"I am honored to be named the next Head Women's Ice Hockey Coach at Neumann University," said Morse. "I would like to thank Director of Athletics and Recreation John Krimmel, Deputy Director of Athletics/SWA Gina McLaughlin, and President Dr. Chris Domes for this incredible opportunity."
 
"As a former NCAA Division I and professional player, I understand the discipline, consistency, and commitment required to compete at a high level. Throughout my coaching career, my focus has been on helping student-athletes succeed both on the ice and in the classroom by building confidence, accountability, and strong habits that will serve them far beyond hockey. I am excited to join the Neumann University community and work with our student-athletes as they continue to grow, compete, and represent the university with pride."
 
Additional perspectives from the hockey community on Morse's leadership and impact include:
 
"Rebecca (Moose) led by example every day in our time as teammates—her work ethic, poise under pressure, and ability to lift up teammates made our locker room stronger. She will be an outstanding college coach, and I can't think of anyone better suited for this role."
— Madison Packer, Analyst and Contributor – PWHL, NHL, & NCAA (Former Professional Teammate & Captain, Metropolitan Riveters)
 
"It was a pleasure to coach Rebecca, to watch her grow as a person and hockey player for four years. She was a gifted player who yearned to learn and loved to play. I'm not surprised that she became a coach. She loves this game and what better way to show your love for it than by working with others to play it better and learn to love it as much as she does. Rebecca is going to do great things as a coach and contribute greatly to the players and coaches she will work with."
— Bob Deraney, Head Men's Ice Hockey Coach, Worcester State University (Former Head Women's Ice Hockey Coach, Providence College)
 
"Coach Rebecca played a significant role in my development, providing opportunities at the prep school level where I realized I could compete at the next level. Her ability to balance high level coaching with genuine mentorship pushed me to grow both on and off the ice and had a lasting impact on my development as both an athlete and a person."
— Lyla Picker, Forward, Philadelphia Jr. Flyers Girls 19U AAA & University of Delaware Commit (Former Player, Princeton Tiger Lilies)