Storrs, Conn. - Sophomore Thea Imbrogno (Etobicoke, Ontario / Mississauga Jr. Chiefs) notched a third-period tally to break a scoreless tie, and it held up as her first-career game-winning goal as the Robert Morris University women's hockey team broke its school-record for longest winning streak Friday evening with a 1-0 victory over Yale in the first round of the Nutmeg Classic at Freitas Ice Forum.

With the win, RMU advances to Saturday's championship contest where it will take on Quinnipiac, who knocked off host UConn, 4-2, earlier Friday. The Bobcats are currently in second place in the 12-team ECAC Hockey Conference and already own wins over nationally-ranked Mercyhurst and Boston College in 2011-12.

The Colonials' victory was their fifth straight overall and also extended their unbeaten streak to a program-record eight games, a stretch which has occurred exclusively away from home. Robert Morris is now 10-1-1 on the season, its best 12-game start in program history.

Imbrogno scored the game's lone goal 3:04 into the final frame, registering her 15th point of the season in the process, which is currently second on the team. With the score, Imbrogno moved into sole possession of eighth place all-time in both career points (44) and career goals (17) at Robert Morris.

Freshman Rebecca Vint (Caledon, Ontario / Brampton Junior Thunder), the Colonials' leading scorer, provided the assist on the game-winning score to lengthen her program-record point streak to 12 games. Vint, who is tied for the team lead with 10 assists, moved into a tie for ninth place in single-season history with her 23 points and also went 10-for-14 at the faceoff dot.

Junior goaltender Kristen DiCiocco (Niagara Falls, Ontario / Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres) was between the pipes for all 60 minutes to earn her second shutout of the season. DiCiocco, who is sixth nationally in goals against average, became just the third Colonial ever to record multiple shutouts in a single season and has been a large reason why RMU has only allowed eight even-strength goals in its first 12 games.

RMU's victory was partially aided by continued noteworthy performances in both special teams areas. Imbrogno's winning tally came via the power play, giving RMU power-play goals in four consecutive contests for the first time since 2008. Robert Morris has now converted on 14 of its last 28 attempts with the man-advantage. The Colonials also killed off all three Bulldog power plays and have now successfully killed 23 of their opponents' last 24 attempts.

After the Colonials and Bulldogs, meeting for the first time in program history, became acquainted with one another in the opening minutes of play, Robert Morris dominated the second half of the first period. The Colonials took 14 of the final 16 shot attempts in the first, including firing each of the final eight attempts on goal during this stretch, but could not crack the cage before intermission.

The second stanza was all about the Colonial penalty kill as it was forced to play shorthanded on three occasions, totaling six minutes, during the frame. Robert Morris not only kept the Bulldogs off the board all three times, it barely allowed them a chance to score as Yale tallied just one combined shot on those three man-advantages. RMU was also unable to find the twine in the middle frame, and the teams remained scoreless after 40 minutes.

Robert Morris earned a power play fewer than two minutes into the third and was able to take advantage this time. On the Colonials' fifth shot attempt of the man-advantage, Imbrogno lit the lamp to put RMU on top.

Robert Morris was not satisfied as it sought an insurance goal and proceeded to blast nine consecutive shot attempts later in the third. DiCiocco and the Colonial defense ensured that a single tally would hold up, though, as RMU clung on to the tense victory.

The Colonials outshot Yale, 31-13, in the first regular-season neutral-site game in RMU history. Junior Kelsey Thomas (Hamilton, Ontario / Hamilton Hawks) posted a game-high five shots while classmate Jamie Joslin (Richmond Hill, Ontario / Aurora Panthers) notched three blocked shots, tying for the game high.

It was the eighth 1-0 victory in program history for RMU and the third straight such contest that has come away from home.

Robert Morris will play its second neutral-site contest in as many days when it takes on Quinnipiac Saturday in the championship. First puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.