Niagara University, N.Y. - For the first time in its last 65 games, the Robert Morris University women's hockey team was unable to net a goal as the Colonials fell to Niagara, 1-0, in the opener of a home-and-home series in College Hockey America (CHA) action Friday evening at Dwyer Arena.

The Colonials had scored in a program-record 64 consecutive contests prior to Friday, a streak which ranked second nationally behind No. 2 Cornell. RMU had faced 17 nationally-ranked teams, including six ranked No. 1, during the stretch, which began Feb. 6, 2010 against No. 1 Mercyhurst.

RMU suffered the setback despite outshooting the Purple Eagles, 26-17, in the game, marking the first time the Colonials lost in their last 13 games when outshooting an opponent. Junior defenseman Jamie Joslin (Richmond Hill, Ontario / Aurora Panthers) led Robert Morris with a game-high five shots and helped the Colonials outshoot Niagara, 24-8, over the final two periods combined.

The defeat was also an outlier of the Colonials' season thus far in other areas as well. It marked the first time RMU lost when allowing fewer than three goals in 2011-12 and also was just their second setback in 11 road games this season.

Robert Morris was put in an unenviable position in the opening frame as the hosts were granted four power-play opportunities in the first 20 minutes of action, including receiving 1:13 of a 5-on-3 advantage. Despite continually being shorthanded, RMU allowed only four shots during those four power-play chances, which helped the Colonials get into the intermission in a scoreless draw.

The Colonials nearly took the lead to begin the second stanza. RMU earned a power-play chance within the first two minutes of action, and freshman Rebecca Vint (Caledon, Ontario / Brampton Junior Thunder) had an effort clang off the post, just missing giving the visitors the lead. Even though Robert Morris dominated the frame, it was unable to cash in, and Niagara would take advantage. The hosts scored the only goal they would need with just 28 seconds to play in the frame when Kalli Funk lit the lamp.

In the programs' previous meeting, Robert Morris produced a third-period rally to pull even with Niagara, but the Colonials couldn't duplicate the feat Friday. With the clock ticking down, Robert Morris called a timeout with 1:18 remaining in regulation and pulled junior netminder Kristen DiCiocco (Niagara Falls, Ontario / Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres) in favor of the extra attacker. RMU ripped three shot attempts after the stoppage but was unable to beat the Purple Eagles' defense.

DiCiocco notched 16 saves in the game for RMU and lowered her goals against average to 1.89 on the season. She also helped Robert Morris hold Niagara to an 0-for-4 mark on the power play as the Colonials have now killed off 13 consecutive opposition penalties.

In addition to winning the battle for shots, Robert Morris was also more successful than the hosts in the faceoff circle as senior assistant captain Brianna Delaney (Stittsville, Ontario / NCCP Raiders) led the charge by winning 19 of the 27 draws she took.

Friday's contest marked the first half of the first-ever home-and-home series between RMU and Niagara. The Colonials will look to avenge Friday's setback when they host the Purple Eagles Saturday evening. The opening puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m.