BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- In a matchup of Atlantic Hockey contenders, Sacred Heart got the jump on the Robert Morris University men's hockey team, taking a 6-0 decision Saturday night at Webster Bank Arena.

RMU had won seven of its first 11 AHA games for the first time in four years, but fell behind early on Jordan Kaplan's goal 1:34 after opening faceoff and never recovered. Austin McIlmurray scored twice for the Pioneers, who jumped back into a first-place tie in the AHA with the three-point regulation win.

Surging Sacred Heart (10-6-1, 9-4-0 AHA) crept closer to its fourth straight win with a three-goal second period, two of those coming on the power play. McIlmurray scored at even strength late in the second on a cutback move, then capped a three-point night with a short-handed goal in the final minute of the game.

Missing five players due to injury, the Colonials (7-6-2, 7-3-2 AHA) suffered their first loss on the road since October, settling into third place in the 11-team league. RMU had been in first place for four weeks before Army West Point moved on top with a win Friday night.

Pioneers goalie Josh Benson stopped all 32 shots for the shutout, lifting SHU to 4-1 in its past five against RMU. Senior Jacob Coleman had RMU's best chance to break the shutout, but couldn't beat Benson on a second-period breakaway. Coleman had a team-best six shots on goal, but couldn't keep the Colonials from being blanked for the third time this season.

Colonials senior goalie Justin Kapelmaster denied 27 shots over the first two periods before junior Dyllan Lubbesmeyer (seven saves) handled the third in his second appearance of the season.

Robert Morris will challenge Sacred Heart again Sunday afternoon at 4, although the venue will shift to Yale University due to a scheduling conflict at Webster Bank Arena. The Colonials haven't dropped consecutive games in regulation all season.