Box Score

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - Freshman forward Kalli Funk tapped in the game winner to give the Niagara women's hockey team (6-5-2) the 1-0 victory over the Colgate Raiders (4-5-1) Saturday afternoon at Dwyer Arena.  

A feed from Kayla Raniwsky halfway through the final stanza found the stick of Funk, who put it away past Colgate goalie Kimberly Sass.  The goal keeps the Purple Eagles' unbeaten streak alive at six games, the first time since last season, when it went 5-0-1 from Dec. 10, 2010 until Jan. 22, 2011.  The win on Saturday afternoon bumped Niagara to first in the nation for the longest unbeaten streak.

"We earned a victory today all around," said head coach Josh Sciba.  "Abby was our driving force and we had some confidence that allowed us to step up as a team in critical moments.  It was a great weakend, and both games could've gone either way."  

Both goaltenders were solid between the pipes, keeping the game scoreless after two periods of play.  Niagara netminder Abby Ryplanski pushed aside a totoal of 23 shots while Sass stopped 28.  Forward sophomore Kaleigh Chippy and junior forward Kelsey Welch led the Purple Eagles with four shots while forward Taylor Volpe tallied four shots for the Raiders. 

"Coglate is a very tenacioius team and they gave us quite a battle," added Sciba.  "I'm proud of our effort and the improvements we are making." 

Ryplanski earned her first career shutout as a Purple Eagle, as she improves to 5-1-1 on the season.  She is currently ranked seventh in the nation for her winning percentage (.786) and GAA of 1.55, both best amongst freshmen.  

Niagara hit the road next weekend for a two-game series against Maine at the Harold Alfond Sports Arena.  The puck is set to drop Saturday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 13 at noon.

(Check out interviews with head coach Josh Sciba and goaltender Abby Ryplanski following Niagara's 1-0 victory over Colgate.)