HAVERHILL, MASS. – After sweeping the Colgate Raiders this past weekend, the Niagara women’s hockey team (6-5-2; 0-0-0 CHA) swept the CHA Player of the Week awards, earning the offensive player of the week, goalie of the week and rookie of the week honors.
 
Freshman goaltender Abby Ryplanski won the goalie of the week award for the second time this season.  Ryplanski continues to help the Purple Eagles, as she shut down Colgate this past week, helping Niagara win 2-1 on Friday night and 1-0 on Saturday.  The Winnipeg, MB. Native stopped 20 of 21 shots that came her way to help Niagara win on Friday night, while she stopped all 23 shots during Niagara’s 1-0 win over Colgate on Saturday, for her first career shutout.  On the weekend, Ryplanski had a 0.50 goals-against average and a .977 save percentage, stopping 43 of 44 shots. 
 
Freshman forward Kalli Funk received rookie of the week honors.  She was solid for the Purple Eagles as they pushed their unbeaten streak to nation-high six games.   Funk scored her second career goal of the third period of Saturday’s game against Colgate, breaking a scoreless tie.  The goal ended up being the game-winning tally. 
 
Senior defender Erica Owczarczak earned the offensive player of the week award.  Owczarczak scored Niagara’s game-winning goal on the power play on Friday, pushing the Purple Eagles to a 2-1 victory over Colgate.  Owczarczak continued to play strongly for the Purple Eagles on Saturday, ensuring of a shutout as Niagara defeated Colgate 1-0 on Saturday.  

The Purple Eagles are back in action next weekend when they face off against Maine at the Harold Alfond Sports Arena.  The weekend series begins Saturday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. while the second game is at noon on Sunday, Nov. 13.