GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- Niagara University will make the cross-country trip to play UND women's hockey in non-conference action this Friday and Saturday at the Ralph Engelstad Arena. The game times for both nights are at 7:07 p.m.

 Last season marks the first time that the two teams had ever played each other. UND emerged from last season's series with a victory, 4-2,  and an overtime tie, 0-0.

Niagara is a member of College Hockey America. So far this season, the Purple Eagles have an overall record of 4-2-2 and have yet to play a CHA game.

The Purple Eagles are led on offense by junior forward Ashley Riggs. Riggs has scored 10 goals in eight games, ranking her third in the nation in goals per game (1.25). Riggs leads the team in points with 11 (10g-1a-11). Newcomer Venla Heikkila ranks second on the team in points with 10 (5g-5a-10) and leads the team in assists with five. The Purple Eagle offense averages 2.88 goals per game and their defense is allowing only 2.75 goals per game.

In net for Niagara is sophomore Jill Zelonis. Zelonis has a 3-2-1 record on the season while allowing 2.64 goals per game and saving 89.6 percent of shots on goal. Junior Nikki Rudy has seen some time for the Purple Eagles and has a season record of 1-0-1.

Niagara's special teams have scored on 18 percent of its power-play chances and have killed off 88.4 percent of opponent power-play chances.

After winning its first two WCHA games, North Dakota has lost four of six WCHA games. UND is coming off a weekend in which it tied St. Cloud State, 3-3, and lost, 3-1.

The Fighting Sioux have never lost a game to a College Hockey America opponent. UND is 8-0-2 against CHA competition. The Sioux own a 7-0-1 record against Wayne State and a 1-0-1 record against Niagara. UND has never faced CHA members Mercyhurst and Robert Morris.