TROY, N.Y. - Jared Fiegl (Parker, Colo.) scored one goal and Edwin Minney (Wind Gap, Pa.) made 29 saves, but the U.S. National Under-18 Team was edged by RPI, 2-1, here this evening at the Houston Field House. With the loss, Team USA's record versus NCAA Division I and III teams fell to 4-5-0 (W-L-T).

Team USA notched the first goal of the game just over one minute into the opening frame. Skating down the right side of the ice, Dylan Pavelek (Marysville, Mich.) launched a shot that bounced off goalie Jake Soffer's pad and right to Fiegl. Fiegl one-timed the rebound into the net for the score.

Two power-play goals for the Engineers put the U.S. down by one goal, 2-1, after the second stanza. Minney saw 20 shots in the period, kicking out 18.

The Under-18 Team controlled much of the play in the final frame, outshooting the Engineers 13-1, but couldn't find the equalizer and fell by one goal to RPI.

The U.S. National Under-18 Team will return to practice and training next week before breaking for the holidays and returning to collegiate action against Miami University on Dec. 31, at 4 p.m. EST. The game will be held at the Goggin Ice Center.

Ryan Bliss (Chelmsford, Mass.) skated as a forward today, filling a roster gap left by Jack Eichel (North Chelmsford, Mass.) ... Eichel was not in the lineup, as he joined players on the preliminary roster for the 2014 U.S. National Junior Team in Minneapolis. The players will participate in a training camp Dec. 15-18, at the University of Minnesota's Mariucci Arena ... This was just the second meeting between the Under-18 Team and RPI. Team USA earned a 5-4 win over its opponent on Oct. 12, 2008 ... Two former NTDP players have skated for the Engineers including current forward Ryan Haggerty (Stamford, Conn./2009-11) and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Jerry D'Amigo (Binghamton, N.Y./2007-09) ... Follow the NTDP on Twitter ... Like the NTDP on Facebook ... Download the Sport Ngin Mobile App for Apple iOS and Android devices and follow the U.S. National Under-17 and Under-18 Teams. Fans, parents, athletes, and coaches now have unprecedented access to scores, stats, schedules, photos, and more. The app is free and allows users to track scores and news updates from one team. Those wishing to follow more than one team can make a simple in-app purchase of $1.99. Click here to download the app.