Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women’s hockey team used two first period goals to down SCSU 4-1 Friday evening.

Senior forward Nina Tikkinen recorded her first career three-point game to set the tone for Minnesota State.  Her three helpers came on the Maverick’s first three goals of the contest. 

Maverick captain Ariel Mackley recorded her first goal of the season as she beat St. Cloud State goaltender Ashley Nixon glove-side. Mackley’s power play goal was set up by Emmi Leinonen and Tikkinen and came just 2:03 into the contest. The first period goal marked Mackley’s first of the season and third of her career, all of which have come against the Huskies.

MSU continued to gain early momentum as winger Kathleen Rogan beat Nixon stick-side for her sixth goal of the season. The goal came at the 9:58 mark of the third and was assisted by sophomore defenseman Erika Magnusson and Tikkinen.  

The scoring barrage continued 4:54 into the second period when junior forward Moira O’Connor found the back of the net. Junior blueliner Jackie Otto and Tikkinen both recorded helpers on the goal. 

SCSU got on the scoreboard at the 8:24 mark of the second frame as they converted on a power play opportunity when Lisa Martinson beat MSU netminder Alli Altmann (Eagan, Minn.) from the blue line.

Rookie forward Darion Bruyere lit the lamp midway through the third to close the scoring for both sides. Bruyere’s first-career goal came off helpers from rookie forwards Kelsie Scott and Nicole Germaine.

The Mavericks outshot the Huskies, 27-18. MSU finished 1-of-3 on power play chances, while SCSU went 1-for-4.

MSU goaltender Alli Altmann finished with 17 saves, while SCSU’s Ashley Nixon recorded 23 saves. MSU matched their season-high in goals with four tallies in the win.

The two squads will cap-off the weekend series tomorrow at All Seasons Arena with the puck dropping at 3:07.   

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To view the game stats, click here.