Altmann and Mavericks Earn Impressive Shutout Win Over St. Cloud, 4-0

2/7/2010 3:14:13 PM

Box Score Mankato, Minn. --- Minnesota State wrapped up their home-and-home series with the St. Cloud State Huskies at All Seasons Arena Sunday afternoon and came away with a 4-0 shutout win.

The win marks the fifth of the season for the Mavericks, second in the WCHA, and the first shutout victory of the year. Minnesota State's last shutout came against the Huskies in last season's playoff win on March 1.

The Mavericks took the early 1-0 lead on Sunday when senior Captain Kala Buganski stole the puck and tallied her third goal of the season with a nice move in front of the net, scoring on St. Cloud goaltender Ashley Nixon’s stick side.

Midway through the second period the Mavericks increased their lead to 2-0 on a power play goal. Sophomore defender Ariel Mackley scored her first goal of the season, second of her career off of a scrappy rebound on the stick side of Nixon. Senior forward Christina Lee and sophomore Emmi Leinonen earned helpers on the score.

The Mavericks continued to put the pressure on the Huskies and it paid off late in the second. Sophomore forward Moira O’Connor tallied her fourth goal of the season off of her own rebound, glove side of Nixon. Lee earned her second assist of the contest with a nice pass which setup O’Connor on the goal.

Minnesota State continued to control the contest when Leinonen positioned herself in front of the net and Lee earned her third assist of the afternoon on a nice centering pass to Leinonen. O’Connor also earned an assist on the Mavericks fourth goal.

Sophomore goaltender Alli Altmann finished the contest with 33 saves and earned her first shutout of the season.

The Huskies out shot MSU, 33-30, but the Mavericks finished the contest 2-4 on power play chances compared to the Huskies, 0-5.

Lee now owns 50 assists during her career with the Mavericks, only two away from former Maverick Maggie Fisher’s school record of 52. She also sits one shy of tying Fisher’s career shots record of 462 and two short of tying Fisher's career power play goals.

Senior forward Ashley Young continues to lead the Mavericks in scoring with 8-10--18 and rookie freshman Lauren Smith (6-10--16) and Leinonen (9-7--16) sit tied for second on the team with 16 points each.

Minnesota State (5-18-5, 3-16-5-3 WCHA) will travel to Madison, Wis., to take on the University of Wisconsin Badgers on Friday and Sunday, February 12 and 14. Friday's contest will have a 2:07 p.m. start time, while Sunday's will have a 11:07 a.m. start and be played at the Kohl Center.

To view game stats, click HERE.

To view season stats, click HERE.

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