Box Score Mankato, Minn.— Minnesota State (6-13-0, 2-11-0 WCHA) dropped a 4-2 decision to the No.9-ranked Minnesota Duluth (10-8-1, 7-7-1 WCHA) Friday at All Seasons Arena in Mankato.
 
The Bulldogs struck 50 seconds into the game after Jamie Kenyon beat MSU senior goalie Alli Altmann from point-blank range. Tea Villila and Haley Irwin tallied the assists.
 
MSU responded shortly after as Minnesota State sophomore forward Melissa Klippenstein banged her first goal of the season in at 3:29 of the opening period and was assisted by freshman Kara Power.
 
UMD went back on top when Shara Jasper scored midway through the first period as Vanessa Thibault and Zoe Hickel got the assists.
 
On the power-play, Bulldog forward Haley Irwin gave them a two-goal advantage on a goal from the hash marks. Jessica Wong and Brigette Lacquette got the special teams assists. UMD finished 1-of-5 on the power-play as Minnesota State was unable to connect on any of its three chances.
 
MSU senior forward Emmi Leinonen brought the Mavericks within one goal as she scored with 24 seconds left in the second period, shortly after an MSU power-play ended. Senior defensive partners Jackie Otto and Ariel Mackley generated the assists on the goal.
 
UMD’s Irwin put the Bulldogs back up 4-2 at 5:53 into the third as that’s how the score would finish.
 
Minnesota State was outshot 35-26 in the contest.
 
The teams meet against Saturday afternoon at 3:07 p.m. at All Seasons Arena to finish the two-game series.


For game stats, click HERE