Box Score Mankato, Minn. ---  Sophomore forward Casey Hirsch scored twice as Minnesota State collected its first sweep of the year defeating Lindenwood 4-1 Saturday afternoon at All Seasons Arena.

Minnesota State lost alternate captain #Lauren Smith# just 30 seconds in after she received a major penalty and game misconduct.  Junior #Danielle Butters# stopped seven shots to hold the Lady Lions scoreless on the power-play, then the Mavericks pounced on a power-play of their own at 15:23 in the first period when junior Tracy McCann beat Nicole Hensley on the glove side to give MSU a 1-0 lead.

Both goaltenders played fantastic in the first period seeing a flurry of shots as MSU outshot LU 17-14.

Hirsch netted her first goal as a Maverick 3:06 into the second period by slamming home a deflection off a shot by fellow sophomore Krystal Baumann.  Lindenwood responded at 6:35 in the period when Lyndsay Kirkham tipped a Brett Lobreau shot past Butters cutting the MSU lead to 2-1.

The Mavericks sealed the victory in the third period when junior #Melissa Klippenstein# tallied her first goal of the year - third point of the game - on the power-play at 2:42, and Hirsch scored her second goal of the contest on a beautiful backhanded shot just beyond Hensley’s pads at the 13:28 mark of the third.

Juniors Klippenstein, Kathleen Rogan, and Lauren Barnes each recorded two assists in the game, and Butters continued her solid play in net to pace MSU defensively making 30 saves.  Hensley made 42 saves of her own ot lead Lindenwood.

Minnesota State held Lindenwood to 1-4 on the power-play while going 2-4 itself and outshooting the Lady Lions 46-31.

The Mavericks (3-2-1, 1-2-1-0 WCHA) return to WCHA action next Friday against the Bulldogs of Minnesota Duluth at All Seasons Arena with drop of the puck slated for 7:07 p.m.