Box Score Mankato, Minn. ---  Senior Lauren Smith collected her first career hat trick and factored on all four Minnesota State goals as the Mavericks snapped a seven-game losing streak dropping Bemidji State, 4-1, to earn a series split in Western Collegiate Hockey Association action Saturday afternoon at All Seasons Arena.

Smith’s hat trick marked the first for Minnesota State since sophomore Kathleen Rogan accomplished the feat on Sept. 30th, 2011.

Minnesota State came out strong to open the first period and found pay dirt 10:50 into the frame when Smith netted her second goal of the series and freshman Lindsay Nagel earned an assist for her first collegiate point to provide MSU a 1-0 lead.

The Maverick power-play joined the act in the second period as junior Tracy McCann beat Beaver goaltender Jessica Havel at 13:39 after a flurry in front of the net thanks to assists from Smith and senior Emilia Andersson.  MSU proved it could score a man down as well when Smith tallied her second marker of the contest, short-handed, at 19:16 of the frame.  It was the first Maverick short-handed goal since Feb. 11th, 2011.

Smith would complete the hat trick on the power-play at 5:06 of the third stanza, while Andersson and Rogan ammassed their second helpers of the contest respectively.  MSU was unable to complete the shutout as Hanna Moher beat Maverick netminder Danielle Butters just under the crossbar a mere 17 seconds later.

Butters stopped 23 of 24 shots to earn the win for MSU who finished two-of-three on the power-play and shutout the Beavers on their three opportunities. The Mavericks also held a 33-25 advantage in shots on goal.

Minnesota State (5-9-2, 3-7-1-1 in WCHA) continues its four-match homestand next weekend when the Ohio State Buckeyes come to down. The series will kick off at 7:07 p.m. at All Seasons Arena.