Box Score Bemidji, Minn. --- After squandering a three-goal lead in the third period, the Minnesota State women’s hockey team rebounded to capture a 4-3 victory over Bemidji State behind an overtime goal from Lauren Zrust with 2:25 remaining in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association matinee Saturday at the Sanford Center.
 
In the opening period, a pair of upperclassmen helped ignite a Maverick offense that produced a season-low 10 shots on the goal the night before. Junior Kari Lundberg deflected sophomore Shelby Moteyunas’ shot from the point between BSU netminder Jessica Havel’s pads at the 10:26 mark, and senior Emilia Andersson blasted a slap shot into the upper left-hand corner from the top of the right circle just over four minutes later as freshman Katie Johnson tallied her first career point with an assist on the play.
 
MSU extended the lead in the second stanza on a goal from junior Lauren Barnes who bested Havel high on the glove side from just inside the blue line off a feed from Andersson at 12:46.
 
After a would-be BSU goal was overturned four minutes into the third period, the Beavers left no doubt on their next three markers. Kaitlyn Tougas scored twice - five minutes apart - beating MSU netminder Danielle Butters above the blocker and then slamming home a centering pass from Sadie Lundquist to trim the deficit to one.  With just 11 seconds left in regulation, Erika Wheelhouse connected after a flurry in front of Butters to send the game to overtime.
 
Senior Lauren Zrust took the match into her own hands halfway through the overtime frame when she took a breakout pass at center ice, walked around a BSU defender and deked out Havel to score on the forehand for her fourth career game-winning goal. Junior Tracy McCann and Andersson garnered helpers on the play.
 
Andersson registered a game-high three points off a goal and two assists, and Butters recorded 36 saves - also a game-high - for the Mavericks who were unable to convert on their sole power-play opportunity.  Bemidji State outshot MSU 39-27 in the match and ended zero-for-three on the power-play.
 
Minnesota State (9-12-3 overall, 5-10-3-1 WCHA) embarks on a four-game home stand beginning Jan. 18th when it hosts the University of Minnesota at 7:07 p.m. inside All Seasons Arena.