What's On Tap:  Minnesota State treks south to Wentzville, Mo., this weekend for its first of two non-conference series with the Lady Lions of Lindenwood in the 2013-14 campaign.
 
The Mavericks (1-3-0) dropped both games in their first Western Collegiate Hockey Association series of the year at then-No. 6 Wisconsin last weekend. This series will mark the third straight against a WCHA opponent for Lindenwood (0-3-1) when it kicks off Friday night at 7:00 p.m., before wrapping up Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.
 
Last Time on the Ice:  Minnesota State was unable to pull off an upset in a series-opener for the second straight weekend as it fell to No. 6 Wisconsin 3-0 last Friday night. After a scoreless first period, Wisconsin netted a goal in the second period and another at the 12:57 mark of the third period before adding one with an empty net.
 
The first period of last Saturday's series finale was scoreless as well before the Badgers rebounded with a pair of goals in the second stanza, Junior Elisabeth Hewett (Oak Bluff, Man.) scored her first career goal at 2:58 of the third period off a slap shot from the blue line to bring the Mavericks with one. Freshman Anna Fiegert (Landshut, Germany) earned her first career point with an assist on the play, while senior Lauren Barnes (Burnsville, Minn.) added her team-leading third helper of the year. However, UW came back with three unanswered goal to secure the 5-1 final as senior Danielle Butters (London, Ontario) recorded a game-high 32 saves for Minnesota State.
 
Looking at the Lady Lions:  Lindenwood stands 0-3-1 this season after being sweep at North Dakota last weekend by scores of 5-1 and 6-1, respectively. This weekend will mark the third straight series against a WCHA opponent for the Lady Lions whom dropped a 3-2 decision vs. Bemidji State in their season-opener and battled to a 1-1 draw with the Beavers in the series finale. Offensively, Lindenwood is averaging a mere 1.2 goals per game and 18.2 shots per game, while defensively, it is allowing 3.8 goals per game and 48.2 shots per game on average. The LU power-play is connecting at a 15.0% clip, while its penalty-kill unit boasts a 72.2% efficiency.
 
The Lady Lions are under the direction of head coach Vince O'Mara who is in his 11th season leading LU, including three years as an NCAA program.  O'Mara guided Lindenwood to a 7-10-3 finish in College Hockey America last season. Lindenwood has been carried offensively by junior Kendra Broad (F, 5-7, Petrolia, Ontario) who has totaled a team-high three assists, four points and 13 shots through four games. Senior Jocelyn Slattery (F, 5-8, Hugo, Minn.) boasts a team-best two goals off just four shots in three contests, while junior Alyssa West (F, 5-3, Macomb, Mich.) has added one goal with 11 shots, second-most on the squad, and a +1 rating that ties for a team-high. Sophomore Nicole Hensley (G, 5-6, Lakewood, Colo.) was named CHA Rookie of the Year and a Second Team All-CHA selection a year ago. This season Hensley has posted a .922 save percentage and 3.67 goals against average while starting all four contests to date for Lindenwood.
 
Inside the MSU-LU Series: Minnesota State owns a 6-0-0 all-time record against the Lady Lions. MSU finished 4-0-0 against LU last season topping the Lady Lions 3-0 and 4-1 at All Seasons Arena before sweeping a New Year's Day road series by margins of 6-1 and 6-0. The Mavericks have outscored Lindenwood 33-7 in six meetings dating back to 2011.
 
Minnesota State All-Time:   The MSU women's hockey program - started in 1998-99 - is currently in its 16th season of competition and has compiled a 146-339-46 (.318) record in 531 total games played. The Mavericks are in their 15th year as members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and boast an 82-254-38 (.270) mark in 374 league contests.

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