Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's hockey team scored the game's first goal, but #6 North Dakota ultimately found a way to grind out the victory in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association contest played in Mankato Saturday.
The Mavericks jumped out to a 1-0 lead at 3:34 of the opening stanza when sophomore
Elin Johansson ripped a shot from the top of the left circle over the right shoulder of
Lexie Shaw. The goal is the fourth of the year for the Vantaa, Finland native.
UND knotted things up at 3:59 of the second after
Gracen Hirschy converted on a shot from in front of the Maverick net.
It became a 2-1 UND lead at 3:57 of the third on shot from the circle by
Meghan Dufault. The Mavericks tied it up at 9:41 on a power play marker from freshman defenseman
Leila Kilduff. The goal is the first of Kilduff's career. North Dakota regained the lead at 15:26 when
Meghan Dufault batted one in from in front of the Maverick net. UND sealed it at 19:30 when
Becca Kohler tallied into an empty net.
MSU junior goaltender
Brianna Quade, who took the loss and now stands 2-3-1 on the season, finished the contest with 39 stops. Lexi Shaw totaled 15 saves in the UND net.
Minnesota State continues WCHA action next weekend with a pair of games at Minnesota Duluth.
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