MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's hockey team put forth a solid effort in its new home, Verizon Wireless Center, Friday afternoon, but its was #6 North Dakota that was able to come away with the 2-1 victory.

With the win, UND improves to 3-0-0 on the season, including a 1-0-0 record in WCHA play. With the loss, MSU falls to 2-2-1, including a 0-1-0 record in league action.

After a scoreless first period of play, North Dakota was able to light up the scoreboard 3:30 minutes into the second period as Vilma Tanskanen put UND in front 1-0. Meghan Dufault and Becca Kohler each got an assist on the Tanskanen goal.

North Dakota would add its second goal of the period with 2:40 left  to play in the period courtesy of Layla Marvin. Minnesota State would respond just 35 seconds later as sophomore Elin Johansson wristed in a shot past UND goaltender Shelby Amsley-Benzie to put MSU within one at 2-1. Sophomore Hannah Davidson picked up her sixth assist of the season on the goal by Johansson.

The third period saw a total of 16 shots on net, but neither team was able to see the back of the net. UND's Becca Kohler received a five minute major for boarding, but UND was able to kill off the first three minutes before Johansson got tagged with a two minute tripping penalty to eliminate the Maverick power play.

MSU junior goaltender Brianna Quade (2-2-1) finished the contest with 29 saves, including 11 in the final period. Amsley-Benzie (2-0-0) picked up the win after holding the Mavericks to one goal, while posting 13 saves.

In total, UND put 31 shots on goal compared to the Mavericks 14, while Minnesota State won 29 of 44 face-offs. Both squads went 0-of-3 on the power play, with UND receiving three penalties for a total of nine minutes and MSU taking three penalties for six minutes.

The Mavericks wrap up their weekend series with UND Saturday. The opening face-off is scheduled for 2:07 p.m.

 
                                                                    -30-