MANKATO, Minn. --- Freshman Nicole Schammel had four points on Monday, including a hat trick, to lead MSU to its first Western Collegiate Hockey Association win of the season as the Mavericks defeated St. Cloud State, 5-1, Monday night at All Seasons Arena.

Minnesota State's record improves to 3-23-1 overall and 1-19-1 in Western Collegiate Hockey Association play while the Huskies drop to 6-21-1 and 3-17-1 in the WCHA.

The Huskies got on the board first in the opening period as Lauren Hespenheide scored from the right post on the power play at 10:19. But it was all Mavericks after that. Schammel recorded her first goal of the night at 12:02 of the period. After receiving a pass from freshman Hannah Davidson, Schammel skated to the top of the right circle and wristed one past SCSU netminder Julie Friend. Fellow freshman Amanda Conway picked up her third assist on the scoring play. At 16:59 Schammel struck again. Senior Elisabeth Hewett picked up the puck in the Mavericks own zone and passed it out to senior Shelby Moteyunas who found Schammel streaking down the middle of the ice. Schammel skated in all alone and went to the back hand to beat Friend glove side for her second score of the game to five MSU a 2-1 lead at the first intermission.

In the second period the Mavericks added two more goals, both of which came on the power play. Schammel took the puck at the point and swung it around to senior Kathleen Rogan who set up Moteyunas on the left circle and she was able to snipe one in for her second of the season at 11:27. Four minutes later Schammel picked up the hat trick slapping one in from the right circle.

Davidson added one more goal in the third period as Rogan's initial shot was saved and Davidson fired a shot from behind the net off of the back of Friend which ended up in the net. For Davidson, it was her sixth goal of the season.

Schammel's hat trick is the first for a Maverick since Rogan did so Jan. 2, 2013 in a 6-0 win against Lindenwood. It is also the first by a freshman since Oct. 22, 2010 when Rogan recorded three goals in a 4-2 over North Dakota.

In all, Schammel recorded three goals and an assist while Rogan added three assists on the night. Davidson and Moteyunas each recorded a goal and an assist while Hewett, Conway and freshman Anna Keys each had one assist.

Senior goaltender Erin Krichiver picked up her second win of the season stopping 27 shots on the night.

The Mavericks were a perfect 2-2 on the power play while the Huskies went 1-4. SCSU held a slight 28-27 shots on goal advantage.

Minnesota State will hit the road this weekend as they play Friday and Saturday against the Buckeyes of Ohio State. Friday's game is slated for 6:07 p.m. ET. and Saturday's match up will begin at 2:07 p.m. ET.