South Bend, Indiana --- Top-rated Minnesota State fell 2-1 to RIT in first round action of the 2015 NCAA Division I Midwest Regional in South Bend, Indiana Saturday.

The Tigers, who entered the weekend with seven straight wins, got on the board first when defenseman Alexander Kuqali walked out of the corner and backhanded a shot that beat Stephon Williams in the stickside at 4:30.

The Mavericks broke through at 10:52 of second on the power play after junior forward Teddy Blueger's shot one-timed a shot from the point that was deflected by freshman forward C.J. Franklin past Jordan Ruby. The goal was Franklin's ninth of the season.

RIT got the game-winner at 14:09 of the third on a disputed goal when Josh Mitchell's shot from the wing found its way past Williams after an RIT player pushed a Maverick defender into the Minnesota State netminder. Originally ruled no goal on the ice, the call was changed after officials viewed video of the play.

Minnesota State, which converted on one-of-five chances on the power play, outshot RIT  by a 34-19 margin in the contest. Williams finishes the year with a 25-6-3 mark.

The Mavericks finish the year with a 29-8-3 mark. Now 20-14-5, RIT advances to the regional championship and play Sunday against the winner of Omaha and Harvard.

Minnesota State's postgame press conference with Mike Hastings, Zach Palmquist and C.J. Franklin appears HERE.