Mankato,  Minn.  ---    Freshman forward Max Coatta had a hand in all three goals as 18th-rated Minnesota State skated to a 3-1 win over Northern Michigan in Western Collegiate Hockey Association action Saturday in Mankato.

For the second straight night, Northern Michigan got on the board to open the scoring.  Dominik Shine put a shot past Maverick freshman netminder Jason Pawloski at 4:43 of the first period on the gloveside that Pawloski appeared to be screened on. Senior defenseman Jon Jutzi's rocket from the point beat Mathias Israelsson at 7:14 of the period to knot the score at 1-1.

After a scoreless second period, Minnesota State took its first lead of the game at 4:28 of the third period when Dylan Margonari converted on a doorstep opportunity on the leftside of the net. The goal for Margonari, who missed the first ten games of the season due to injury, is his first of 2015-16.  Junior defenseman Casey Nelson added an insurance tally when he scored on an odd-man rush with three minutes remaining in the game. The goal is Nelson's fourth of the season.

Freshman forward Max Coatta drew assists on all three goals in the game for the Mavericks and now has six points on two goals and four assists in 17 games played this year.

Minnesota State outshot the Wildcats by a 43-15 margin in the win and freshman netminder Jason Pawloski, who started his tenth consecutive game, stopped 14 shots in gaining the decision. He now stands 8-1-4 in his first year of college hockey.

With the win the Mavericks are now 6-1-4 in their last 11 games. Minnesota State, which stands 11-7-4 overall and owns a 10-2-4 WCHA mark, continues league action next weekend with a two-game road series at Michigan Tech.
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