Mankato, Minn. --- Minnesota State women's hockey dropped the series finale of a two-game Western Collegiate Hockey Association set with No. 6 Minnesota by a score of 5-2 on Saturday afternoon at Verizon Center.
 
The Mavericks (2-7-1, 1-5-0-0 WCHA) were outscored by the Gophers (7-4-1, 6-3-1-0 WCHA) 2-1 in the first period. The Gophers got on the scoreboard first when Cara Piazza scored at 4:45 of the period. Senior forward Lindsey Coleman drew the Mavericks even with her third goal of the season – on the power play at the 10:44 mark. Junior forward Jordan McLaughlin and sophomore defenseman Jordan Jackson assisted on the play. The game remained tied until the final minute of the period when Taylor Wente put the Gophers back in front 2-1 at the 19:42 mark.
 
In the second period, the Gophers' Lindsay Agnew scored the only goal of the period at 14:22 to make the score 3-1 at the second intermission.
 
In the third period, the Mavericks scored the first goal to draw within one of the Gophers at 3-2, but the Gophers scored the final two goals of the game to make the final score 5-2. Senior forward Hannah Davidson scored the Mavericks' goal – her second of the season – at 9:26 of the period. Senior forward Sara Bustad and junior forward Corbin Boyd assisted on the play. The Gophers goals were scored by Nicole Schammel at 12:12 and Sophie Skarzynski at 14:03.    
 
Junior Katie Bidulka (1-5-0) made 23 saves in net for the Mavericks and Alex Gulstene stopped 19 shots for the Gophers.
 
The Mavericks finished 1-of-2 on the power play and the Gophers went 0-of-4 with the man advantage.
 
The Mavericks were outshot 28-21 on the day.
 
Minnesota State returns to action for a two-game WCHA series at No. 4 Ohio State on Nov. 10 and Nov. 11.

Watch head coach John Harrington's postgame interview below.