Wentzville, Mo. --- Minnesota State women's hockey scored three goals in the first period and rolled to a 4-1 season-opening win against Lindenwood on Friday night at Lindenwood Ice Arena.

"It was a good first period for us — outshooting them and controlling the play," Minnesota State head coach John Harrington said after the game. "It was a great effort tonight. It was our first game – their third – and on the road, and it was a great win for us. It was a good win and a confidence builder. Now, we know we have to come back with a new effort tomorrow."

Minnesota State (1-0-0) jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead over Lindenwood (0-3-0) on a goal by junior forward Emily Antony at 2:32 of the first period. Antony deflected in a shot from the point by sophomore defenseman McKenzie Sederberg. 

The Mavericks doubled their lead to 2-0 on junior forward Jordan McLaughlin's first goal of the evening, which came short-handed at 9:35 of the first period. 

After Lindenwood's Taylor Girard cut the Mavericks' lead to 2-1 at 13:36 of the first period, Minnesota State's Taylor Gulenchyn – a sophomore forward – answered back with her first collegiate goal to push the Mavericks' lead back to 3-1 at the 19:31 mark.

After neither team scored in the second period and for over 18:00 of the third period, McLaughlin capped off the scoring with an empty-net goal after Lindenwood had pulled its goaltender – making the final score 4-1 in favor of Minnesota State.

Senior defenseman Anna Keys, sophomore forward Demi Gardner, freshman forward Brittyn Fleming, Sederberg and McLaughlin each picked up an assist. Flemings' point is the first of her collegiate career.

Junior goaltender Katie Bidulka (1-0-0) made 24 saves in net for Minnesota State and Jolene deBruyn (0-3-0) made 23 stops for Lindenwood.

The Mavericks held a 27-25 advantage in shots on goal.

Neither team converted on the power play. Minnesota State finished 0-for-4 and Lindenwood finished 0-for-3.

The four goals were the most for Minnesota State since a 5-5 tie at North Dakota on Jan. 30, 2016.

Before McLaughlin's first goal, Minnesota State had last scored a short-handed goal on Oct. 23, 2015 when senior forward Hannah Davidson accomplished the feat against Ohio State.

The Mavericks and the Lions wrap up their two-game nonconference series at 6:30 p.m., on Saturday at Lindenwood Ice Arena.