MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State women's hockey returns to Verizon Center to face St. Cloud State in its first home WCHA series. The series will start on Friday at 7:07 p.m., where it will be pink night for breast cancer awareness. The series concludes on Saturday at 3:07 p.m. Saturday's game is alumni night and also skate with the Mavs after the game.

Minnesota State All-Time: The MSU women's hockey program — started in 1998-99 — is currently in its 21st season of competition and has compiled a 178-466-57 (.295) record in 701 total games played. The Mavericks are in their 20th year as members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and hold a 111-369-46 (.255) in 526 games played.

Last Time on the Ice: Minnesota State (2-2-0, 0-2-0-0 WCHA) began its 2018-19 WCHA schedule with two losses to #5 Ohio State on Oct. 12-13. The Mavericks lost 4-0 on the 12th and 2-1 in overtime on the 13th.

In the first WCHA game of the season, the Mavericks were shut out by the Buckeyes by a score of 4-0. MSU was unable to get any offensive attack going as OSU outshot them 46-22. Minnesota State was able to kill each power play opportunity for Ohio State, but unfortunately fell in the end.  

On Saturday, the Mavericks came out with more energy and enthusiasm against the Buckeyes. Sophomore Tristen Truax scored her first goal of the season to even the score at one in the second period. Senior Jordan McLaughlin and freshman Anna Wilgren picked up an assist. The game went to overtime and MSU eventually lost 2-1 when OSU scored with 53 seconds left in OT. The Buckeyes outshot the Mavericks 44-34 in the game.

In net, freshman Abigail Levy started both games for the Mavericks, losing both, but kept MSU in the second game of the series. On the weekend, Levy made 84 saves on 90 opportunities, garnered a 2.90 goals-against average and have a save percentage of .946. Levy also earned WCHA Goaltender of the Week, Powered by GoodWood Hockey, for her performance against Ohio State. This is her second WCHA weekly honor this season.

Scouting St. Cloud State: The Huskies (2-4-0, 0-2-0-0 WCHA) were swept last weekend in their WCHA opening series against #3 Minnesota. SCSU lost 6-2 on Friday and 4-1 on Saturday. 
The Huskies offense features senior Julia Tylke who is currently leading SCSU in points (0-9--9) and tied for third in the WCHA. Junior Hallie Theodosopoulos is currently leading the Huskies in goals with five, which is tied for first in the NCAA.

In net, St. Cloud State features the duo of junior Janine Alder and sophomore Emma Polusny. Both have started three games each for the Huskies and have a record of 1-2 each. Together, they hold a 3.43 goals against average,  a .906 save percentage and 202 saves so far this season.

Facing St. Cloud State: All-time, the Mavericks are 32-38-12 against the Huskies. The last time the two teams met was Jan. 5-6, 2018 when St. Cloud State won both games 5-0 and 3-1 in St. Cloud, Minn.

Looking Ahead: The Mavericks hit the road again to continue their conference schedule against Bemidji State. Friday, Oct. 26 the game will begin at 6:07 p.m., and on Saturday, Oct. 27 the puck will drop at 3:07 p.m., with both games being played in the Sanford Center.