BEMIDJI, Minn. --- Minnesota State uses three third period goals to defeat Bemidji State 4-1 Friday night at the Sanford Center.

The 4-3 start is the best for the Mavericks women's hockey team since the 2012-13 season when they started 3-2-2.

The Mavericks and Beavers were locked in a scoreless back and forth first period until the 14:38 mark when Bemidji State got on the board first. Kara Werth was able to put away her first goal in her collegiate career to put BSU on top 1-0. The Mavericks were unable to capitalize on a power-play opportunity and went into the locker room down a goal.

Minnesota State battled back in the second period by getting a late goal with less than 1:30 left until the second intermission. Senior Corbin Boyd beat the Beaver netminder for her second goal of the season off of a rebound from a save with the assists going to seniors Jordan McLaughlin and Rebekah Kolstad. The Mavericks were also able to kill of their only penalty and have still yet to allow a power-play goal this season.

Minnesota State was able to take advantage of a Bemidji State mistake early in the third period to take a 2-1 lead. McLaughlin found Kolstad diving to the front of the net on a 2-on-1 situation for Kolstad's team-leading third goal of the season. The Mavericks scored two empty net goals towards the end of the third period. Kolstad tacked on her second goal of the game to make the score 3-1 and then sophomore Mariah Gardner scored her second goal of the season to make the final score 4-1.

Freshman Abigail Levy turned in another great performance by making 30 saves on 31 opportunities, helping kill off two penalties and earning the first star of the game.

Kolstad ended the night with two goals and an assist to go along with the second star of the game. Boyd turned in a goal and an assist of her own and earned the third star of the game. McLaughlin also had three helpers on the night.

Junior Jordan Jackson led the way for the Mavericks defensively with five blocked shots and helped kill off two penalties.

Minnesota State (4-3-0, 2-3-0-0 WCHA) is back in action for the season finale tomorrow against Bemidji State at the Sanford Center, beginning at 3:07 p.m.

Head coach John Harrington commented following the game.