Mankato, Minn. --- Minnesota State women's hockey lost to Bemidji State 5-3 in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association game on Saturday afternoon at Verizon Center. 
 
With the loss, Minnesota State (4-23-1, 2-18-0-0 WCHA) split its two-game series with Bemidji State (13-14-3, 8-10-2-1 WCHA).
 
The Mavericks took a 1-0 lead over the Beavers in the first period. Senior forward Hannah Davidson scored her fifth goal of the season, on a rebound at 04:06 of the first period, with freshman forward Tristen Truax and junior forward Rebekah Kolstad assisting on the play.
 
In the second period, Bemidji State outscored the Mavericks 3-0 to put the Mavericks down 3-1 after 40:00 of play. Alexis Joyce scored at 4:47, followed by Emma Terres at 6:17 and Melissa Hunt at 11:21.
 
In the third period, the Mavericks fought back, but were unable to complete a comeback. Sophomore forward Demi Gardner scored her second goal of the season at 4:10 to cut the Mavericks' deficit to 3-2. Freshman forward Mariah Gardner, Demi's sister, assisted on the play for her first collegiate point. However, Mak Langei responded for the Beavers, with what turned out to be the decisive goal, at 6:40. Junior forward Jordan McLaughlin scored the Mavericks' final goal at the 16:55 mark. Standing in the slot, McLaughlin deflected a shot by junior defenseman Megan Hinze for her team-leading eighth goal of the season – making the score 4-3. Freshman forward Brittyn Fleming also picked up her 13th assist and 17th point of the season – both team highs. With the Mavericks' goaltender pulled for an extra skater, Emily Bergland scored the final goal of the afternoon for the Beavers at the 19:24 mark, which made the final score 5-3.         
 
Sophomore goaltender Chloe Crosby (3-9-1) made 24 saves for the Mavericks, while Lauren Bench (8-7-0) stopped 21 shots for the Beavers. 
 
Each team went 0-of-2 on the power play.  
 
The Mavericks were outshot by Bemidji State 29-24 on the afternoon. 
 
Minnesota State continues WCHA play next weekend with a two-game series against No. 6 Ohio State at Verizon Center. The games are slated for 6:07 p.m., on Friday and 2:07 p.m., on Saturday.

Watch head coach John Harrington's postgame interview below.