Duluth, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's hockey team could not avoid the sweep to No. 9 Minnesota Duluth, falling 4-1 Saturday afternoon at Amsoil Arena.

The loss drops the Mavericks record to 2-4-0 (0-4-0 WCHA) and the win improves the Bulldogs record to 3-1-0 (2-0-0 WCHA).  

Minnesota Duluth was the first to break through in the first period of game two. At the 12:03 mark, junior winger Anna Klein went five-hole against freshman netminder Calla Frank with sophomore forward Gabbie Hughes feeding her on the backside.

The Bulldogs extended their lead to 3-0 after 40 minutes of play with two goals scored in the second period. Hughes made a fancy play for the second goal of the game as she went in between the legs of a Maverick skater rushing towards the right post, then flipped the puck up over Frank's shoulder. Junior winger Ashton Bell scored on a power play opportunity when she was found by a pass through the crease and scored on an open net on the backside.

Goals were exchanged by both teams a minute apart from each other in the third period. Junior forward Monique Anderson gave the Bulldogs the 4-0 advantage 3:03 into the period. Sophomore winger Madison Oelkers put away her first goal of the season, past senior netminder Maddie Rooney with the help of junior forward Brittyn Fleming and junior blueliner Jessica Kondas.

Freshman Calla Frank (1-2-0) had a career-high in saves for the second straight game, finishing with 34 against the Bulldogs and allowed four goals.

Minnesota State was outshot by Minnesota Duluth by a 38-13 margin. MSU went zero-for-two on the power play, while UMD converted on one of its five chances.

The Mavericks will return to Mankato Civic Center next weekend to face No. 8 Ohio State on Oct. 18-19. Both games will begin at 2:07 p.m.