Mankato, Minn. --- Minnesota State women's hockey hits the road for its first WCHA road series against No. 9 Minnesota Duluth at Amsoil Arena in Duluth, Minn. Games will be played on Friday and Saturday with the puck being dropped at 3:07 p.m., both days.
 
Minnesota State All-Time: The MSU women's hockey program, which started in 1998-99, is currently in its 22nd season of competition and has compiled a 187-485-64 (.298) record in 736 total games played. The Mavericks are in their 21st year as members in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and hold a 114-385-51 (.254) record in 550 games played.

Last Time on the Ice: Minnesota State (2-2-0, 0-2-0-0 WCHA) was swept by No. 2 Minnesota in the 2019-20 home opening series at Mankato Civic Center. The Mavericks lost both games by the scores of 6-0 and 7-1.

In game one, Minnesota scored two goals in the first period to take the advantage early. Sophomore blueliner Crystalyn Hengler received the puck near the blue line and shot it through traffic nearly six minutes into the contest. After the Mavericks were called for interference, the Gophers converted on the power-play with junior winger Grace Zumwinkle receiving the puck in the slot and scoring at the 11:13 mark. In the second period, sophomore forward Taylor Heise was credited for the unassisted goal after a Maverick skater tipped the puck into her own net. Senior winger Alex Woken, Heise and Zumwinkle all scored in the third period for the 6-0 victory.

In game two, The Gophers took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission after Heise put the puck in the upper right corner of the goal from straight on and sophomore forward Catie Skaja scored the second goal to take the two-goal advantage. In the second period, Woken scored the first goal with senior forward Sarah Potomak scoring the second on a power-play opportunity for the 4-0 lead. Minnesota State's first goal of the series came four minutes into the third period, when freshman blueliner Charlotte Akervik took advantage of a four-on-four situation. Her second goal of the season came after Akervik forced a turnover deep in Gopher territory, skated around one defender and went five-hole against the Minnesota netminder. Minnesota scored three more goals with junior defenseman Emily Brown,Woken and Skaja all scoring in the final frame.

In net, sophomore Abigail Levy (1-1-0) made the start in game one and collected 28 saves, allowing six goals in the loss. Freshman Calla Frank (1-1-0) made a career-high 32 saves in her first start against a WCHA opponent, while allowing seven goals in the loss.
 
WCHA & NCAA Statistics: A couple of freshman are leading the way statistically for the Mavericks. Charlotte Akervik has scored the most goals among all WCHA freshman and is tied for the most for all WCHA blueliners. Forward Kelsey King leads the way in points for all WCHA freshman. Sophomore defenseman Anna Wilgren is tied for the most blocked shots in the NCAA at 16.

Scouting Minnesota Duluth: The Bulldogs (1-1-0, 0-0-0 WCHA) are most recently coming off of a series spilt with then-No. 3 Clarkson. Clarkson won the first game 4-2 and Minnesota Duluth shutout the Golden Knights 2-0 in game two.

The Bulldog offense is led by senior forward Sydney Brodt early on, who lead them in points with a 2-2--4 statline. Junior forward Ashton Bell also leads the Bulldogs in points with four after collecting four assists so far this season.

In net, Minnesota Duluth features USA Olympic gold medalist, senior Maddie Rooney. Rooney (1-1-0) made both starts against the Golden Knights, making 57 stops for a 2.00 GAA and .934 save percentage with a shutout.

Facing Minnesota Duluth: All-time, the Mavericks are 7-70-7 against the Bulldogs. In the pervious matchup last season, MSU and UMD tied both games 5-5 and 3-3 in the last WCHA regular season series. The Bulldogs collected the extra shootout point in both instances.
 
Looking Ahead: Minnesota State will return to Mankato Civic Center to face No. 6 Ohio State in WCHA action. Games will be on Oct. 18-19 with puck dropping at 2:07 p.m., both days.