Minneapolis, Minn. --- Minnesota State cannot complete comeback on #1 Minnesota, losing 3-1 in Western Collegiate Hockey Association action Friday at Ridder Arena.

Minnesota jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first period and Minnesota State could not overcome the deficit late.
 
The first goal of the came by way of a lucky bounce for the Gophers. A pass from a Minnesota player hit a Maverick skate and glanced off freshman netminder Abigail Levy. The puck settled behind Levy and before she could figure out where it was, freshman defenseman Crystalyn Hengler poked in the puck at the 6:21 mark. Eight seconds after a penalty kill by the Mavericks, freshman winger Abigail Boreen fired a shot from the blue line and past a screened Levy to give UM a 2-0 lead at the 14:56 mark.
 
The Mavericks were a perfect four-for-four on the penalty kill until the 9:59 mark in the second period. Freshman winger Amy Potomak went top shelf from the inside edge of the left face-off circle to give the Gophers a 3-0 lead. That was the only goal scored in the second period as Levy collected 19 more saves.
 
The only goal scored in the third period was 20 seconds in by Minnesota State. A power play opportunity for the Mavericks carried over from the second period and they took full advantage. Sophomore forward Brittyn Fleming skated below the red line and passed back to the front of the net, finding junior winger Sofia Poinar. Poinar's first goal of the season went over the glove of sophomore netminder Alex Gulstene.
 
Freshman Abigail Levy stopped 36 shots and now has a record of 9-15-5 on the season. The Mavericks penalty kill had a good night going six-for-seven on stopping the Gophers. MSU went one-for-three on the power play.
 
Minnesota State and Minnesota will finish up the series tomorrow at 4:07 p.m., at Ridder Arena.
 
Head coach John Harrington commented following the game.