Mankato, Minn. --- Minnesota State women's hockey will play its 2019-20 opening series against nonconference opponent Rensselaer on the road in Troy, N.Y. Games will be played on Friday and Saturday with the puck being dropped at 6:00 p.m. (EST) and 3:00 p.m. (EST), respectively, at Houston Field House.
 
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 185-483-64 (.296) record in 732 total games played. The Mavericks are in their 21st year as members in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and hold a 114-383-51 (.255) record in 548 games played.

Last Time on the Ice: Minnesota State (9-19-7, 3-16-5-2 WCHA in 2018-19) was swept in the first round of the WCHA Tournament by then-No. 10 Ohio State. The Mavericks were defeated by the scores of 3-2 (OT) and 3-0 on March 1-2, 2019.

The Buckeyes struck first when junior Tatum Skaggs lit the lamp 5:18 into the first period after deflecting the original shot into the back of the net. The Mavericks responded nine minutes later with a power play goal from sophomore Brooke Bryant to even the score in the first period. Bryant scored her 10th goal of the season after skating past all four OSU skaters and beating the goaltender to the right side. With a minute left in the period, junior Lisa Bruno gave Ohio State the 2-1 advantage heading into the first intermission. After a scoreless second period, Minnesota State tied the game on Bryant's second goal of the game and 11th on the season. Senior Emily Antony found Bryant diving to the right post and put it on her stick for a chip in goal. The game went into overtime, but it was OSU who prevailed when junior Emma Maltais scored on a breakaway following a MSU turnover.

Ohio State finished the Mavericks' season after a 3-0 win in game two of the first round series. Recently graduated Charly Dahlquist chipped the puck in the net right outside the crease for the 1-0 lead in the first period. After a scoreless second period, graduated senior Jacyn Reeves converted on a partial breakaway and senior Jincy Dunne netted an empty net goal to give the Buckeyes the 3-0 win.

In net, sophomore Abigail Levy (9-18-7) made both starts on the weekend. Levy collected 74 saves, had a 2.56 goals against average and a .925 save percentage. She made 39 saves in the first game and 35 saves in the second game.
 
Seeking 50: Senior Emily Antony (17-31--48) is looking to become the 20th student-athlete in program history to reach the 50-point plateau. Corbin Boyd (15-41-56) was able to achieve this feat last season becoming the 19th student-athlete to do so.

Balanced Attack: The Mavericks bring back three of their top six point scorers from last season. Forwards Brooke Bryant and Brittyn Fleming were second on the team with 20 points a piece. Bryant had 11 goals and nine assists where Fleming had nine goals and 11 assists. Another forward, Emily Antony finished last season with two goals and 11 assists for 13 points after returning from injury from the previous season.

New Captains: Seniors Emily Antony and McKenzie Sederberg have been named captains for the 2019-20 season. Junior Brittyn Fleming and sophomore Anna Wilgren are the alternate captains.

New Horns: Minnesota State welcomes one transfer and six freshman to the 2019-20 roster. Junior Taylor Wemple comes to Mankato, Minn., after spending the past two seasons at St. Cloud State. Wemple appeared in 58 games in her two seasons, scoring three goals and collecting 10 assists for 13 points in her career as a defenseman.

The five freshmen are: goaltender Calla Frank, defensemen Charlotte Akervik and Lyndsey Howard, and forwards Kennedy Bobyck, Danielle England and Kelsey King.

Scouting Rensselaer: The Engineers finished the 2018-19 season with a 14-18-5, 10-11-1 ECAC record. RPI was ousted by Cornell in three games in the ECAC First Round after winning game two, but losing games one and three. Most recently, Rensselaer tied with Brock University in an exhibition game by a score of 2-2.

The RPI offense returns senior Blake Orosz who lead the team in goals and points with a 17-10--27 stat line. Senior Sabrina Repaci also returns after a strong season with the Engineers, scoring seven goals and collecting 11 assists for 18 points.

In net, Rensselaer lost Lovisa Selander to graduation after starting every game between the pipes last season. Either junior Jenn Gregg or freshmen Amanda Rampado or Ena Nystrom will take over.

Facing Rensselaer: All-time, the Mavericks are 2-0-0 against the Engineers, with the only previous meeting coming last season. The Mavericks swept the series at home defeating RPI 2-0 in game one and then 3-1 in game two.
 
Looking Ahead: Minnesota State will begin WCHA competition against #2 Minnesota in the home opener on Oct. 4-5. Games will begin at 7:07 p.m., and 2:07 p.m., respectively.