Mankato, Minn.--- Minnesota State can't hang on for the split on the weekend as it falls to #2 Minnesota on Saturday at Riddler Arena for its fifth straight loss.

The Maverick didn't get the start they wanted as Minnesota grabbed three early goals putting the Mavericks on its heels. At the end of the first period, the Gophers made a costly penalty giving the Mavericks an opportunity to get back into the game.

Alexis Paddington pushed over a Jamie Nelson rebound capitalizing on their first crack at Minnesota goaltender Makayla Pahl. The Mavericks kept their momentum heading into the second period with Paddington ripping a shot gloveside giving the Mavericks an extra boost.

The momentum was ping-ponged back and forth throughout the second period as Minnesota responded at the 7:05 mark with MSU answering back with a Sydney Shearn revenge goal at the 10:18 mark of the period. With three minutes remaining in the period, the Gophers take the moment away after a Josefin Bouveng goal to send MINN into the intermission with a 5-3 cushion.

Heavy pressure from both sides resulted in back-to-back goals each for their respected teams coming from Crystalyn Hengler for Minnesota and Madison Mashuga for the Mavericks.

The Mavericks let another third period slip away after three late goals by the gophers in the die minutes of the game, inflating the score to a 9-4 final. The Mavericks are back in action next week for another home-and-home with St. Thomas on the 20th and 21st of October.