Mankato, Minn. - Minnesota State junior defenseman Akito Hirose scored 2:17 into overtime to push the 17th-ranked Mavericks to a 3-2 victory over Lake Superior State Friday evening in front of 4,637 fans in the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center.
The goal, which was Hirose's second in as many games, was assisted by seniors Ryan Sandelin and Brendan Furry. Both Hirose and Sandelin finished the night with a goal and an assist for the Mavericks.
Freshman forward Christian Fitzgerald scored the game's first goal at 5:01 of the second when freshman Simon Tassy found him in front of the net. The assist for Tassy marked his first collegiate point.
Lake Superior State tied the game roughly 11 minutes later as the two teams entered the third period tied at one.
Hirose and fellow blueliner Jake Livingstone found Sandelin at 8:48 of the third to give Minnesota State a 2-1 advantage. The Lakers answered shortly after when Louis Boudon scored an even strength tally to tie the game at 2-2 before heading to overtime.
Sophomore goaltender Keenan Rancier turned away 15 shots in the win to improve to 9-6-1 on the season.
The Mavericks and Lakers conclude their weekend series Saturday at 6:07 p.m.
