MANKATO, Minn.--- Minnesota State (2-2-0) hosts #7/8 Minnesota Duluth (2-2-0) in its 2023-24 home opener. UMD comes into this weekend tied with MSU in the WCHA standings having yet to accumulate a conference point. The Bulldogs opened the year with two wins against LIU then dropped its first conference series against #2 Ohio State.

Last Time Out:
Minnesota State failed to find the back of the net last weekend in Madison, Wisconsin dropping both games to the Badgers. The Mavericks were outscored 15-0 as their goal deferential was knocked to plus-1.

Senior Lauren Barbro,  junior Suzette Faucher, and freshman Hailey Hansen all saw time in both games against Wisconsin. In 239 minutes this season, the trio combines for a 4.00 goals-against average while owning a .870 save percentage.  

Freshman twins Jenessa Gazik and JuliAnna Gazdik have solidified themselves as everyday defenders on the Mavericks' third line. In four games this season, both have recorded their first collegiate point. On October 7th, Jenessa Gazdik found the back of the net for her first collegiate goal against Sacred Heart. Defensively, the Gazdik duo has combined for 13 blocked shots this season leading all MSU defensive pairings. JuliAnna Gazdik leads the team in blocks with nine.

Through four games, 16 players- including all forwards-  have recorded at least one point this season. Head coach John Harrington stated after the series in Sacred Heart this Mavericks team has the most depth than any other team he has coached at MSU.    

Taking on UMD:  
The Bulldogs have been included in Division I women's college hockey's top 10 dating back to last season. This week, UMD has been ranked seventh in NCAA Division I Women's college hockey by USA Hockey Magazine and eighth in the USCHO rankings.

Minnesota Duluth has outscored its opponents by a 12-7 margin through four games to open the season going 2-2-0 in that stretch. Seniors Mannon McMahon, Clara Van Wieren, and Reece Hunt headline the Bulldogs offense. All three seniors have registered five points through four games accounting for 53% of UMD's total points (28). In 104 previous matchups with the Bulldogs, the Mavericks own a 10-85-9 record.

In goal, Minnesota Duluth relies on a platoon of junior Hailey MacLeod and freshman Eve Gascon who have combined for a 1.51 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage for a 2-2-0 record.