MANKATO, Minn.--- Minnesota State travels to Fairfield, Connecticut to face off with the Sacred Heart Pioneers for its regular season opener. SHU (1-0-0, 0-0-0 NEWHA) is a member of the New England Women's Hockey Alliance. The Pioneers posted a 16-18-3 overall record finishing fifth in the NEWHA.

Last Time Out:
Minnesota State finished last season with a 15-20-1 overall record and a 9-18-1 conference record. The 2022-23 season ended in Madison, Wisconsin with back-to-back defeats in the WCHA Quarterfinal. 

The Mavericks head into the season tied with St. Thomas for sixth in the WCHA preseason coaches' poll with 17 points. 

MSU looks to lean on returning points leader senior Jamie Nelson to guide the Mavericks offensively. Nelson finished the season with 22 assists resulting in .76 assists per game last season which ranked eighth in the WCHA.

In goal, senior Lauren Barbro looks to lead as the only returning goalie from the 2022-23 season. Barbro finished the season with a 7-10-0 record while sporting a 2.98 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage. 

Taking on SHU:  The Pioneers were slated fourth in the New England Women's Hockey Alliance (NEWHA) Preseason Coaches' Poll while collecting 12 new additions to its squad including six forwards, four defenders and two new assistant coaches. 

SHU began the new season by defeating Saint Michael's College last weekend by a final of 5-2. The offense is led by senior Paige McNeil who last season registered 10 goals and nine assists for 19 points. Last weekend she garnered two assists against SMC to open the season. In goal, junior Carly Greene sits between the pipes for SHU. The Mavericks got past her nine times last season in two games at SHU. She finished last season with a 2.23 goals-against-average and a .928 save percentage.

Last season was the first time both teams faced off in regular season action. The Mavericks dominated SHU outscoring the Pioneers 9-2 through two games.