Fairfield, Conn. --- Minnesota State scored nine goals in its season opener en route to its largest victory since 2021 by a final of 9-0 over Sacred Heart. The Mavericks saw 13 different players register a point in Friday's matchup in Fairfield, Connecticut.

The Mavericks last scored nine goals on September 25th, 2021, in a 9-3 victory against Merrimack.

Seniors Jamie Nelson and Sydney Langseth connected twice in the first period giving the Mavericks the early lead heading into the second period. Nelson finished the day with a career-high five points in a game after recording two goals and three helpers.

Minnesota State jumped all over SHU scoring six goals on 17 shots in the second period. Sophomore Taylor Otremba led MSU's offensive push notching two goals just 13 seconds apart. Just seconds apart, junior Claire Vekich notched her first goal in the purple and gold extending the MSU lead to five goals with 13:49 left in the second. Along with Vekich, a slew of newcomers registered their first points as a Maverick. Freshman Lauren Zawoyski and JuliAnna Gazdik both registered an assist.

The Mavericks offensive push continued just 1:48 after the Vekich goal. Senior Madison Mashuga found the back of the net twice in the period making her the third Mavericks player with a multi-goal performance. Mashuga is coming off a fantastic 2022-23 campaign finishing third on the team in points with 22.

The second period was capped off when sophomore Whitney Tuttle stick handled through SHU defenders and sent a rocket past the SHU goaltender's left shoulder for her first goal on the season.

Senior Kennedy Bobyck owned the lone score in the third rounding out the Mavericks scoring onslaught. Minnesota State's captains all registered a point in today's matchup.

Head Coach John Harrington after the game: "I thought our first period was a little ragged as we seemed a little too tight starting the game. Our second period was outstanding. Our line of Nelson-Langseth-Otremba led us offensively, and three of our four lines contributed to the goal column. Overall, we played well on both sides of the puck.  A great start to the season for the Mavericks and we will now focus on preparing for our second game with Sacred Heart."

The Mavericks are back in action tomorrow as they wrap up their series against Sacred Heart. The puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m.