MANKATO, Minn.--- Minnesota State (7-12-0, 3-11-0 WCHA) will kick off the second half of its season hosting Lindenwood (7-10-1, 2-5-1 CHA) for a weekend series with actions starting Friday at 6 p.m. 

Last Time Out:
Minnesota State was swept last time out against top-ranked Ohio State by finals of 6-1 and 4-1 to close out the first half of the season.  

On Saturday, Minnesota State found themselves in an early 3-0 hole heading into the second period. OSU was able to keep up the offensive pressure, tallying two more in the second period extending its margin to five.

After going down by six at the 12:30 mark of the third period, sophomore Kianna Roeske responded with her first goal on the season and second goal of her career to steal a shutout away from OSU's goaltender Raygan Kirk. Junior Shelbi Guttormson and sophomore Whitney Tuttle notched assists on the play.

The Mavericks fought to close the scoring margin on Sunday dropping the series finale 4-1.

After the Mavericks found themselves down a goal at the halfway mark of the opening period, senior Sydney Langseth found the back of the net for her eighth goal on the season. On the play, sophomore Whitney Tuttle notched her ninth assist on the season. Langseth is the first Mavericks this season to reach 20 points on the year.

The Buckeyes would claim their second goal in the dying minutes of the first period claiming a 2-1 lead. After a scoreless second period, Ohio State added a powerplay tally and an empty net goal completing the sweep.

Taking on LU:  
Lindenwood (7-10-1, 2-5-1 CHA) holds fourth place in the College Hockey America standings with five points on the season. LU currently sits nine points away from the conference leader No. 15 Penn State. The Lions have struggled keeping the puck out of their net registering a 54-87 scoring margin.  

In NCAA DI Women's Hockey, Lindenwood ranks 39th of 44 in scoring margins after allowing nearly two goals for every goal scored. LU is registering a -1.83 scoring margin on the 2023-24 season. MSU is ranked 26th with a -0.32 scoring margin.

Headlining Lindenwood's offense is junior Morgan Neitzke who has registered 18 goals and 11 assists for 29 points which is 11 points more than any other LU forward. Neitzke is averaging one goal a game which ranks third in goals per game in DI Women's College Hockey. The junior forward is registering 1.61 points per game which is good enough for eighth in national rankings. Neitzke defensively is doing her part leading the team in blocks with 31 which is 13 more blocks than any LU defender.

In 29 previous matchups with the Lions, the Mavericks hold a 23-4-2 record. MSU has won its last eight straight outings against LU outscoring the Lions 36-12 in that span.

In goal, LU relies on its trio of senior Natalie Ferenc, junior Emily Finach, and freshman Ava Mcllmurray who have combined for a 4.71 goals-against average and an .863 save percentage. Ferenc heads the group starting in 12 of 18 matchups registering 731 minutes on the season. The trio has combined for a 7-10-1 overall record this season.