MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota State women's hockey collected a goal in each period but dropped an 8-3 decision to the No. 3 ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers Friday night at Ridder Arena in WCHA play.
 
The Mavericks (10-12-1, 4-12-1 WCHA) return to Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center Saturday at 2:02 p.m. CT to conclude the weekend series.
 
The Golden Gophers (18-5-1, 12-4-1 WCHA) led 2-1 after 20 minutes. Freshman Bella Shipley posted her third goal of the season at 9:04 with an assist from Taylor Otremba.
 
Abby Murphy added an even strength marker for Minnesota 20 seconds into the middle period but junior Kianna Roeske responded with her second of the year eight minutes later and the Mavericks trailed 4-2.
 
The Golden Gophers scored four unanswered goals, including one on the power play before Alexis Paddington added a tally for the Mavericks with an extra attacker near the midpoint of the third frame. Jamie Nelson and JuliAnna Gazdik assisted.
 
Peyton Hemp scored shorthanded for UM to bring the score to 8-3.

"We had spurts that looked like Maverick hockey," said head coach Shari Dickerman. "But a few lulls in our play ended up with the puck in the back of our net. We'll look to rebound tomorrow with a consistent sixty-minute effort by our entire group."
 
Minnesota outshot the Mavericks 41-28. Hannah Clark was the winning goaltender with 25 stops for the Golden Gophers. MSU won 27-63 faceoffs and finished 1-4 on the power play. Minnesota is 3-0 and can sweep the season series between the WCHA rivals on Saturday with a win.