OMAHA, Neb. – Minnesota State posted 49 shots on goal, but 2024-25 NCHC Goaltender of the Year Simon Latkoczy was up to the task as University of Nebraska, Omaha topped MSU 6-2 Friday night at Baxter Arena in non-conference men's hockey.
Â
Omaha scored three third-period goals and had five players with multi-point games. Minnesota State (0-1) meets Omaha (1-0) again Saturday at 7 p.m. to conclude the 'Spirit of the Maverick' series.
Â
Starting the Minnesota State fourth line, head coach
Luke Strand watched as junior
Sawyer Scholl one-timed his first goal in Purple and Gold just 20 seconds into the first shift of the evening. The feed from the right corner into the low slot came from junior
Fin Williams and was the first goal scored by a Maverick under one minute into a game since Reggie Lutz scored in 55 seconds against Massachusetts on Oct. 2, 2021.
Â
It took Marcus Nguyen just 53 seconds to respond for Omaha with a forehand to backhand move in front of senior goaltender
Alex Tracy at 1:13. Sean Tschigerl and Jeremy Loranger assisted, and the teams headed to intermission tied 1-1.
Â
Maxime Pellerin slid a pass from behind the goal line cross ice for Spencer Sova, who one-timed a shot from the right dot for a 2-1 UNO lead 4:03 into the second period. Later, Tracy made an initial save on Tschigerl at the top of the crease, but the UNO forward pounded in the rebound for a 3-1 advantage. Minnesota State continued to trail by two despite a 21-11 shot advantage in the middle frame.
Â
The teams exchanged power play markers early in the third period. Marc Lajoie scored for UNO at 1:40. Then sophomore
Liam Watkins answered for MSU with his first goal since joining the team from Omaha over the summer.
Jakob Stender assisted for MSU. Under a minute later, Aidan Gorgendiere made it 5-2 UNO at even strength. An empty net tally for the home Mavericks made it 6-2.
Â
Omaha finished 1-2 on the power play while Minnesota State converted 1-4 chances.
Charlie Lurie led MSU with 10 shots on goal and Tracy closed with 18 saves.
