MANKATO, Minn. — The Minnesota State women's hockey team responded in strong fashion Saturday afternoon, earning a decisive 3–0 win over St. Thomas at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center. The victory capped off the Mavericks' first WCHA series of the season and handed the Tommies their first loss of the year.

After a scoreless opening period that saw the Mavericks control much of the puck possession and outshoot St. Thomas, Minnesota State broke through in the second frame. At the 7:57 mark, junior forward Kamryn Van Batavia found the back of the net. The shot was from the slot and went bar down over the glove of the goalie to give the Mavericks a 1–0 lead. The goal, her first of the season, was assisted by Taylor Otremba and Lauren Zawoyski.

Minnesota State continued to push offensively, drawing a power play late in the second period. The Mavericks capitalized when Whitney Tuttle buried a great pass from Taylor Otremba in front of the net at 18:05, extending the lead to 2–0. The power-play goal was assisted by Otremba—her second helper of the day—and Kianna Roeske.

Defensively, Minnesota State was anchored by goaltender Hailey Hansen, who turned away every St. Thomas scoring chance. Hansen made several key saves, including multiple stops through traffic on Tommie power plays, en route to her third shutout of the season.

With St. Thomas pulling its goaltender late in the third period, Minnesota State sealed the victory when Zoe Lopez scored an empty-net goal at 17:39, assisted by Van Batavia and Zawoyski. The tally marked Lopez's fourth goal of the season and secured the Mavericks' 3–0 win.

With the win, the Mavericks improve to 5–1–0 overall and 1–1–0 in WCHA play, while St. Thomas falls to 5–1–0 (1–1–0 WCHA).

Minnesota State will look to build on the momentum as they continue WCHA action next weekend as they face Minnesota Duluth on the road.