MANKATO, Minn. — The Minnesota State Mavericks (5-1-0, 1-1-0 WCHA) hit the road this weekend for a two-game series against No. 4 Minnesota Duluth (4-2-0, 0-2-0 WCHA). Puck drop is set for 6 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday at AMSOIL Arena in Duluth, Minn.

Scouting the Bulldogs

Minnesota Duluth enters the weekend with a 4-2 overall record following series against Mercyhurst, Syracuse, and Wisconsin. The Bulldogs dropped both games to the Badgers last weekend by scores of 4-3 and 4-0. UMD currently sits seventh in the WCHA standings and fourth in the latest USCHO national poll.

This year's roster features 13 new players, including eight forwards, four defensemen, and one goaltender. Sophomore Caitlin Kraemer leads the Bulldogs offensively with five goals and two assists for seven points.

Between the pipes, junior Eve Gascon has been steady, posting a .927 save percentage and a 2.32 goals-against average.

Mavericks Recap vs. St. Thomas

Minnesota State split its series with St. Thomas last weekend in Mankato.

On Friday, the Mavericks fell 2–1 in overtime, snapping their four-game winning streak to open the 2025–26 campaign. The streak ranks as the second-best season start in program history, behind only the 6-0 start by the 2003–04 team.

Ayla Puppe opened the scoring late in the first period with her third goal of the season, assisted by Mercury Bischoff and Kianna Roeske. St. Thomas answered moments later, and after a scoreless third period, the Tommies netted the game-winner just over two minutes into overtime.

Hailey Hansen recorded another strong outing in goal, making 24 saves in the loss.

The Mavericks rebounded Saturday with a dominant 3–0 shutout. After a scoreless opening frame, Kamryn Van Batavia broke through midway through the second with her first goal of the season, assisted by Taylor Otremba and Lauren Zawoyski.

Late in the period, Whitney Tuttle extended the lead with a power-play goal off a setup from Otremba and Roeske. Zoe Lopez sealed the win with an empty-netter in the final minutes, assisted by Van Batavia and Zawoyski.

Hansen earned her third shutout of the season, stopping all shots she faced and anchoring a strong defensive effort. She is tied for first nationally with three shutouts this season.  

Series History

Minnesota State and Minnesota Duluth are far from unfamiliar foes, having met 115 times in program history. The Bulldogs hold a 92-12-11 advantage in the all-time series. The teams last met at the end of the 2024–25 season in Duluth, where UMD took both games by scores of 4-1 and 8-2.

Watch Live

Both games will be streamed live on B1G+ (bigtenplus.com).