MARQUETTE, Mich. – Sophomore forward Liam Watkins (Okotoks, Alberta) posted his first collegiate two-goal game and senior Alex Tracy (Chicago, Ill.) made 35 saves for his tenth career shutout as No. 14 Minnesota State topped Northern Michigan 4-0 Friday at Berry Events Center. The Mavericks won their fifth straight game and junior defenseman Evan Murr (Stillwater, Minn.) helped the effort with three assists.
 
Minnesota State (9-2-4, 6-1-2 CCHA) meets Northern Michigan (0-15-0, 0-7-0 CCHA) again Saturday night at 5:07 p.m. CT in Marquette.
 
Watkins cleaned up a rebound from Jacob Conrad's point shot for a power play goal at 12:42 of the first period. Evan Murr also assisted on Watkins' fourth of the season for the Mavericks.
 
Watkins made it 2-0 on the power play in the second period. After Tristan Lemyre made space on zone-entry, Evan Murr passed it to Luigi Benincasa for a shot from the left circle. Watkins worked his way free and tucked in another rebound at the back post for the Mavericks at 4:48.
 
After sustained pressure in the offensive zone, Murr's shot from the right point redirected off Alex Zetterberg's skate and in for a 3-0 advantage. It was Zetterberg's third goal in as many games. Tristan Lemyre skated in an empty net goal at 19:37 for the Mavericks.

"It was a nice road win," commented head coach Luke Strand. "We were timely in the game while getting great specialty team efforts. We're growing and showing signs of being a committed 200 foot team."
 
Minnesota State finished the night 2-3 on the power play and killed 2-2 minor penalties. The Mavericks posted 37 shots on NMU netminder William Gramme. Minnesota State is unbeaten over its last seven outings and the Mavericks have not lost in regulation since opening the season October 10 vs. Omaha (L, 6-2). Tracy lowered his goals against average to 1.76 with two shutouts this season (Nov. 21 vs. Michigan Tech).