MINNEAPOLIS – Claire Vekich scored her 15th goal of the season but No. 3 ranked Minnesota pulled away late to defeat Minnesota State 6-1 in the opening game of the WCHA quarterfinals Friday at Ridder Arena.
 
The Golden Gophers led 3-0 after two periods before Vekich's even strength marker came 13 seconds into the third. Kamryn Van Batavia assisted. Minnesota added three more goals in the final 5:03 and led shots on goal 45-24.
 
Ava Lindsay and Emma Kreisz spearheaded the offense for Minnesota with two goals apiece. Peyton Hemp and Ella Huber also scored.
 
Hailey Hansen played well in goal for MSU, and the sophomore stopped 39 shots. Hannah Clark made 23 saves for Minnesota. The Mavericks edged the Gophers 30-28 in faceoff wins. Abbey Murphy (Minnesota) led all skaters with 11 shot attempts.
 
The Mavericks and Golden Gophers meet again for game two on Saturday, March 1 at 2 p.m. at Ridder Arena. MSU's season will be on the line as they try to force a decisive third game. The winner of the series advances to the WCHA Final Face-Off in Duluth, Minnesota.
 
Minnesota State (13-20-2, 7-19-2 WCHA) and Minnesota (26-9-1, 19-8-1 WCHA) also played in the WCHA quarterfinals in 2023-24. The Golden Gophers prevailed in three games in Minneapolis.