TROY, N.Y. – Freshman contributions and a strong third period helped Minnesota State defeat RPI 5-3 Saturday afternoon at Houston Field House. Combined with a 3-0 win Friday night, the Mavericks swept the weekend series in Troy, N.Y. in non-conference regular season women's hockey.
 
Tied 2-2 heading into the final period, the Mavericks scored three goals and outshot the Engineers 21-4 over the final 20 minutes of regulation. Eleven players recorded at least one point and freshman Zoe Lopez posted one goal and one assist to lead the team on Saturday.
 
Minnesota State (2-0) hosts Lindenwood next on Oct. 3-4 at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center.

"I was really proud of our team and the way we took control in the third period," said head coach Shari Dickerman. "Our leaders did a great job of setting the standard for the young players to follow. It was great to pick up a couple of first career goal pucks this weekend."
 
Charlotte Wensley one-timed a shot in front of the crease for a 1-0 RPI lead just 1:49 into the opening period. Michaela Littlewood assisted.
 
Lopez responded quickly for the Mavericks, collecting a loose puck at the top of the offensive zone and wristing a shot high to the glove side at 3:43, her second goal in as many games.
 
Starting the second period on a power play, senior Taylor Otremba connected a pass in front to sophomore Ayla Puppe for a goal, but the play was reviewed and deemed offside on entry. Less than a minute later, Sabrina Beaudoin slipped a sharp-angle low shot in for a 2-1 RPI lead.
 
Again, the Mavericks struck back. Freshman Lucie Tenenbaum skated into the right circle and one-timed a slap shot off a pass from freshman Makayla Moran. Lopez also assisted, and the teams headed to the third period knotted 2-2.
 
Tracking down a loose puck in traffic, junior Ava Guillemette backhanded in her first goal of the year for a 4-2 edge. Junior Kamryn Van Batavia assisted.
 
RPI capitalized on a 2-on-1 rush and Wensley scored her second of the game at 10:09 to make it 4-3. Then freshman Mercury Bischoff added insurance for the Mavericks with a goal in the low slot just over two minutes later with her first career goal.
 
The Mavericks outshot RPI 40-21 and went 1-4 on the power play. RPI finished 0-4 on the power play. Goaltender Hailey Hansen made 18 saves for the Mavericks after posting a shutout Friday night. RPI blocked 19 shots compared to eight for Minnesota State.