MANKATO, Minn. — No. 12 Minnesota State (11-9-1, 5-9-1 WCHA) dropped to No. 3 Minnesota (17-4-0, 11-4-0 WCHA) Friday night at the Mayo Clinic HSEC.

The Mavericks got on the board early, as Makayla Moran scored an unassisted goal just 1:54 into the contest for her third goal of the season. Minnesota answered later in the period and used a five-goal first frame to take control of the game.

Minnesota State continued to battle offensively, with Ayla Puppe scoring in the second period off an assist from Whitney Tuttle. Zoe Lopez added a short-handed goal in the third period to account for the Mavericks' third tally of the night.

Puppe led Minnesota State with five shots on goal, while Lopez recorded a goal and three shots. Moran finished with one goal on two shots, and Tuttle contributed an assist.

The Mavericks will conclude the home-and-home series against Minnesota tomorrow Saturday, Jan. 10, at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis at 7:30 p.m.