Mankato, Minn. — The Minnesota State Women's hockey team opened the season tonight taking on the Minnesota Whitecaps. The two teams took the game to overtime after a 2-2 tie in regulation, but neither team could capitalize and bury the puck for a victory.

In the first period, 4:55 into the game, the Whitecaps posted the first goal of the game from Allie Sanchez with an assist from Sam Nixon. After battling the entire first period trying to make up the one point defect, the Mavericks capitalized on a game tying goal from freshman forward Lauren Smith (Blaine, Minn.) with assists from junior forward Lisa Edman (Valkeakoski, Finland) and sophomore forward Moira O' Connor (Chicago, Ill.). The tie did not last long as the Whitecaps as Chelsey Brodt capitalized on nice passes from Jessica Koizumi and Jinelle Zaugg to take the 2-1 lead into the second period.

The Maverick skaters battled throughout the second and third periods as MSU killed off five power plays and scored the game tying goal from senior forward Ashley Young (South St. Paul, Minn.) assisted by senior forward Kala Buganski (Andover, Minn.).

Minnesota State entered the overtime period on a powerplay, however the Mavericks could not put the puck in the net and the overtime ended in a tie. The game then went to a shootout and was decided by a Whitecaps shootout goal from Erin Keys beat the Mavericks with the only goal of the shootout period.

Statistically, the Mavericks out shot the Whitecaps 53 to 25. Sophomore forward Jenna Peterson (Hopkins, Minn.) and Edman led the squad in shots with seven apiece. MSU also won more faceoffs then the Whitecaps, 43-25. Sophomore goaltender Alli Altmann (Eagan, Minn.) played the first two periods, giving up two goals and earning 13 saves. Junior Paige Thunder (Cloquet, Minn.) finished out the game earning 10 saves in the third and overtime periods.

Complete stats from tonight's contest can be found at:
http://www.msumavericks.com/stats/d3f183fec3b88224ffbd0d0bb439bcd9.htm

The Mavericks start non-conference action next weekend, Friday and Saturday, October 9 and 10, when they travel to Orono, Maine to face the University of Maine Black Bears at 7:00 p.m. (est.) and 2:00 p.m. (est.)


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