TROY, N.Y. – Four different players found the scoresheet as the Minnesota State-Mankato women's hockey team defeated Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 4-0, in the season opener for both teams, Friday night at the Houston Field House. The Mavericks, who swept a two-game set last season, open 2019-20 at 1-0, while the Engineers drop to 0-1.

Freshman Charlotte Akervik (Eau Claire, WI/Eau Claire North) opened the scoring at 4:06 of the first period, collecting a rebound in front and burying her first collegiate tally. Helpers went to junior Mariah Gardner (Eagle Lake, ON/Warroad High School) and freshman Kelsey King (Elk River, MN/Elk River).

The visitors doubled their lead at 13:35 of the first, when freshman Kennedy Bobyck (Regina, SA/The Edge School) netted her first career Mankato goal with a tight angle shot over the right shoulder of RPI freshman goaltender Amanda Rampado (Stoney Creek, ON/Stoney Creek Sabres). Sophomore Claire Butorac (Andover, MN/Andover) had the lone assist, winning the offensive zone draw.

RPI picked up its play at the midway point of the second period, generating a pair of scoring chances in quick succession. Senior captain Sabrina Repaci (Toronto, ON/Toronto Jr. Aeros) found freshman Maddy Peterson (Princeton, MN/Princeton High School) streaking into the zone for a partial breakaway that was kept out by Mankato sophomore goalie Abigail Levy (Congers, NY/Shattuck St. Mary's). The rebound fell to Repaci, but her try was also stopped.

Minnesota State netted a late second period goal to take a 3-0 lead into the second intermission. Sophomore Madison Oelkers (Warroad, MN/Warroad) drove the net before getting upended in the crease. The puck fell to Gardner, who lifted it over a fallen Rampado for the tally with just over 30 seconds left in the frame.

Junior Brittyn Fleming (Oregon, WI/Oregon High School) capped the scoring in the third, netting her first of the year from senior captain Emily Antony (Plymouth, MN/Minnesota Revolution) and sophomore Anna Wilgren (Hudson, WI/Hudson).

Levy (1-0) made 13 saves for her sixth career shutout, while Rampado (0-1) finished with 40 stops on the night, including 15 in the first and 14 in the third. The Mavericks went 0 for 4 on the power play and the Engineers were 0 for 3.

Both teams are back in action tomorrow afternoon for game two of the weekend series (3pm).