MANKATO, Minn. – The RPI women's hockey team carried a one-goal advantage into the first intermission behind a late tally from
Linn Mattsson, but Minnesota State responded with three goals in the second period to earn a 4-1 victory over the Engineers this afternoon.
The Engineers broke through in the closing seconds of the opening period after holding Minnesota State scoreless through the first 19 minutes. Mattsson found the back of the net off a feed from
Mia Montanari for her first goal of the season, sending RPI into the intermission with a 1-0 advantage.
Minnesota State pulled even early in the second period when Lauren Zawoyski converted on the power play. RPI generated opportunities to regain the lead later in the frame, including shots on goal from
Claire Jelinek and Montanari, before the Mavericks moved in front on a Neely Hawn goal with four minutes remaining in the period. Makayla Moran followed 36 seconds later to extend the Minnesota State advantage to 3-1.
RPI continued to generate chances throughout the third, with
Naomi Forand, Jelinek,
Ella Newman-Mixon,
Juliette Thibault,
Kami O'Brien, and Montanari each putting shots on goal. Minnesota State added the final tally of the afternoon when Ayla Puppe scored midway through the period.
Reese Keating finished with 25 saves for the Engineers, including nine in each of the first two periods. Montanari led RPI with four shots on goal and recorded the assist on Mattsson's tally, while
Georgia Bailey won a team-high 11 faceoffs and
Alexis Brunet added eight victories at the dot.
