Mavericks split with Beavers, earn three points in standings

With a series split with Bemidji State University this past weekend, the Minnesota State women’s hockey team earned three points to remain fourth in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association standings.

Minnesota State rode a hot hand into the matchup, coming off a two-game winning streak over St. Thomas last weekend. 

The Beavers, on the other hand, had some catching up to do in the WCHA standings. Before this series they were 0-6-0 against conference foes. Bemidji State was hungry for a win, and that showed as they took down the Mavericks 2-1 in game one of the series. 

Despite getting the game-opening goal in the first period from junior forward Sydney Langseth, the Mavericks gave up two goals in the second and third periods to fall to the Beavers Friday. 

As Saturday rolled around, the Mavericks needed a win and a Minnesota Duluth loss to remain ahead of the Bulldogs in the WCHA standings. The Mavericks’ wish was granted as Duluth lost 3-4 to the Wisconsin Badgers. Now, all they needed was to finish off the Beavers in regulation.

The first period came to a close without a score, but three consecutive Mavericks goals in the second period helped Minnesota State pull away with a big lead. Langseth got the scoring rolling for MSU, which was later followed up by goals from freshman Taylor Otremba and senior Charlotte Akervik just 10 and 58 seconds later. 

Otremba’s goal was her first of the season and first goal as a Maverick. In addition, Otremba tallied assists on both of Langseth’s goals, helping round out her weekend with three points and a plus-three rating on the ice. For her efforts, Otremba was awarded the WCHA Rookie of the Week.

The remainder of the game was scoreless, propelling the Mavericks to their third win of the season. Minnesota State now has a break in WCHA action for two weeks, where they will first play Sacred Heart University this Friday and Saturday.

Header Photo: The women’s hockey team will be at home this Friday and Saturday where they will match up against Sacred Heart. (Lilly Anderson/The Reporter)

Write to Kole Buelow at Kole.Buelow@mnsu.edu