Minnesota State’s Tristin Stephenson scored with 1:54 remaining to play as the Mavericks (6-12-3 overall) extended their unbeaten streak to five games with a 2-1 win over Wayne State (5-11-0).
MSU scored the only goal of the opening period as Devon Nichols picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone, skated in and beat WSU netminder Anna VanderMarliere 4:15 into the contest. VanderMarliere stood tall in the Wayne State cage as she turned aside 12 shots in the first 20 minutes.
In the middle stanza, the Warriors tied the game with a power-play goal by Jessica Snelgrove at the 5:06 mark. Snelgrove’s third goal of the season came as she redirected a shot by defenseman Joanie Denby. The goal was Wayne State’s first man-advantage goal since November 24 against Elmira, a streak of 30 consecutive power plays without a goal.
Minnesota State tallied the game-winning goal with 1:54 left in the third period as Stephenson scored during a scramble in the slot area just outside the crease. Andrea Jensrud and Amanda Osborn assisted on Stephenson’s team-leading fourth game-winner.
VanderMarliere finished the contest with 28 saves. while Maverick goalie Katie Beaudry had 28 saves, including 16 in the second period.
The teams conclude the weekend series with a 2 p.m. EST faceoff on Saturday at City Sports Center Arena in Detroit.
