Mavericks Triumph Over St. Thomas in WCHA Opener
MANKATO, Minn. — In their first Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) series of the season, the Minnesota State women’s hockey team delivered a commanding performance with a 3–0 victory against St. Thomas on Saturday afternoon at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center. This win not only marked the Mavericks’ first conference victory but also handed the Tommies their initial loss of the season.
Strong Start and Breaking the Ice
The match commenced with a fast-paced first period, during which the Mavericks held substantial puck possession and outshot their opponents. However, it wasn’t until the second period that Minnesota State found the back of the net. Junior defenseman Kamryn Van Batavia scored the opening goal at 7:57 with a precise low shot from the point, assisted by teammates Taylor Otremba and Lauren Zawoyski, lifting the Mavericks to a 1–0 lead.
Capitalizing on Opportunities
The Mavericks continued their offensive pressure, earning a power play late in the second period. They took full advantage of this opportunity when Whitney Tuttle scored from in front of the net at 18:05, making it 2–0. Otremba recorded her second assist of the game, with added support from Kianna Roeske.
Defensive Masterclass
Defending the lead was goaltender Hailey Hansen, who orchestrated a solid defensive display. Hansen turned aside all of St. Thomas’s scoring attempts, making critical saves, including those during several Tommie power plays, which ultimately resulted in her third shutout of the season.
Sealing the Victory
As the match drew to a close, St. Thomas pulled their goaltender in a desperate effort to gain a goal. However, the Mavericks capitalized on this moment, with Zoe Lopez scoring an empty-net goal at 17:39, assisted by Van Batavia. This marked Lopez’s fourth goal of the season and solidified the final score at 3–0.
Looking Ahead
The win improves Minnesota State’s record to 5–1–0 overall and 1–1–0 in WCHA play, while St. Thomas now stands at 5–1–0 (1–1–0 WCHA). The Mavericks aim to leverage this momentum as they prepare for their next matchup against Minnesota Duluth on October 17, 2025. The game is set to commence at 6 p.m. CT.
