FAIRFIELD, Conn. — The Sacred Heart University women's hockey team battled hard but could not overcome a second-period barrage, dropping the opening game of the weekend set to the Minnesota State Mavericks, 9-0.  

The game started off with a flair as both teams looked to earn the game's opening goal. The visitors, however, capitalized on their first rush chance of the game as Jamie Nelson and Sydney Langseth found themselves on a 2-on-1 with Langseth feeding a cross-ice pass that Nelson put past SHU's Carly Greene and into the top corner to open the scoring. The Pioneers settled into the game after the opening goal, holding the Mavericks at bay for much of the period as Greene racked up 18 saves in the opening frame.  

With under a minute to play in the first period, the Mavericks pounced on a misplaced pass in the SHU defensive zone with Langseth once again feeding Nelson, who rifled a wrist shot past Greene as the visitors went into the break with a 2-0 lead.  

The Pioneers looked to cut the deficit in half, earning a power play in the opening minute of the period but could not convert as the Mavericks extinguished the penalty in quick fashion. Nearing the halfway point of the middle frame, the Mavericks exploded with four quick goals. Taylor Otremba scored two goals in 13 seconds before Claire Vekich and Madison Mashuga tacked on two more goals to make it 6-0 before the Pioneers made a change between the pipes.  

Minnesota State added two more goals before the end of the period as Whitney Tuttle put one past SHU's Jillian Petruno while Mashuga scored her second of the game as the visitors led after 40 minutes, 8-0.  

The Pioneers continued to push until the final whistle and had their chances but could not sneak one past MSU's Lauren Barbro, who finished with 18 saves on the night. The Mavericks would tack on another goal early in the final frame, walking away with the 9-0 victory.  

Top Performers: 

• Carly Greene: 24 saves 

• Jillian Petruno: 29 saves  

• Cassie Nevers: 4 shots on goal 

• Olivia LaRoche: 1 shot, 4 blocked shots 

Of Note: 

• Three Pioneers made their season debuts in the loss as forwards Nicole Bessinger and Stephanie Nevers earned their first minutes of action while goalie Jillian Petruno earned her first appearance in relief.  

Up Next:  

The Pioneers return to action tomorrow night for a rematch against Minnesota State as part of a SHU hockey doubleheader. Puck drop from Martire Family Arena is slated for 7 p.m. Live statistics and livestream information can be found at sacredheartpioneers.com.