Sophomore forward Joy Dunne (16) wrestles with Minnesota State senior forward MacKenzie Bourgerie (20) during their game in Mankato, Minn. on Saturday. The No. 2 Buckeyes secured a 2-1 win in overtime over the Mavericks. Credit: Ohio State Athletics
The Buckeyes return to Columbus with just two points earned against the Mavericks.
No. 2 Ohio State (13-4-2, 8-4-2 Western Collegiate Hockey Association) secured an overtime win Friday, but suffered a loss Saturday after a weekend series against Minnesota State (4-7-1, 2-7-1 WCHA).
Game 1
The Buckeyes headed to Mankato, Minn., for a weekend series against the Minnesota Mavericks after coming off a home victory against No. 1 Wisconsin.
Coming off a home victory against No. 1 Wisconsin, Friday’s competition was very tight for the Buckeyes.
The first two periods were scoreless, despite Ohio State putting 24 shots on goal.
Buckeye goaltender Hailey MacLeod made 11 saves to keep the Mavericks off the scoreboard through the first 40 minutes.
Ohio State finally broke the stalemate at 2:15 in the third period with a goal from forward Jocelyn Amos. Amos’s 12th goal of the season was assisted by forward Kiara Zanon and defender Riley Brengman.
But less than a minute later, the Mavericks responded. After pulling goaltender Hailey Hansen to get an extra attacker, forward Alexis Paddington tied the game and sent the game into overtime.
Halfway through overtime, Buckeye forward Joy Dunne earned the game-winning goal after going stick side on Hansen.
Brengman and Zanon assisted both Buckeye goals in the game and helped earn their team the 2-1 victory.
Game 2
Minnesota State got on the board first with a goal at 3:17 in the first period by forward Claire Vekich.
Despite their deficit, the Buckeyes outshot the Mavericks, 7-2 in the opening frame.
Both teams were scoreless in the second period as Ohio State goaltender Amanda Thiele made five saves. The Buckeyes’ offense had eight shots on net, but were unable to find the equalizer.
Minnesota State added to its lead in the third period with a goal by forward Taylor Otremba at 5:14.
Ohio Stateorward Maddi Wheeler cut the Mavericks’ lead in half three minutes later. Wheeler’s fifth goal of the season was assisted by Amos and defender Emma Peschel.
At 15:58, Otremba scored again for the Mavericks to extend their lead to 3-1 before Minnesota State scored an empty-net goal with a minute remaining in the contest to finalize the score at 4-1.
The Buckeyes are back on the road to play Mercyhurst Monday Dec. 2 for their final game of 2024. The teams face off at 6 p.m. in Erie, Pennsylvania to conclude their home-and-home series.
