No. 9 Ohio State emerged from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Minnesota State-Mankato, 4-2, and snap its season high four-game losing streak Friday in the series opener at the OSU Ice Rink.
Heather Farrell had a two-goal outing, including an empty-netter with 1:08 remaining in the game. Jeni Creary and Jennifer Desson each added a goal and an assist, while Emily Hudak picked up two helpers.
The Buckeyes improved to 14-11-4 overall and the Mavericks slipped to 4-23-2 and 1-19-1 in the WCHA.
With the win, the Buckeyes moved ahead of Bemidji State in the standings. The Beavers slipped to fifth place after their 6-3 loss to St. Cloud State earlier today.
Lindsay McCulloch put the Mavericks on the board at the 4:58 mark of the first period. She got control of the puck off a faceoff and banged a shot from the point. OSU goalie April Stojak smothered the puck with her glove but it trickled in. At 15:10 in the first, Minnesota State took a 2-0 lead when Kearstin Solberg knocked in her own rebound. The assist was credited to Ashleigh Miller.
Creary was the first to tally for the Buckeyes at 7:52 in the second stanza. Desson skated the puck through the neutral zone and along the boards before passing it to Creary in front of the net. Creary faked a shot left and went right, scoring her 24th goal of the season. At 13:49, Farrell took a pass through the crease from Creary and converted, tying the game at two. Shana Frost had the second assist.
Desson scored the game-winning goal, her fourth of the season, from Creary and Hudak at the 12:47 mark in the third period. Creary leads the team and the WCHA in points with 41. Farrell then sealed the Buckeye victory with an empty-net goal at 18:52 from Hudak and Katie Frohreich.
Ohio State outshot Minnesota State, 32-19. The Buckeyes converted on 1-of-4 power-play opportunities and held the Mavericks scoreless through five chances.
Stojak recorded 17 saves and is now is 3-5-1. Shari Vogt tallied 28 saves in 59:26.
The Buckeyes and Mavericks return to action in the series finale at 4:05 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free in honor of the 40th Anniversary of the OSU Ice Rink. Concessions will feature 1962 prices (25-cent hot dogs and sodas) and there will be a postgame skate and autograph session with the team.
