Minnesota State’s veterans had the opportunity to open this season by defeating the same Ohio State program that ended their last season, but they fell short in their attempt at revenge in a 2-1 defeat before 220 fans at All Seasons Arena.
MSU senior forward Melanie Salatino opened the scoring for Minnesota State (0-1-0, 0-1-0 WCHA) at 9:39 in the second period with a school record-setting 15th power-play goal, but it wasn’t enough as Ohio State senior Jeni Creary scored two third-period goals to lift the Buckeyes (2-1-0, 2-1-0) to their second straight victory.
The Mavericks, last year’s national leaders with 15 penalty minutes per game, piled up 28 minutes in this game and surrendered two five-on-threes. They dodged a bullet by killing the first five-on-three in the early minutes of the second period, but they weren’t as fortunate the second time as Creary scored to tie the game at 10:09 of the third period. She followed up with the game-winner at even strength three minutes later.
“That five-on-three was tough to kill-we had already killed one” said Minnesota State coach Jeff Vizenor. “I think that was a big momentum shifter. I think they had energy and fed off it, and we were scrambling to get back.”
“I thought we played a very solid third period,” said Ohio State coach Jackie Barto. “That five-on-three goal was just good patience by our club. We moved the puck around and scored a beautiful goal.”
The Mavericks were unable to score on a few offensive opportunities late in the period against Ohio State goaltender Melissa Glaser, who made 30 saves and allowed only Salatino’s power play goal for the evening.
Goaltending was a focus for the Mavericks, who lost All-American Shari Vogt to graduation from last season. New starter Laura Brennan didn’t disappoint, as she made 23 saves, but she did allow the decisive two goals in the third period.
“I thought Laura played well,” Vizenor said. “She made some big saves and kept us in the game when they had shots.”
In particular, Brennan made 19 saves to keep Ohio State scoreless through the first two periods.
“I thought we were up and down a little bit in the first and second periods,” Barto said. “Give Mankato credit, I thought they had a good first and second.”
The Mavericks will look to build on the positives from their defeat when they host Ohio State again Saturday at 3:05 p.m.
“We had our chances,” Vizenor said about the defeat. “We had shots on net in the end. We had opportunities, so I don’t feel bad about it.”
