COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 1 Ohio State women's hockey team picked up its 12th sweep of the season with a 6-2 win over Minnesota State Saturday afternoon at the Mayo Clinic HSEC in Mankato, Minn. The Buckeyes (26-2-0, 23-1-0 WCHA also earned the regular season series sweep of the Mavericks (10-21-0, 4-20-0 WCHA).
 
How it Happened
Ohio State faced a 1-0 deficit at the first intermission after Minnesota State scored at 15:39 in the first period. Despite being down a goal, the Buckeyes outshot their opponent, 13-5, in the frame.
 
The Mavericks' lead didn't last long as the Buckeyes scored three goals in the first ten minutes of the second period to take the 3-1 lead. Kiara Zanon tied the game at 5:09 after tipping in a shot from Joy Dunne. Jenna Buglioni added a goal at 7:35 and Dunne scored the team's third goal, and game-winning goal, at 8:35.
 
In the third period, the Buckeyes added three more goals with defensemen Lauren Bernard, Hadley Hartmetz and Stephanie Markowski finding the back of the net. Bernard scored at 2:07, followed by Hartmetz at 3:11 and Markowski at 5:11.
 
Minnesota State scored on the power play in the final minute to make it a 6-2 game.  
 
Amanda Thiele earned the start in goal for Ohio State and made 10 saves in 53:06 minutes played. After the media timeout with 6:54 to play in the third, sophomore goaltender Lexington Secreto came in to finish the game for the Buckeyes, making seven saves.


 
Game Notes

• Cayla Barnes recorded her 100th career point in Saturday's game with an assist on the team's final goal of the day. She has tallied 27 goals and 73 points in her collegiate career.
• Ohio State has only trailed at the first intermission in three games this season. The team improves to 2-1-0 in those games.
• Ohio State has tied the program record for conference wins in a season with 23. The Buckeyes have four more regular season conference games to play this year.
• Secreto made her first career saves in the game after playing in her second career game for the Buckeyes.

Statistically Speaking
Shots on Goal: Ohio State 41, Minnesota State 18
Saves: Minnesota State (Faucher, Hansen) 35, Ohio State (Thiele, Secreto) 17
Power Play: Minnesota State 1-4, Ohio State 0-4
Faceoffs: Ohio State 27, Bemidji State 22
Ohio State Scoring (G-A-P): Bernard 1-1-2, Buglioni 1-1-2, Dunne 1-1-2, Zanon 1-1-2, Hartmetz 1-0-1, Markowski 1-0-1, Barnes 0-1-1, Baxter 0-1-1, Gardiner 0-1-1, Mobley 0-1-1
 
Up Next
Ohio State hosts St. Thomas in the final home series of the regular season next weekend, Feb. 16-17, at the OSU Ice Rink. The Buckeyes and Tommies meet 6 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday. Tickets for Ohio State women's hockey games can be purchased HERE.