MANKATO, Minn. (Interstat) — Saint Cloud State will aim to remain unbeaten when it visits Minnesota State for a women’s NCAA Division I hockey game Saturday at Verizon Wireless Center. The Huskies enter at 3-0-0, while the Mavericks are 2-1-0.

Saint Cloud State has opened the season with a pair of 4-2 wins over Connecticut. The Huskies then defeated Minnesota State 5-2 in the most recent meeting between the programs, taking the latest installment of the rivalry. Saint Cloud State has scored at least four goals in each of its first three games.

Alice Sauriol is a player to watch for the Huskies. In recent wins over Connecticut, she recorded two goals and one assist in one game and one goal and two assists in the other, finishing with three shots on goal in each contest. Sauriol’s production has helped pace a Saint Cloud State offense that has started the season quickly.

Minnesota State opened with a 4-1 win over RPI and a 5-3 win over RPI before falling to Saint Cloud State. The Mavericks will look to split the series and hand the Huskies their first loss. Mercury Bischoff is a player to watch for Minnesota State. In a 5-3 win over RPI, she registered two goals, one assist, five shots on goal and one hit. She also had one shot on goal in a 4-1 win over RPI. Minnesota State will rely on Bischoff to generate chances against a Saint Cloud State defense that has allowed two goals in each of its first three games.

The Mavericks have shown balanced scoring early, with wins over RPI before the setback against Saint Cloud State. Minnesota State will need a strong start at home against a Huskies team that has been efficient on offense and unbeaten through three games. Saint Cloud State will counter with a lineup that has produced consistently, including Sauriol’s recent multi-point efforts.

The matchup at Verizon Wireless Center gives Minnesota State a chance to answer after the most recent loss to Saint Cloud State. The Huskies, meanwhile, will try to continue their perfect start and secure another result against a Western Collegiate Hockey Association opponent. Both teams are in the early portion of their schedules, but the Saturday game offers an early test of momentum and depth.

Saint Cloud State’s next scheduled games are against Colgate, while Minnesota State is set to face Wisconsin later in its upcoming slate. Those contests remain ahead, but the focus for both programs will be on Saturday’s meeting in Mankato.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Minnesota State 2, Saint Cloud State 1.