In a series that included many firsts for individual Bulldog players, the collective effort by the University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team netted yet another series sweep for the program Saturday afternoon.

The Bulldogs branded Minnesota State University, Mankato 4-0 at AMSOIL Arena, the tenth-straight win for UMD over the Mavericks and the second series sweep of the season.  The win pushes the Bulldogs back up to .500 with an overall record of 4-4-0 and even in Western Collegiate Hockey Association play at 2-2-0.

After a scoreless opening period, UMD sophomore forward Maria Lindh initiated the scoring when she buried a loose puck 12:54 into the second period.  Senior center Michela Cava doubled the Bulldog lead just under three minutes later, and UMD took a 2-0 advantage into the second intermission.

Lindh hit pay dirt again at the 13:24 mark of the third period, stretching the Bulldog lead to 3-0.  59 seconds later, Cava joined Lindh in the two-goal club, netting her second of the skate and icing the game at 4-0, sealing the first WCHA  and home series sweep for head coach Maura Crowell.

Freshman goaltender Maddie Rooney made 14 saves in her first career shutout as a Bulldog.  Brianna Quade turned in 30 saves for the Mavericks, who were outshot 34-14 and fall to 2-5-1 overall and 0-4-0 in league play.

UMD's home ice advantage will be on hold next weekend when the Bulldogs travel to the No. 1 University of Minnesota to take on the Gophers in Minneapolis, Minn.  Game times at Ridder Arena are set for 6:07 p.m. Friday night and 4:07 p.m.

BULLDOG NOTES:  Maria Lindh and Michela Cava's two-goal efforts were the first multiple point games of their UMD careers … In addition to her first shutout, Maddie Rooney's back-to-back wins were the first consecutive wins for the rookie of her young Bulldog career.