The No. 9 University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team scored four unanswered goals -- including three in the second period -- en route to a 5-2 trouncing of St. Cloud State University at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in St. Cloud, Minn. Saturday.

The Bulldogs spread the scoring wealth with five different goal scorers in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association win, and featured three goals by blueliners.  With five points in the series, UMD has also now taken over sole possession of fourth place in the conference, regardless of the outcome of Bemidji State University's game against Minnesota State University Saturday afternoon.

Sophomore forward Taylor Anderson started the Bulldogs offense up at 8:30 of the first period, lifting the rebound from a Maggie Flaherty shot up and over an outstretched Emma Polusny.  After a Huskie power play goal from Olivia Cvar 1:15 later drew SCSU even at 1-1, UMD retook the lead on Lizi Norton's first goal of the season at 15:18.

From there, the Bulldogs flexed their offensive muscle in the second period.  Ashton Bell scored her sixth power play goal of the season and tenth marker overall just 1:41 into the frame, finishing off a pass from Gabbie Hughes in the seam.  After a turnaround shot on Polusny from Sydney Brodt, Anna Klein connected on the rebound  at 13:50 to extend UMD's lead to 4-1.  Kaliee Skinner wrapped up the explosive period with snipe from the slot at 18:36, and the Bulldogs owned an incredible 5-1 lead after 40 minutes of action.

UMD outshot SCSU in all three periods, but the Huskies had the lone goal of the third period from Klára Hymlárova at 11:56.

Two Bulldog netminders saw action, with Maddie Rooney earning the win with seven saves in the 40 minutes and Emma Soderberg making 10 stops in 20 minutes of action.  Polusny had 36 saves for the Huskies, while Janie Alder had six in the last 5:45 of the game.  Both teams netted one power play goal in three attempts, and SCSU falls to 5-18-4 overall and 1-16-1 in WCHA play.

UMD (12-8-4, 7-6-3) stays on road next weekend, and will head to Ridder Arena in Minneapolis, Minn. for a WCHA series with the No. 2 University of Minnesota.  Game-time for Friday is set for 7:07 p.m., and the series concludes Saturday with a 4:07 p.m. puck drop.

BULLDOG NOTES:  Gabbie Hughes led all scorers with three assists on the afternoon and a whopping five points (not counting the double-overtime winner) on the weekend (1g, 4a) ... Nine UMD players logged points Saturday, including four with two or more -- Hughes, Ashton Bell (1g, 1a), Sydney Brodt (2a), and Maggie Flaherty (2a) ... With four points on the weekend (1g, 3a), Bell now leads all WCHA defensemen in scoring with 26 points (10g, 16a), and has double the closest blueliner in goals scored and power play tallies ... Bell is on a five-game, nine point scoring streak currently, and has recorded four goals and five assists over that span.