SIOUX FALLS — Behind a two-goal night from Brett Meerman and a standout performance in net by Josh Kotai, Augustana knocked off No. 14 Minnesota State 3-1 Friday night at Midco Arena. The victory pushed the Vikings to 9-5-2 overall and 6-4-2 in CCHA play while handing the Mavericks just their fourth loss of the season.
Mankato dominated play for much of the first two periods, but Kotai’s strong play kept the Vikings in it, as they were tied 1-1 heading to the third despite the Mavericks having a 28-10 edge in shots on goal.
Meerman’s second goal of the night broke the tie in the third, however, and Hunter Bischoff’s empty-netter in the final minute sealed it.
Minnesota State struck first, with a Jordan Ronn goal just 2:50 in putting them up 1-0. Augustana responded quickly, as Meerman evened the score off assists from Jacob Jastrzebski and Bischoff.
The Mavs put 22 shots on net in the second, and Kotai turned away every one of them.
Then the Vikings dominated the final stanza. Augustana earned a power-play opportunity at 12:02 after a Minnesota State tripping call, and Meerman delivered again, converting feeds from Owen Baumgartner and Colton Friesen to put the Vikings ahead for good. MSU pulled the goalie late, but Augie’s defense held and with 53 seconds remaining, Bischoff sealed the deal.
Kotai finished with 33 saves to earn the win. Minnesota State outshot Augustana 34-19 overall, but the Vikings made their chances count, going 1-for-3 on the power play while holding the Mavericks scoreless in two opportunities with the man advantage.
The two teams will face off again Saturday at 6:07 p.m. at Midco Arena.
Matt Zimmer is a Sioux Falls native and longtime sports writer. He graduated from Washington High School where he played football, legion baseball and developed his lifelong love of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. After graduating from St. Cloud State University, he returned to Sioux Falls, and began a long career in amateur baseball and sports reporting. Email Matt at mzimmer@siouxfallslive.com.