MANKATO, Minn. | Freshman Max McHugh scored late, but the University of Alabama in Huntsville (0-5-0, 0-3-0 WCHA) hockey team lost to No. 12 Minnesota State (3-2-0, 1-0-0 WCHA) by a final score of 3-1 at the Verizon Wireless Center on Friday in the series opener.

UAH goaltender Carmine Guerriero and the Charger defense held the nationally-ranked Mavericks to a 0-0 tie through the first and second period. Guerriero tallied 18 saves in the first then registered 19 in the second to give him 37 total saves and a perfect save percentage through 40 minutes of play.

Minnesota State's JP Lafontaine scored 51 seconds into the third period and broke through the scoreless tie. The Mavericks made it 2-0 at the 3:31 mark on a goal by Bryce Gervais, which would be the last score until the final minute of the period.

McHugh netted his first career goal at 19:30 in the third as UAH had an extra skater after Guerriero was pulled from goal in the final minute. Sophomores Brandon Carlson and Matt Salhany were credited with assists on McHugh's goal that cut MSU's lead to 2-1.

Two seconds later, Minnesota State's Zach Palmquist scored an empty-net goal to regain the two-goal lead and bring the game to its final score of 3-1.

Guerriero finished the game with a season-high 51 saves, good for a .927 save percentage. Senior Ben Reinhardt led the defense with six blocks on Friday night, followed by Carlson with four and freshman Cody Champagne with three.

Junior Jack Prince and freshman Brennan Saulnier tied for the team lead in shots with three each. Carlson now has a team best four points (2g-2a) after totaling an assist on Friday.

The Chargers and Mavericks will wrap up the series tomorrow in Mankato. Puck drops at 7:07 p.m.