Special Teams, Second-Period Surge Lift UM-Dearborn Past Michigan State, 6–4
The University of Michigan-Dearborn used a dominant second period and timely special-teams goals to secure a 6–4 win over Michigan State on Saturday night, extending its strong start to the 2025–26 season.
DEARBORN, Mich. -- The University of Michigan-Dearborn answered an early Michigan State goal and took control of the game with a decisive middle frame, skating to a 6–4 victory in their return home to the Fieldhouse. The teams traded goals in the opening minutes, with Grace Taylor responding to Michigan State's 49-second strike to knot the game at 1–1 late in the first period.
UM-Dearborn seized momentum in the second period, scoring three unanswered goals to build separation. Andi Evers opened the frame with a power-play goal at 4:00, followed by another man-advantage tally from Megan Kosempel at 9:17. Grace Adriaanse capped the surge with a shorthanded goal at 18:45, giving the Wolverines a 4–1 lead heading into the final period.
The third period featured back-and-forth action as Michigan State pushed to close the gap. Stephanie Hatch extended the Wolverines' lead early in the frame, but the Spartans responded with three goals—one on the power play—to pull within one. UM-Dearborn sealed the victory late, as Cadence Pero scored at 18:43 to halt the rally and secure the two-goal margin.
UM-Dearborn finished the night 2-for-6 on the power play and added a critical shorthanded goal, while holding Michigan State to 1-for-4 with the player advantage. Nicole Alexander earned the win in net, stopping 24 shots in 53:40 of action before Kenna Borso closed out the final minutes.
Offensively, the Wolverines received goals from six different skaters, with Pero and Adriaanse each recording a goal and an assist. Amy Palaian added two assists, and UM-Dearborn won the faceoff battle 42–20, a key factor in controlling play throughout the contest.
With the win, UM-Dearborn improved to 20-1-1 overall and remained perfect in conference play, while Michigan State dropped to 13-6-0.
