MINOT, N.D. - It's the battle of MSUs!

The BIG 10 Michigan State Spartans roll into North Dakota this weekend to battle the Top 10-ranked Minot State Beavers at the Maysa Arena in a first-time meeting between the two teams in women's hockey.

"Facing off against a big-name school, we hope we can draw some interest from our fans and the community," Minot State coach Ryan Miner said. "It will be a competitive series regardless, but you don't usually see these two MSU schools go head-to-head, so it makes for a different experience."

Fans can see the Battle of the MSUs on Friday and Saturday as the puck drops both days at 4:30 pm at the Maysa Arena.

What can fans expect from this battle?

Great action on the ice according to Coach Miner, whose team has won seven straight but will be playing 13^th-ranked Michigan State for the very first time. 

"We are excited to host another ranked team at the Maysa this weekend," he said. "It is the first time in the two team's history competing against each other so there are many unknowns, other than what you get off of film."

Anyone watching the Beavers (21-4-0 overall) knows balance is key on offense as Megan Norris and Riley Ball each have 10 goals and Haley Wickham has netted nine for the Beavers, who as a team have scored 91 goals in 25 games.

"The focus of using our speed and being physical but disciplined will be the plan for this weekend; staying out of the (penalty) box and giving ourselves more opportunities to go on the offense," Miner said.

Stingy defense will be just as big of a key for Minot State which has allowed just 30 goals in 25 games and shut out foes nine times.

Goalies Jordan Ivanco and Haylie Biever lead the way as Ivanco has a 1.25 goals against average and a 93.9 save percentage and Biever has a 1.27 GAA and a 94.5 save percentage.

They'll face a Michigan State team (8-5-0) that's scored 48 goals in 13 contests and is led by sophomore forward Shayna Menzer with 11 goals this season, senior forward Natalia Asimakis who has scored nine goals, and junior defenseman Kathryn Novell with seven.

In net, junior Savina Osann has gotten most of the work as she is 6-3-0 on the season with a 3.09 GAA and an 89.2 save percentage for the Spartans, who have not posted a shutout yet this season.