REGINA, Saskatchewan – The Minot State women's hockey team started its season strong – albeit an exhibition – skating away with a 4-3 win in a shoot-out over Northern Alberta Institute of Technology on Friday in Regina, Canada.

Freshman Paige Kozak exploded offensively in her collegiate debut with a hat trick, scoring all three goals in regulation for the Beavers, and added a goal in the shoot-out.

Olivia Opheim assisted on two of Kozak's goals and Aspen Cooper assisted on another for the Beavers. 

Haylie Biever stopped 3-of-4 shots by the Ooks in the shoot-out for Minot State. 

Anna German also scored in the shoot-out for the Beavers, who are back in action with another exhibition Saturday night in Canada, playing Regina at 8 p.m. (Minot time).