The Gophers women's hockey team scored five unanswered first-period goals after surrendering a St. Cloud State score in the first minute and went on to beat the Huskies 8-1 on Friday night in St. Cloud.

Alex Nelson scored 52 seconds into the game for the Huskies, but the Gophers erased that and built a 3-1 lead over the next 3:25. Jen Schoullis tied it 42 seconds after Nelson scored, and Anne Schleper put the Gophers ahead 63 seconds later. Sarah Erickson made it 3-1 at 4:17.

Amanda Kessel finished with two goals and four assists, Megan Bozek had four assists and Schleper had a goal and three assists for the Gophers (23-4-2, 17-4-2 WCHA).

Etc.• Gophers freshman Ellis Mannon took third on the pommel horse and advanced to the finals of the Winter Cup, a USA Gymnastics competition in Las Vegas that selects members for the national team.

• Dusti Russell scored a career-best 39.025 in taking fourth in the all-around as the Gophers women placed third in a quad gymnastics meet at Oklahoma.

• Micah Hegerle and Jon Lehman placed second and third, respectively, in the men's weight throw at the Husker Invitational in Lincoln, Neb.