NDSU Soccer Loses at Home in a Battle

The NDSU women’s soccer team fought it out, but fell just short against the University of South Dakota Coyotes Friday. USD put together a surge late in the second half that gave the Bison the 3-2 loss at a rained out Ellig Sports Complex.

NDSU got off to a good start with a goal only ten and a half minutes into the game. Senior defender Shannon Brooks scored her first goal of the season off an assist from sophomore forward Tristyn Walczak. After that, scoring was not so easy for the Bison. USD sophomore goalkeeper Jen Shaefer had four saves within the next ten minutes, keeping the Bison furthering their lead. Shaefer was a major contributor for the Coyotes, ending the game with eight saves.

USD eventually replied in the first half. Within the 27th minute of the game, freshman midfielder Rebecca Sparkman got one past NDSU’s redshirt freshman goalkeeper Sierra Bonham. After exchanged saved shots from each team, the first half ended with a 1-1 tie.

The Bison didn’t wait long to get the lead back. NDSU got their next goal seven minutes after the beginning of second half. Sophomore forward Annisha Kinnarath went unassisted and scored her fourth goal of the season to give the Bison a 2-1 lead.

Both teams fought it out in the light rain and neither team scored for the next 15 minutes. It wasn’t until a little over 20 minutes were left in the game when USD scored their second goal with sophomore forward Lauren Bennet’s shot, coming off an assist from senior midfielder Erin Bello. This tied the score up at 2-2.

Less than 10 minutes later, the Coyotes struck again. This time it was Bello with the goal from a Sparkman assist, giving USD the late lead. The Bison took a few more close shots, but it wasn’t enough to get the game back. USD ended up with the 3-2 win over NDSU.

After that game, the Bison became 6-9 on the season with a 3-3 record within the Summit League, making them fifth place in the conference. NDSU played their last home game against Kansas City on Sunday and will play their last game of the season next Sunday at Omaha.

Check Thursday’s issue for coverage of the Kansas City game.