Box Score VERMILLION, S.D. -- Savanna Lokkesmoe's goal with less than four minutes left was the game-winner as The University of South Dakota women's soccer team defeated North Dakota, 2-1, in the Great West Conference opener for both teams Friday in Vermillion, S.D.
Lokkesmoe (Jr., Maple Grove, Minn.) scored off of an assist from Yutzil Rodriguez (Fr., Pierre, S.D.), breaking a 1-1 tie in the game. It was Lokkesmoe's first goal of 2009.
USD (3-6-1, 1-0 Great West) trailed 1-0 after Rachael Loomis put North Dakota on the board at the 51-minute mark.
The game stayed that way with the 79th minute, when Erin Bello (RFr., Boulder, Colo.) scored on a header off of a corner kick from Lokkesmoe, tying the game at 1-1. It was Bello's second goal of 2009.
USD applied heavy pressure to North Dakota in the closing minutes and finished with Lokkesmoe's goal with 3:19 left.
The Coyotes also received outstanding play in net from Taura Truba (So., Coaldal, Alberta, Canada), who finished with nine saves, including several crucial plays to keep USD within one goal in the second half.
Bello led USD with four shots, while Rodriguez had three. UND had an edge in shots 19-11.
USD head coach Marcia Oliveira said the team had to overcome injuries and illness during the week to get ready.
"I do believe that nothing but determination was the difference in this game," Oliveira said. "We were fighting back. Congratulations to the girls; there was a lot we had to fight through. The determination made a difference as a team."
USD resumes action Sunday at Minnesota. Game time is 1 p.m. in Minneapolis, Minn.
Note: It was USD's third win over UND this season...the first two meetings were nonconference. The two teams will meet again in a conference game in Grand Forks, N.D. on Oct. 25.
