Box Score VERMILLION, S.D. -- A three-goal flurry at the start of the second half was the difference as Northern Iowa defeated The University of South Dakota women's soccer team, 3-0 in the 2009 regular-season opener for both teams in Vermillion, S.D.

The Coyotes (0-1) and Panthers (1-0) battled to a 0-0 halftime tie after a very competitive first half of play. Both teams had nine shots in the first half.

The Coyotes had a couple of good scoring chances in the first half, including a shot by Erin Bello (RFr., Fort Collins, Colo.) that hit the crossbar at the 28:57 mark. Late in the first half, USD goalkeeper Jen Ogren (Jr., Raymore, Mo.) made a big save at the 43:30 mark to keep the game scoreless.

UNI's Kala Negus broke the deadlock with a goal just 1:46 in the second half, and Chelsie Hochstedler and Kiki McClellan added goals in a span of the next 9 minutes to make it 3-0. Aside from the 10-minute stretch to start the second half, the game was very even. UNI had a 20-14 edge in shots.

Katie Quinones (Jr., Rochester, Minn.) led USD with five shots, while Rachel Greene (Fr., Onalaska, Wis.) and Bello each had three. Ogren finished with eight saves for the Coyotes.

USD resumes action on Friday, Aug. 28 at Creighton University. Game time is set for 7 p.m. in Omaha, Neb.