Box Score VERMILLION, S.D. -- The South Dakota women's soccer team battled to a scoreless halftime tie with North Dakota State, but the Bison scored the winning goal just 2:37 into the second half to earn a 1-0 win over the Coyotes in Summit League action Sunday in Vermillion, S.D.
It was a valiant effort for the Coyotes, who lost to North Dakota State 4-0 in 2010. The Bison are the defending Summit League tournament champion and are in first place once again in the Summit League.
"I was happy with how we played in both games this weekend," South Dakota head coach Mandy Green said. "It was our most consistent weekend of playing hard and not making mistakes. We created a lot of opportunities. We didn't finish them but it is promising that we are creating those opportunities."
Freshman goalkeeper Mackenzie Viktor (Fort Collins, Colo.) had nine saves for the Coyotes. NDSU held a 15-8 edge in shots, although it was just 7-6 in the first half.
Junior Erin Bello (Fort Collins, Colo.) and freshman Rebecca Pederson (Waconia, Minn.) led the Coyotes with three shots each; two of Pederson's shots were on goal. Freshmen Makena Cameron (Cheyenne, Wyo.) and Brittlyn Dillow (Dixon, Ill.) each had one shot on goal.
South Dakota wraps up the 2011 season on the road next weekend. The Coyotes will play at Southern Utah on Thursday and conclude the year at Oral Roberts on Saturday.
"The girls are not giving up," Green said. "We're working to finish the year strong. We've improved so much this year. They're starting to trust what we are asking them to do."
