Box Score VERMILLION, S.D. - Junior
Erin Bello scored two goals, including the game-winner at the 61:40 mark of the second half, to help the South Dakota women's soccer team top Western Illinois, 2-1, in the Coyotes' Summit League debut Friday in Vermillion, S.D.
The goals for Bello (Fort Collins, Colo.) were her first of the season; she also had a team-high four shots. Sophomore Jenny Teslow (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and freshman Lauren Bennett (Walton, Ky.) had assists, while freshman Mackenzie Viktor (Fort Collins, Colo.) picked up her first win in net for the Coyotes with five saves.
South Dakota (1-7-2, 1-0 Summit League) had an 11-10 edge in shots in the game. The Coyotes also had seven corner kicks, compared to three for Western Illinois (6-4, 0-1 Summit League).
After battling to a scoreless tie for more than 29 minutes, the Coyotes got on the board first when Bello scored off of an assist from Teslow to give South Dakota a 1-0 advantage that it took into halftime.
At the 60:17 mark, Western Illinois tied the game at 1-1 with a goal off of a corner kick. But it took the Coyotes just 1:23 to answer as Bello scored off of an assist by Bennett, giving the Coyotes a 2-1 lead. Bello's shot hit the crossbar and bounced down into the net.
South Dakota made the lead stand, although the Coyotes had chances to add to the lead. Sophomore Afton Keiser (Sioux Falls, S.D.) had a great scoring chance but a diving save from Leatherneck goalkeeper Victoria Kappel prevented the ball from finding the back of the net.
Teslow had a penalty kick in the final seconds, but again Kappel made the save to keep the score 2-1.
However, the Coyotes made the lead stand with some solid defensive play down the stretch, limiting the chances for Western Illinois. The play of defenders freshman Colleen Reeves (Rogers, Minn.), junior Rachel Greene (Onalaska, Wis.) and freshman Sam Harvey (Grand Island, Neb.) was also a bright spot for the Coyotes.
Keiser added two shots for the Coyotes, both on goal. Teslow finished with three shots on goal.
South Dakota resumes action Sunday at home against Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis. Game time is 1 p.m. at the USD Soccer Field.
