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Senior midfielder Rebecca Sparkman suffered a season-ending torn ACL just six games into this season, but that hasn't stopped her from continuing to impact the Coyote soccer program.
 
"I went from playing to becoming a cheerleader pretty quickly," Sparkman said. "I just try to help my team anyway I can. So I've stayed positive and encouraged each and every teammate."
 
Her positivity is something that head coach Mandy Green says has been vital to the team's success throughout the season and especially down the stretch. The Coyotes won their last four games to advance to today's Summit League Tournament semifinal match against top-seeded North Dakota State in Brookings, S.D., at 6 p.m.
 
"She's been our engine for a long time now," Green said. "Rebecca's the most positive and energetic player we have on our team."
 
Green says the team would often get down when things went wrong, but credits Sparkman's positivity for shifting the team's attitude.
 
"The attitude adjustment on our team has allowed for us to find the success we've had this year," Green said. "There's no doubt in my mind that Rebecca's positivity is the reason for that shift."
 
Before this year, Sparkman had started every game but one during her four years with the Coyotes. So not being able to play has been a difficult adjustment.
 
"It's tough not being out there with my teammates," Sparkman said. "But it is what it is. I decided that I wasn't going to let my injury limit my impact on the team. I just had to find a different way to help."
 
Sparkman has been given the freedom to help in any way she sees fit. Whether that's talking to her teammates during a game or cheering them on from the bench.
 
"We've tried to keep her as involved as much as we can because the effect she has on the team is immeasurable," Green said. "One of the best things she's done is shown her teammates how to handle adversity and be the best teammate you possibly can."
 
It's paid off. The Coyotes are in the Summit League Tournament for the first time in program history and Sparkman couldn't be more proud.
 
"We've worked so hard for this during my four years at South Dakota," Sparkman said. "I wish I could be out there with my team, but it's been an amazing ride nonetheless."
 
North Dakota State (12-5-1, 7-0-1 Summit League) beat South Dakota (8-11, 5-3) 1-0 in double overtime in Fargo back on Oct. 11. The Coyotes are 4-1 since, outscoring opponents 10-5 in their last five games.
 
The winner advances to compete for an automatic bid to the NCAA College Cup Saturday at noon at Fishback Soccer Park in Brookings.