VERMILLION, S.D.—South Dakota sophomore striker
Sammie Villwock netted a pair of goals within three minutes as the Coyotes came away with a 4-nil victory over defending Summit League champion North Dakota State at First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex on Friday afternoon. The game kicked off Dakota Days weekend with events that include a pair of volleyball games and a home football game.
It was the first game decided in regulation in the last five games between South Dakota (2-11-1, 1-2-0 Summit) and North Dakota State (7-6-0, 2-1-0 Summit).
Sophomore midfielder
Cooper Thau's corner kick in the 36th minute set up the Coyotes' opening scoring play. Junior center back
Katlin Ptacek sent the ball up into the six-yard box where it found Villwock's feet. Villwock followed it into the left side of the net for her second goal of the season.
The Coyotes were on the attack three minutes later. Senior striker
Corey Strang sent the ball from the middle of the field to classmate
Brooke Watson on the left flank. Watson carried it upfield and slipped it through to Villwock. Villwock nailed a left-footer from the top of the box in the 39th minute. Villwock has now tallied seven collegiate goals.
Villwock appeared to have a chance for a hat trick in the 55th minute when junior midfielder
Courtney Baker placed a perfect ball to her on the right side. Villwock drew North Dakota State goalkeeper Monica Polgar off her line before sending it across to Watson on the left side. Watson tapped it in for her second collegiate goal.
Freshman striker
Taryn LaBree finished off the match in the 70th minute with a nutmeg on her defender. LaBree carried it into the box and struck it to the lower right side of the net.
The Coyotes and the Bison remained even on shots 10-10. Six of South Dakota's shots were on-goal and four ended up in the back of the net.
USD sophomore goalkeeper
Parker Rytz picked up five saves and recorded her second shutout of the season. The Coyote back line of Ptacek, junior middle back
Brittney Baker, junior outside defender
Katelyn Floysand and redshirt-freshman outside defender
Courtney Stodola were crucial in preventing North Dakota State from taking dangerous shots on goal.
South Dakota travels to Denver for a match at 1 p.m. Sunday.