VERMILLION, S.D.—Although South Dakota was the first on the board, Eastern Washington came away with a 3-1 win over the Coyotes Friday afternoon at First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex. Eastern Washington currently leads the Big Sky Conference with a 6-1-1 record.
 
South Dakota (1-7-1) dominated the possession from the first whistle with crosses into the goal box and three shot attempts in the first seven minutes. Senior striker Corey Strang put the third USD attempt to the back of the net in the seventh minute for her second goal of the season. After a previous shot from Strang had flown wide of the post, the Coyotes gained possession from the following goal kick. Strang chased after the bouncing ball, lobbing it over Eastern Washington goalkeeper Hadley Bezon and into the goal.
 
Eastern Washington answered in the 16th minute. Striker Saige Lyons drove towards the right post and crossed it back to Chloe Williams making a run in for an easy five-yard tap in.
 
The Eagles doubled their lead less than a minute before the halftime buzzer when the Coyotes were unable to clear a corner kick by EWU's Kiana Hafferty. Eagle striker Brooke Dunbar won a slide tackle in the box, passing the ball to teammate Alexis Stephenson who crashed the box for her first goal in 2016. Stephenson added an assist in the 82nd minute with a drop pass to Hafferty. Hafferty fired a shot from 30 years out to the top right corner of the net.
 
Eastern Washington edged South Dakota in shots 10-9 with the majority of the attempts in the first half. South Dakota goalkeepers Parker Rytz and Sydney Hardin split time in the net with each recording one save. Junior defender Katelyn Floysand notched the third USD save in the match.
 
The Coyotes host UMKC at First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex at 1 p.m. Sunday.