VERMILLION, S.D. — The South Dakota soccer team closed the home portion of its schedule with a 1-0 victory over Western Illinois on Senior Day at First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex Friday.
 
The Coyotes battled into a stiff wind in the first half, and held the Leathernecks to no goals on eight shots. When the two squads flipped sides after the intermission, South Dakota peppered 13 shots to secure the victory.
 
South Dakota (4-11-0, 2-3-0 Summit) used a short corner kick to catch Western Illinois (2-13-0, 1-4-0 Summit) off guard in the 69^th minute. After connecting a couple of passes, Brittney Baker sent a cross in front of the goal where Amanda Carpio directed a quick pass to Kellee Willer for the goal. Willer accepted the pass eight yards out from the goal and sent the shot into the bottom left corner for her third goal of the season.
 
That was the only goal needed as the Coyotes held their third opponent scoreless in the 2017 season. Senior goalkeeper Sydney Hardin stopped all five shots on goal from WIU including three from the Leathernecks wind-aided first half. Ines Palmiero recorded six saves for Western Illinois, all in the second half.
 
South Dakota totaled 16 shots in the game led by Alexis Mitchell with four. Taryn LaBree, Carpio and Willer each attempted three shots.
 
South Dakota celebrated the careers of seven players prior to the game with Katlin Ptacek, Courtney Baker, Ricki Yasgar, Katelyn Floysand, Brittney Baker, Sammie Villwock and Hardin playing their final game on the First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex turf. Courtney Baker received a start in the contest to play one final minute of action after an injury in the preseason cut her year short.
 
South Dakota travels to South Dakota State on Thursday for the Showdown Series matchup with a 6 p.m. kickoff in Brookings.