VERMILLION, S.D. — South Dakota women's soccer defender Katlin Ptacek is not your typical senior. The native of Owatonna, Minnesota, began her career with the Coyotes in 2014 with her associate's degree already in hand.
 
"I came in with a lot of credits," Ptacek said. "I actually graduated with my associate's degree when I graduated high school."
 
The Summit League honor roll member is set to complete her M.B.A. in May of 2018, completing her bachelor's and master's degrees in four years.
 
Utilizing a joint degree program offered through Beacom School of Business, Ptacek finished her undergraduate classes last spring and is working on her M.B.A. She will be awarded both degrees simultaneously in the spring.
 
"The fact that Katlin will have her bachelor's and master's degree in her four years here is a testament to what a remarkable student and person she is," head coach Mandy Green said. "She has worked hard to get where she is and has set herself up to have a great future. I am very proud of her and what she has been able to accomplish in her four years."
 
The education she has received gave Ptacek the ability to receive an internship with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) this past summer in Sioux Falls, hopefully affording her the chance to receive a fulltime position.
 
"With the internship, at the end of the summer we went to Washington DC for different assessments and an overall evaluation," Ptacek said. "Depending on how that goes, there is a possibility for a job offer.
 
"The assessments included a writing test, individual presentation and team work exercise. I recently found out that I passed all my assessments."
 
With that, Ptacek is hoping to receive a job offer, which typically occurs in September.
 
Until then, she is focused on her senior season. It is the second-consecutive season she has been chosen as a team captain.
 
"It is really cool to be picked as the captain," Ptacek said. "I am a quieter person but it means a lot that people notice what I am doing. I try to lead by example, I know I don't get heard a lot, so it is my example."
 
Green backed that up saying, "Katlin has gone from being pretty quiet vocally her first two years but leads by example on the field. Her junior and senior season, she has stepped up not only her game, but her vocal and action-based leadership on-and-off the field."
 
The soccer team brought in a sports psychologist during the fall camp and Ptacek fit in perfectly with one of the psychologist's points.
 
"One of the things she talked about was being first," Ptacek added. "I try to be the first one out there and be the first in a drill. I pride myself on my work ethic and being consistent."
 
Ptacek is trying to enjoy her consistency during her senior season.
 
"I want to make the season the best that I can," Ptacek said. "It is my last year of playing soccer… forever. As a team, we want to win conference. We have the ability to do so. We had the ability last year and didn't follow through with it. We need to work on our consistency. We need to show up to every game, stay disciplined and do our best."
 
The Coyotes take their consistency and discipline to Nebraska on Friday, who jumped to No. 14 in the nation in the United Soccer Coaches (USC) poll. The Huskers defeated Kansas 3-0 and Tulsa 3-1 on the opening weekend of action. Sophomore Elyse Huber tallied three goals on the weekend and was named the USC Player of the Week.
 
Following Friday's action, the Coyotes make their home debut Sunday hosting Northern Iowa. South Dakota has won three out of the last four matches with UNI including two-straight in Vermillion. The Panthers opened their season at Chicago State, prevailing 5-0. Five different Panthers scored a goal while junior Hannah McDevitt tallied a goal and an assist.
 
Kickoff from First Bank & Trust Soccer Field is slated for 2 p.m. Sunday. A postgame clinic will be held following the game, which is free for 8^th-graders and under. To sign up for the clinic, email marketing assistant Jarren Duffy at Jarren.Duffy@coyotes.usd.edu.