VERMILLION, S.D. — South Dakota soccer attempted 16 shots but could not find the back of the net in a 2-0 loss to Northern Iowa Sunday at First Bank & Trust Field.
 
The Coyotes fell behind early when Sarah Brandt scored in the 11^th minute from a through ball, off the feet of Brynell Yount. Brandt snagged the pass and put the goal into the bottom left corner of the net.
 
From there the Coyotes and Panthers (3-0) bartered back-and-forth with each squad attempting numerous shots.
 
South Dakota (0-4) nearly got its first goal of the season as Taryn LaBree beat the outside defender, took the ball to the goal line and crossed it in to Amanda Carpio who had a great look at goal. However, Jami Reichenberger made the diving stop for UNI in the 35^th minute of action.
 
Labree created another opportunity, this time for herself, as she used fancy footwork to get around the Panther defender and fire a shot. However, her shot went wide left of the goal in the 48^th minute.
 
"We were able to connect and keep the ball on the ground a little more today," head coach Mandy Green said. "We started to find our forwards and they started to take some people on.
 
"Right now we are missing by inches on some of these shots. I like the fact that we got these shots. It is good to see we are creating opportunities but we have to find a way to put them (the shots) away."
 
Northern Iowa added its second goal on a broken play. Brandt attempted a shot that was blocked, but went straight to the feet of Yount, and she put the ball in the back of the net in the 83^rd minute.
 
South Dakota had one final look with a shot on goal in the closing minutes but the attempt from Cooper Thau was stopped by Reichenberger.
 
The Coyotes attempted a season-high 16 shots with five each from LaBree and Kellee Willer. Alexis Mitchell attempted three shots with Taylor Kelly, Carpio and Thau each attempting one.
 
Coral Suarez tallied six saves for USD with a seventh Coyotes save coming as a team save. After Suarez made an initial stop on a shot, the ball broke loose for Yount who fired at the open net. Karas came out of nowhere to stop the shot just inches in front of the goal line.
 
The Coyotes continued with a young lineup playing six sophomores and five freshmen as part of the 20 players to see action.
 
"We are getting experience and getting a lot of bodies on the field, unfortunately due to injuries," Green added. "But we are learning a lot of things about our team this season and each game we have progressed."
 
South Dakota takes that progression to battle on Thursday hosting Creighton at 4 p.m.