VERMILLION, S.D. — The South Dakota soccer team begins its second season, within the season, Thursday with the first Summit League contest of the year. The Coyotes travel to Fargo, North Dakota, to take on last season's regular season co-champions North Dakota State.
 
The Coyotes sit 2-8 on the season, but it is a record that is not discouraging to head coach Mandy Green.
 
"We changed our philosophy on nonconference games a couple of years ago," Green said. "We had been playing some easier teams in the nonconference schedule and we won. However, we weren't winning in conference.
 
"When we decided to increase our strength-of-schedule, we got a little beat up in nonconference but it was the first year we made the conference tournament."
 
Referring to the 2015 campaign, the Coyotes went 3-8 in nonconference games before securing a 5-3 league record and advancing to the Summit League Tournament where the Coyotes fell in double-overtime to No. 1 seed North Dakota State.
 
"That tough schedule prepared us," Green added. "Last year, we closed the gap on a lot of teams and came close to advancing to the conference tournament.
 
"This year we have a different, and better, mindset than we've ever had."
 
The Coyotes have not had a problem stopping goals, ranking 31^st in the nation with 6.3 saves per game. However, it is the other end of the field that has been a focus with 11 days between contests.
 
"We've really focused on seeing the team put the ball in the back of the net," Green said. "We need the confidence in putting the ball back there."
 
South Dakota has tallied four goals by three different Coyotes. Sophomore Taryn LaBree scored the game-winning golden goal against Creighton while Maddison Sullivan and Zoe Anderson have also found the back of the net.
 
"I feel like this team, with our mindset, and the corner we've turned on some health issues, I feel that we can make a pretty deep run in the conference," Green said.
 
To begin that run, the Coyotes start with the top three teams from last season.
 
"I think it is anybody's conference this year," Green added. "Our schedule sets up well for us, having to play NDSU, Oral Roberts and Denver will show us where we are with things. I hope we can finally break through and start scoring some goals."
 
The Bison, who went 5-2-1 in league action last year, are currently 2-8 overall. They were picked to finish second in the preseason coaches' poll behind player to watch Holly Enderle, a 2016 first team all-Summit League selection.
 
The two victories for NDSU have come in their last two games, both 2-0 victories over Utah Valley and Jamestown. Hanna Norman leads the team with two goals with three other Bisons scoring one each. Monica Polgar and Julia Edelstein have split time in the net this year, however it has been Polgar in the last two games. She has a 1.96 goals against average and tallied 26 saves.
 
Following the Summit League opener, the Coyotes return to First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex to host Denver on October 6 followed by Oral Roberts on October 8.