VERMILLION, S.D. – On a chilly and rainy afternoon, the South Dakota soccer team used three first-half goals to claim a 3-1 victory over Oral Roberts in the Summit League home opener at First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex.
 
The victory improves the Coyotes' record to 6-4-2 overall and 1-1 in Summit League action. Oral Roberts falls to 6-9, 1-2.
 
With temperatures hovering in the low 40's, the South Dakota offense was red-hot in connecting with the back of the net on its first two shots of the game. Junior Taryn LaBree sent a cross in front of the goal to a wide-open Amanda Carpio who then one-touched the ball into the left side of the net in the 12^th minute. The goal was the fourth of the season for Carpio who is a junior.
 
In the 14^th minute, LaBree scored her own goal when she sent a loose ball into the back of the net after a corner kick. Sophomore Alexis Mitchell took the corner kick where it deflected off a couple of Golden Eagle defenders before LaBree made a move on the ball for her fourth goal of the season.
 
Mitchell then tallied her first-career goal on a penalty kick in the 24^th minute to give USD the commanding 3-0 lead.
 
Oral Roberts scored its only goal in the 67^th minute on a penalty kick from Jordan Langebartels.
 
Senior Parker Rytz started in goal for the Coyotes making two saves. Fellow senior Coral Suarez briefly replaced her after an injury forced Rytz out for the final minute of the first half. Suarez did not face a shot. Ryliegh Bohnenstiehl tallied two saves in net for Oral Roberts.
 
South Dakota placed five of eight shots on goal, led by two shots on goal from LaBree. Junior Kellee Willer attempted two shots, with one on frame. Other shot attempts for the Coyotes came from Tiannah Moore, Abby Ostrem, Carpio and Mitchell.
 
The Coyotes embark on a three-game road trip beginning with Western Illinois on Sunday. Kickoff from Macomb, Illinois, is scheduled for 1 p.m.