FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Maddison Sullivan's goal in the 29th minute gave South Dakota a 1-0 victory over Purdue Fort Wayne on Sunday afternoon at the Hefner Soccer Complex as the Coyotes closed out their four-match road swing.
 
The triumph is the Coyotes' (6-8, 1-2 Summit) first conference victory in 2019 and the sixth straight in the series against the Mastodons (4-7, 0-3 Summit), which dates back to a 1-0 home victory in 2014. South Dakota also recorded its third shutout of the season and first since holding Northern Colorado without a goal on Sept. 22.
 
Amanda Carpio squared up a corner kick and Sullivan corralled the ball inside the box and put it into the bottom right side of the net at the 28:41 mark for what proved to be the decisive goal in the contest. The score was the fifth of Sullivan's career and her second of the season, while the assist was the third of the season for Carpio.
 
South Dakota outshot Purdue Fort Wayne 18-10 in the contest, and goalkeeper Bella Alessio was not forced into action for any saves across 90 minutes as she notched her second solo shutout of the season. Despite the Mastodons' 10 shots, none were put on target on the afternoon in a stout defensive performance by the Coyotes' back line.
 
With Sunday's match in the books, the Coyotes return home for a three-match homestand starting next Sunday, October 20th, against Denver (5-4-3, 1-0-1 Summit). The Pioneers defeated Western Illinois 3-0 on Thursday and will travel to Omaha on October 17 before heading to Vermillion to face the Coyotes.
 
Kickoff for next Sunday's is slated for 1 p.m. at First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex and will double as South Dakota's annual Pink Game. All fans will receive half off admission if they wear pink for Sunday's contest.