VERMILLION, S.D. – An early goal from Denver's Meg Halvorson was the difference that gave the visitors a 1-0 win over South Dakota on Sunday afternoon from the First Bank and Trust Soccer Complex in Summit League soccer action.
 
Denver (7-4-3, 3-0-1 Summit) found the back of the net on its second shot at the 6:20 mark, as Natalie Beckman set up Brittney Lewis down the left side of the attacking third. Lewis dished to Halvorson, who booted her third goal of the season into the bottom right corner of the goal.
 
After back-and-forth play for much of the rest of the match, South Dakota (6-9, 1-3 Summit) had its opportunities in the closing minutes to equalize the contest.
 
In the 88th minute, Joana Zanin squared up a free kick from the middle-left side of the attacking third, but Denver goalkeeper Brittany Wilson was just able to corral one of her two saves in the contest; Wilson's effort marked the third consecutive shutout for the Pioneers.
 
Moments later, Tiannah Moore just narrowly missed an opportunity, finding herself with space as she dribbled. The sophomore turned and fired toward the goal, but sent her chance just over the crossbar.
 
Bella Alessio played the full match in goal for the Coyotes, allowing only the early goal while also making five saves on the afternoon, all of which came in the second half of play.
 
The Coyotes continue Summit League play at home on Thursday against Omaha (5-9-1, 2-3 Summit). The Mavericks are coming off a 2-1 victory over Oral Roberts on Sunday afternoon, where Amanda Rapaduski provided the go-ahead goal in the 84th minute of the win.
 
Kickoff for Thursday's match will be at 3 p.m. and the contest will double as South Dakota's annual Pink Game, with fans who attend and wear pink receiving half off the price of admission.