VERMILLION, S.D.—Michael Thomas, USD's second-year soccer coach, looks to expand on a 2018 campaign that saw his squad tie the school record for wins in program history with nine.
 
"It was a rewarding year in the fact that the work the women put in paid off for them," Thomas said. "The buy in from the team and that group of women, to do what needed to be done, was phenomenal. The key to that is building from it and take the next step moving forward."
 
The Coyotes (9-7-2, 4-4 in Summit), who fell just short of the Summit League Tournament a year ago, focused on individual improvement in the offseason.
 
"The women put in an extensive amount of work," Thomas added. "Their welcome back to school in January was a fitness test. We competed in the DakotaDome while the women were lifting and getting work with our strength and conditioning staff. During that time, we really focused on individual development and accountability – who will win games, score goals and is able to do things to help us be successful."

With a strenuous winter behind them, Thomas continued to push his team throughout the spring exhibition season.
 
"In the spring, we put together a challenging list of exhibition matches," Thomas said. "The women performed well; going up to the University of Minnesota and getting a win, and drawing a tie with Iowa State University, as well. It was a successful spring season where people moved forward in a positive direction."
 
 
Thomas feels the transition into year two has had its own unique challenges.
 
"It hasn't been easier or harder," he explained. "Last year, the initial women who came in were fantastic in the way they accepted a new culture and structure. There are aspects of it that end up being harder, because it's not new and exciting when you do it a second time."
 
The Coyotes will rely heavily on their three captains this season: senior defender Courtney Stodola, senior forward Kellee Willer and junior midfielder Alexis Mitchell.
 
"We have some women who have been influential to this program as soccer players and as people," Thomas said. "Specifically, we have three captains who have done a great job of setting a standard for what a University of South Dakota soccer player and student-athlete should be."
 
South Dakota also returns first-team all-Summit League midfielder Taryn LaBree, who scored a team-high six goals last season and has totaled 11 goals in three years with six assists.

"She's the first player in program history to be named first-team all-Summit League," Thomas added. "Not only that, but to be named to an all-region team (third-team) as a Division I player."
 
 
Replacing two-year starting goalkeeper Parker Rytz, who tied a program record with six shutouts last year, will be tough according to Thomas. But he is confident in his young group of netminders as opening day draws near.
 
"Parker (Rytz) left some big shoes to fill, literally and figuratively," he said. "Our goalkeepers are excited about this year's situation. Emma Harkleroad had a great spring season and is being pushed hard by two freshmen. We really feel we're in a situation where we could put any of our goalkeepers on the field and we would get a positive contribution."
 
The Coyotes dropped their lone exhibition match of the season on August 17 to Creighton by a final score of 1-0.
 
"A lot of the match against Creighton was to get players on the field," Thomas explained. "Having just one exhibition makes it challenging as a coach. I subbed more in that game than I probably will for the rest of the season.
 
"I was proud of the women – how they showed up, their organization and conditioning – in that match."
 
South Dakota opens the 2019 season with a weekend homestand against Idaho State Friday (4 p.m.) and Sunday versus Utah State (noon) at First Bank and Trust Soccer Complex.
 
"Every team on our schedule presents a different challenge," Thomas said. "Idaho State is a team that has a new coach and is going to bring a lot of energy. Utah State, more years than not, is competing in the top half of the Mountain West Conference and contending to be in the NCAA Tournament.
 
"They're two tough matches to start the season. There isn't a game that we can just put a victory in the column. But at the same time, there isn't a game that we need to change who we are either."
 
Live stats and a free livestream will be available for all home matches at GoYotes.com.