Box Score GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The South Dakota Coyotes clinched the fourth and final spot in The Summit League Conference Tournament held in Omaha on April 15-17. The Yotes clinched the spot in dominating fashion recording a 6-0 shutout over North Dakota on Friday at Bronson Field.
USD (8-6-1) has now recorded three straight shutouts and are winners of its last seven of nine heading into the final game of the regular season on Sunday at 2 p.m. The Yotes will make an appearance in the conference tournament for the second time since joining the Summit League.
"I'm proud of the collective effort today," head coach
Michael Thomas said. "I'm especially proud of our seniors. Sunny, Alexis, Maddie and Abby have all worked so hard to make this happen."
North Dakota (5-8) along with NDSU and USD were the three teams vying for the final spot heading into the final weekend of action. Denver, South Dakota State and Omaha will be the other three competing in the tournament along with USD.
"Today marks the second time in program history that the team has has qualified for the conference tournament," assistant coach
Maddie Gaffney said. "Extremely proud of this group for the selflessness, determination, heart, and confidence they show daily!"
Needing one win to secure a spot in the conference tournament, the Yotes stepped up big time recording six goals, the second time in the last four seasons the Yotes have recorded six goals in a game.
The scoring began in the 17
th minute when junior
Jordan Centineo knocked one past the goal keeper for her third goal of the season. Senior
Alexis Mitchell placed a beautiful cross in the box from the right side and sophomore
Shaylee Gailus got a head on it before Centineo was able to put it passed the goal keeper.
The Yotes were able to capitalize on the wind shifting the ball in mid-air to record their second goal of the game in the 39
th minute. After a series of corner kicks, junior
Taylor Cotter corralled the ball off a corner kick the Fighting Hawks defended and placed it right back in the box for freshman
Taylor Ravelo to get a piece of to place. The goal was Ravelo's fifth of the season and the assist from Cotter put her in sole possession of second place with eighth assists in a single season at USD.
Right before the halftime whistle blew, the Yotes were able to draw a foul in the box for their first penalty kick of the season after being on the wrong side of a few this season. Mitchell aimed for the left side of the goal and the goalkeeper was in the right position to make the stop but it snuck under her arm for the goal.
South Dakota went into the halftime break with a commanding 3-0 lead and with the wind in their favor heading into the second half.
10 minutes into the second half, senior
Maddison Sullivan's shot was blocked by the goalkeeper, however, sophomore
Lexie Wood make a beautiful run down the middle of the field and collected the deflection for the Yotes fourth goal of the game. Wood recorded her first goal of the season while Sullivan picked up the assist on the goal.
Perhaps the most impressive goal of the day happened in the 75
th minute when junior
Tiannah Moore blew passed the UND defense and placed the ball in the top right corner for her second goal of the season.
South Dakota's sixth and final goal of the game came in the 86
th minute when there was a freshmen-to-freshmen connection off a corner kick.
Hattie Giblin was able to get a foot on a wonderful cross from
Janaina Zanin to record her second goal of the season and Zanin's first assist of her young career.
The Yotes put 12 of their 16 shots on the goal, the second straight game of having 10-plus shots on goal. North Dakota placed five of its 16 shots on goal. Redshirt-junior
Emma Harkleroad earned her third straight shutout and fourth of the season while recording five saves.
