VERMILLION, S.D. -- The South Dakota Coyote women's soccer game finished up its three-game exhibition schedule ahead of the 2021 season this past Sunday. The Yotes traveled to Iowa to play the Hawkeyes and to Lincoln to face Nebraska before hosting Briar Cliff on Sunday.
 
"I think the biggest thing is we have had a lot of learning experiences in the three exhibitions games," assistant coach Maddie Gaffney said. "The three games were different across the board. We are trying to learn and grow from these opportunities and build off the successes wehave had."
 
USD played well against both the Big Ten schools in Nebraska and Iowa playing them tough throughout the first half. The exhibitions also gave the Yotes a great chance to play every player ahead of the regular season. South Dakota wrapped up the exhibition season with a home game vs. Briar Cliff in which the Yotes were able to play in front of a home crowd while getting everyone a few minutes on the pitch.
 
"I think every time you play against better athletes, it's going to help you," head coach Michael Thomas said. "If you ask anyone on the team why we scheduled those games it's because it's what's next as we try to move this program forward. Getting those experiences is something that will help us compete at the levels we want to compete at."
 
With the exhibition season behind them, the Yotes look to replicate the success they had just a few short months ago in the spring season.
 
"Our goal has been the same since we got on campus that is to be better than the day before," Thomas said. "There are days we are successful in that and there are days we need to reevaluate and find a new way to do it. We saw some fruits of our labors last spring and we're hopefully we can continue that momentum this fall."
 
Most NCAA soccer programs compete in a spring season but not as intense as in 2021. Some may see it as too quick of a turn around to get ready for a new season, but Thomas doesn't see it that way.
 
"We were excited to play in the spring and we are excited to play in the fall," Thomas said. "Our coaching staff and our players just like playing soccer. It almost feels as a continuation of the spring season that we come in and we have a group of players that know what we are doing and what the goal is."
 
USD was scheduled to open the season today (Aug. 20) vs. Texas Rio Grande Valley but unfortunately its flight was cancelled and were unable to make it to Vermillion in time. The Yotes will now open the 2021 season vs. Northern State on Saturday at 6 p.m. at First Bank & Trust Complex.
 
 
The Coyotes return all but one starter from last season in Sunny Huettner. Among those that return are four fifth year seniors in Alexis Mitchell, Emma Harkleroad, Abby Ostrem and Maddison Sullivan.
 
Huettner was a big part of the defensive line that only allowed 19 goals on the season and forced six shutouts on the season. However, the Yotes return every other piece from the defensive line including goalkeeper Emma Harkleroad and Taylor Ravelo who both earn a spot on the all-Summit League second team this past spring season. The Yotes also return some veteran leadership on the back line in Ostrem.
 
Offensively, Mitchell returns alongside junior Shaylee Gailus, senior Taylor Cotter and fifth year senior Maddison Sullivan. The offensive led the Summit League with 2.1 goals per game and finished with 35 goals which finished 15^th in the nation.
 
Having so many pieces back from last spring gives the team a step up when it comes to team chemistry and knowing who you're playing partners are on the pitch.
 
"With all the returners coming back we have a group of players that know what we're doing and have good relationships with each other on the field," Thomas said. "They have an idea of where their playing partners are going to be. That's always an advantage to have that which improves your speed of play and improves the things that you're able to do with each other."
 
The Coyotes posted nine wins for the second time in Thomas' three years at USD. They posted a six-game winning streak which was the longest of the DI era.
 
This non-conference season is one of the toughest in recent memory with the Yotes traveling to Colorado State, Wyoming, Creighton, and hosting Iowa State.
 
"This is going to be the toughest non-conference slate in my four years here," Thomas said. "I think the team camaraderie is really good right now which allows us to have challenges and stay together as a group."
 
The Yotes finished the season winning their last eight of 10 games to clinch their second ever spot in the four team Summit League Tournament. South Dakota got a taste of the tournament and are hungry to get back this season.
 
"They definitely have a taste for it now and I think that's a good thing," Thomas said. "The Summit League with only four teams getting in is one of the hardest conference tournaments to qualify for in the nation. The conference also lets in a lower number of teams than many other conferences. What we take out of that is to keep resetting our goals now that we have been there.
 
"We need to not take that experience for granted because there are nine other teams in the conference that all have the same goal as we do. The first thing we need to do is qualify for the conference tournament and with only four teams making it that's a big challenge in itself."
 
The Coyotes have hit the ground running with a few weeks of practice and three exhibition games under their belts. As we have seen already the fall season is sure to bring some exciting times.