The Game
South Dakota women's soccer opens the 2022 season tonight at home against Loyola Chicago. The Coyotes look to start off the year on the right foot at a place where they recorded an 8-1 record in 2021. They outscored their opponents 20-4 at First Bank & Trust Complex last year, and will get a test tonight against a team coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance.

The Series
The Coyotes and Ramblers have met three teams in series history. Loyola claims the lone win in the series in the most recent match in 2019. Tonight's game will be Loyola's first trip back to Vermillion since 2013.

The Coyotes
South Dakota posted its best season yet under fifth-year head coach Michael Thomas in 2021. The Coyotes finished the year at 10-4-4 which is the most wins since joining the ranks of Division I. USD posted new highs in several offensive and defensive categories and qualified for the Summit League Tournament for the second straight year and the third time in program history.

The Coyotes bring back seven returning starters including five fifth-year seniors in Jordan Centineo, Taylor Cotter, Teresa Fontenot, Tiannah Moore, and Joana Zanin. Centineo was the leading scorer last year with seven goals and 16 points. She picked up her first career hat trick on three shots against North Dakota State last season and assisted on the lone goal in a 1-0 win over Iowa State. Centineo and Ravelo are returning all-Summit selections. Ravelo was also voted to the United Soccer Coaches All-West Region Team in 2021.

The Ramblers
Loyola Chicago makes its first appearance as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference tonight. The Ramblers posted a 13-3-2 record in 2021 and took the Missouri Valley Conference Championship crown on their way out after outscoring their opponents 8-1 in the tournament. Their season came to an end last year after an opening round defeat to Purdue in the NCAA Tournament. It was the fourth straight season the Ramblers made it to the postseason tournament.

Seven starters return to the Ramblers highlighted by senior Megan Nemec. Nemec led the team with eight goals and 22 points last season. She was named the Missouri Valley's Player of the Year last year while taking home United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-America honors as well. Loyola Chicago will have new faces guarding the net this year after graduating Maddie Hausmann. Hausmann played in every minute of all 18 contests for Loyola Chicago in 2021.

One Last Thing
For the third straight year, South Dakota was picked to finish fourth in the preseason Summit League standings. Ravelo and Zanin were also named Players to Watch this year alongside the poll release.