The Game
South Dakota begins its regular season with a match against Utah Tech in Vermillion at 6 p.m. Thursday. This will also be Utah Tech's first regular season game after taking on Eastern Arizona College in exhibition play.
 
The Series
Thursday's game will be only the second time these two teams have met, the first being in 2022.
 
The Coyotes
South Dakota is beginning its sixth season with head coach Michael Thomas. The team is joined by new assistant coach Andrew Percic, as well as returning assistant Maggie Sherman. The Coyotes are two years removed from their first 10-win season at the Division I level and a Summit League Tournament appearance.
 
Eight starters return this season for the Coyotes including goalkeeper Caroline Lewis, forward Ashby Johnston and defender Taylor Ravelo. Both Johnston and Ravelo were named Summit League Players to Watch in the league's preseason release.
 
The Trailblazers
Utah Tech is beginning its first season under head coach Lexi Brown who joined the team in late June after serving five seasons as the assistant coach at Gonzaga. Brown is coaching a team who advanced to the Elite Eight in the Division II tournament in 2019 and made the move to Division I in 2020. Last year, the Trailblazers garnered their first 10-win season at the Division I level.
 
Senior Gracie Knutzen is a returning all-WAC defender. Sophomore defender Ella Carmody was named to the all-WAC Freshman team last season. Junior forward Karli Heaton is a preseason all-conference honoree.