CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The Coyotes got on the board first, but ultimately played to a draw in their season opener against Northern Iowa Thursday in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
The warm sunny weather warranted a water break in each half, but both goals in the match came in the late portion of each half.
The first goal of the Coyote season was scored with 67 seconds left in the opening half of play.
Lexi Cerone's (Fr., Gretna, Neb.) pass from well outside the box found
Izzy Quintavalle (Jr., Otsega, Minn.), who was able to put the ball in the back of the net. The goal is Quintavalle's second career goal after scoring her first last season.
The Panthers were able to turn up the pressure in the second half, recording three shots on goal after getting just one in the opening 45 minutes. The Coyote defense continued to hold for nearly 35 minutes before the pressure finally broke and the Panthers scored on a shot by Olivia Knoepfle.
The Coyotes had a chance late, as
Janaina Zanin (Gr., Pierre, S.D.) footed a free kick past the wall, but Caitlin Richards, the Panthers keeper, recorded the save to all but seal the tie.
Quintavalle put both of her shots on goal in the match, scoring the lone Coyote goal. Zanin,
Brooklyn Bordson (Jr., Lino Lakes, Minn.), and
Morgan Sullivan (Jr., Rapid City, S.D.) tallied two shots apiece, with Zanin and
Brooke Nelson (Fr., Stillwater, Minn.) putting one shot on goal each. In goal, the Coyotes split action between
Cambell Fischer (So., Hartford, S.D.) and
Margot Mulhern (Fr., Arvada, Colo.). Fischer played the opening half, facing one shot on goal and recording the save. Mulhern had a more eventful second half, seeing three shots at the goal, saving two of them.
The draw snaps a two-match losing skid to the Panthers and is the third time the two schools have drawn in the series history.
South Dakota return to the home turf Sunday for the home opener against Morningside. The match is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start at First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex.
