VERMILLION, S.D. – Through three matches of the 2024 season, the South Dakota women's soccer team has seen one of each result to stand with a 1-1-1 record and will have the opportunity to capitalize on early season experiences in a pair of matches this week.
 
Last time out, the Coyotes fell to Eastern Washington 2-0 at First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex. The Eagles scored a goal in each half, including a penalty kick goal in the opening 45 minutes. It was the Coyotes first loss of the young season after going 1-0-1 in the opening week of the year.
 
The Coyotes now shift their attention to Drake on Thursday, and Kansas State on the road Sunday. The Coyotes and Bulldogs will play at 3 p.m. at First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex before South Dakota heads to Manhattan, Kansas for a showdown with the Big 12 conference's Kansas State.
 
THE COYOTES
Sunday's match saw it's fair share of opportunities for the Coyotes, something they will look to capitalize on this week. USD had 12 corner kicks, the most in a match so far this season for USD, and had 17 shot attempts.
 
Senior Ashby Johnston is off to the fastest start of any Coyote, recording a goal and an assist so far. She also has the most shot attempts (9) and is tied with freshman Gabbie Ryan for the most shots on goal (4) on the team.
 
The Coyotes have split time in goal each match this season, with sophomore Cambell Fischer and freshman Margot Mulhern seeing a majority of the action. Mulhern and Fischer have recorded four saves apiece so far.
 
THE OPPONENTS
The Coyotes will see a familiar foe Thursday before taking on a team they haven't seen since 2017. Drake enters Thursday's match with an 0-2-2 record, looking for their first victory of the 2024 season. Kansas State sits a 1-2 entering their match with Green Bay Thursday before hosting the Coyotes on Sunday.
 
Drake has seen it's fair share of challenges in the first two weeks of the season, hosting Kansas and Iowa State, both from the Big 12. Drake has also taken on a familiar opponent to the Coyotes in the Summit League's St. Thomas. The Bulldogs have had five different goal scorers so far this season.
 
Kansas State opened its' season with a home loss to Nevada before going 1-1 on a west coast road trip to Portland State and Gonzaga. Two of the three goals scored by a Wildcat this season have been scored by sophomore Ryann Reynolds. The Wildcats will face Green Bay before seeing the Coyotes Sunday.
 
SERIES HISTORY
The Coyotes and Bulldogs have faced off every year since 2012 except for the 2020-21 COVID-19 season. In 13 all-time matches, the Bulldogs hold the series lead at 7-5-1 against USD. The Coyotes have turned the tides since 2018, going 4-0-1 against Drake, including a 2-1 win in Des Moines last season.
 
The Coyotes and Wildcats have matched up twice all-time, in 2016 at Kansas State and 2017 in Vermillion. Kansas State won both matches, with a 2-0 result in Manhattan and a 1-0 result in Vermillion.
 
HOW TO FOLLOW ALONG
The match between the Bulldogs and Coyotes in Vermillion will be available to stream via the Summit League Network on Midco Sports Plus. Sunday's match at Kansas State will be broadcasted on ESPN+. You can also follow @SDCoyotesSoccer on X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook for more content.