VERMILLION, S.D. – South Dakota women's soccer is looking to start conference play off right Thursday as the Coyotes travel to St. Paul, Minn. to face off with the St. Thomas Tommies.
 
The Coyotes had an extended break after finishing up non-conference play on the road. The last time USD was in action, it fell to Wyoming in Laramie on Sept. 15. The 11-day break is the longest of the season and is the only time this season the Coyotes will go more than a week without a match this season.
 
The Coyotes open conference play with one match this week, as they get an off-day Sunday before diving into the home portion of conference play Oct. 3 against Omaha.
 
THE COYOTES
South Dakota is looking to get back in the win column after going 0-4-1 over the last five matches of the non-conference slate. To get in the win column this week, the Coyotes will have to do so away from First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex, something they haven't managed to do yet this season.
 
On the flip side, South Dakota returns both goal scorers from last season's victory over the Tommies. Ashby Johnston scored twice and Brooke Conway scored once in the win. Rylee Haldeman assisted on both of Johnston's goals and Conway assisted on one of Johnston's scores.
 
THE TOMMIES
St. Thomas completed its non-conference schedule with a 5-0 loss to Marquette last Thursday. The Tommies are 4-4-1 and have already passed last season's win total (3). They also have a positive record of 2-1-1 at home this season.
 
The goal scorer from the 2023 match against the Coyotes, Molly Knoblauch, is back for her junior season, but hasn't found the back of the net yet in 2024. The Tommies do have the Summit League's leading goal scorer in the 2024 season to this point. Lexi Huber has found the back of the net five times in nine matches.
 
SERIES HISTORY
The Coyotes are 3-0-0 against St. Thomas since the Tommies joined the Summit League in 2021. In St. Paul, the Coyotes are 1-0-0 with a 2-1 win in 2022. USD averages three goals per match in three matches with the Tommies.
 
HOW TO WATCH
The Coyotes and Tommies are set for 4 p.m. start in St. Paul. The match will be streamed on the Summit League Network. You can also follow @SDCoyotesSoccer on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook for more content.
 
ONE LAST THING
South Dakota head coach Michael Thomas stands at 49 career wins at USD, tying him with Jessica Maddox (2000-2004) for the most wins in program history. With the Coyotes' next win, Thomas will become the first coach in South Dakota soccer history to reach 50 wins. He already holds the mark for most conference victories with 27 and has recorded four seasons with a .500 record or better, more than any other coach in the program's history.