VERMILLION, S.D. – The South Dakota women's soccer team capped its 2025 season with a 7-6-6 overall record and a 3-3-2 mark in Summit League play. The Coyotes made program history by earning the right to host a Summit League Tournament quarterfinal match for the first time ever, ultimately falling 1-0 to Kansas City in a hard-fought contest at the First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex.
Picked sixth in the preseason poll, the Coyotes exceeded expectations by finishing fourth in the final Summit League standings. South Dakota displayed balance on both ends of the pitch, posting a +4 goal differential (26-22) and holding opponents to just 1.16 goals per match. The Coyotes were particularly strong in Vermillion, compiling a 4-3-4 home record and recording six total shutouts.
Redshirt freshman forward Klarissa Vega spearheaded the attack, earning Summit League Newcomer of the Year honors after leading the team with eight goals and three assists for 19 points. Vega converted both of her penalty-kick attempts and tallied two game-winning goals. Goalkeeper Kelsie Luquin captured USD's lone Player of the Week award during the season, while four Coyotes earned postseason recognition. Vega added All-Summit Second Team and All-Newcomer Team honors, joined on the second team by Mali Van Meeteren, while Rylee Haldeman and Sam Luft garnered Honorable Mention accolades.
Offensively, South Dakota averaged 14.1 shots per match, finding the back of the net 26 times on 268 attempts. Brooklyn Bordson, Van Meeteren, and Brooke Conway each scored three goals, while Gabbie Ryan and Morgan Sullivan added two apiece. Haldeman led the team with four assists.
In goal, Cambell Fischer anchored the defense, starting 17 matches and logging 1,510 minutes with 59 saves, three shutouts, and a 1.31 goals-against average. Luquin added two wins and a shutout, not allowing a goal in more than 150 minutes of play.
The Coyotes opened the campaign with strong nonconference wins over Drake, Morningside, Idaho, Central Michigan, and St. Thomas. In Summit League action, USD recorded key victories over North Dakota and Omaha, along with draws against Kansas City and in-state rival South Dakota State.
Defensively, South Dakota ranked among the Summit League's top units, allowing one goal or fewer in 12 of 19 matches and limiting opponents to a .438 shots-on-goal percentage. The Coyotes outshot their opposition by a 268–210 margin across the season.
The 2025 campaign marked another step forward for the program, as South Dakota qualified for the Summit League Tournament for the second consecutive year and showcased one of the league's most promising rosters.
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