VERMILLION, S.D.– South Dakota women's soccer continues postseason play Thursday, facing North Dakota State in the Summit League Championship semifinals in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. CT, with the match streaming on the Summit League Network. 

The Coyotes advanced to the semifinals after earning a 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Omaha in the quarterfinals Friday. Following 110 scoreless minutes, South Dakota converted four penalty kicks to secure its first-ever victory in the Summit League Championship and advance to the semifinals for the fourth time in program history. 

The Coyotes will face a North Dakota State team that finished the regular season with a 5-3-2 record in Summit League play. The Bison advanced to the semifinals with a bye after earning the top seed in Pod A. 

COYOTES TO WATCH 

South Dakota is led offensively by First Team All-Summit League selections Klarissa Vega and Brooke Conway. Vega leads the Coyotes with six goals, three assists and 15 points while ranking second on the team with 63 shots. Conway has added four goals and three assists for 11 points, leading the team with 55 shots while starting all 19 matches. 

Freshman Brooklynn Pollmiller was named Summit League Newcomer of the Year after recording three goals and three assists for nine points. She was joined by fellow freshman Kinsley Pesicka on the All-Newcomer Team. Pesicka has contributed four goals and two assists for 10 points in 19 appearances. 

Defensively, Second Team All-Summit League selection Elsie Odney has recorded one goal and two assists while starting 16 matches. Sam Luft and Mali Van Meeteren earned honorable mention recognition. Luft has started all 19 matches, while Van Meeteren has also started all 19 and leads the team with 1,621 minutes played. 

In goal, Cambell Fischer has started all 19 matches for South Dakota, recording 75 saves, a .781 save percentage and seven shutouts. Fischer is one shutout away from breaking the program record for single season shutouts. 

The two programs met twice during the regular season, with North Dakota State winning both contests. The Bison earned a 2-1 victory in Fargo on Sept. 27 before claiming a 4-3 win in Vermillion on Oct. 29. In the most recent meeting, South Dakota received goals from Taylor Mulligan, Klarissa Vega and Elsie Odney. 

South Dakota will look to turn the tables on the Bison Thursday and earn a spot in the Summit League Championship final for the first time in program history. 

UP NEXT 

The winner advances to the Summit League Championship final on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 1 p.m. CT in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The championship match will be streamed on the Summit League Network. 

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