VERMILLION, S.D. — The South Dakota women's soccer team opens the 2026 regular season on the road this week, traveling to Northern Iowa on Wednesday before heading to Nebraska for a Sunday matchup.
THE COYOTES
South Dakota enters the 2026 season coming off a historic 2025 campaign that saw the Coyotes host a Summit League Tournament quarterfinal match at home for the first time in program history. The Yotes finished the season with a 7-6-6 record, marking the 10th-best season in program history.
The Coyotes graduated 11 seniors following the 2025 season but return several key contributors, including 2025 Summit League Newcomer of the Year Klarissa Vega. Vega made an immediate impact in her debut season, earning Second Team All-Summit League honors after recording eight goals and three assists. Mali Van Meeteren also returns after ranking third on the team in scoring last season with three goals and one assist. Brooke Conway returns after leading the Coyotes with 44 shots in 2025 while contributing two goals and three assists.
In goal, Cambell Fischer returns after starting 17 matches last season. Fischer posted a 5-6-6 record while making 59 saves during the 2025 campaign.
THE OPPONENTS
Northern Iowa: South Dakota opens the 2026 regular season Wednesday at 4 p.m. against Northern Iowa at the UNI Soccer Field. The Coyotes hold a 5-9-4 record against the Panthers since 2007. Wednesday marks the third consecutive season the two teams have met in the season opener, with the previous two meetings ending in draws. UNI returns seven players from last season while welcoming 20 newcomers, including 10 freshmen and 10 transfers. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Nebraska: South Dakota closes its opening weekend Sunday with a 1:05 p.m. matchup against the Cornhuskers in Lincoln. This will be the 3rd time the Coyotes will face the Cornhuskers and the first time since 2017. Nebraska opens its season Wednesday at Louisville before hosting the Coyotes in its home opener Sunday. The Cornhuskers finished the 2025 season with an 8-5-5 record and were picked 12th in the Big Ten preseason poll. Three Nebraska players — Kayma Carpenter, Ella Rudney and Ella Guyott — were selected as Big Ten Players to Watch ahead of the 2026 season. Sunday's match will be streamed live on Big Ten+.
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