VERMILLION, S.D.— South Dakota women's soccer has earned the No. 7 spot in the latest IWOC NCAA Division I Women's Soccer West Region rankings. 

The recognition comes after South Dakota opened the 2026 season unbeaten through its first two matches. The Coyotes defeated Northern Iowa, 4-0, in their season opener before earning a 1-1 draw against Nebraska in Lincoln. 

South Dakota's four-goal performance against UNI featured four different goal scorers, while freshman Kinsley Pesicka made an immediate impact in her collegiate debut. Pesicka found the back of the net just two minutes into the match for her first collegiate goal. 

The forward followed that performance by scoring South Dakota's lone goal against Nebraska, giving her two goals through the first two matches of her collegiate career. 

South Dakota returns to action Thursday, Aug. 20, traveling to Wisconsin Green Bay for a 3 p.m. matchup. The Coyotes then return home Sunday, Aug. 23, hosting Morningside at 1 p.m. at First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex for their first home match of the season. 

The No. 7 ranking marks the highest regional recognition in program history during the Division I era. 

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