VERMILLION, S.D. — The South Dakota women's soccer team returns home this week for its first two-match homestand of the 2026 season, welcoming Idaho to First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex on Thursday at 6 p.m. before hosting Drake on Sunday at 1 p.m. for Senior Day.
THE COYOTES
South Dakota enters the weekend with a 2-2-2 record and looks to bounce back after earning a draw against Northern Colorado on Thursday before falling to Wyoming on Sunday.
Sadie Strait, Kinsley Pesicka, and Brooke Conway lead the Coyotes offensively with two goals each heading into matches seven and eight of the season.
Thursday's matchup with Idaho marks the seventh all-time meeting between the Coyotes and Vandals, dating back to 2009. South Dakota holds a 2-4 record in the series, with Thursday marking just the third time Idaho has traveled to Vermillion. The Coyotes are 1-1 against the Vandals at home.
South Dakota will close the weekend against Drake on Sunday for Senior Day. The Coyotes and Bulldogs have met 15 times since their first matchup in 2008, with South Dakota holding a 7-7-1 all-time record. The Coyotes have found recent success in the series, going 7-2-1 over the last 10 meetings and have not lost to Drake at home since 2015.
Sunday's match will also provide an opportunity for South Dakota to celebrate its seniors, Brooke Conway and Kiah Pieters.
THE OPPONENTS
Idaho enters the matchup with a 3-1-1 record, including a 2-0 mark at home. The Vandals opened the season with a 3-0 victory at Washington State and have since added wins over CSUN and CSU Bakersfield.
Idaho has scored six goals through five matches while allowing just three. The Vandals are averaging 16.4 shots per game, nearly twice their opponents' 8.2, and have put 42 of their 82 attempts on target.
Hallie Prinos-Grumbach leads Idaho with five points on two goals and one assist. Miranda Goldner has recorded a team-high three assists, while Alyssa Hamilton, Payton Oelkers and Makenna Stuart have each contributed three points. Goalkeeper Paula Flores has started all five matches for the Vandals, posting a 0.60 goals-against average, .786 save percentage and three shutouts.
Drake enters the week at 4-2 overall and will face Western Illinois on Wednesday before traveling to Vermillion for Sundays match.
The Bulldogs have found their rhythm offensively, winning four consecutive matches after opening the season with back-to-back 1-0 losses at Wyoming and Colorado College. Drake has outscored its opponents 12-2 through six matches and has recorded four consecutive shutouts. The Bulldogs have scored at least two goals in each of their last four matches, including a 5-0 win over Grand View and a 3-0 victory over SIUE.
Angela Gutierrez has been the centerpiece of the Drake attack, leading the Bulldogs with five goals and two assists for 12 points. She has also recorded three game-winning goals.
Both matches will be live streamed on The Summit League Network.
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