NDSU Soccer Defeats Westmont Then Rallies From Two-Goal Deficit to Earn Draw Against UC-Santa Barbara

After getting their first win of the 2026 season, the NDSU women’s soccer team took an over 1,400-mile road trip to Santa Barbara to face Westmont and UC Santa Barbara in just four days. 

The Bison took on Westmont first on Thursday afternoon, seeking their second win of the season. The Bison opened up the scoring in this one with Hannah Arnold’s first goal of the season, assisted by All-Summit League member Morgan Russman.

The Bison jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute of the game. Two minutes later, the Bison scored another goal and put themselves up 2-0. Morgan Russman scored this goal, which would be her third of the season. 

No action from either team for the rest of the game would lead to a Bison win. The herd got their second win of the season and their first win on the road in 2026.

The Bison outshot Westmont 19-2 with nine shots on goal compared to Westmont’s zero, a dominant defensive effort from NDSU.

The Bison stayed in Santa Barbara, with a 2-3-2 record, to play UC Santa Barbara that Sunday. NDSU’s final game of this road trip to California would be much more eventful and full of action. UC Santa Barbara took a 2-0 lead thanks to goals in the eighth minute and the 51st minute. 

The Bison looked like they were going to take momentum and never give it back, though. Ava Stanchina scored her first goal of the season in the 53rd minute, and Morgan Russman scored her fourth of the season in the 77th. Finally, Gabrielle Garrett scored her first goal of 2026 in the 83rd minute.

The Bison went on a 3-0 run to give the herd a 3-2 lead late in the game. Right when NDSU thought they would run away with this game, Ava Jarolimek had other plans as she tied the game at three with a goal. This finalized the result as the Bison ended the game with a tie, putting their record at 2-3-3 while heading into the final game of non-conference play.

NDSU’s final non-conference game will be this Thursday at Dacotah Field against Florida Atlantic. Following that, the Bison will have two weeks off before they head to Grand Forks to open up Summit League play vs. the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. 

The conference home opener is on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. against the South Dakota Coyotes.