SDSU outlasts the bison in a defensive battle
The Bison women’s soccer team fell to the Summit League-leading South Dakota State Jackrabbits 1-0 on Thursday. An early second-half goal for SDSU was all that was needed to seal the deal in this defensive battle. With the loss, NDSU drops to 7-6-3 on the season, while their conference record falls to 2-2-2.
SDSU’s Leah Manuleleua was the hero of the game, as she scored her 10th goal of the season in the 58th minute. The goal came off an assist from the Jackrabbit’s Marisa Schulz. It was the 12th straight win for SDSU, all 12 coming via shutout. SDSU’s record improved to 14-3 on the season and improved their conference record to 6-0.
The Jacks controlled the game as they had a 20-7 advantage in shots. However, both teams had four shots on goal apiece.
Elyse Huber led the way for the Bison with four shots, including two shots on goal. Paige Goaley, Mckenna Strand and Lavin Douglass each added a shot for the Herd. Goalkeeper Monica Polgar recorded three saves in 90 minutes in the net.
Polgar moved into a tie for seventh in school history with 94 saves this season. Polgar also surpassed 300 career saves, making her the third player in school history to hit the mark. Huber also moved into eighth in school history with 69 shots this season.
Looking ahead, the Herd return to action on Thursday, Oct 31 where they will take on the University of North Dakota in their home finale. The Fighting Hawks are in third place in the Summit League standings with nine points, while NDSU remains in fourth place after the loss with eight points.
NDSU will look to finish the season with some momentum with only two games remaining on the schedule. They will travel to Denver to take on the second place Pioneers to end the season. With Denver only five points ahead of the Bison in the standings, it is still possible for NDSU to move up to as high as second place in the Summit League standings.
Even after a deflating loss at the hands of rival SDSU, the Herd still have a couple of big opportunities ahead of them to move up the Summit League standings.