A three-game non-conference homestand highlights the 2014 University of Sioux Falls women's soccer schedule, announced Monday by head coach Mekonnen Afa. The schedule also is made up of 15 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference games which includes an October 11th Parents/Senior Day matchup with Minnesota Crookston and an October 31st match at Augustana College. During the 2013 season, the Cougars put together a record of 2-15-1 overall and 2-12-1 in the NSIC.

“The schedule for 2014 is very tough and we've included three out of conference teams that will be challenging,” said Afa. “As we continue to improve as a program, playing this type of competition will be challenging, but will also make us better.”

The Cougars will open play on September 5 at the USF Sports Complex in Sioux Falls when they square off with Nebraska-Kearney. When the Cougars faced the Lopers during the 2013 season, Nebraska-Kearney came out on top by a score of 1-0. Next the Cougars will face Fort Hayes State on September 7 after having lost to the Tigers 3-0 last season. USF's non-conference schedule will wrap up on September 12 when they play host to Montana State Billings who was 6-8-2 during the 2013 season. The Cougars 2014 non-conference opponents combined for a winning percentage of 0.396 (21-24-8) during the 2013 season.

The Cougars will open up conference play on the road when they take on Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall, Minnesota on September 14. USF will play in their conference home opener on September 20 when they face the 2013 NSIC regular season and US Bank Women's Soccer Tournament Champions in Minnesota State. The Cougars will also face Minnesota Crookston (10/11) and MSU Moorhead (10/26), two teams USF defeated during the 2013 season.