MOORHEAD, Minn. - University of Sioux Falls Soccer recorded their first win of the season, shutting out MSU Moorhead for a 1-0 victory on Sunday afternoon. Alexa D'Acunto netted the game-winning goal in the 20th minute to move the Cougars to 1-4-1 on the season with a 1-2-0 record in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference competition.
 
After a shot by MSU Moorhead (2-3-0, 1-2-0 NSIC) in the first minute, the Cougars quickly took control of the game on offense. USF earned two corner kicks in the following minutes and D'Acunto had USF's first scoring effort denied in the 11th minute. Alexandria Scott and Lauren LaFavre combined for three more shots before the Cougars finally broke through.
 
In the 20th minute, Nataly Escamilla found D'Acunto in front of the goal and she put it away for her first goal of the season and second of her career. As it would stand as the gamewinner, both of D'Acunto's goals proved to be the gamewinners after she notched an overtime tally against University of Mary last season.
 
The Cougars kept the pressure on the Dragons and goalkeeper Morgan Perkins stood tall with two saves in the first half. After Jackie Montes's shot sailed wide Carley Campbell's 33rd-minute effort was saved by the MSUM keeper. The Cougars held a 7-6 advantage in shots in the first half and would build on that edge in the second.
 
LaFavre and Montes both had their shots saved in the first six minutes of the second half and D'Acunto's header in the 59th minute was also stopped. Becca Schmitz and Escamilla added shots four minutes later, but neither could add to the Cougar lead.
 
As the game time waned, Perkins kept her clean sheet with two more saves to finish with four total and her third career shutout, first this season. With no goals allowed on Sunday, the Cougars have now shut out MSU Moorhead for the past 200 minutes of game time, including their 0-0 draw last season.
 
USF held an overall 18-10 advantage in total shots, improving on their season-best in shots by one after recording 17 in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Northern State. USF put eight of their scoring efforts on frame and held a 7-1 edge in corner kicks.
 
D'Acunto led the Cougars with five total shots, four of which were on goal, and LaFavre was second with four shots, tying with Montes and Schmitz who each also had one shot on goal.
 
The Cougars return to Sioux Falls for a Friday night showdown against Minnesota State on Sept. 23 then hit the road to take on Concordia-St. Paul on Sunday, Sept. 25.