SIOUX FALLS – Wrapping up their most successful season as NCAA Division II members, University of Sioux Falls Soccer earned their ninth result of the season, tying Wayne State, 0-0, on Sunday afternoon. The Cougars improve their final record to 5-9-4 overall with a 4-7-4 mark in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
 
The 16 points in conference play that USF earned (three points for a win; one point for a tie) is the most since they joined the NSIC and Division II ranks in 2012. USF's conference record places them tied for 10th, the highest finish in the league and three above their projection in the NSIC preseason coaches' poll. Overall, USF's five wins and 19 points overall are the most since the Cougars joined the Division II ranks.
 
On Sunday, USF held a healthy advantage in total shots, 19-11, and an 8-6 edge in shots on goal over Wayne State. Leading that charge was Becca Schmitz, who recorded four shots and put three on frame. In the opening half, USF quickly put the pressure on WSC, and Chessa Novotny and Lily McKown nearly broke open the game with near misses in the first 10 minutes.
 
USF escaped Wayne State's only scoring chance in the first half when a flicked header off a free kick was saved by a USF defender. The Cougars responded in the 30th minute when Lindsey Power's corner kick was headed toward the goal by Alexandria Scott and the rebound was shot by Kassidy Graber, but the WSC keeper denied USF and kept the score at 0-0 entering halftime with four saves in the opening half.
 
After USF held a 10-2 advantage in total shots in the first half, USF maintained their edge on offense, but Wayne State was able to counter. The Cougars led the second half with an 8-5 shot asvantage, putting four more on frame, including a series of point-blank shots that were saved by the WSC keeper's outstretched arm.
 
In the 60th minute, Lauren LaFavre made USF's first effort on goal of the second half, but it was caught by the keeper. A minute later, Morgan Perkins was tested in goal and the USF keeper made the first of her four saves. In the 64th minute, Schmitz put another shot on goal, but couldn't find the back of the net.
 
Perkins made two more saves before the Cougars mounted another attack. In the 78th minute, Schmitz had a shot blocked and the rebound fell to the feet of Morgan Lovato whose blast inside the box was stopped by the keeper. Becca Schmitz launched the Cougars' final shot of regulation in the 85th minute, testing the WSC keeper again, but she was up to task.
 
Sioux Falls dodged a heat-breaking finish when Wayne State had a shot from 20 yards out carom off the cross bar in the 88th minute and the score remained 0-0 after 90 minutes of action.
 
In the first overtime period, Perkins made another save and USF avoided any trouble from a 99th minute corner kick to stay scoreless. USF's best scoring opportunity in either overtime period came in the 103rd minute. After a foul, Power lined up a free kick from 25 yards out and her shot bypassed the wall of defenders, dipped down but drifted right of the frame. WSC's response came three minutes later, but Perkins preserved her fourth shutout of the season and the 10th of her career.
 
After the game, USF recognized the careers of seniors Morgan Perkins, Alexandria Scott and Danielle McClure, who combined to play in more than 150 games and help USF to their most successful season at the Division II level.