SIOUX FALLS – Led by the play of senior midfielder Jackie Montes and a game-winning goal from sophomore forward Lauren LaFavre in the final minute, the University of Sioux Falls Soccer Team (1-0) opened the 2017 regular season with a dramatic 2-1 nonconference victory over Colorado Christian on a rainy Friday evening at the USF Soccer Complex.

USF opened the scoring on a goal at 22:15 from Montes on a header off a corner kick from Lindsey Power for a 1-0 lead. Colorado Christian tied the match on a deflected header from Alyssa Regalado (assist from Linnea Mosvold) at 85:39.  In the final minute, the Cougars made a final charge and with it came a game-winning goal from LaFavre, who took a well-positioned pass from Montes, maneuvered past the goalie and deposited the ball into the right side of the net for the game winner at 89:22.

"This was a nice victory to open the year," said USF Head Coach Brittany Goosen. "Jackie (Montes) had a big night and Lauren (LaFavre) came up with a big goal at the end. I am happy we came through," she said.

USF, which will host Northwest Missouri State in a nonconference match on Sunday, Sept. 3 at 1 p.m., outshot Colorado Christian, 8-7. USF goalie Morgan Perkins picked up her sixth career victory with six saves on seven shots.  The Cougars had four corner kicks while Colorado Christian have five. Both Colorado Christian goalies Ashleigh Maguire and Ireland VanDyke allowed a goal in 45 minutes of action. VanDyke took the loss by allowing LaFavre's game-winner at the end.

For LaFavre, who was the leading returning scorer from 2016, she scored her third career goal and now has nine career points. Montes had both a goal and assist to lead the way and now has 10 career points with three career goals and four assists.