Box Score MARSHALL, Minn. – For the first time since gaining NCAA Division II membership and joining the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, University of Sioux Falls Soccer defeated Southwest Minnesota State, earning a 2-0 victory over the Mustangs on Friday evening. Opening the NSIC schedule with SMSU every year since joining the league, USF also earned their first conference-opening victory with the two-goal decision.
 
The Cougars (2-1-0, 1-0-0 NSIC) controlled the game with a relentless attack that broke through when sophomore midfielder McKayla Philippi netted the game-winning goal. USF goalkeeper Morgan Perkins earned her seventh career shutout, recording three saves as USF's defense thwarted any SMSU offensive chance. Adding some insurance to the USF lead, freshman Morgan Lovato connected on her first career goal after leading the Cougars with seven shots in the game.
 
Sioux Falls possessed the ball much of the game and were not shy about testing the Mustang goalkeeper. The Cougars's 24 total shots set a record for the Cougars in their Division II era and they held a 14-shot advantage over SMSU. USF put eight of their 24 shots on frame with Philippi and Lovato each tallying three shots on goal.
 
While the first half was scoreless, the Cougars dominated possession and were poised to break through. USF out-shot the Mustangs 10-3 in the first half and none of SMSU's shots were on goal. Alexandria Scott and Kori Fink had shots in the opening 10 minutes before Lovato and Becca Schmitz challenged the Southwest Minnesota State keeper with shots on goal. In the final 17 minutes of the first half, USF added six more shots and staved off and SMSU threats with three corner kicks in the closing minutes.
 
Southwest Minnesota State moved forward early in the second half and Perkins was forced into making her first save. Midfielders Jackie Montes and Claire Radatz both attempted shots from distance in response near the 55th minute and after another SMSU attempt was saved by Perkins, USF began to pressure the Mustang back line.
 
Lauren LaFavre and Lovato combined for a three-shot burst then Chessa Novotny joined with an attempt just outside the 18-yard box. Lovato and Montes both put shots on goal in the 69th minute before the Cougars earned a corner kick in the 71st.
 
Lindsey Powers's service was redirected by Novotny and it was blocked, but Philippi then headed in the rebound for her first career goal. With a 1-0 lead, the Cougar attack didn't slow. Lily McKown recorded a shot and Philippi put another effort on frame before the Lovato struck for her first career tally.
 
The freshman won possession 40 yards from goal then connected on a blast from 30 yards out, beating the keeper in the upper right corner of the net, putting the Cougars up 2-0 in the 85th minute.
 
Holding off Southwest Minnesota State's late rally, USF withstood two corner kicks and a shot to keep a clean sheet.
 
Sioux Falls returns home to start a three-game home stand on Sunday, Sept. 10, when they host Missouri Western State at 1 p.m. to close out their non-conference schedule.