SIOUX FALLS -- Despite a solid defensive effort against one of the top teams in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), the University of Sioux Falls Soccer Team (4-7-1, 3-5-1 NSIC) dropped a 1-0 decision to Minnesota State (9-1-1, 7-0-1 NSIC) on Sunday afternoon at the USF Soccer Complex.
With Sunday's loss, the Cougars fell into a tie for 10th in the NSIC standings with a 3-5-1 overall record. USF, which has a 3-2-1 record over the past six matches, stand 3-3-1 at the USF Soccer Complex in 2018.
The USF defense held tough against the Mavericks as junior goalkeeper
Brayden Paul accumulated a career-high 14 saves. Paul and the other members of the USF team have allowed only one goal in the last three games. MSU scored the game-winning goal in the 69
th minute as Brynn Desens scored on a cross from Dakota Wendell. The MSU goal ended a 275-minute stretch in which Paul and the USF defense had not allowed a goal.
The fast MSU offense continually tried to break through the USF defense, but was consistently turned away on Sunday. MSU attempted 33 total shots with 15 being on goal.
Senior
Chessa Novotny recorded the only shot on goal by the Cougars at 56:25 but it sailed wide right.
Next Friday, Oct. 12, USF will host Minot State (6-4-2, 4-4-1 NSIC) at the USF Sports Complex at 5 p.m.