SIOUX FALLS- After a Division-II program-best season, the University of Sioux Falls soccer squad will look to keep building onto their continued success when they take the pitch at the USF Sports Complex on Sunday at noon vs. Fort Hays State. The Cougars also have the first home event for USF Athletics in the 2019-2020 season.
The Cougars and Tigers have faced off twice previously in 2013 and 2014, with the Tigers winning both matches by scores of 3-0 and 4-0, respectively.
Fort Hays State Tigers:
The Tigers, a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), have sustained a winning record in recent history, with their last losing season coming back in 2013. Second-year head coach Blake Reynolds will look to continue this stretch when they come to Sioux Falls and beyond.
Before the Tigers come to the USF Sports Complex, they will open their season on Friday evening at Augustana's Morstad Field. The Vikings and Tigers have only one matchup previously, where the two had an early season scoreless draw in 2017.
The Tigers, who were picked to finish third in the MIAA, will look to their seven returning All-MIAA selections in goalkeeper Megan Kneefel, who is second in Tigers program history in saves (126); along with midfielder Chloe Montano, forward Cailey Perkins, midfielder Nikita Woods; defender Shayla Podlena, forward Zariah Smith, and forward Darby Hirsch.
Leading the Tigers' offense in 2018 was Perkins, who had 23 points on eight goals and seven assists. Hirsch and Montano were also among the double-digit point leaders for the Tigers, as Hirsch scored five goals and assisted on four more. Montano had 11 points with three goals and five assists in the 2018 campaign.
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USF Soccer Picked 12th in NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll:
The Cougars, which recorded a Division II program-best 5-11-2 season, including 4-9-2 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play a year ago, received 70 points in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll released by the league office on Wednesday, Aug. 14. The Cougars were picked by the coaches to finish 12th.
Minnesota State received the most points, amassing 222 points, as well as 12 first place votes. After Minnesota State, Augustana was second with 208 points and two first place votes. The only other team to receive first place votes was Bemidji State, who also received two first place votes and 199 total points.
Head Coach Brittany Domino will look to McKown, Philippi, Paul, and Power in 2019:
USF will be aided by the return of All-NSIC defender Lily McKown, the defensive Player to Watch for USF. McKown scored a goal in 2018 and was a key part in the Cougars' defense that only allowed an average of 1.5 goals per match, which ranked the Cougars 11th in conference.
Another factor on USF's offensive attack will be NSIC All-Academic honoree Lindsey Power who scored a team-high four goals, and led the team in assists (3) in 15 matches played.
The Cougars will also be strong in the net with the return of senior goalie Brayden Paul, who played all 1,660 minutes for the Cougars in 2018. Paul also recorded three clean sheets against Black Hills State, Minnesota Crookston, and Concordia-St. Paul. She had a 1.52 goals allowed average a year ago, which ranks third all-time at USF for a season.
The key midfielder in the senior class will be McKayla Philippi, who returns after scoring two goals and two assists in 2018.
