MINOT, N.D. – The USF Soccer team (2-13-1, 2-9-1 NSIC) faced off against Minot State (8-3-4, 6-3-3 NSIC) on Friday evening at Herb Parker Stadium, coming up short in a 2-0 match.
Match Recap
The first half saw an evenly matched competition, with both teams fighting for possession and field advantage. The Cougars pressed early, with forwards Abby Whittington and Addison Van Zee testing Minot's defense with shots on goal. Goalkeeper Delani Daubman made key saves in the first half, keeping the match level until the 45th minute. As the half neared its end, Minot capitalized on a quick offensive play, with Sofia Galvez finding the back of the net off an assist from Brooklyn Casey, giving the Beavers a 1-0 lead going into halftime.
The Cougars came out strong in the second half, ramping up their offensive efforts. Van Zee continued to pressure Minot's defense, leading the Cougars with 4 shots on target. Julia Kreutner and Hannah Welch also contributed to the attack, keeping Minot's goalkeeper, Siriana Gudino, on alert. Despite these attempts, Gudino's steady performance in goal kept Sioux Falls from equalizing.
Late in the second half, Minot extended their lead as Iliana Rivera scored an unassisted goal in the 89th minute, sealing a 2-0 win for the home team. Throughout the match, Sioux Falls displayed tenacity, logging 9 total shots with 7 on target, a testament to their persistent offensive push. Defensively, the Cougars held Minot to limited clear opportunities, with Daubman tallying 2 saves against 13 shots.
Key Coo
With a solid showing on defense, Sioux Falls managed to keep Minot's offense at bay for most of the game, but Minot's late goal cemented the Cougars' 2-0 defeat.
Up Next
The Cougars stay on the road to face off against the University of Mary on Sunday at 1 p.m., aiming to bounce back and finish their season strong.
For all things USF Soccer, be sure to download the USF Cougars app as well as follow along on Instagram and Twitter!
