SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - In a gritty matchup shaped by relentless 30-plus mile-per-hour winds, the University of Sioux Falls Soccer team battled to a 1-1 draw against Minot State on Sunday afternoon at Bob Young Field. The Cougars grabbed the lead midway through the second half before the Beavers equalized late to split the points in USF's final home match of the season.
The Basics
Final Score: Sioux Falls 1, Minot State 1
Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
Location: Bob Young Field | Sioux Falls, S.D.
Records: USF (6-7-3, 4-6-3 NSIC) | Minot State (6-5-5, 6-2-5 NSIC)
USF Goals: Elizabeth Schmidt - 74'
How It Happened
The Cougars took full advantage of the strong south wind in the first half, generating sustained pressure and outshooting Minot 8-2 in the opening 45 minutes. Despite several promising looks from Addison Van Zee and Mariah Siem, the match remained scoreless at halftime.
With conditions flipping after the break, USF faced a tougher challenge playing into the wind. But in the 75th minute, Elizabeth Schmidt broke through for her second goal of the season, finishing off a well-placed assist from Abby Flanagan to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead.
Minot State equalized in the 86th minute on a strike from Sierra Haren, and despite a few late pushes from both sides, neither could find a winner before the final whistle.
After the match, Head Coach Joe DeMay praised his team's adaptability and fight despite the conditions:
"The point helps decrease the level of heartbreak we experienced Friday, but this one still stings a little since we worked so hard to get in front and were so close to getting over the line with all three points.
In the first half we did well using the wind advantage to pin them in their half for long periods of time, but to be honest we were too impatient in the front third and didn't really make their backline worry about space behind them or put their goalkeeper under any concerted pressure.
We knew going into the second half we had a huge challenge because the wind was having such an influence on the flow of the game. To the team's credit, they leaned into the tactical adaptations we made and carried out the plan so well in the second 45.
It's a shame not to come away with more from the game, but Minot is an in form team and every point can make a difference at the end the regular season."
Inside the Numbers
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Shots: USF 13 | Minot 12
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Shots on Goal: USF 6 | Minot 7
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Corner Kicks: USF 7 | Minot 8
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Saves: Morgan Jost 6 | Rebecca Sargent 5
Key Cougars
Up Next
The Cougars hit the road for their final weekend of regular-season action, visiting Concordia-St. Paul on Friday, October 31st at 7:00 p.m., followed by a Sunday showdown against Winona State on November 2nd at 1:00 p.m.
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