MARSHALL, Minn. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Soccer team closed out its 2025 campaign on Thursday afternoon, falling 2–1 to Southwest Minnesota State at Mattke Field. The Cougars showed strong stretches of possession and outshot the Mustangs 16–11, but two key moments went the hosts' way as USF wrapped up its regular season on the road.
The Basics
Final Score: Southwest Minnesota State 2, Sioux Falls 1
Records: USF (6–10–2, 4–9–2 NSIC) | SMSU (3–15–0, 2–13–0 NSIC)
Location: Mattke Field at the Schwan Regional Event Center – Marshall, Minn.
USF Goals: Olivia Opichka (65:58)
How It Happened
Both teams opened cautiously as play centered around the midfield for much of the first 20 minutes. Southwest Minnesota State broke the deadlock in the 24th minute when Malorie Maderak collected a cross from Leah Dehne and slipped a shot past USF keeper Delani Daubman to make it 1–0.
After regrouping at halftime, the Cougars began to dictate play. USF outshot SMSU 13–4 in the second half, creating a series of dangerous looks through Mariah Siem, Chloe Wilson, and Elizabeth Schmidt. The pressure finally paid off in the 66th minute when Olivia Opichka collected a bouncing ball on a corner that found space at the top of the box—her first goal of the season—to bring the Cougars level at 1–1.
Unfortunately for Sioux Falls, the celebration was short-lived. Just 25 seconds later, the Mustangs reclaimed the lead when Brooke Wetterstrom redirected a cross from Dehne inside the far post to make it 2–1. Despite a late flurry that included three corners and multiple shots on frame, USF couldn't find a second equalizer before the final whistle.
Goalkeeper Delani Daubman finished with three saves, while the Cougar back line limited the Mustangs to just five shots on goal across 90 minutes.
Inside the Numbers
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Shots: USF 16, SMSU 11
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Shots on Goal: USF 6, SMSU 5
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Corner Kicks: USF 10, SMSU 0
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Saves: USF 3, SMSU 5
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Second-Half Push: USF outshot SMSU 13–4 after halftime.
Key Cougars
Coach's Corner
Head Coach Joe DeMay on the season finale:
"Today is filled with a lot of conflicting emotions. The result today was a big disappointment and a reflection of the work we need to do this spring to turn momentum and critical moments in our favor. At the same time, this group of people have bought into a lot of change in a short period of time. It's established new program records in almost every category and, even more, it's changed the energy and outlook of the program. Today hurts but there's still a sense of accomplishment for our body of work this season. The seniors have helped lay a foundation. It's up to the rest of us to build on that and let the hurt from today fuel us through spring and into next fall."
Up Next
The contest marked the end of the 2025 season for the Cougars, who finish 6–10–2 overall and 4–9–2 in NSIC play.
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