KEARNEY, Neb. – The Cougars bounced back on Sunday afternoon, grinding out a 1-0 win over Nebraska–Kearney at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium. The result capped off USF's weekend in Kearney with a split and gave the team momentum heading into conference play.

THE BASICS
Date: Sunday, September 14, 2025
Score: Sioux Falls 1, Nebraska–Kearney 0
USF Record: 2-1-0
UNK Record: 1-3-0
USF Goal: Addison Van Zee (38')

HOW IT HAPPENED
After controlling possession but coming up short in Friday's loss to NWOSU, USF found a different path to victory against the Lopers. Nebraska–Kearney applied pressure throughout, but the Cougar back line stayed disciplined and absorbed wave after wave of attacks.

Head coach Joe DeMay noted the contrast between the two matches: "Football is a funny game. Friday we controlled the game and played in our attacking half but couldn't come away with the result. Today UNK came at us hard for most of the game but we were incredibly organized and gritty to absorb their pressure and find moments in the final 15 minutes of each half to create some chances for ourselves."

The breakthrough came in the 38th minute when Addison Van Zee capitalized on one of those chances, finishing a one-on-one look inside the box off a setup from Ruby Reisdorfer. The strike, Van Zee's first of the season, proved to be the game-winner.

USF nearly extended the lead late, with shots from Emma Duerr and Lily Dahler testing the UNK keeper. But DeMay emphasized that it was the team's efficiency in limited opportunities that carried the day: "In the end we were able to be precise and ruthless in those moments we created and it paid off with a win to take us into conference play next week."

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Shots: UNK 10, USF 7

• Shots on Goal: UNK 3, USF 3

• Saves: USF 3 (Jost), UNK 2 (Bovaird)

• Corner Kicks: UNK 4, USF 3

• Fouls: USF 13, UNK 7

• Yellow Cards: USF 1 (Secrest, 77')

UP NEXT
The Cougars turn their focus to NSIC play, traveling to Minnesota-Duluth on Friday, September 19, before visiting Bemidji State on Sunday, September 21.

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