SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Soccer team battled crosstown rival Augustana for nearly 80 scoreless minutes Friday night before a pair of late goals lifted the Vikings to a 2-0 victory at Bob Young Field.
Playing in front of 394 fans on Staff Appreciation Night, the Cougars kept Augustana off the scoreboard through the opening 78 minutes behind a strong defensive effort and five saves from goalkeeper Morgan Jost. The Vikings eventually broke through with two goals just 46 seconds apart to secure the victory. Sioux Falls moved to 4-4-4 overall and 2-3-4 in NSIC play, while Augustana improved to 6-2-4 overall and 4-2-3 in conference action.
The Basics
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Final Score: Augustana 2, Sioux Falls 0
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Records: USF (4-4-4, 2-3-4 NSIC) | AU (6-2-4, 4-2-3 NSIC)
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Location: Bob Young Field – Sioux Falls, S.D.
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Attendance: 394
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Occasion: Staff Appreciation Night
How It Happened
Sioux Falls came out looking to establish an early offensive presence, generating three shots within the opening nine minutes. Addison Van Zee recorded the Cougars' first opportunity in the fourth minute before adding another attempt in the eighth. Martina Krattley followed with a shot just over a minute later as USF looked to capitalize on its early momentum.
Augustana responded with several opportunities of its own, but Jost and the Cougar defense were up to the challenge. Jost made her first save in the 12th minute before turning away another Viking opportunity in the 16th. Chloe Wilson provided USF's best chance of the opening half in the 14th minute, putting a shot toward the upper-left portion of the goal that was stopped by the Augustana goalkeeper.
The Vikings continued applying pressure throughout the remainder of the half, but Sioux Falls held firm. Jost added saves in the 23rd and 24th minutes, while the Cougar defense helped keep the visitors off the board. Despite Augustana holding an 11-4 advantage in first-half shots, the two sides entered the break deadlocked at 0-0.
Sioux Falls opened the second half looking to break the stalemate. Van Zee sent an attempt high in the 51st minute before Gaby Drought followed with another opportunity in the 57th. The Cougars continued creating chances midway through the period as Wilson and Sadie Hunter each registered shots in the 66th and 67th minutes, respectively.
USF earned its first corner kick of the evening in the 69th minute as the Cougars continued searching for the opening goal. Augustana answered with offensive pressure of its own, but the match remained scoreless entering the final 12 minutes.
The Vikings finally broke through at the 78:08 mark, finishing an opportunity to take a 1-0 advantage. Just 46 seconds later, Augustana found the back of the net again, extending its lead to 2-0.
Sioux Falls continued battling through the final whistle, with Krattley putting a shot on goal in the 83rd minute to force another save. However, the Cougars were unable to find the back of the net as Augustana secured the 2-0 victory.
Key Numbers
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78 Minutes: Sioux Falls held Augustana scoreless for more than 78 minutes before the Vikings broke through late in the second half.
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5 Saves: Morgan Jost recorded five saves in 70 minutes of action, keeping the Vikings off the scoreboard during her time in net.
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9 Shots: The Cougars generated nine total shots, including five in the second half.
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3 Shots: Addison Van Zee paced the Cougar offense with three attempts.
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2 Shots Each: Martina Krattley and Chloe Wilson each recorded two shots and one shot on goal.
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17-9: Augustana held the overall advantage in shots, while USF limited the Vikings to six second-half attempts.
Up Next
Cougar continue NSIC action on Sunday, October 11, at Wayne State before taking the road next week against Minot State and UMary next weekend.
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