SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Soccer team picked up its first win of the 2026 season in convincing fashion Sunday evening, shutting out Dakota State 3-0 in its home opener at Bob Young Field. The victory also marked the first career win at USF for head coach Andy Janssens.
Sioux Falls controlled the match from the opening whistle, holding Dakota State without a shot for the first 89 minutes while finishing with a 16-1 advantage in shots. The Cougars put 10 attempts on goal and earned nine corner kicks as they improved to 1-1 on the young season.
The Basics
Final Score: Sioux Falls 3, Dakota State 0
Records: USF (1-1-0) | DSU (0-3-0)
Location: Bob Young Field – Sioux Falls, S.D.
Attendance: 174
How It Happened
Sioux Falls wasted little time putting pressure on the Dakota State back line. The Cougars earned a corner in the fifth minute and later capitalized when pressure in front of the net resulted in a Dakota State own goal at the 4:49 mark, giving USF an early 1-0 advantage.
The Cougars continued to control possession and generate opportunities throughout the opening half. Addison Van Zee put a pair of early attempts on goal, forcing saves in the fifth and eighth minutes, before Maren Hayward nearly doubled the lead midway through the period. Hayward put consecutive shots on frame in the 23rd and 25th minutes and also struck the crossbar during a dangerous stretch for the USF attack.
Sioux Falls finished the first half with a 6-0 advantage in shots and a 4-1 edge in corner kicks, while its defensive unit prevented Dakota State from generating a single attempt. The Cougars carried their 1-0 advantage into the break.
USF came out of halftime looking to add to its lead and nearly did so immediately when Martina Krattley struck the post less than a minute into the second half. The second goal followed shortly after, as Chloe Wilson found the back of the net at the 47:47 mark to give Sioux Falls a 2-0 advantage. The goal was Wilson's first of the season.
The Cougars continued to apply pressure as Olivia Opichka and Van Zee each put shots on frame over the next several minutes. USF generated five second-half corner kicks and 10 shots while keeping Dakota State pinned in its defensive half for long stretches.
Van Zee eventually put the match away in the 78th minute. Lily Dahler helped create the opportunity before Van Zee finished for her second goal in as many matches, extending the Cougar lead to 3-0. After scoring in the final seconds at Black Hills State on Thursday, Van Zee has now found the back of the net in each of USF's first two matches of the season.
The Sioux Falls defense took care of the rest, allowing Dakota State just one shot in the entire match. The Trojans' lone attempt came in the final seconds and sailed high, allowing Hailey Kaufman and Delani Daubman to combine for the Cougars' first clean sheet of the season.
Inside the Numbers
- Shots: USF 16, DSU 1
- Shots on Goal: USF 10, DSU 0
- Corner Kicks: USF 9, DSU 2
- First-Half Shots: USF 6, DSU 0
- Second-Half Shots: USF 10, DSU 1
- Fouls: DSU 6, USF 4
- Goals: Own Goal (4:49), Chloe Wilson (47:47), Addison Van Zee (77:44)
- Clean Sheet: Hailey Kaufman and Delani Daubman combined to hold Dakota State without a shot on goal.
Key Cougars
- Addison Van Zee: Scored for the second consecutive match while finishing with five shots and a match-high four shots on goal.
- Chloe Wilson: Scored her first goal of the season and put both of her shot attempts on frame.
- Maren Hayward: Finished with five shots and two on goal, including an attempt off the crossbar during the first half.
- Lily Dahler: Recorded the assist on Van Zee's 78th-minute goal.
- Hailey Kaufman & Delani Daubman: Split the 90 minutes in goal to combine for the shutout without facing a shot on goal.
- Cougar Defense: Limited Dakota State to one total shot and just two corner kicks.
Up Next
The Cougars continue their 2026 nonconference schedule next weekend as they host Nebraska Kearney at 1pm.
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