SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Soccer team made program history Friday night, battling Bemidji State to a 0-0 draw at Bob Young Field to earn its first point against the Beavers in series history.
Entering Friday's NSIC opener, Sioux Falls had never defeated or tied Bemidji State through the first 13 meetings between the programs and had scored just three goals in the series. The Cougars changed that behind a complete defensive effort, holding a Bemidji State side picked third in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll scoreless for 90 minutes.
The result moved Sioux Falls to 2-1-1 overall and extended its shutout streak to three consecutive matches.
The Basics
Final Score: Sioux Falls 0, Bemidji State 0
Records: USF (2-1-1, 0-0-1 NSIC) | BSU (1-1-2, 0-0-1 NSIC)
Location: Bob Young Field – Sioux Falls, S.D.
Attendance: 214
How It Happened
Sioux Falls knew it would be tested by one of the NSIC's traditionally strong programs, and the Cougar defense answered every challenge from the opening whistle.
Bemidji State generated the first dangerous opportunities midway through the opening half, putting four shots on goal between the 18th and 24th minutes. Morgan Jost stood tall in net, stopping Ella Wade and Madeline Davey before making back-to-back saves against Sydney Sutherland.
While Bemidji State held a 4-1 advantage in shots through the opening 45 minutes, Sioux Falls kept the Beavers from breaking through and carried the scoreless match into halftime.
Delani Daubman entered in goal to begin the second half and picked up where Jost left off. Bemidji State increased its offensive pressure with nine second-half shots, but Daubman turned away all five attempts that reached the frame.
The Cougars also began creating opportunities of their own after the break. Chloe Wilson sent an attempt wide in the 56th minute before Maren Hayward put USF's first shot on goal toward the bottom-left corner just a minute later, forcing Bemidji State goalkeeper Payton Kropp into a save.
Sioux Falls continued searching for the breakthrough as the match moved into its final stages. Abby Flanagan sent an attempt high in the 77th minute before the Cougars earned corner kicks in the 83rd and 86th minutes.
USF came within inches of producing a historic winner in the 87th minute. Elizabeth Schmidt fired an attempt that beat the keeper but struck the right post, keeping the match scoreless.
Bemidji State answered with one final surge. Daubman made saves in the 88th and 89th minutes, and the Cougar defense weathered one final Beaver attempt as time expired to secure the 0-0 result and USF's first-ever point in the series.
Inside the Numbers
- Historic Point: Friday marked the first time Sioux Falls has earned a result against Bemidji State after dropping each of the previous 13 meetings.
- Three Straight: The Cougars have now recorded three consecutive shutouts.
- Scoreless Streak: USF has not allowed a goal over its last 270 minutes of action.
- Saves: Sioux Falls finished with nine saves, with Jost recording four in the opening half and Daubman adding five in the second.
- Shots: Bemidji State held a 13-5 advantage.
- Shots on Goal: BSU finished with nine compared to one for Sioux Falls.
- Corner Kicks: Bemidji State held a narrow 5-4 advantage.
- Second-Half Push: Four of USF's five shots came after halftime.
- Near Winner: Schmidt's 87th-minute attempt struck the right post.
Key Cougars
- Morgan Jost: Turned away all four shots on goal she faced during a scoreless opening 45 minutes.
- Delani Daubman: Made five second-half saves to finish off the combined shutout, including two stops in the final three minutes.
- Ruby Reisdorfer: Played all 90 minutes as part of a Cougar back line that held the Beavers scoreless.
- Elise Secrest: Logged the full 90 minutes and helped USF withstand 13 Bemidji State shots.
- Mara Nelson: Played all 90 minutes on the back line as the Cougars posted their third consecutive clean sheet.
- Abby Flanagan: Played all 90 minutes and added a second-half shot while contributing to the shutout.
- Elizabeth Schmidt: Nearly delivered the game-winner in the 87th minute when her shot struck the right post.
- Maren Hayward: Recorded two of USF's five shots and the Cougars' lone shot on goal.
Up Next
The Cougars continue NSIC play looking to build on a big time outing against the Beavers as they host Minnesota Duluth on Sunday at 1pm.
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