MANKATO, Minn. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Soccer team fell to No. 8 Minnesota State, 5-0, Friday afternoon at The Pitch in NSIC action.
The nationally ranked Mavericks scored three times during an eight-minute stretch in the opening half to take control before adding two goals after the break. Sioux Falls responded with a much more active attacking second half, generating 10 shots over the final 45 minutes as the Cougars moved to 3-3-2 overall and 1-2-2 in NSIC play. Minnesota State improved to 7-0-1 overall and 4-0-1 in conference action.
The Basics
Final Score: No. 8 Minnesota State 5, Sioux Falls 0
Records: USF (3-3-2, 1-2-2 NSIC) | MSU (7-0-1, 4-0-1 NSIC)
Location: The Pitch – Mankato, Minn.
Attendance: 279
How It Happened
Minnesota State struck first in the 12th minute when Amara Smith finished an assist from Elan Litt to give the Mavericks a 1-0 advantage. MSU doubled its lead less than five minutes later as Maddix Archer scored off assists from Mila Rustin and Savanna Stockness.
Smith added her second of the afternoon on a penalty kick in the 20th minute, putting Sioux Falls in a 3-0 deficit. The Cougars settled in defensively from there and kept the Mavericks off the board for the remainder of the half. Addison Van Zee produced USF's lone shot of the opening period in the 31st minute, while the Cougars also earned a pair of corner kicks.
Sioux Falls came out aggressively after halftime and immediately began creating opportunities. Elizabeth Schmidt registered a shot just 41 seconds into the half before Lily Dahler forced a save from Minnesota State goalkeeper Lauren McAlpine in the 48th minute. Schmidt added another attempt in the 51st as USF recorded three shots in the first six minutes of the half.
Minnesota State extended its lead to 4-0 in the 57th minute when Smith completed the hat trick off an assist from Stockness. The Cougars continued to push forward despite the deficit, with Chloe Wilson, Van Zee, Camryn Kennedy and Amelia Sagadin all producing attempts over the ensuing stretch. Van Zee put an opportunity on frame in the 73rd minute, forcing another save from McAlpine.
The Mavericks closed the scoring in the 82nd minute on a goal from Ruthie Gyasi. Sioux Falls continued attacking through the final whistle, with Kate Stratman putting the Cougars' final opportunity on goal in the 90th minute.
Key Numbers
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Second-Half Response: Sioux Falls generated 10 of its 11 shots after halftime, compared to eight second-half attempts for Minnesota State.
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Shots: The Mavericks held a narrow 14-11 advantage in total shots.
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Shots on Goal: USF put three shots on frame, while Minnesota State finished with eight.
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Van Zee Leads Attack: Addison Van Zee led the Cougars with three shots, including one on goal.
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Multiple Chances: Elizabeth Schmidt and Chloe Wilson each recorded two shots.
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On Frame: Lily Dahler, Van Zee and Kate Stratman each put an attempt on goal.
Up Next
The Cougars will continue their road stand as they head to St. Cloud State to take on the Huskies at 2pm on Sunday. Sioux Falls will return home October 2nd to host Jamestown at 7pm followed by their Senior Day match against Northern State on October 4th at 1pm.
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