SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Soccer team (2-1, 0-0 NSIC) picked up its second straight victory Sunday afternoon, holding off Nebraska Kearney (2-1-1) for a 1-0 win at the USF Athletic Complex on Bob Young Field. Kate Stratman's first goal of the season proved to be the difference, while the Cougar defense and goalkeeping tandem of Delani Daubman and Morgan Jost combined for an eight-save shutout.
With the win, Sioux Falls improves to 2-1 on the season and has now posted back-to-back shutouts after defeating Dakota State 3-0 in its home opener.
The Basics
Final Score: Sioux Falls 1, Nebraska Kearney 0
Records: USF (2-1-0) | UNK (2-1-1)
Location: USF Athletic Complex | Bob Young Field – Sioux Falls, S.D.
Attendance: 136
How It Happened
Sioux Falls came out on the attack and immediately put Nebraska Kearney under pressure. The Cougars earned a corner kick just 39 seconds into the match before Elise Secrest forced UNK goalkeeper Susie Bovaird into a save on USF's first shot of the afternoon.
That early pressure paid off in the seventh minute. After earning another corner, Lily Dahler helped create the scoring opportunity for Stratman, who found the back of the net at the 6:25 mark to put Sioux Falls in front 1-0.
Nebraska Kearney responded with sustained pressure through the middle portion of the first half, but Daubman was up to the challenge in goal. The Lopers put five shots on frame over the final 35 minutes of the half, with Daubman turning away all five. She made three saves in a span of just over a minute beginning in the 19th minute before adding another stop in the 35th to preserve the advantage.
The Cougars carried the 1-0 lead into halftime despite UNK holding a 7-3 advantage in shots.
Sioux Falls flipped the momentum offensively after the break. The Cougars generated 10 second-half shots, including a dangerous stretch midway through the period. Martina Krattley forced a save in the 54th minute before Abby Flanagan nearly doubled the lead when her attempt in the 58th minute hit the woodwork. Flanagan followed with two more shots on goal over the next four minutes, while Krattley added another attempt on frame.
Jost took over in goal to begin the second half and helped finish off the shutout. She made her first save in the 50th minute before turning away another UNK opportunity in the 68th.
Nebraska Kearney mounted its strongest late push in the 73rd minute when Clair Mueller put one on net. Less than a minute later, Jost stopped Kaiulani Nishigaya's shot to keep the Lopers off the board.
The Cougar defense allowed just one more shot over the final 16 minutes and closed out the 1-0 victory, giving Sioux Falls consecutive clean sheets and its second straight win.
Inside the Numbers
- Shots: USF 13, UNK 11
- Shots on Goal: UNK 8, USF 6
- Second-Half Shots: USF 10, UNK 4
- Corner Kicks: USF 5, UNK 2
- Saves: USF 8, UNK 5
- Fouls: 8-8
- Game-Winning Goal: Kate Stratman, 6:25
- Shutout: Delani Daubman and Morgan Jost combined for eight saves and the clean sheet.
- Streak: Sioux Falls has outscored its opponents 4-0 over its last two matches.
Key Cougars
- Kate Stratman: Scored the match's lone goal in the seventh minute, recording the game-winner on her only shot on goal.
- Lily Dahler: Assisted on Stratman's game-winning goal and played all 90 minutes.
- Delani Daubman: Made five saves in 45 scoreless minutes, including a stretch of three saves in just over a minute during the first half.
- Morgan Jost: Added three saves over 45 scoreless second-half minutes to complete the shutout.
- Abby Flanagan: Played all 90 minutes on the back line while adding three shots, two on goal, and an attempt off the woodwork.
- Martina Krattley: Finished with three shots and two shots on goal while playing the full 90 minutes.
- Cougar Defense: Ruby Reisdorfer, Kate Murphy, Elise Secrest, Mara Nelson and Flanagan each played all 90 minutes as USF recorded its second consecutive clean sheet.
Up Next
The Cougars will open their conference schedule Friday, September 11 when they host Bemidji State at 7pm followed by Minnesota Duluth on the 13th at 1pm.
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