USD outshoots Creighton, concedes 3-1 defeat to Jays
The scoreboard read 3-1 in favor of Creighton University, but Sunday’s soccer game outside the DakotaDome was more evenly matched than the final score reflected.
“We played Creighton every year since I’ve been here, and we know they are fast, we know they are athletic and we know how they play,” University of South Dakota head coach Mandy Green said. “I was wanting us to step up to that challenge and we certainly did that better than against Wyoming.”
USD (4-4-0) outshot Creighton (6-0-0) 17 to 11, a first for the Coyotes, Green said. But the undefeated Bluejays took advantage of USD mistakes to score. The Coyotes had their chances, including a rising direct kick from senior Lauren Bennett who sent the ball over Creighton’s crossbar in the second half.
Bennett said Creighton is a quick team who knows how to finish opportunities in front of the net. But the senior said the second half of the match showcased the USD team focusing on playing together.
“We are doing what we know we need to do, so we shouldn’t have any issues beating teams — no matter who they are. I don’t care if it’s the Billy Bob soccer club or Creighton,” Bennett said.
Bluejays junior Alyssa Jara kept USD’s defense on edge with passing shots and prowess on the ball. She scored goals in the 5 and 17 minute. Jara’s teammate junior Kirstyn Corder scored in the 75 minute, after an assist from first-year Summer Khalil off a fake that left USD’s goalkeeper junior Mackenzie Viktor on the ground.
A late surge by USD created multiple attacks on Creighton’s goal, but only junior Elena Tsakakis’ shot into the top left corner of the net put the Coyotes on the board.
USD’s leading scorer Taylor Nivala did not get many looks at goal against Creighton, but Green said the junior is drawing players to her and creating space for other Coyotes to work in. Green said Nivala’s performance is the best its been for USD.
The Coyotes’ performance Sunday was “night and day” from their 2-1 defeat Friday against Wyoming (2-4-0), Green added.
“We were flat against Wyoming. We had no energy. It didn’t seem like it was game day for us,” Green said.
USD will compete against the University of North Dakota Friday at 3 p.m. in Vermillion. The ‘Yotes have never defeated UND in soccer, and Green said a win would be huge for her program.
“It’s a winnable game for USD,” she said. “It would mean a lot because it’s showing we know how to win, we know how to close games out and we know how to keep them from scoring.”
(USD players line up in front of their goal for a direct kick after senior Sam Harvey fouls a Creighton player and receives a yellow card. Megan Card/The Volante)
