Soccer team stumbles in final non-conference game, turns focus toward D-Days game
The Coyotes are looking to make a comeback after a 2-0 loss to UC-Riverside on Friday in Vermillion.
“We didn’t show up and play how we knew how to play,” senior defender Kasha Meyer said. “It wasn’t a good game for us.”
In the first half, the Coyotes had trouble connecting passes in the midfield, which limited their scoring chances so they only recorded two shots.
UC-Riverside was able to take advantage of USD’s inability to possess the ball, and the Highlander’s Sammy Arellano turned a USD turnover in the back line into a breakaway score for the first goal of the game in the 26 minute.
The rest of the half continued to go in the Highlander’s favor as they outshot USD 10-2 and led in corner kicks 7-0 for the half.
USD looked much better in the second half as they started to control more of the game. Senior Taylor Nivala and junior Corey Strang found shot opportunities in the offensive third but were ultimately unable to put the ball in the back of the net.
In the 77th minute, Arellano added her second goal of the game on a crowded shot inside of the 18-yard box. Following the goal, the Coyotes were able to put pressure on the offensive end, but UC-Riverside goalkeeper Elizabeth Silas kept the ball out of goal. Silas finished the game with five saves.
“We couldn’t complete what we wanted to come out here and accomplish,” Nivala said. “We couldn’t connect passes or finish chances that we had, it wasn’t our best showing.”
The game concluded the non-conference schedule for the Coyotes, who begin Summit League play against Oral Roberts University on Friday during Dakota Days.
“They’re a good team, a strong team,” Nivala said. “They are going to for a fight.”
A win for the Coyotes would be huge to boost the team for conference play. USD also wants to shake off the year’s non-conference record, where they have scored 13 goals and allowed 27, more than any other Summit League team.
Oral Roberts will come into the game with a 4-3-2 record and 20 goals scored, second in the Summit League.
“We just need to make sure we stay composed and protect the easy passes as a team,” Meyer said. “We can definitely beat them.”
The players want to put on a good performance for the fans during the D-Days game. The Coyotes will also play Denver in Vermillion on Sunday.
“It will be a great atmosphere and probably a great showing from the fans out here,” Nivala said. “We are pretty excited about playing on D-Days.”
Nivala shares that opinion with her teammates. D-Days usually brings one of the largest crowds to the ‘Plex annually.
“I’m excited,” Meyer said. “I hope a lot of people come, it’s finally here so it’s fun.”
(Photo: Attacking the defense, senior Cory Strang dibbles the ball down field. The Coyotes went on to lose the game 2-0 against UC-Riverside. Mike Hammond / The Volante)
