Coyote soccer opens Summit League play with back to back losses
After winning their opener against Idaho, the Coyotes went 0-9-1 in remaining games of pre-conference play. Looking to turn a new page, USD opened Summit League play last Friday on the road against Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.
After a 40-minute weather delay postponed the game, the Jaguars struck first in the 21st minute with a header from close. USD would equal IUPUI with five shots in the first half, but they were unable to find the back of the net. The second half saw the Coyotes on the offensive, with seven shots to IUPUI’s four, but it was again the Jaguars who broke through. After a penalty in the box in the 48th minute, IUPUI scored their second goal of the game off of a penalty kick. The Coyotes were unable to find the net in Indianapolis, dropping their first Summit League match 0-2. Freshman forward Taryn LaBree was an aggressor for the Coyotes. She had three shots, two of them on goal.
USD then travelled to Macomb, Illinois, on Sunday to take on Western Illinois. After the first half saw no difference between the teams, the Leathernecks broke through the deadlock with a goal from outside the box in the 47th minute. That goal would prove to be the difference in the game, as the Coyotes fell 0-1. Despite six corners to the Leathernecks one, the Coyotes were unable to find the back of the net. The Coyotes struggled putting shots on frame as well, with only four of their 13 shots on goal.
USD has still not locked down their starting keeper. Junior Sydney Hardin and sophomore Parker Rytz are splitting time at the position. Hardin played all 90 minutes against Western Illinois, while Rytz played the full game against IUPUI. The team has also tried rotating the two, each played 45 minutes in the 2-0 loss to Kansas State.
The Coyotes are in town for Dakota Days this Friday, when they take on the 7-5 (2-0 in Summit League play) North Dakota State at the First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex. Kick off time is set for 3 p.m. USD then travels to Denver to face off with the 5-7 (2-0 in Summit League play) Pioneers on Sunday, before returning home to match up with rival South Dakota State next Friday. This could be the Coyotes’ only match of the year with the 6-4-1 (1-0 in Summit League play) Jackrabbits.
