Coyote women’s soccer beats in-state rival South Dakota State 2-1
The South Dakota Coyotes soccer team took on in-state rival South Dakota State Oct. 24.
The Coyotes came into the matchup with a 9-3-2 record and at 4-2 in Summit League play, placing them third in the conference. The Jackrabbits came in with a 5-0-1 Summit League record, making them second place overall. The Jackrabbits also lead the overall series with eight wins to the Coyotes’ five.
The Coyotes defeated the Jackrabbits 2-1 in their first win against the rival since 2016.
The Coyotes were able to get on the scoreboard first with a goal at the 33-minute mark. The goal was scored by senior forward Joana Zanin. Zanin scored the goal off a free kick given to the Coyotes after SDSU senior midfielder/defender Adalaide Kline was given a yellow card for pushing a Coyote to the ground. With that goal, Zanin scored her first goal of the season and the fifth in her Coyote career.
The Coyotes went into halftime with a 1-0 lead over the Jackrabbits.
The Jackrabbits struck back as soon as the second half started, scoring in the 46th minute of the match. Jackrabbit senior forward Cece Limongi tied the game up after putting the ball in off an assist from freshman midfielder Avery Murdzek.
Limongi’s goal was her sixth of the season and Murdzek’s seventh assist of the season.
The scoring was not over for the Coyotes, however, as senior forward Jordan Centineo put one in the net after a corner kick from Abby Ostrem. Centineo scored at the 88-minute mark of the match and put the Coyotes on top.
With the goal, Centineo has scored six goals on the season and thirteen in her Coyote career. She is now tied with Alexis Mitchell in goals and leads the team in total points.
The Coyotes and the Jackrabbits spilt most of the statistical categories. Coyotes led in shots on goal (6-4), fouls (11-10), and shots faced (11-10). As for the Jackrabbits, they led in shots (11-10), assists (1-0), and saves (4-3). Both teams tied on corner kicks with four each.
The Coyotes move their record to 10-3-2 on the season along with a 5-2 record in the Summit League, keeping them in third place with the Summit League playoffs approaching. This is also the first time since USD became a Division I school that the soccer team has reached ten wins in a single season.
USD also leads in the South Dakota Showdown Series against South Dakota State. The Coyotes lead 3-0, with their other two wins coming in volleyball. The South Dakota Showdown Series consists of all the games played from both South Dakota schools against each other.
The next matchup for the Coyotes will be against the Denver Pioneers, who sit atop the Summit League. The match will take place Oct. 29 at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium.
