Soccer Losses Defensive Battle Against Rival Jackrabbits
The women’s soccer team played in their first conference game of the season against St. Thomas on Sept. 21
The Coyotes started the game with two goals, the first coming from freshman midfielder Brooke Conway assisted by fifth year forward Shaylee Gailus. The next goal came from senior forward Ashby Johnston and she was assisted by sophomore forward Rylee Haldeman.
The Tommies responded in the second half with a goal of their own scored by sophomore forward Molly Knoblauch for her first of the season. She was assisted by junior forward Mariah Nguyen.
The Coyotes responded to the Tommie goal with one of their own, this one by Johnston again for her seventh goal of the season to lead the team. She was assisted by Conway and Haldeman.
The Coyotes won the game 3-1 for their first conference game of the season. This moved their record to 5-2-3 on the season and 1-0-0 in conference play.
The women’s soccer team followed up their first win of the season with their first loss against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on Sept. 24.
The Coyotes went into the matchup against their in-state rival Jackrabbits with a record of 6-8-3 all-time.
The matchup was very defensive with only one goal separating the two teams in the end as the Jackrabbits defeated the Coyotes 1-0 after 90 minutes of play.
The lone goal was scored by Jackrabbits’ freshman forward Katelyn Beulke, as she was assisted by senior midfielder Katherine Jones in the 19 minute of the first half.
The Jackrabbits were dominant on the offensive side of the ball as they had 20 total shots compared to the Coyotes three. They also had six shots on goal compared to USD’s two.
The Jackrabbits’ senior goalkeeper Jocelyn Tanner saved two shots from the Coyotes as they were both headers that landed in her hands, while Coyotes’ senior goalkeeper Caroline Lewis saved five of the six shots on goal from the Jackrabbits.
Sophomore forward Campbell Zimmers for the Coyotes was the only player to receive a yellow as she picked it up in the 54 minute.
The Jackrabbits will go on to play the North Dakota State Bison on Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. in Brookings.
The Coyotes will go onto play the North Dakota Fighting Hawks on Thursday Sept. 28 at 4 p.m. at the First Bank and Trust Soccer Complex for their second to last home game of the 2023 season.
Photo Credit: The Volante | Sydney Kolln
