Coyotes stumble in 4-2 loss at North Dakota State

FARGO, N.D. (USD) – Playing in its final road match of the regular season, the South Dakota women’s soccer program fell 4-2 at North Dakota State Sunday afternoon at Dacotah Field in Fargo, North Dakota.

Ashby Johnston scored the Coyotes’ (3-7-5, 1-2-3) first goal in the match, using fancy footwork after receiving a pass from Brooklyn Bordson and finding the back of the net for the fourth time this season. Johnston (Gr., Corona, Calif.) now stands alone in 10 ^th in the USD record books for career goals with 18.

The second USD goal was scored on a free kick from near the midfield circle by Sam Luft . Luft (So., Castle Pines, Colo.) scored her first goal as a Coyote on the free kick.

The Bison (9-5-3, 5-1-1) scored the lone goal of the first half in the 11 ^th minute to take a 1-0 lead into the intermission. The first-place Bison added a quick score on a penalty kick in the 47 ^th minute to lead 2-0.

Johnston’s goal in the 49 ^th minute made it 2-1, but the Bison answered with two goals in the next 13 minutes to lead 4-1. After struggling to mount pressure on NDSU, the Coyotes turned it up in the final 15 minutes, including Luft’s goal in the 80 ^th minute.

The Bison had more shots (14-6) and shots on goal (8-4). In goal, Cambell Fischer recorded four saves for the Coyotes.

The Coyotes are back at home for their final two matches of the regular season and are still in a battle for a spot in the Summit League Tournament. USD stands in sixth place with 6 points in the conference standings, and host Oral Roberts and Denver to conclude the season.

Thursday’s match against Oral Roberts is also Senior Night for the Coyotes, scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Sunday’s match is scheduled for 1 p.m. against Denver.

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