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FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State soccer returns home to Dacotah Field for an important Summit League match up, as the Bison take on North Dakota on Sunday, Oct. 8. The match is set for a 4 p.m. kickoff and will be broadcast live on WDAY Xtra and streamed live on the Summit League Network.
The Series
The Bison will meet North Dakota for the 20th time since the series began when NDSU defeated North Dakota 2-1 in Grand Forks on October 23, 1999 in the first-ever meeting. The Bison lead the all-time series 12-6-1, including a 6-2-1 record when playing in Fargo. The Bison have been dominant in the series over the last decade, winning 8 of the last 10, including a 5-1 record in the Mike Regan era.
On the Xtra
For the fourth and final time in 2023, Bison Soccer will be televised live on WDAY Xtra across North Dakota and parts of Minnesota and Montana. Cullen Holt (play-by-play), Michael Breker (color analyst) and Logan Campbell (sideline reporter) will have the call for the game. A full list of coverage areas and channels is available on gobison.com.
Game Coverage
Sunday’s match with the North Dakota will also be streamed live on the Summit League Network and is also available through the Midco Sports Plus App. The game will also have live statistics. Links for all coverage are available via gobison.com.
Last Time Out for the Bison
North Dakota State dropped a tight contest to Oral Roberts 1-0 on Thursday Night at Case Soccer Complex in Summit League play. Oral Roberts was issued a penalty kick in the 70th minute and converted from the spot for the only goal of the game. Abby Wilkinson made eight saves in the contest, while the Bison had multiple chances, including a few late from Kelsey Kallio and Amaya Garrett.
Last Year against the Fighting Hawks
NDSU picked up a key 2-0 victory over North Dakota last year to help secure a Summit League Tournament berth. Paige Goaley put the Bison in front in the 11th minute with the first Bison shot of the game. In the 61st minute, Olivia Lovick would draw a foul in the box to earn a penalty kick for the Bison. Lovick then stepped up and scored her first collegiate penalty kick goal. Abby Wilkinson made eight saves for the seventh and final Bison shutout of the season.
Wilkinson Continues Climb
Abby Wilkinson has moved up the career charts for the Bison. Wilkinson moved into eighth in wins (10) with her shutout against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. She moved into sixth on the all-time goalie games played and started list at St. Thomas, and now sits at 35 in both. Her shutout (9) against St. Thomas moved her into eighth and one shy of sixth. She also moved into sixth at Oral Roberts in saves, currently at 168, and is 10th in goals against average (1.46). Wilkinson’s 4.80 saves per game is fifth best.
Amaya Garrett, Ellie Sanchez Playing Crucial Role in Defense
The Bison have turned to a pair of freshmen in Amaya Garrett and Ellie Sanchez on the back line. Garrett has started every game and played the full 90 minutes in the last four games, as well as nine overall. Sanchez has started the last four and after 80 minutes in the first match, has played the full 90 minutes in the last three.
Bison Finding Early Strikes
After controlling the scoresheet in the second half early in the season, the Bison have scored six of their last eight goals in the first half, including five in the opening 25 minutes and two inside the first six minutes of the game. The Bison scored a fourth-minute goal against Creighton and a sixth-minute goal against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Prior to the game against Creighton, six of NDSU’s nine goals had come in the second half, with the other three coming in the final 15 minutes of the first half.
Watson Joins the Top of the List
Junior Olivia Watson scored her fourth goal of the season against Omaha, a team high this season. Her 12th of her career moved her to the top of the active list for NDSU, joining Olivia Lovick. Watson, who had six goals in her sophomore campaign last season, including four game winners, also leads the Bison in the game-winning goal category with five for her career. Watson sits second on the active points list with 26, trailing only Lovick (29).
Wilkinson On Verge of New Season High
Abby Wilkinson picked up her fourth cleansheet of 2023 at St. Thomas, matching her career high for a season from last year. One more shutout would move her into a tie for ninth for shutouts in a season at NDSU.
Freshman Firepower
NDSU’s newest players have wasted no time making their mark, with five of NDSU’s 17 goals on the season coming by the freshman. Defender Amaya Garrett has scored three goals, including the most recent against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Ava Stanchina (Austin Peay) and Tyreese Zacher (Boise State) have the other two goals.
What’s Next?
The Bison will head back on the road and make a trip to Vermillion, South Dakota for an important Summit League match up, as NDSU takes on South Dakota on Sunday, Oct. 15. The match is set for a 1 p.m. kickoff and will be streamed live on the Summit League Network.
2023-10-07 21:46:54
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