FARGO, N.D.?A single goal was all the North Dakota State women's soccer team needed en route to a shutout victory against IPFW in United Soccer Conference play at the Ellig Sports Complex on Sun., Oct. 15.

The Bison, winners of four straight and five of its last six matches, finished its inaugural USC regular season 3-0 to capture the West Division's No. 1 tournament seed. NDSU will play the No. 4 seed from the East Division on Nov. 2 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

NDSU improved to 8-5-1 on the season while IPFW dropped to 3-9-1 overall and 1-2 in the conference.

The Bison put constant pressure on the Mastodons, controlling possession while taking 22 shots. IPFW goalkeeper Shannon Lynn kept the game close with 12 saves including snagging a laser shot by Jestina Orlando from 10 yards out in the 58th minute.

In the 78th minute, Ashley Dement hit a 40 yard pass across the field to Michelle Martinez who stopped and punched it back to a charging Lorraine Thompson. Well inside the box, Thompson chipped the ball to the lower left of the net for the eventual game winner.

A true freshman from Sioux Falls, S.D., Thompson now holds the team lead in game-winning goals (2), goals (5) and points (11). Martinez recorded her first assist of the season on the play, upping her season point total to 9.

Another freshman, keeper Monica Morgan denied six shots for her fifth shutout of the year.

Its final home match, NDSU tallied a 4-1-1 record at the Ellig Sports Complex this season. Prior to the kickoff, the 2006 senior class consisting of Erin Ellsworth, Sarah Panzer and Danielle Thompson were recognized along with their family.

The Bison return to the road next week with matches at Illinois State on Oct. 20 and at Northern Iowa on Oct. 22. His second stint in collegiate coaching, Cuadrado was an assistant coach for Illinois State from 2001-2002.