OREM, Utah?After a scoreless first period, the North Dakota State women's soccer team found itself down early in the second period before scoring a pair of late goals to defeat Utah Valley State 2-1 in United Soccer Conference action on Saturday, Oct. 7.

The victory is NDSU's third straight and fourth out of its last five matches. The result improves the team's season record to 7-5-1. UVSC drops to 5-8-1 with the loss. The win also gives NDSU a 2-0-0 mark in USC play with one game remaining in regular-season conference contests.

Playing without possession for much of the first period, UVSC seized an opportunity when Courtney Robbins got the Wolverines on the board in the 56th minute after launching a ball past Bison goalkeeper Monica Morgan and into the opposite side of the net from 15 yards out.

Quickly responding, Ashley Chandler provided an answer for the Bison in the 65th minute with a header off of a corner kick served in by Sarah Panzer.

In the 70th minute, NDSU received the go-ahead goal with a touch by Danielle Thompson inside the box after an assist by Becky Iwanicki. Thompson and Chandler became the 10th and 11th members of the team to tally a goal this season. In addition, the score was the first game-winner for Thompson as a Bison.

"It was a great thing to see Ashley and Danielle break through into the scoring column," NDSU head coach Pete Cuadrado said, "After all the work they have put in, it's nice to see them rewarded today."

Morgan refused five shots while patrolling the goal for NDSU. Wolverine keeper Tasha Bell had one save in the contest while giving up two goals in the loss.

"I think we are happy with where we are now," Cuadrado said, "We played well early, then hit a tough stretch in the middle of the season, but I think we are starting to peak at the right time."

The Bison return to action Sunday, Oct. 15, when they host IPFW in their final USC and home competition of the season. The game will be held in conjunction with homecoming weekend and will be senior day for the Herd. Three Bison seniors, Panzer, Thompson and Erin Ellsworth will be honored during the pregame. Kickoff is set for noon at the Ellig Sports Complex.