WASHINGTON, D.C.--Freshman Ashley Dement scored her second game-winning goal in as many games and added an assist to propel the North Dakota State women's soccer team to the semifinal round with a 4-0 win over South Carolina State on Thursday, Nov. 2, at Howard University's Greene Stadium.

With the win, NDSU improved to 12-6-1 on the season and will face defending conference champion IPFW on Friday with a 4 p.m. ET kickoff. IPFW advanced on penalty kicks after ending a pair of overtime sessions nodded at one against Longwood.

From the left of the net, Dement pushed the ball right of SCSU keeper Ciji Sims after receiving the ball from Jestina Orlando to put the Bison ahead 1-0 in the 4th minute.

In the 22nd minute, Dement returned the favor by leading Orlando well inside the box for a put in from 5 yards out. Minutes later, Michelle Martinez nabbed her team-leading 10th goal with a strike after intercepting a stray Bulldog pass.

Second-period scoring was limited to a Jami Rozell deflection off of a shot from Erin Ellsworth in the 71st minute.

The Bison defense held SCSU to a single shot during the game while denying any corner kick opportunities. Sims recorded nine saves in the loss. Untested without a save, Monica Morgan notched her seventh shutout and 11th win of the year in goal for the Herd.

"It's good to get the first game under our belt," NDSU head coach Pete Cuadrado said, "SCSU is the type of team that if you don't finish your chances they can pull an upset." 

In other USC action on Thursday, South Dakota State dropped Howard, 8-0, while Utah Valley State squeaked by Delaware State 2-1. All four teams from the Western Division advanced. Utah Valley State and South Dakota State will meet at 1 p.m. followed by NDSU's match with IPFW. The Bison defeated the Mastodons 1-0 at home on Oct. 15, 1-0.

"IPFW has a very good goalkeeper," Cuadrado said. "We will need to go out and start strong and continue to create good chances."

After a day of rest, the championship game is slated for a noon start on Sunday at Greene Stadium.