Box Score FARGO, N.D. ? The North Dakota State soccer team scored an early goal to set the tone for an overall strong performance in a 2-0 victory over Southern Utah. The Bison improve to 4-6-2 overall and 1-1-1 in the Summit League. Southern Utah is now 3-6 overall and 1-1 in the Summit League.
Sophomore Quin Ryan (Georgetown, Minn.) got the scoring started in the fourth minute when she put a header over the goalie's fingertips off an assist from freshman Michelle Gaffaney (Bloomington, Minn.).
After the Bison took an early 1-0 lead, Southern Utah came back down the field and Bison goalie Kalani Bertsch (Ventura, Calif.) saved back-to-back point-blank shots from Erin Marble and Erica Berlin to preserve the lead.
NDSU added to its lead in the 30th minute after Ryan was taken down in the penalty box. Junior Lorraine Thompson (Sioux Falls, S.D.) scored her team-leading fifth goal of the year when she converted the spot kick to give the Bison a 2-0 lead.
In the second half, the Thunderbirds continued to pressure the NDSU defense in hopes of getting a goal back, but the defense continually shut down the Southern Utah attack. Bertsch was also up to the task, coming off her line to smother several Thunderbird chances. The freshman keeper picked up her second shutout of the year in today's win.
The Bison now travel to Iowa City for a non-conference game against Iowa at 1 p.m. game on Sunday, Oct. 5. The team then returns to Fargo for a four-game home stand, beginning with Oral Roberts on Friday, Oct. 10 at 4 p.m.
NOTES
-Lorraine Thompson leads the team in points with 11 (five goals, one assist).
-Kalani Bertsch now has two career shutouts, putting her in ninth place on the NDSU all-time shutout list.
-Quin Ryan scored her first goal of the season today against Southern Utah.
-Freshman Kristen Whipple will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL.
