FARGO, N.D. - The North Dakota State soccer team battled back from a one-goal deficit twice in the first half against IPFW before junior Candice D'Arcangeli scored the game-winner in the second half.  With the 3-2 victory over IPFW, the Bison improve to 5-5-2 overall and 2-0 in the Summit League for the first time since joining the league in 2007.  IPFW is now 3-6-1 and 2-1 in the Summit League.

The Mastodons took an early lead when Tara O'Toole beat her defender and put a shot past Bison goalie Kalani Bertsch in the sixth minute.

After a corner kick for each team, senior Lorraine Thompson equalized for NDSU in the 23rd minute.  Junior Abbey Stratton sent a long throw-in into the box and sophomore Michelle Gaffaney sent it to Thompson, who headed it past IPFW keeper Kristen McFadden. 

Just over two minutes later, IPFW took a 2-1 lead when Rhea Proctor scored off an O'Toole cross.  The Bison pushed for a second goal of their own, but couldn't put their next four shots on frame.

In the 43rd minute, freshman Shannon Brooks scored the first goal of her career, sliding to put in a cross from junior Marissa Wolfgram.  Thanks to Brooks' goal, the Bison went into halftime tied at 2-2.

After a scoreless opening 15 minutes of the second half, D'Arcangeli sent a low shot past a sliding McFadden to give NDSU its first lead of the game.  Sophomore Danielle Boldenow assisted on the goal.

IPFW put pressure on the Bison defense the rest of the second half.  Sophomore Laura Wagner headed a shot from Lisa Underwood off the goal line in the 79th minute, then Bertsch made the save on the rebound shot from Underwood.

Bertsch then made a leaping save on a Justine LeBlanc shot in the 88th minute.  A last minute shot from IPFW's Kari Gotschall went wide.

After not making a save in the first half, Bertsch made four stops in the second half.  The Bison outshot IPFW, 17-11 and the corner kick count was even at 4 apiece.

The Bison now host Oakland in a Summit League contest on Sunday, Oct. 11 at noon at the Ellig Sports Complex.