FARGO, N.D. - An early goal in the second half gave the North Dakota State soccer team a 1-0 victory over Western Illinois Friday night at the Dacotah Field Bubble.

NDSU improved to 2-1 on the season, while the Leathernecks dropped to 0-3. The two teams will face each other again on Sunday, Feb. 21. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at the Dacotah Field Bubble.

Ellie Schneider scored her first goal of the season, and third of her career, in the 58th minute. Along with Schneider, Aliya Owens, Olivia Lovick and Ashleigh Heely each had a shot on goal. Aly Cole pitched her second-straight shutout in the net, as she improved to 2-0 on the year. 

The victory was the sixth-straight over Western Illinois. The Bison are now 17-3-1 under Mike Regan when scoring the first goal of the match. NDSU had an 8-3 advantage in shots, including 5-1 in the first half.