BOISE, Idaho – In the first-ever meeting between the two teams, North Dakota State women's soccer fell to Dixie State 3-0 Sunday morning at the Boas Soccer Complex to wrap up the Boise State Invitational.
 
Dixie State took the lead in the 10th minute as Kelsey Cook made a long run into the left side of the box and was able to get a deflected shot just past Sofia Howe to give the Trailblazers the early lead.
 
North Dakota State would have a strong run later in the first half, but was unable to capitalize on its chances. The Bison had worked up a scoring chance in the penalty area in the 22nd minute, but the Bison were called offside.
 
In the 27th minute, Bella Grandbois narrowly missed a chance to level the game as her shot from outside the penalty area sailed just over the crossbar. Alicia Nead would have another chance for the Bison in the 37th minute, firing just wide on a shot from inside the penalty area.
 
A minute later, Howe made a big save on a counter attack from the Trailblazers in the final shot of the half for either team.
 
In the second half, the Trailblazers started strong with a couple shots wide before earning a corner kick. Off of the corner, Cook played a ball into the box and Kalea Woodyatt headed the ball over Howe and into the net, doubling Dixie State's lead in the 50th minute.
 
Dixie State would continue to pressure the Bison, ultimately outshooting NDSU 10-1 in the second half. The Trailblazers would add a third in the 75th minute as Cook scored her second of the game with a ball into the box that was deflected off of a Bison defender and into the back of the net.
 
Grandbois would have one of the best looks of the game for the Bison in the 76th minute, forcing a diving save out of Kayla Gonzales in the only shot for NDSU in the second half.
 
Dixie State outshot the Bison 12-3 for the game, including 8-1 in efforts on target. Howe finished the game with five saves. The Trailblazers also had four corners to just one for the Bison.
 
NDSU will return home for the final home game of the non-conference schedule next Thursday, Sept. 2, as the Bison welcome in Wyoming to Dacotah Field for the first-ever meeting between the two sides on the soccer pitch. Kickoff between the Bison and the Cowgirls is slated for 6 p.m.