THIBODAUX, La. – The North Dakota State soccer team opened up the season with a 1-1 tie Friday night against Tarleton State at the Lester Bimah Battle on the Bayou at the Nicholls Soccer Complex on the campus of Nicholls State University.
 
NDSU took the lead inside the first minute, as Paige Goaley, who made her official return to the Bison after missing the last two seasons, scored just 37 seconds into the contest to give the Bison the lead. Goaley shot from just outside of the penalty area and beat the Tarleton goalkeeper Mikayla Kendall high.
 
The Bison would outshoot Tarleton 5-4 in the first half, but neither team would score another goal. Bison goalkeeper Abby Wilkinson, who also made her return to the lineup after being sidelined with an injury for the majority of last season, made three saves in the first half.
 
In the second half, Tarleton would gain momentum offensively, outshooting the Bison 4-3, including the tying goal in the 70^th minute. Adriana Alonso-Gomez would score for the Texans from the left side of the penalty area, beating Wilkinson high to tie the game.
 
Wilkinson would finish with five saves overall for the Bison. Goaley finished with a team high three shots, including two on goal. Alicia Nead and Lavin Douglass would also have a shot on goal each for NDSU.
 
The contest was the first for the Bison against Tarleton, as well as former NDSU head coach Pete Cuadrado, who coached the program for nine seasons.
 
The Bison will remain in Louisiana to wrap up the opening weekend and the Lester Bimah Battle on the Bayou, as NDSU faces another first-time opponent with a match up against Southern University. Kickoff against the Lady Jaguars is slated for 11 a.m. CT on Sunday, August 21 at the Nicholls Soccer Complex on the campus of Nicholls State University.