FARGO, N.D. - North Dakota State soccer will welcome in Montana for a non-conference tilt on Sunday, Aug. 20, at Dacotah Field. Kickoff between the Bison (0-0-1) and the Grizzlies (1-0-0) is slated for 1:03 p.m., with the game being televised locally on WDAY Xtra.
 
Game Coverage
Sunday's game will be streamed live online on The Summit League Network. The game will also have live statistics. Links for coverage will be available on GoBison.com.
 
On The Xtra
Sunday's matchup with Montana is the second of four Bison soccer games this season that will be televised across North Dakota and parts of Minnesota and Montana on WDAY Xtra. Cullen Holt (play-by-play), Michael Breker (color analyst) and Logan Campbell (sideline reporter) will have the call for the game. A full list of coverage areas and channels is available on gobison.com.
 
The Series
The Bison and Grizzlies will meet for the seventh time in series history, with NDSU holding a 3-2-1 advantage dating back to the first-ever meeting in October of 2005, with the Bison winning 3-0 in Fargo. NDSU is undefeated against Montana at home with a 2-0-1 record, including a 1-1 tie in 2019. Last season, Montana won 3-0 in Missoula. Five of the six previous meetings have been shutouts for the winning team with at least three goals scored.
 
Last Time Out
The Bison opened up the 2023 season with a 1-1 tie against Boise State on Thursday, Aug. 17 at Dacotah Field. Boise State opened the scoring in the 50th minute before freshman Tyreese Zacher scored in the 67th minute to cap the scoring. Boise State out shot NDSU 15-13, but the Bison led in shots on goal, 8-4.
 
Season Openers
Following Thursday night's draw, NDSU is now 16-11-2 all-time in season openers. Since moving to Division I, the Bison are 10-8-2 overall in season openers. NDSU is 8-7-1 at home, including 5-5-1 in the D1 era.
 
Zacher Scores On Debut, Joins Small List
With her goal on Thursday, Tyreese Zacher became just the fifth Bison freshman to score in her debut in a regular season opener in NDSU's Division I era. Zacher is the first to do it since current teammate Olivia Lovick scored in her debut against Kansas City in the opener during the Spring 2021 season. The list also includes Katie Tallas (2010 vs North Dakota), Emily Brostrom (2008 at Austin Peay) and Kelsey Hohol (2004 at Fort Wayne). All five scored one goal.
 
Amaya Garrett Makes Statement In Debut
While her freshman teammate scored from the back line in the opener, Amaya Garrett also made a splash in her debut for the Bison on the back line. Garrett made several key tackles and didn't allow a quality scoring opportunity on her wing in 90 minutes. Garrett also made a key shot block in the box in the second half to stop a counter attack and keep the game level at 1-1.
 
The Bison at Home
NDSU has a 47-27-6 record at Dacotah Field since moving from the Ellig Sports Complex at the start of the 2013 season. Heading into 2023, the Bison have had a .500 or better winning percentage at home in eight of the 10 seasons.
 
On The Day
The Bison will play for just the second time on August 20, with the only other game on the date coming in a season opener in 2010, when the Bison defeated North Dakota 4-3 in Fargo at the Ellig Sports Complex. Holly Christian scored twice, while freshman Katie Tallas scored in her debut for the Bison in the win.
 
Experience on Back Line
The Bison produced seven cleansheets last season, with experience on the back line providing dividends in front of goal. The four main players on the back line, who all return in 2023, (McKenna Strand, Kaitlyn Hanson, Ashleigh Heely, and Jess Hanley) have combined to play in 208 games with 156 starts and 13,826 minutes, with all over 3,200 career minutes.
 
What's Next?
The Bison will remain at home for the third of three-straight home games to begin the regular season, taking on Austin Peay on Friday, Aug. 25. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m. at Dacotah Field, with the game being broadcast on the radio live on Bison 1660 and streamed on the Summit League Network.