FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State soccer fell in the Summit League opener to Omaha Thursday evening at Dacotah Field, dropping a 1-0 decision to the Mavericks.
 
The Bison (4-7-0, 0-1-0 Summit) dominated early and nearly took the lead in the opening minute of the game, as Morgan Russmann's shot hit the outside of the post just 45 seconds in.
 
Omaha (4-4-3, 1-0-0 Summit) would have the next two chances, as Hannah Stipp pushed a shot over the bar in the 20^th minute for her first of three saves. Stipp would deny another shot off of an Omaha corner just 45 seconds later.
 
Russmann nearly gave NDSU the lead again in the 38^th minute, as she forced a diving save from Charlotte Huggard to keep the game level headed into the break.
 
The Mavericks broke through in the 53rd minute when Lindsey Birch scored off of Omaha's sixth corner of the game, redirecting a header from Presley Douglas off of Charley Kort's corner kick.
 
The Bison generated several quality chances over the next 10 minutes, as Sidney Armstrong, Chloe Birch and Russmann all forced saves.
 
Overall, the Bison finished with eight shots while holding nearly 44 percent of possession against the Mavericks, who finished with nine shots. Both teams had four shots on target in the game. Omaha had seven corner kicks in the game to none for NDSU.
 
North Dakota State continues its homestand to begin league play on Sunday, Sept. 28, against Denver. Kickoff is set for noon at Dacotah Field.