FARGO, N.D. - North Dakota State soccer heads to south to open up a two-game Summit League road swing in South Dakota, beginning with a match up against the University of South Dakota Coyotes on Thursday in Vermillion.  Kickoff against the Coyotes is set for 6 p.m. at the First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex.
 
Game Coverage
Thursday's match will be streamed live on the Summit League Network and also have live statistics. Links to live video and stats are available at GoBison.com/coverage.
 
Series History
North Dakota State and South Dakota will meet for the 23rd time in series history on Thursday. The Bison hold a 15-6-1 record all-time against the Coyotes, including a 4-2 win over USD last season in Fargo. In the last meeting in Vermillion, South Dakota capitalized on chances, winning 2-1 despite NDSU dominating possession and shots, 16-7.
 
Last Time Against South Dakota
NDSU picked up a 4-2 victory over South Dakota at Dacotah Field to move within a win of the Summit League Regular Season Championship.
 
Gabrielle Garrett gave the Bison the lead in the 11th minute, firing a shot in off the left post. In the 47th minute, Morgan Russmann drew a foul from South Dakota's Taylor Mulligan in the middle of the penalty area. Russmann then stepped up and converted the penalty to put the Bison in front 2-0
 
The Coyotes answered two minutes later with a counter attack, as Ashby Johnston made it 2-1.
 
Hannah Arnold restored a two-goal lead in the 58th minute. The sophomore found space in the top of the box and finished into the top left corner. In the 62nd minute, Russmann scored her second of the game on a counter attack to make it 4-1. Russmann took a through ball from Sidney Armstrong and the freshman scored her second of the game.
 
South Dakota added a goal in the 80th minute, as Sam Luft scored on a free kick to wrap the scoring.
 
Russmann Moves Up in NDSU Top 10
Morgan Russmann scored her fourth goal of the season against Denver, continuing the move up the charts in NDSU's Division I history. The Bettendorf, Iowa native now has 15 career goals, surpassing Brooklyn Dyce (14, 2009-12) and sitting in a tie for eighth overall with Michelle Gaffaney (2008-11) and Holly Enderle (2015-18).
 
First Starts for Freshmen
Freshmen Geni LaMarche and Onyx Kennington made their first starts against Denver. The duo became the second and third true freshman to start this season, joining Chloe Birch, who has six starts.
 
Defensive Core
Veteran leaders Amaya Garrett, Ellie Sanchez and Tyreese Zacher have each started all 12 matches this season for the Bison on the back line, providing stability and experience on the back line. The trio has combined for 124 career starts.
 
Stipp Matches High
Hannah Stipp matched a career high in saves against Denver, stopping seven shots to match another seven-save performance at Washington State earlier this season.
 
Second Half Goals
10 of NDSU's 16 goals have come after halftime, with five in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, and three in the final 15 minutes.
 
Creating Chances
The Bison are averaging more shots per game than the opposition this season. NDSU is averaging 13.2 shots per contest so far, and opponents are being held to 10.9 shots per game. Of NDSU's 158 shots this season, 92 have come in the first half and 66 in the second half.
 
Goals from the Build-Up
NDSU has scored 16 goals this season, with only two coming directly off a set piece. In the other 14 goals, NDSU has 22 assists, often stringing together build-up play to lead to breakthroughs.
 
Goal Involvements
Seven new Bison have contributed to at least one goal this season with 14 total Bison involved in goals via scoring or assisting, surpassing last season, which had 13 different Bison contribute in goal involvements.
 
Bison Goal Scorers
Morgan Russmann leads the team with four goals and four assists (12 points) this season, including a pair of game winners. She scored her 15th career goal last weekend against Denver.
 
Isabel Garcia has three goals, including a brace vs Clarke, and the game winner at Green Bay. Hannah Arnold and Kendall Stadden each have two goals and three assists this season.
 
Tyreese Zacher and Gabrielle Garrett have each added one goal and multiple assists. Mikayla Carkhuff, Cora Still and Chloe Birch have also chipped in key goals.
 
Upcoming Promotions
October 12th - Dakota Soccer Day: Wear Bison gold as NDSU faces in-state rival North Dakota. The first 250 fans will receive a Bison Soccer scarf, and festivities start early with tailgating prior to the match.
 
Looking Ahead
Following the contest in Vermillion, North Dakota State will head back on the road, heading north to Brookings for a matchup of the Summit League title winners from last season. The Bison, regular season champions, will visit South Dakota State, tournament champions, with kickoff against the Jackrabbits set for 1 p.m. at Fishback Soccer Park.