FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State will begin Summit League play this week with a road trip south to Omaha and Kansas City. The Bison are slated to take on the Mavericks in Omaha Thursday night, with kickoff set for 6 p.m. at Caniglia Field. Sunday’s game against the Roos in Kansas City is set for a 1 p.m. start at Durwood Soccer Stadium.
Game Coverage
Both Thursday and Sunday’s games will be streamed live on the Summit League Network through the Midco Sports Plus App and also will have live statistics. Links for all coverage are available via gobison.com.
The Series
The Bison and Omaha will meet for the 20th time in series history on Thursday. The Bison lead the series with a 10-7-2 mark, dating back to the first-ever meeting on October 10, 1999. The two teams tied 2-2 last season, snapping a two-game skid for the Bison. NDSU is 2-4-1 in games played in Omaha.
NDSU is 5-2-3 all-time against Kansas City dating back to October 25, 2009, with the 11th meeting set for Sunday. The two teams tied 1-1 last season. The Bison are 1-0-2 all-time against the Roos in Kansas City.
Wrapping Last Week
The Bison wrapped up the non-conference schedule with a dominating 5-0 win over Saint Ambrose at Dacotah Field. Three different seniors scored on senior night, along with two first-time goal scorers for the Bison. With the win, NDSU wrapped up non-conference play at .500.
Kavanagh Striking From Distance
Devon Kavanagh has been a regular starter on the wing this season for the first time in her career, making the most of the opportunity as she added her team-leading fourth goal of the season against Saint Ambrose. All four of Kavanagh’s goals have come from outside the box, with three of the four coming from 25+ yards out. The North Vancouver native had one assist entering the year, but has also set up three goals this season.
Watson Continues Climb Up in D1 Era Top 10 for NDSU
Senior Olivia Watson scored her 15th career goal on Senior Night, moving into a tie for seventh in career goals at NDSU in the Division I era. Watson sits tied with Holly Enderle (2015-18) and Michelle Gaffaney (2008-11), with Mariah Haberle (16, 2015-18) and Quin Ryan (20, 2007-10) next on the list. Watson (15g, 5a) is also just one point shy of the NDSU Top 10 in the D1 era and her 0.58 pts/gm is currently 10th overall.
A Goal-Scoring Welcome Back for Arnold
After missing the Minnesota game with an injury, Hannah Arnold made her return against Saint Ambrose, coming off the bench as a substitute. 13 minutes into her return, Arnold scored her first collegiate goal with a left-footed strike from outside the box into the top right corner to put the Bison in front.
Lovick Snaps Run, Scores On Senior Night
Senior Olivia Lovick broke her goal-scoring drought on Senior Night, capping off the 5-0 win against Saint Ambrose with the fifth and final goal, finishing a cross from fellow senior Madalyn Grate. Lovick’s 13th career goal, snapped a run of 23 months, with her last goal coming on October 21, 2022 against South Dakota. Lovick’s goal moves her to within one of the top 10 in NDSU’s D1 history (14, Brooklyn Dyce, 2009-12).
Grate Notches Goal, Assist On Senior Night
Senior Madalyn Grate had a Senior Night to remember against St. Ambrose, as she scored her first career goal late in the first half. Later in the game, she also set up fellow senior Olivia Lovick for the final goal of the game, recording her fourth career assist with the Bison.
Cleansheets Piling Up
Payton Mulberry and the Bison added another cleansheet with the win over Saint Ambrose. Last season the Bison finished with six total. Mulberry earned her third overall this season and fourth of her career. NDSU also recorded cleansheets in three-straight matches earlier this season at Green Bay, against Alabama State and at Hawaii Pacific, with all three Bison keepers earning a shutout during the run. It was the first time in nearly two years to record three-in-a-row, with the last consecutive cleansheet run coming in September of 2022.
On the Road Again
The Bison play 18 games during the regular season, with the schedule featuring nine of the 10 games away from home coming in the first 13 overall. The Bison made trips to Wisconsin, Hawaii and Minnesota during non-conference play. NDSU begins Summit League play with three straight away from home.
What’s Next?
North Dakota State will remain on the road in league action, as they head north on I-29 to take on in-state rival North Dakota in the only game of the week for the Bison. The Bison and Fighting Hawks face one another on Sunday, October 6 and are set to get underway at 1 p.m. at Bronson Field.