FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State soccer begins a three-game home stand in league play to wrap the regular season, welcoming in South Dakota State on Thursday for a 6 p.m. kickoff at Dacotah Field. The Bison then close out the week hosting South Dakota on Sunday with a 1 p.m. kickoff.
The Series
The most played series in Bison Soccer history, NDSU and South Dakota State will meet for the 32nd time in series history, dating back to a 6-0 win for NDSU in Fargo in the first-ever meeting on October 15, 2000. A series that was dominated early by the Bison has been controlled in recent years by SDSU, who lead 17-11-3 overall. SDSU has won the last six overall, including three times in Fargo, with the most recent NDSU win coming on a 1-0 victory in Fargo on October 14, 2018.
NDSU and South Dakota will meet for the 22nd time in series history on Sunday, the second-most played series for the Bison. NDSU has a commanding lead in the series, with a 14-6-1 record against the Coyotes. However, South Dakota won 2-1 last season in Vermillion and has claimed four of the last five overall. All four wins have come in Vermillion though, with the Bison winning 4-1 in the only meeting in Fargo.
Wrapping Last Week
The Bison moved into a tie for the top spot in the standings last week. On Thursday, the Bison took sole possession of first with a thrilling come-from-behind 2-1 win against Oral Roberts. NDSU would then travel to Denver, where they took an early lead, but fell after a plate penalty for the Pioneers. The Bison sit in a 4-way tie with South Dakota State, Denver and Omaha for first place headed into the week.
Watson Continues Climb Up in D1 Era Top 10 for NDSU
Senior Olivia Watson scored her 16th career goal at Denver on Sunday, moving into a tie for sixth in career goals at NDSU in the Division I era. Watson broke her tie with Holly Enderle (2015-18) and Michelle Gaffaney (2008-11). The Moorhead, Minnesota native now sits tied with Mariah Haberle (2015-18) on the career charts. Quin Ryan (2007-10) is the next Bison on the list with 20 career goals. Watson (16g, 5a) also moved into the NDSU top 10 for career points, sitting at 37 following her latest goal.
Russmann Adds Second Game Winner
Morgan Russmann scored her sixth goal of the season to lift NDSU to a win over Oral Roberts on Thursday. In five league games, Russmann has scored three goals and also has two assists. The freshman scored in the league opener at Omaha before her first game winner at North Dakota. She added her first career assist at Kansas City, setting up Hannah Arnold’s winner, and also set up Ava Stanchina’s goal against Oral Roberts.
Stanchina Scores Second Career Goal
Ava Stanchina came off the bench on Thursday and scored the tying goal in a thrilling come-from behind win for the Bison against ORU. It was her second career goal and first since scoring in her third career game against Austin Peay last season, snapping a 28-game pointless streak.
Arnold Developing Offensive Momentum
Since missing the Minnesota game with an injury, Hannah Arnold has made a splash offensively. The sophomore scored her first career goal in her return against Saint Ambrose. A week later, Arnold added her second goal, as she broke a scoreless tie in a 1-0 victory over Kansas City. At North Dakota, Arnold’s cross set up Gabrielle Garrett’s first minute goal, and then Arnold set up Morgan Russmann’s game winner vs. Oral Roberts. NDSU is 5-0-0 when Arnold has recorded a point this season.
What’s Next?
North Dakota State will wrap up the regular season with the final game in Summit League play on Sunday, welcoming in St. Thomas with a 1 p.m. kickoff scheduled at Dacotah Field.