WASHINGTON, D.C.--Regrouping after a scoreless first period, Jestina Orlando provided the lone offensive spark as the North Dakota State women's soccer team defeated IPFW 1-0 to advance to the United Soccer Conference championship game.

In the early game, South Dakota State defeated Utah Valley State in penalty kicks after playing two overtime sessions to a 0-0 draw.

The Bison and the Jackrabbits will vie for the USC championship on Sunday, Nov. 5. Kickoff is set for noon at Howard University's Greene Stadium in Washington, D.C.

After a scoreless first period, Orlando lit up the scoreboard for the Bison by launching a shot to the right of IPFW keeper Shannon Lynn after connections from Lorraine Thompson and Kelsey Hohol.

NDSU kept possession for most of the next 20 minutes, generating a pair of open opportunities with Orlando and Thompson each taking dangerous shots from inside the box.

In the latter half of the second period while pushing their defenders up the field, the Mastodons had several chances deep inside NDSU, but were halted in front of the net by the Bison defense.

Late in the game, Chelsea Body had a chance to ice the game with a 10-yard shot in a one versus one situation that sailed left of the post. Overall, NDSU held IPFW to two shots while firing eight against the 'Dons.

In goal, freshman Monica Morgan recorded a pair of saves for her 12th win and seventh shutout of the season.

“Today was a very physical game,” NDSU head coach Pete Cuadrado said, “Once we got away from that and started playing soccer we got some better chances and that is what led to the goal.”

With the win, NDSU improved to 13-6-1 on the season. The Bison have won nine of their last 10 games and enter the championship match with four straight shutout victories.

“It will be good to have a day off tomorrow and get ready for Sunday,” Cuadrado said, “We still haven't completed our ultimate goal.”

The Bison defeated SDSU 1-0 in Brookings earlier in the season and hold a 5-1-1 all-time record against their border rival. NDSU has won the previous three meetings, the last two coming in one-goal contests.