FARGO, N.D. - North Dakota State soccer hits the road for the final time in the regular season with a key Summit League match up set for Sunday, Oct. 16, as the Bison travel to South Dakota. The match in Vermillion is set for a 1 p.m. kickoff and streamed live on the Summit League Network.
 
The Series
The Bison will meet South Dakota for the 21st time since the series began when NDSU defeated South Dakota 4-1 in Vermillion on September 25, 1999 in the first-ever meeting. The Bison lead the all-time series 14-5-1, but hold just a 4-4-1 record when playing in Vermillion. Since 2016, the teams are even in the series, with each side winning four games, including a 3-3 record in the Mike Regan era.
 
Game Coverage
Sunday's match with the South Dakota will be streamed live on the Summit League Network and is also available through the Midco Sports Plus App. The game will also have live statistics. Links for all coverage are available via gobison.com.
 
Last Time Out for the Bison
North Dakota State played out a scoreless draw against North Dakota on Sunday in Summit League play. The Bison outshot North Dakota 17-9, including 9-4 in shots on goal. NDSU goalkeeper Abby Wilkinson made four saves for her fifth cleansheet of the season.
 
Last Year against the Coyotes
NDSU picked up a pivotal victory over South Dakota, 4-,1 to clinch a spot in the Summit League Tournament. Lavin Douglass opened the scoring in the 28th minute for the only goal of the first half. After Ashby Johnston answered in the 52nd to tie the game, Olivia Watson put NDSU back in front in the 63rd with her first of two goals. Olivia Lovick would add a tally 43 seconds later, before Watson sealed the victory in the 89th minute.
 
Wilkinson Hits New Career High for Cleansheets in Season
Abby Wilkinson picked up her fifth cleansheet of 2023 against North Dakota on Sunday, setting a new career high for a season, surpassing four cleansheets in 2022. Overall, Wilkinson has 10 career cleansheets. It is her second during Summit League play and fifth overall in the last 11 games.
 
Amaya Garrett, Ellie Sanchez Playing Crucial Role in Defense
The Bison have turned to a pair of freshmen in Amaya Garrett and Ellie Sanchez on the back line. Garrett has started every game and played the full 90 minutes in the last five games, as well as 10 overall. Sanchez has started the last five, and has played the full 90 minutes three of those contests. The Bison have two cleansheets and averaged just .833 goals against per game in league play.
 
Freshman Firepower
NDSU's newest players have wasted no time making their mark, with five of NDSU's 17 goals on the season coming by the freshman. Defender Amaya Garrett has scored three goals, including the most recent against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Ava Stanchina (Austin Peay) and Tyreese Zacher (Boise State) have the other two goals.
 
Wilkinson's Save Percentage Among NDSU's Best
Abby Wilkinson has made 71 saves so far in 2023, allowing just 16 goals against. Her save percentage of .816 ranks seventh best for NDSU across an entire season in program history, and third in the Summit League era, behind only the 2019 (.863) and 2014 (.833) campaigns. Her numbers are up from 2022, when she posted a career best .795 save percentage.
 
Stingy Bison Defense
The Bison have allowed just 16 goals this season through 15 games (1350 minutes). NDSU's 1.07 goals against average is the ninth best in the program's history and the fourth best goals against average since becoming full members of Division I and joining the Summit League in 2007.
 
Program Records for Ties
With the draw against North Dakota on Sunday, the Bison have matched the NDSU record for ties in a season, equaling six from the 2010 campaign. Earlier this season against Omaha, the Bison matched the program record for ties in league play with two, and now sit at four overall.
 
Wilkinson Continues Climb
Abby Wilkinson continues to move up career charts for the Bison. On Sunday against UND, Wilkinson moved into fifth in career saves (172), surpassing Monica Morgan (170). Her 10th career shutout also moved her into a tie for sixth with Tara Sweeney and Margaret Palo. Wilkinson moved into eighth in wins (11) with her shutout against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. She is sixth in goalie games played and started at 36 in both. She is fifth in saves per game (4.78) and 10th in goals against average (1.42).
 
Lovick, Watson On Verge of D1 Era Top 10 for NDSU
Olivia Lovick and Olivia Watson each have 12 goals for the Bison, sitting one shy of cracking the top 10 for career goals at NDSU in the Division I era. Abbe Stratton and Malley O'Brien sit at 13 for NDSU and in 10th overall. Brooklyn Dyce (14) Holly Enderle and Michelle Gaffaney (15) and Mariah Haberle (16) would be next on the list for the two Olivia's to catch.
 
Kallio 5th In NDSU Assists In D1 Era
Senior midfielder Kelsey Kallio has 13 career assists for the Bison, including three this season, which has moved her into a tie with Quin Ryan for 5th all time at NDSU in the Division I era.
 
Picked Fifth in Summit League
North Dakota State was picked fifth overall in the preseason coaches' poll announced on Tuesday, Aug. 15, recording 36 points in the voting. The Bison finished tied for fourth last season after a 4-5 record, including a return to the postseason with a trip to the Summit League Tournament.
 
What's Next?
The Bison will return home to Dacotah Field on Thursday, Oct. 19, as NDSU takes on Denver in the regular season finale. The match up with the Pioneers is set for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff and will be streamed live on the Summit League Network, along with radio coverage on Bison 1660.