FARGO, N.D. - North Dakota State soccer returns home to Dacotah Field on Thursday, Oct. 19, as the Bison take on Denver in the regular season finale. The match 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.
 
The Series
The Bison will meet Denver for the 15th time since the series began when NDSU fell to the Pioneers 2-1 in Denver on October 27, 2013 in the first-ever meeting. The Bison trail in the all-time series 1-12-1, and have not beaten the Pioneers since a 4-3 victory in double overtime in Denver in October of 2015. Denver has won the last nine games in the series, with a 0-0 tie in Fargo in 2016 leading into the run.
 
On Bison 1660
The match up with Denver is the third and final Bison soccer game this season that will be on the radio on Bison 1660. BJ Walters will have the call between NDSU and the Pioneers. 
 
Game Coverage
Sunday's match with the Denver 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
Despite dominating possession and much of the offense in the opening half, the Bison fell behind 2-0 in the opening 10 minutes, as South Dakota capitalized on the only two shots that the Coyotes had in the first 45 minutes. Amaya Garrett would get a goal beck for NDSU in the second half, but NDSU was unable to complete the comeback, falling to South Dakota 2-1.
 
Last Year against the Pioneers
NDSU fell to Denver 2-0 in the Summit League opener last season, giving up a pair of goals less than two minutes apart in Denver to fall to defeat. In the 31st minute, Hannah Gallegos headed a corner off the post and then a Bison defender for the opening goal. Two minutes later, Denver doubled its lead as Delaney McGowan's cross was deflected on a failed clearance attempt into the goal.
 
Garrett Strikes Again
Freshmen Amaya Garrett has made a splash during her first season in Fargo, contributing heavily on the back line for the Bison at centerback and outside back, while also jumping in offensively with four goals. Her fourth goal of the season came the last time out at South Dakota and was her first goal in league play. Garrett is tied for the team lead with four goals this season.
 
Wilkinson Hits New Career High for Cleansheets in Season
Abby Wilkinson picked up her fifth cleansheet of 2023 against North Dakota, setting a new career high for a season, surpassing four cleansheets in 2022. Overall, Wilkinson has 10 career cleansheets. It was 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 six games, as well as 11 overall. Sanchez has started the last six, and has played the full 90 minutes in three of those contests. The Bison have two cleansheets and averaged just a goal against per game in league play.
 
Wilkinson's Save Percentage Among NDSU's Best
Abby Wilkinson has made 75 saves so far in 2023, allowing just 18 goals against. Her save percentage of .806 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.
 
Freshman Firepower
NDSU's newest players have wasted no time making their mark, with six of NDSU's 18 goals on the season coming by the freshman. Defender Amaya Garrett has scored four goals, including the most recent at South Dakota. Ava Stanchina (Austin Peay) and Tyreese Zacher (Boise State) have the other two goals.
 
Program Records for Ties
With the draw against North Dakota, 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. Against North Dakota, Wilkinson moved into fifth in career saves, surpassing Monica Morgan (170). She now sits at 176. Her 10th career shutout against UND 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 37 in both. She is fifth in saves per game (4.76) and 10th in goals against average (1.43).
 
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 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.
 
What's Next?
A tie or win against Denver could see the Bison qualify for the Summit League Tournament. Quarterfinals are slated for Friday, Oct. 27, with semifinals set for Sunday, Oct. 29, at the campus sites of the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds. The championship game will be held on Saturday, Nov. 4, at the highest remaining seed.