FARGO, N.D. - North Dakota State soccer will wrap up a three-game road swing in Summit League play with a trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the Bison (4-4-5, 0-1-3 Summit League) take on Oral Roberts (5-4-3, 2-1-0 Summit League) on Thursday, Oct. 5. The match is set for a 7 p.m. kickoff at the Case Soccer Complex and will be streamed live on the Summit League Network.
 
The Series
The Bison will meet Oral Roberts for just the 18th time since the series began when NDSU joined the Summit League ahead of the 2007 season. The Bison lead the all-time series 10-4-3, including a 3-2-1 record when playing in Tulsa. However, after six unbeaten for the Bison (4-0-2), Oral Roberts won both meetings last season, including a victory in the opening round of the Summit League Tournament.
 
Game Coverage
Sunday's match with the Oral Roberts 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 was forced to overcome being reduced to 10 women in the second half after a 60th minute red card, with the Bison earning a 0-0 draw on the road against St. Thomas. Despite being outnumbered the rest of the way, NDSU controlled most of the remainder of the game, but were unable to convert their chances. Paige Goaley was also denied a penalty claim on an apparent foul in the 5th minute.
 
Last Match vs. Oral Roberts
The Bison were eliminated from the Summit League Tournament in extra time by the Eagles, 2-1, as Kennedy Langebartels knocked in a rebound off the post in the 106th minute of the match. ORU took the lead on a counter attack in the 32nd minute, as Samantha See headed a ball in from close range. Coming out of the break, Paige Goaley deflected a clearance and then slotted in a goal from close range to tie the game at 1-1.
 
Wilkinson Continues Climb
Abby Wilkinson has moved up the career charts for the Bison. Wilkinson moved into eighth in wins (10) with her shutout against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. She moved into sixth on the all-time goalie games played and started list at St. Thomas, sitting at 34 in both. Her shutout (9) against St. Thomas moved her into eighth and one shy of sixth. She also moved into seventh in saves earlier this season, currently at 160, and is 10th in goals against average (1.47). Wilkinson's 4.71 saves per game is fifth best.
 
Bison Finding Early Strikes
After controlling the scoresheet in the second half early in the season, the Bison have scored six of their last eight goals in the first half, including five in the opening 25 minutes and two inside the first six minutes of the game. The Bison scored a fourth-minute goal against Creighton and a sixth-minute goal against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Prior to the game against Creighton, six of NDSU's nine goals had come in the second half, with the other three coming in the final 15 minutes of the first half.
 
Watson Joins the Top of the List
Junior Olivia Watson scored her fourth goal of the season against Omaha, a team high this season. Her 12th of her career moved her to the top of the active list for NDSU, joining Olivia Lovick. Watson, who had six goals in her sophomore campaign last season, including four game winners, also leads the Bison in the game-winning goal category with five for her career. Watson sits second on the active points list with 26, trailing only Lovick (29).
 
Wilkinson On Verge of New Season High
Abby Wilkinson picked up her fourth cleansheet of 2023 at St. Thomas, matching her career high for a season from last season. One more shutout would move her into a tie for ninth for shutouts in a season at NDSU.
 
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.
 
Head It In Kallio
Kelsey Kallio, the NDSU active career leader in assists (13), opened Summit League play on the first line of the scoresheet, scoring her first two goals of 2023. She headed in a corner vs. Kansas City and then headed in a cross vs. Omaha. Her fifth and sixth career goals moved Kallio into third on the active NDSU points list (25). Kallio also scooped up Co-Offensive Peak Performer of the Week honors from the Summit League.
 
Amaya Garrett, Ellie Sanchez Playing Crucial Role in Defense
With injuries on the back line for NDSU this season, the Bison have turned to a pair of freshmen in Amaya Garrett and Ellie Sanchez for key support. Garrett has started every game and played the full 90 minutes in the last three games, as well as eight overall. Sanchez has started the last three and after 80 minutes in the first match, has played the full 90 minutes in the last two.
 
Experience on Back Line
The Bison returned a wealth of experience on the back line, which led to seven cleansheets last season and four so far this season. The four main players (McKenna Strand, Kaitlyn Hanson, Ashleigh Heely, and Jess Hanley) on the back line in 2022, who all returned this season, have combined to play in 240 games with 178 starts. The group has logged over 15,000 minutes on the pitch, with all four over 3,300 career minutes played.
 
What's Next?
The Bison will return home to Dacotah Field for an important Summit League match up, as NDSU takes on North Dakota on Sunday, Oct. 8. The match is set for a 4 p.m. kickoff and will be broadcast live on WDAY Xtra and streamed live on the Summit League Network.