FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State soccer team opened up the 2023 season with a 1-1 tie against Boise State at Dacotah Field on Thursday, Aug. 17.
 
Freshman Tyreese Zacher scored on her debut in the 67^th minute to level the game, 1-1, as she slotted a left-footed strike past Genevieve Crenshaw following a corner kick.
 
Devon Kavanagh's cross was headed back into the middle by Kelsey Kallio and then settled by Loretta Wacek, straight to Zacher in the middle of the penalty area, who finished into the bottom left corner with her first touch from 10 yards out.
 
The Bison fell behind in the 50^th minute, as Kenzie MacMillan scored on her own rebound for the opening goal of the game. Abby Wilkinson forced a save on the initial shot, but the rebound was knocked past Wilkinson with MacMillan's first touch on her second attempt.
 
Boise State led the game in shots, 15-13, but the Bison had eight shots on goal to just four from the Broncos. Kavanagh forced an early save in the second minute, before Wilkinson made her first of three saves on the night in the third minute. Paige Goaley would have a pair of shots stopped midway through the first in the only other strong scoring chances for either side.
 
Immediately after Boise State's goal early in the second, Olivia Watson forced a diving save as the shot was tipped just over the crossbar. Zacher would then head wide on a corner before Kavanagh forced another save. After the Bison leveled the game at 1-1, Olivia Lovick forced a diving save in the best remaining chance for either team.
 
The Bison are scheduled to return to action on Sunday, Aug. 20, hosting Montana at 1 p.m. at Dacotah Field with live television coverage on WDAY Xtra and the Summit League Network.