FARGO, N.D. - North Dakota State soccer will wrap up a three-game road swing with a trip to South Carolina this week. The Bison will face a pair of new opponents for the first time, as the Herd takes on Coastal Carolina in Conway on Thursday, Aug. 31, before traveling to Charleston on Sunday, Sept. 3 to take on The Citadel.
 
Game Coverage
Both Thursday and Sunday's game will be streamed on ESPN+. Both games will also have live statistics. Links for coverage will be available on GoBison.com.
 
The Series
The Bison will meet Coastal Carolina and The Citadel on the soccer pitch for the first time in program history. NDSU has played Coastal Carolina four times across all sports in head-to-head competition with two wins for Football in 2013 and 2014 and a 1-1 split in softball in 2012. Bison Wrestling has faced the Citadel three times, winning all three duals in 2006, 2012, and 2017.
 
34th State for the Herd
The trip to South Carolina will be the 34th different state that the Bison have played in, not including Washington D.C. Previously, NDSU has played just one opponent from the state of South Carolina, recording a 4-0 victory over South Carolina State in Washington D.C. on Nov. 2, 2006.
 
Last Week for the Bison
NDSU is coming off of a 1-1 week after picking up a 4-1 win over Austin Peay on Friday before falling 2-0 at Drake on Sunday. Against Austin Peay, four Bison scored, two in each half, as NDSU picked up its first win since another 4-1 victory over South Dakota at the end of last season. Against Drake, NDSU gave up an early penalty, allowed a second half goal on a corner kick, and were shutout for the first time this season.
 
Debut Duo vs. Drake
Ellie Sanchez and Hannah Arnold both made their debuts in the starting lineup last Sunday, becoming the third and fourth freshmen to earn such honors this season. Both players made their NDSU debuts against Boise State and continue to work their way into coach Mike Reagan's game plans.
 
Freshman Firepower
NDSU's newest players have wasted no time making their mark on the team, with three of NDSU's six goals on the season coming off the foot of a freshman. Ava Stanchina had the latest goal in NDSU's 4-1 victory over Austin Peay and paces all freshmen with four shots on goal. Amaya Garrett (vs. Montana) and Tyreese Zacher (vs. Boise State) have also found the back of the net for NDSU early in the season.
 
Game Over Gang
With a 38th minute goal against Austin Peay, Ava Stanchina ultimately put away the decisive goal in the Bison's first win on the season. Stanchina's goal made her the seventh active Bison with a game winner on their resume and the first freshman on the season to record the honor.
 
Wilkinson Continues Climb
Coming off a career high 14 starts for the Bison last season, Abby Wilkinson has been moving on and up the boards in the Bison history book. With the NDSU's 4-1 win over Austin Peay, Wilkinson landed in the 10th spot all-time for the Bison in wins by a goalie (8). Additionally, Wilkinson's four starts on the season give her 25 on her career, putting her in seventh place for goalie games played and goalie games started, passing Tara Sweeney in both categories (24, 23).
 
Experience on Back Line
The Bison produced seven cleansheets last season, with experience on the back line providing dividends in front of goal. The four main players on the back line, who all return in 2023, (McKenna Strand, Kaitlyn Hanson, Ashleigh Heely, and Jess Hanley) have combined to play in 214 games with 160 starts and 14,197 minutes, with all over 3,200 career minutes.
 
What's Next?
The Bison are scheduled to return home to Dacotah Field next week, hosting Northern Colorado on Friday, Sept. 8 before closing out the weekend with a match up against Creighton on Sunday, Sept. 10. Friday's game will be streamed live on the Summit League Network, while Sunday's game will be televised on WDAY Xtra.