FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota Soccer picked up a 1-0 victory over Northern Colorado in non-conference action on Friday, Sept. 8, in their return to Dacotah Field following a three-game road swing.
 
In a game that NDSU (3-2-2) controlled the majority of, Olivia Watson found the breakthrough in the 62^nd minute, giving the Bison the lead and victory with her second goal of the season. Jess Hanley played a long ball over the top from the midline and Watson struck a shot on her first touch by Bears (0-7-1) goalkeeper Kaya Lindberg into the left side of the net.
 
It is the fifth game-winning goal of Watson's career and is also the ninth assist from Jess Hanley. Hannah Arnold picked up her second career assist with a secondary assist on the play.
 
The Bison would outnumber Northern Colorado 19-13 in shots in the contest, including 9-7 in shots on target.
 
NDSU goalkeeper Abby Wilkinson picked up her second cleansheet in three games, as she stopped all seven shots on target from the Bears, including a diving effort in the first half to push a shot just by the post and keep the game level. It is the seventh career shutout for Wilkinson.
 
North Dakota State will return to action on Sunday, hosting Creighton at Dacotah Field. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. and the game will be televised locally on WDAY Xtra.