NDSU Soccer Tops South Dakota In Thriller, Clinches Postseason Berth

Thursday, October 29

Vermillion, S.D.

6 p.m.

North Dakota State

6-6-6, 4-3-2

South Dakota

6-6-5, 3-3-3

Team	1	2	Final F
North Dakota St.	2	2	4
South Dakota	1	2	3

NDSU Notes

Photo by: Zachary Lucy

10/29/2026 9:09:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

VERMILLION, S.D. – North Dakota State soccer secured a Summit League Tournament berth and recorded a program first in a thrilling 4-3 victory over South Dakota Thursday night at First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex.

Payton Mulberry started the night by becoming the first North Dakota State goalkeeper to score a goal. In the 12^th minute, Mulberry lined up a free kick from inside the halfway line and put it on target, going through the hands of Coyotes goalkeeper Campbell Fischer to give NDSU an early lead.

The lead was short-lived, as South Dakota would answer less than six minutes later with a goal from Taylor Mulligan. However, the Bison restored the lead heading into halftime, as Morgan Russmann took a pass from Gabrielle Garrett and found the back of the net from close range in the 34^th minute.

After halftime, the Coyotes were awarded a pair of penalty kicks after VAR reviews in the 60^th and 64^th minutes. South Dakota converted the first from Klarissa Vega, but the second missed wide, keeping the game at 2-2.

In the 88^th minute, Russmann capped off her second brace in two games, looking to have scored the winner, as she took a pass from Hannah Arnold at midfield and outpaced the defense before finishing on the near side to put NDSU up 3-2.

However, the lead lasted just 28 seconds, as South Dakota found a third equalizer of the night to tie the game at 3-3 with a goal from Elsie Odney.

In the final minute, Ellie Sanchez made a throw in to Ava Stanchina, who then placed a cross into the penalty area. With 34 seconds remaining, Isabel Garcia settled the cross and fired a rocket into the top of the net to restore the Bison lead and give NDSU the victory and regular season sweep over the Coyotes.

Russmann's brace is the sixth of her career and the second of the season. It is also the second brace for her against South Dakota, with the first coming in 2024.

Mulberry's opener is the first goal for a Bison goalkeeper in the program's history. Earlier this season she joined a small group of Bison goalkeepers to record an assist. Her goal marks the third first-time scorer in the last three games for NDSU.

The Bison trailed in shots, 27-15, but led in shots on goal, 8-6. Mulberry finished with three saves in the contest.

The win for NDSU on Thursday night also secured a berth in the Summit League Tournament, as the Bison secured a top three place and eliminated North Dakota from advancing in Pod A. It also sets up a winner-take-all match against South Dakota State on Sunday. A win from either team will claim Pod A and secure a bye in the first round of the tournament.

North Dakota State soccer will close out the regular season on the road as the Bison make the trip to Brookings, South Dakota on Sunday, November 1. NDSU and the Jackrabbits are set for a 1 p.m. kickoff at Fishback Soccer Park.