Olivia Swenson keeps up her solid play as UND heads into conference play

One goal was all it took as South Dakota State squeaked out a victory over the UND’s soccer team this previous Sunday.

In their final tune up game, the former NCC rivals went against each other in an offensive matchup despite what the score says.

Both squads came out firing but to no avail, as keepers for each squad were stonewalls in the first 45 minutes. Keeper Olivia Swensen was able to knock away SDSU’s four shots on target in the first half.

The back and forth continued until the boiling point in the 73rd minute when Diana Pottervield netted one home to give the Jackrabbits a 1-0 lead. It was then with less than 20 minutes to go SDSU parked the bus and kept the score at 1-0 until the last whistle blew.

Swensen tallied six saves while South Dakota State University netminder Nicole Inskeep recorded four saves to bring SDSU to a 5-4-1 record. The Green and White continued their struggles as the squad fell to 2-5-1.

“With as many injuries we have and all the players playing in new positions. I am really proud of how the team responded with the win today and the weekend overall,” said SDSU coach Lang Wedemeyer.

With the victory, the Jackrabbits now hold a 5-3 record over the Green and White since their matchup dating all the way back to 2000.

UND will look to start off their Big Sky matches on a high note as they take on Montana to start conference play. The Grizzlies are coming off a 1-0 thriller as well, falling to University of California—Santa Barbara. Montana sits at 3-5-1 and are currently on a three game skid trying to find the right rhythm as well.

UND will be out for redemption against the Griz after falling 7-0 when they last met in October 2014.

The series between the two Big Sky programs has tilted toward the Grizzlies side. Montana dominates the Green and White 6-1, with UND’s lone win coming in 2011.

Swenson will try to keep the hot hands going as she has been solid all season. The freshman has let in an average of only 1.22 goals a game with a save percentage of .871.

Kickoff between the two will be 4 p.m. Friday, at Bronson Field in Grand Forks.

Jack Harvey is a sports writer for The Dakota Student. He can be reached at [email protected]