GRAND FORKS, N.D. --- The University of North Dakota soccer team opened its weekend action with a 3-1 win over the defending Summit League's regular-season champion South Dakota State at Bronson Field Friday. It was the two teams first meeting in Grand Forks since 2000.
Freshman Taryn MacMillan (Rosemount, Minn.) and sophomore Juliette Austin (Simi Valley, Calif.) connected for first-half goals for UND and sophomore Megan Anderson (Rapid City, S.D.) regained the two-goal lead in the second half shortly after the Jackrabbits cut the score in half.
After outshooting the Jackrabbits 10-3 in the first half, sophomore Kristi Hestdalen (Pierre, S.D.) was tested in net for UND and responded with one of her greatest games in her young career.
The Jackrabbits' Stacy Guijarro slipped a shot past Hestdalen early in 50th minute, but Hestdalen stood strong and recorded 13 saves in the second half (15 total) including a pair of spectacular saves on SDSU breakaways as it looked to get back in the game late.
MacMillan secured her second goal of the season in the 26th minute opening the game's scoring with a nice header past SDSU netminder Elisa Stamatakis. Senior Sheri Stapf (Lakeville, Minn.) set the play up with a nice assist on a free kick from over 30 yards out.
Austin came off the bench and collected her first collegiate goal in the 41st minute to send the home team into the break with all the momentum and a 2-0 lead.
After the lead was cut in half, Anderson collected her second goal of the season and team-leading seventh point as Rhaya Ballon (Rogers, Minn.) registered the assist for her sixth point of the year.
SDSU finished the game with a 18-15 edge in shots.
Senior midfielder Caitlyn Haring (Fargo, N.D.) led UND with five shots in the game.
North Dakota improves to 2-2-1 while the Jackrabbits fall to 1-4-1. UND returns to Bronson Field on Sunday to host rival North Dakota State at 1 p.m. NDSU defeated Bemidji State 2-1 in double-overtime today and will enter the match at 2-4 overall.
