North Dakota State Defeats South Dakota 1-0 to Reach Summit League Final

North Dakota State Defeats South Dakota 1-0 to Reach Summit League Final

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North Dakota State secured a spot in the Summit League Tournament championship game on Thursday by defeating South Dakota 1-0 at the Case Soccer Complex.

The Bison, entering the tournament as the Pod A No. 1 seed, ended a four-match tournament winless streak that had lasted since their 2017 championship appearance, The Summit League reported.

Offensive Player of the Year Morgan Russmann provided the decisive moment in the 24th minute. After receiving a pass from Hannah Arnold, Russmann struck the ball toward the far side of the net; despite losing her balance during the play, she managed to find the back of the net to give the Bison the lead.

The victory marks the first time the Bison have advanced to the tournament title match since 2017.

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While Russmann’s strike provided the margin, the match was defined by defensive resilience and high-level goalkeeping from both sides. The Bison outshot the Coyotes 10-3 in the first half, recording eight shots on goal to South Dakota’s two.

Cambell Fischer anchored the South Dakota defense, making seven saves in the opening half to keep the Coyotes within striking distance. Fischer finished the game with eight total saves.

South Dakota vs. North Dakota State – 2026 Summit League Women’s Soccer Tournament Semifinals — SportCollege

The Bison countered with a strong performance from Payton Mulberry, who recorded six saves throughout the match. Mulberry’s ability to maintain the lead was tested in the 76th minute when a Klarissa Vega free kick struck the crossbar. Mulberry closed out her eighth clean sheet of the season with a final save in the 88th minute.

Statistic North Dakota State South Dakota
Total Shots 14 11
Shots on Goal 9 6

The Bison’s performance moves them toward their sixth Summit League Championship match, adding to their historical standing as the 2010 tournament champions. This run shows the program gaining momentum as it seeks to reclaim its dominant postseason form.

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The championship game is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. CT in Tulsa, Okla. North Dakota State will face the winner of the matchup between Oral Roberts and St. Thomas.

The upcoming final will determine which program secures the tournament title and advances through the postseason.

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