November 8, 2026
IRVING, Calif. — The No. 3-seeded Dakota State (S.D.) women's soccer team saw its 2026 season come to an end Sunday evening, falling to No. 2-seeded Simpson (Calif.) 4-0 in the California Pacific (Cal Pac) Conference postseason tournament semifinals at Orange County Great Park.
The Trojans concluded their season with an overall record of 3-14-2, while the Red Hawks improved to 6-3-5 and advanced to the Cal Pac championship match versus No. 4 seed Pacific Union (Calif.) who upset top-seeded Westcliff (Calif.) on penalty kicks after recording a 1-1 draw.
Simpson's Maylania Mikaele recorded a hat trick in the first half, scoring three goals to give the Red Hawks a commanding 3-0 halftime advantage. She finished the match with three goals and an assist, contributing to all four Simpson goals.
The Red Hawks outshot the Trojans 10-2, including an 8-1 advantage in shots on goal.
How it happened
Simpson struck early in the match when Mikaele scored the opening goal at the 8:27 mark, giving the Red Hawks a 1-0 lead.
Dakota State responded with a corner kick by
Hannah Hint just 16 seconds later, looking to generate an offensive opportunity.
The Red Hawks continued to apply pressure offensively. Mikaele registered a header attempt in the 23rd minute, but Dakota State goalkeeper
Ivey Winckler made the save.
The Trojans recorded their first shot of the match in the 24th minute when
Nichole Corona fired an attempt on goal. Simpson goalkeeper Jenna Sosa stopped the shot to preserve the Red Hawks' one-goal lead.
Winckler continued to keep the Trojans within striking distance, recording additional saves on Mikaele's shots in the 25th and 34th minutes.
Simpson extended its lead late in the opening half, scoring twice in a span of just 15 seconds. Mikaele netted her second goal at the 42:54 mark and completed her hat trick at 43:09, pushing the Red Hawks' lead to 3-0.
Dakota State earned a corner kick from
Kirsten Piskorski with one second remaining before halftime but could not convert.
Simpson held a 6-1 advantage in shots during the first 45 minutes, with Winckler collecting three saves for the Trojans.
Dakota State made a goalkeeper change to begin the second half, inserting
Sierra Verplancke for Winckler.
The Trojans attempted to generate offensive momentum in the 58th minute. Hint delivered a corner kick at the 57:09 mark, followed by
Estefania Gonzalez's shot that sailed wide right at 57:47.
Simpson continued to control possession and generated additional scoring opportunities throughout the second half.
The Red Hawks added their fourth goal at the 73:27 mark when Mariah Stansberry scored off an assist from Mikaele, extending their lead to 4-0.
Verplancke recorded a save in the 90th minute on a Simpson team shot, preventing another scoring opportunity.
The Red Hawks held a 4-1 advantage in second-half shots and maintained their four-goal lead through the final whistle.
Inside the box score
Dakota State finished with two shots, including one on goal. Corona registered the Trojans' lone shot on target during the first half, while Gonzalez added a shot attempt in the second half.
Winckler started in goal for Dakota State and played the opening 45 minutes. She recorded three saves. Verplancke played the entire second half, finishing with one save and one goal allowed.
Simpson finished with 10 shots, including eight on goal. Mikaele led the Red Hawks with six shots, all on target, while recording three goals and one assist. Stansberry contributed one goal on her only shot of the match.
Sosa played all 90 minutes in goal for Simpson, recording one save and earning the shutout victory.
Dakota State recorded three corner kicks compared to Simpson's five. The Trojans committed five fouls, while the Red Hawks were whistled for eight. Simpson was called offside three times compared to once for Dakota State.
Final DSU career soccer match
Sunday's match was the final collegiate women's soccer match for five Dakota State seniors –
Olivia Bradley,
Estefania Gonzalez,
Chloe Mart,
Summer-Lily Robinson, and
Sierra Verplancke.
