September 4, 2026
MADISON, S.D. - Dakota State (S.D.) battled back from an early two-goal deficit Friday evening but could not find the equalizer, falling 2-1 to NCAA Division II Southwest Minnesota State in the women's soccer action at the Dan Beacom Track Complex.
The Mustangs scored twice in a span of less than two minutesmidway through the first half before
Sydney Quail cut the deficit to 2-1 with her first goal of the season shortly before halftime. Neither team scored in the second half as SMSU held on for the one-goal victory.
Dakota State fell to 0-4-0 overall. It was an exhibition contest for Southwest Minnesota State
How it happened
The Mustangs applied early offensive pressure, forcing Dakota State goalkeeper
Ivey Winckler to make three saves during the opening 16 minutes.
Southwest Minnesota State broke through at the 17:46 mark. Jada Backes scored her first goal of the season, receiving assists from Janae Kayser and Sophia Wilson for a 1-0 advantage.
Backes struck again just 1 minute, 54 seconds later. Her second goal of the contest at 19:40 extended the Mustangs' lead to 2-0.
Dakota State responded by generating several scoring opportunities over the remainder of the opening half.
Olivia Bradley had a shot blocked in the 25th minute before
Onika Kline put a shot on goal at 26:30 that was stopped by SMSU goalkeeper Kennady Krebs. Bradley added another shot on goal in the 35th minute, followed by
Katie Brown's attempt on target in the 38th minute.
The Trojans' pressure eventually paid off with just over a minute remaining before halftime.
Dakota State earned a corner kick at 43:08 before Quail found the back of the net at the 43:52 mark.
Hannah Hint was credited with the assist as Quail recorded her first goal of the season, trimming SMSU's lead to 2-1 entering halftime.
The Trojans finished the first half with six shots, including four on goal, compared with seven total shots by the Mustangs.
Winckler stopped Backes' attempt in the 51st minute and followed with saves against Evie Boyle and Backes as the second half progressed. Winckler later turned away shots by Boyle, Abigail Schmidt and Alexis Welch.
Dakota State's best second-half opportunity came from
Madison Smalley, whose shot at 58:30 was saved by SMSU goalkeeper Madelyn Cory.
Estefania Gonzalez and
Nichole Corona also registered shot attempts during the second half.
Inside the box score
Southwest Minnesota State held an 18-9 advantage in total shots and an 11-5 edge in shots on goal. The Mustangs also finished with five corner kicks compared with two by Dakota State.
Winckler played 90 minutes in goal for the Trojans and registered season-high nine saves, including six in the second half.
Kline and Bradley led Dakota State with two shots apiece. Kline placed one attempt on goal, while Bradley also had one shot on target.
Quail scored on her only shot of the match, while Smalley and Brown each registered one shot on goal. Gonzalez and Corona added one shot apiece. Hint collected the assist on Quail's goal.
Backes accounted for both Southwest Minnesota State goals and finished with a match-high six shots, including five on goal. Boyle added three shots with two on target, while Wilson, Godfrey and Sonnek each attempted two shots.
SMSU's Krebs played for the first 45 minutes in goal and made three saves while allowing Dakota State's lone goal. Cory took over after halftime and stopped the only shot on goal she faced.
Up next
Dakota State heads on the road for a pair of matches against Great Plains Athletic Conference foes. The Trojans head to Orange City, Iowa, Wednesday evening for a match versus Northwestern (Iowa).
