A Defensive Stalemate in Fargo
The Bison opened their season at Dacotah Field, facing the Washington State Cougars in a tightly contested match that ended without a goal.
Between the posts, senior goalkeeper Payton Mulberry turned in a commanding performance, securing his first clean sheet of the year and the eighth of his collegiate career with a series of decisive saves.
While the Bison outshot the Cougars 12‑9 over the course of the game, the offensive pressure faded after the opening quarter, leaving Washington State without a clear chance beyond the 25th minute.
The second half saw the Bison dominate set‑piece opportunities, earning four corner kicks that forced the Cougars to defend deep in their own half.
A late surge from sophomore forward Ava Stanchina tested the Cougars’ backline in the 88th minute, but the shot curled just wide of the target, preserving the deadlock.
Looking ahead, the Bison are slated to host Prairie View A&M on Thursday, August 27 at 6 p.m., a match that promises to build on the defensive resilience displayed against a disciplined Washington State side.