The Presbyterian College women's soccer team will meet North Dakota State on Sunday, August 30, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time in Fargo, North Dakota. The game marks the Blue Hose's second contest in the Upper Midwest circuit after opening the season with a 3‑0 defeat to the University of North Dakota.
Coach Matt Smith's squad entered the matchup looking to rebound after a narrow loss that saw Julija Poplašen open the scoring in the 44th minute before the team fell 1‑0. Freshman goalkeeper Alexa Garcia made five saves in that outing, but the defense was unable to hold the lead.
North Dakota State, the defending Summit League champions, have struggled early in the campaign, dropping games to Green Bay, Marquette and Minnesota before finding a spark with a scoreless draw against Washington State. Since then the Bison have posted a 22‑3 victory over Prairie View A&M and earned 14 corner kicks in a match that featured Morgan Russmann's 62nd‑minute strike.
The Bison's offense has been bolstered by contributions from Ellie Sanchez, who added an insurance goal in the 78th minute, and Thale Ruether, who denied Poplašen's near‑goal attempt with 21 minutes remaining. Their home record at the venue stands at 3‑5 this season, a statistic that adds context to the upcoming test.
Looking Ahead
Key players for Presbyterian include sophomore striker Maddie Smith, who recently scored a brace against Alabama State and earned Offensive Player of the Week honors in the Big South Conference. Smith is one of only six conference players to have recorded three goals already this year. If the Blue Hose can capitalize on their early chances and tighten defensive organization, the game could serve as a turning point in their schedule.
The match will be streamed live on the Midco Sports Summit League Network, giving fans a chance to follow the action as it unfolds. With a four‑game road swing ahead, including future contests against Furman and Wofford in South Carolina, Coach Smith is focused on turning the tide.