OMAHA, Neb. -- After 110 scoreless minutes, Pod A No. 3 South Dakota advanced to the 2026 Summit League Women's Soccer semifinals with a 4-3 penalty shootout win over Pod B No. 2 Omaha in the first quarterfinal of the 2026 Summit League Women's Soccer Championship Friday at Caniglia Field. With the penalty kick triumph, the Coyotes advance in the Summit League Tournament for the first time in program history.
South Dakota controlled most of the first 45 minutes, outshooting Omaha 8-2, including a 4-1 advantage in shots on goal. Cadence Fagan was dialed in for the Mavericks, making four saves to keep the game scoreless.
Each goalie had scrambles that they held off to keep the game scoreless. In the 16th minute, Fagan made a diving stop on a left-footed strike before staying in front of the rebound to force it away. In the 62nd minute, Cambell Fischer stopped a shot of her own before a Maverick header landed just high of the net.
With under seven minutes to go in regulation, each team had a high-quality chance that would get sent away, forcing the match into extra time. Kinsley Pesicka of South Dakota and Payten Ivins of Omaha each earned chances but Fagan and Fischer, as they had all day, sent shots away.
After 20 minutes of extra time, the game went to penalties. The Coyotes saw scores from Brooke Conway, Klarissa Veg and Sam Luft before Riley Reed punched one home into the bottom right corner to push the Coyotes across the finish line.
The Coyotes will play Pod A No. 1 seed North Dakota State next Thursday in a semifinal match to be played at 2 p.m. CT in Tulsa, Okla.
Turning Point
Reed capped off penalties with a right-footed boot past Fagan to finish off the match.
Inside the box score
USD held a 20-6 advantage in shots and the Coyotes put 10 of those attempts on goal, forcing Omaha goalkeeper Cadence Fagan to make 10 saves. That number is tied for the sixth most saves in a Summit League Tournament match.
The Mavericks were limited but efficient on the offensive end, putting four of their six shots on goal.
News & Notes
South Dakota earns advancement for the first time in program history and will play in the semifinals for the second time in program history.
The Coyotes will meet North Dakota State in the semifinals, a team that dealt them two one-goal defeats in the regular season.
Omaha’s loss marks the third consecutive season the Mavericks have fallen short of advancing to the semifinals.
Omaha goalkeeper Cadence Fagan notched her eighth shutout of the season, tied for the League lead.
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