CHICAGO -- The University of North Dakota soccer team spoiled Chicago State's inaugural-season home-opener on Friday evening, as UND downed the Cougars, 3-0, to pick up its first win of the season.

Two freshmen netted their first collegiate goals in the contest, including the game-winning goal scored by Austin Overson in the 38th minute. Fellow freshman Zoe Berlinquette scored in the 66th minute to give UND the 2-0 lead.
Junior captain Caitlin Dahl scored in the 77th minute to insure the team's first win of the 2014 season.

“Today out freshmen really played well and I think they are starting to adjust to the college game,” head coach Matt Kellogg said. “It's always nice to get the first win of the season out of the way and we will look to keep this momentum going into Sunday's.”

After having not played a game in a week, it took UND a while to find its legs. However, it didn't take long and in the first half North Dakota put its offense on display, registering 18 shots on target, including 12 in the second half alone. Forward Jessica Johnson led the team with four shots on net, while Belinquette took a total of five with three on target.

“We started out a bit slow today, but picked up the pace of play in the last 10 minutes of the first half,” Matt Kellogg said. “We continued that pace of play in the second half and were able to take advantage of some chances we created on the attack. We were able to limit CSU's chances by putting their back line and midfield under pressure, and creating turnovers in dangerous parts of the field.”

UND's defense kept Chicago State off the scoreboard, and with three saves, senior goalkeeper Kristi Hestdalen recorded the sixth clean sheet of her career.

Sophomore Kirsten Olson assisted on the opening goal, while Dahl assisted on the second goal before scoring her own to cap off the offensive blitz.

UND finishes up the weekend taking on Green Bay on Sunday in Green Bay, Wis. The game is set to begin at noon.