EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. – For the second straight year under head coach Chris Logan, the University of North Dakota soccer team will enter the regular season with a perfect 2-0 exhibition record.

That's undoubtedly a significant marker of progress for a program that has been ascendant since Logan's arrival in 2017. However, what pleased Logan most following North Dakota's 2-1 win over visiting South Dakota on Saturday afternoon was the mood of his players.

Goals by Mara Yapello and Cassie Giddings propelled the Fighting Hawks to the win on a blistering-hot day at East Grand Forks Senior High, but the victors walked off the field feeling anything but satisfied.

For Logan, that was the more accurate gauge of how far his program has come, particularly after avenging last season's loss to the Coyotes.

"The nice thing was, they didn't come off the field…last year they'd have still been like, 'Oh, we won, we're really happy!' They were actually pretty disappointed with the way they played. That to me shows they know how much potential we have and hopefully we can realize it."

Yapello opened the scoring in the 51st minute after being sprung loose by an Olivia Knox pass, and the freshman Giddings following the 60th minute, knocking home a Brittany Mueller rebound to make it 2-0.

The Fighting Hawks were in command at that point, but needed to hold on for dear life down the stretch as the Coyotes outshot UND 12-1 in the last of three 30-minute periods. Alexis Mitchell got USD on the board in the 83rd minute but the Hawks prevented anything further.

"To look at just the scoreboard, I think things are moving forward. When I look at the actual game, I think the better team lost today," said Logan. "The disappointing thing is a lot of the things we've been looking to execute in practice really didn't come out today. You always take a win, I suppose, but we've got a lot still to cover in our attacking output."

Today's game was far more physical than last Wednesday's exhibition opener against Manitoba – a total of 23 fouls were whistled on the two teams -- and Logan was hopeful that it served as a reminder to his players of what's to come when the regular season opens on Aug. 17 at Nicholls State.

"It's Division I soccer. This is kind of a rivalry game because they're in our conference. We weren't quite getting into challenges as quickly as they can. And our ladies knew that. We were just talking to them, and they knew it," said Logan.

UND played without returning all-conference goalkeeper Catherine Klein for the second straight night. In her absence, seniors Olivia Swenson (4 saves) and Jacqueline Wells (3) more than capably held own the defensive end.

"We have three great goalkeepers," said Logan. "'Swens' had a phenomenal preseason and 'Jack' is right there. When we make a change, we don't miss a beat."

Wells credited UND's defenders for "grinding it out" on a day the Fighting Hawks didn't have their best overall performance.

"We're very resilient and we don't back down. Even on rough day, we're going to give you everything we've got."

Notes: UND opens the regular season on the road at Nicholls State (Aug. 17) and Southern University (Aug. 19) ... South Dakota totaled 22 shots attempts (7 on goal) to UND's 10 (4 on goal) ... Meghan McCabe drew the second assist on Yapello's goal ... Giddings had two shots on goal, the only UND player with more than one.