GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Mara Yapello's ninth-minute goal put the University of North Dakota (3-3 Summit) on top of North Dakota State (6-4 Summit) Sunday at Bronson Field, and the Fighting Hawks never looked back as they recorded their second clean sheet of the season and earned a series split with the Bison.

Yapello's first goal of the season was the result of a 50-50 win by winger Cassie Giddings, who held off her defender to head the ball to the feet of UND striker Hannah Olson.

The formidable forward jab stepped with her left and punched a through ball with her right to split a pair of Bison defenders, where Yapello sprinted to the ball on the outskirts of the 18-yard box, dribbled twice, and curled it past goalkeeper Aly Cole into the side netting of the far post to lift North Dakota on top of NDSU.

The Bison controlled possession throughout the match with a 60-40 percentage split through the 90 minutes of regulation. In the first half, North Dakota State held a 64-36 advantage in possession.

Though the visitors held the ball, the UND defense cleared its lines and forced it to the Bison sidelines for throw-ins. Of their nine shots, only two of NDSU's shots went on target as Madi Livingston finished with two saves in her second shutout of the season.

NDSU had a chance to tie the match in the 74th minute at the penalty spot after a Fighting Hawk slide tackle in the box missed the ball and tripped the Bison striker. From 12-yards out, Ellie Schneider went high and to her right, but the junior's shot sailed high and right over the goal to keep UND in charge.

The Fighting Hawks will remain in Grand Forks next weekend when it hosts reigning Summit League Tournament champion Denver on March 19 and 21 at Bronson Field. Both matches will kick off at 2 p.m. Central and will broadcast free of charge on UND Insider.