University of North Dakota Athletics

FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota women's soccer fell to interstate rival North Dakota State, 3-0, Saturday evening in Fargo, N.D.

All of the scoring came in the first half for the Bison (5-6-6, 3-3-2 Summit League), but the Fighting Hawks' (6-8-2, 2-5-1 Summit League) response in the second half showed grit in the face of adversity.

The home team set the tone of the match early. NDSU's Morgan Russmann scored twice for the Bison, almost right away in the fifth minute and again in the 32nd. Freshman Ambry Plate rocketed a shot from just inside the middle of the penalty area for NDSU's third goal of the evening.

By the end of the first half, North Dakota State had outshot North Dakota 12-4. Hannah Peters, Avery Toms and Bailee Zentner had a shot on goal each in the half. Julia Goncalves made her first appearance since Oct. 8 against Omaha, recording UND's fourth first half shot.

After the break, UND's defense stalled NDSU for much of the second half, and when the Bison had opportunities, goalkeeper Thale Ruether came up large for the Fighting Hawks. Once again, the Bison had double-digit shot attempts, but Ruether saved five of them to finish the outing with seven for the game.

North Dakota's offense also had a surge of energy in the second frame. The Fighting Hawks' shot attempt total almost doubled from the first half, jumping to seven. The Fighting Hawks got three corner kicks in the half, two coming within a minute of each other, but were not able to capitalize on the opportunities.

Despite an improved effort in the second half, the first 45 proved to be too much to overcome when the clock hit zeros.

Up next, UND is back at Bronson Field to play its final home regular season match of 2026 against South Dakota State on Thursday, Oct. 29. First kick is slated for 3 p.m. CT.

Postgame Notes 

• NDSU improved its all-time series lead to 14-8-2
• Seven players in the field – Hannah Peters, Avery Toms, Lilian Bashaw, Rylee Lawrence, Cora Ellermann, Bailee Zentner and Charlie Basinet – played all 90 minutes
• Rylee Lawrence made her second career start
• Thale Ruether had seven saves, marking the seventh game this season in which she's had at least five saves. She upped her season average of saves per game to 5.36
• Julia Goncalves made her first appearance on the pitch since Oct. 8 against Omaha. She played for six minutes and registered a shot on goal

How It Happened 

First Half
4:36 | NDSU – Morgan Russmann (1) assisted by Sidney Armstrong and Gabrielle Garrett
31:50 | NDSU – Morgan Russmann (2) assisted by Amber Smith
41:27 | NDSU – Ambry Plate (1) assisted by Isabel Garcia

For more information on North Dakota soccer, visit FightingHawks.com or follow on social media @UNDsoccer.