The Bison soccer program ready to kick-off 2024 season

FARGO (KVRR) – The North Dakota State University women’s soccer program kick-off their season this week. Out in the pouring rain on Monday, the players and coaching staff trained in the elements preparing for Game 1.

The Bison have a couple of exhibition games this week before they had to Green Bay, Wisconsin. The seniors on this are getting ready for their last ride with the Bison program.

“I think it’s really exciting going into my last year, especially being local. It’s nice to have a community around me. In the past three years we really haven’t had the result we wanted, so going into my last year just knowing that I’m ready to give everything I have since this is my last few months of soccer and here at NDSU.” said Olivia Watson.

The Bison are coming off a tough 1-3-4 conference record in the Summit League last season, but have hopes that this young team can take a step in the right direction with more experience on the field.

“Every year I come out wanting to put all I have, but this is really it. I want to not only play the best I can, but also be the best leader I can and help my teammates to be the best players they can be as well.” said Jessica Hanley.

The team is also looking for someone to take over as goalkeeper as their last line defense, as Abby Wilkinson graduated last year. On the roster is Bella Washington, Hannah Stipp and Payton Mulberry and all three have a shot to be the starter this season. Head Coach Mike Regan says the team doesn’t have a timeline yet on who is going to start in goal for the Bison.

“So at the minute we honestly don’t have a pathway in terms of who is going to be the number one. We’ve told all the players, including the goalkeepers, that they have an opportunity everyday to show us what they are about and so the game coming up on Tuesday all three goalkeepers will play a phase of the game and then going into the next one against Drake, we’ll kind of see what we want to do. Really excited about the three young ladies we’ve got .” said Coach Regan.

NDSU start their season on Wednesday against Dakota Wesleyan at 6 p.m. at Dacotah Field in Fargo.