FARGO, N.D. - First half goals by Michelle Gaffaney and Katie Tallas propelled the North Dakota State soccer team to a 3-0 Summit League win over IPFW on Friday, Oct. 14.  It was NDSU's fifth straight win and fourth shutout in a row.  The Bison improve to 12-2-1 overall and 5-0-0 in Summit League play, while IPFW falls to 4-8 overall and 1-3 in The Summit League.

Gaffaney struck first for NDSU, knocking in a rebound off a blocked Morgan DeMike shot.  Gaffaney now has four goals this season and DeMike has a career-high four assists.

Tallas added a second for the Bison at the 28:52 mark, 17 seconds after entering the game.  Danielle Boldenow played a ball down the sideline to Brooklyn Dyce, who crossed it to Tallas in the middle of the box.  Tallas leads the team with a career-high five goals.

The half ended with both teams notching five shots, but NDSU put four on frame and IPFW only one.

The Bison defense withstood some early pressure from the Mastodons in the second half, conceding three corner kicks within a minute.  Less than 15 seconds later, Gaffaney had to clear a Sydney Hoareau shot off the goal line.

Goalkeeper Kalani Bertsch made two more saves before Jaclyn Scanlan gave the Bison a 3-0 lead.  IPFW goalie Kristen McFadden attempted to clear the ball, but Scanlan blocked the clear and the ball rolled into the back of the net.

Kathy Kelsey replaced Bertsch in goal with 10 minutes to go and made two saves to preserve the shutout.

The Bison held a 13-12 edge in shots and an 8-6 advantage in shots on goal.  Bertsch made three saves and Kelsey had two as the Bison earned their ninth shutout of the year.

NDSU will play its final home game of the year Sunday, Oct. 16 at 12 p.m. against Oakland.  Seniors Kalani Bertsch, Danielle Boldenow, Aubrey Bot, Megan Dean, Morgan DeMike, Michelle Gaffaney, Katie Luce, Kaylee McDonald, Abbey Moenkedick and Laura Wagner will be honored for their contributions to the program in a pre-match ceremony.

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