The University of Minnesota Duluth got early strikes from a reliable hand, a first-time scorer, and the University of Sioux Falls' defense as the Bulldogs struck for three goals in the first half to defeat its Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference rival 3-0 on the road in Sioux Falls on Saturday.

The teams hit the field early with an 11:00 a.m. kick-off, but UMD (3-5-1, 2-3-1 NSIC) was ready right away as junior forward Kailey Beatt scored her fourth goal of the season, rerouting a crossing pass from junior midfielder Marissa Ganske just 5:40 into the match to put the Bulldogs up early. Freshman midfielder Natalie St. Martin took a few shots early, eventually making good on her first score of the year at the 32:15 mark of the opening half, collecting a through-ball from Ganske, and drilling the back of the net to add to the UMD lead. Beatt also added an assist on the play, collecting her third point of the day.

Moments later, a corner kick by junior midfielder Katie Peterson resulted in a deflection off a Sioux Falls (2-6-0, 1-5-0 NSIC) player that freshman goalkeeper Morgan Perkins couldn't corral, giving the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead. Perkins would finish with a pair of saves in the game while on the other side, UMD's first-year 'keeper Sisley Ng needed just one save to collect a shutout victory over the Cougars.

CORNER KICKS
UMD moves to 4-0-0 all-time against Sioux Falls ... St. Martin led all players with four shots, including three on-goal for the Bulldogs ... sophomore midfielder Nicole Becker added a pair of shots ... junior midfielder Carlie Macy had both shots on the day for the Cougars.

UP NEXT
UMD will wrap up its road trip tomorrow afternoon when it takes on Southwest Minnesota State University at 1:00 p.m. in Marshall, Minnesota. Next week the Bulldogs return to Malosky Stadium for Homecoming.