The University of Minnesota Duluth could not capitalize on a strong defensive effort, falling 1-0 against Southwest Minnesota State University despite holding its Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference rival to just three shots on goal.

Both teams combined for just one on-target shot in the first half, a strike by UMD (3-6-1, 2-4-1 NSIC) junior forward Kailey Beatt in the 21st minute that was grabbed by Mustangs' goalkeeper Brienna Dehkes. Southwest Minnesota (4-5-1, 4-3-0 NSIC) controlled the tempo early in the second with three shots in the first eight minutes, but they all went off target or were blocked by the Bulldogs' defense. First-year goalkeeper Sisley Ng would make a pair of saves on the day, but SMSU's Jaci Finley struck for her first goal of the season off the bench in the 83rd minute. UMD turned its offense up-tempo and added three more shots in the closing minutes but the Mustangs held them off as Dehkes maintained her shutout with three saves of her own.

CORNER KICKS
UMD fell for just the third time ever against Southwest Minnesota State and second time on the road, now 22-3-0 all-time against the Mustangs ... five players had one shot each for the Bulldogs, with SMSU's Emily Hiddleston collecting a game-high four attempts.

UP NEXT
The Bulldogs return to Malosky Stadium next weekend for Homecoming when the team will host Wayne State (Neb.) College and the current No. 20 team in the nation, Augustana (S.D.) University. UMD and WSC will get the action underway Friday at 6:00 p.m. in Duluth.