SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University women's soccer team looks to make a late push for their first-ever RMAC Tournament bid, and it starts with the first of two home contests to close the regular season as the Yellow Jackets welcome Westminster to Spearfish. The contest between BHSU and the Griffins will kick-off at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 1, at the Black Hills Power Sports Complex.
 
GAME DETAILS VS. WESTMINSTER
Date & Time: Friday, November 1 at 6 p.m.
Location: Spearfish, S.D. – Black Hills Power Sports Complex
 
BLACK HILLS STATE STORYLINES

• Black Hills State enters this weekend's RMAC game with a record of 3-9-4 (3-6-1 RMAC) following a loss at Fort Lewis (4-0) and a win at Western Colorado (3-1) last weekend.
• The win over WCU marked the third win overall and in conference play, matching the school single-season record that was set in 2019 and 2021. The victory also marked the first RMAC road win since a September 24, 2021, match at Colorado Christian (1-0).
• BHSU enters the final pair of regular season games tenth in the conference standings with ten points. The Green & Gold is currently only two points out of eighth place and the final RMAC Tournament spot.
• During the 2024 season BHSU has recorded 17 goals, 14 assists, 157 shots, 70 shots on goal, 27 corner kicks, and 94 saves. On the other hand, their opponents have notched 38 goals, 28 assists, 277 shots, 132 shots on goal, 96 corner kicks, and 53 saves.
• The Yellow Jackets have broken the school single-season record for points (48) and assists (14), while matching the program-best mark for goals (17).
• The Yellow Jackets currently rank third in the RMAC and are 45^th in NCAA Division II in saves per game (5.94).
• Leading the Black Hills State offensive attack is Anacel Valenzuela-Acosta, who has tied the program record for both single-season goals (5) and assists (3), totaling a school record 13 points this season. Other players to watch include Paige Hill with four goals and three assists for 11 points, and Katy Vinton with three goals and assists for nine points.
• Hill currently ranks eighth in the RMAC in assists, ninth in points, and is 12^th in goals, while Valenzuela-Acosta ranks fourth in the league in points, fifth in goals, and eighth in assists. Vinton is also tied with the pair for eighth in the conference in assists.
• Spearheaded by Allie Brown who has played in 71 matches while making 62 starts during her career, the Black Hills State back line has recorded three shutouts this season against Carroll, Minnesota Crookston, and New Mexico Highlands. The trio of clean sheets is the second most in a single season in program history and is only one shy of the school record mark of four set in 2023.
• While Brown has played a team-leading 1,428 minutes of action this year, other notable defenders include Ainsley Wilson and Bria Sargent who have recorded 1,373 and 811 minutes of playing time respectively thus far in 2024.
• Makayla Dannelly has been the primary goalkeeper this season for BHSU, playing and starting in 12 contests where she has made 76 saves for a .738 save percentage and a 2.33 goals against average. She has posted one shutout during the season, holding Carroll scoreless in the season opener. Dannelly ranks second in the RMAC in saves per game (6.33) and third in total saves, while also ranking 30^th and 40^th nationally in the categories respectively.
• Other goalkeepers that have played in reserve include Allanah Facio who has played in five matches and made two starts where she has recorded eight saves and has been a part of two combined shutouts, while Zoe Wiggall has played in three matches and made two starts where she notched ten saves and was a part of one combined shutout.
• John Hutchison is in his second season as the head coach of the Yellow Jackets.

WESTMINSTER STORYLINES

• Westminster enters this weekend's RMAC games with a record of 6-3-4 (4-2-3 RMAC) following a home win over CSU Pueblo (1-0) and a home loss to UCCS (2-1) last weekend.
• The Griffins enter their final three regular season games tied for fourth in the conference standings with 15 points.
• During the 2024 season WU has recorded 23 goals, 21 assists, 189 shots, 103 shots on goal, 64 corner kicks, and 31 saves. On the other hand, their opponents have notched 10 goals, seven assists, 85 shots, 41 shots on goal, 34 corner kicks, and 80 saves.
• Chloe Pickett leads the offensive attack for Westminster, tallying five goals and three assists for a team-best 13 points. Another player to watch will be Necie Gubler, who has recorded four goals and two assists for ten points.
• Alex Hoffman spearheads the Griffin backline as she has played 1,106 minutes this season. Other notable defenders include Lilly Ford and Sophia DiGeronimo who have tallied 1,049 and 951 minutes respectively. DiGeronimo has also notched two goals and three assists this year for seven points, while the trio has additionally recorded seven shutouts this season.
• The primary goalkeeper for WU will be Brooklyn Northcutt, who has played in and started all 13 matches, recording 30 saves with a .789 save percentage and a 0.65 goals against average. The freshman has posted seven clean sheets during the year.
• Tony LeBlanc is in his 18^th season as the head coach at Westminster.

SERIES HISTORY

• Friday will mark the ninth all-time meeting on the pitch between Black Hills State and Westminster, with the Griffins leading the series 8-0.
• The Yellow Jackets forfeited last season's meeting between the two teams due to weather related transportation issues to Salt Lake City, Utah. The last played game was a 2-0 victory for the WU on October 14, 2022, at Ronnie Theisz Field in Spearfish.