MARSHALL, Minn. - The Sioux Falls Cougars netted three to defeat Southwest Minnesota State 3-1 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action on Sunday afternoon. 

USF improves to 2-9 overall, including 2-5 NSIC, while SMSU drops to 1-9-1 overall, 1-5-1 NSIC. 

The Mustangs outshot the Cougars by 10, recording 18 shots with 13 shots on goal. Dare Kroeten scored the lone goal for SMSU which was Kroeten's first goal of the season. Brooke Wetterstrom and Haley Mason each tallied three shots on goal. Trinity Reagan supported the offense as well with two shots on goal.  

The Beavers posted eight shots with four shots on net. Hannah Welch, Abby Whittington, and Lily Dahler each tallied one goal to lead the Cougars offense to victory.  

In the loss, Stella Litzen faced four shots on goal while saving one shot and allowing three goals.  

The USF goalkeeper, Caroline Titze encountered 13 shots on goal while saving 12 shots and allowing one goal.  

The Cougars found the back of the net in the first seven minutes of the game. 

The Mustangs had most of the possession after the Cougars goal and tallied eight shots, but the Cougars would go into halftime with a 1-0 lead. 

The second half was quiet until the Mustangs were awarded a penalty kick in the 59th minute. Titze stepped up huge for the Cougars by stopping the penalty kick taken by Selena Prolic.  

The Mustangs would find the back of the net in the 68th minute on a free kick from Dare Kroeten, who curved it perfectly over the USF goalkeeper to tie the game.  

The Cougars would respond ten minutes later to retake the lead and would score again in the 85th minute to secure their second win of the season.  

The Mustangs are on the road next weekend with a matchup against Concordia-St. Paul, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.