Payton Mulberry's first goalkeeper goal in NDSU history sparks wild victory
Carlos Martinez, a former sports anchor for Fargo's local NPR affiliate, has been reporting on professional sports for over eight years. He holds a journalism degree from the University of Minnesota and is known for his sharp insights into the local professional teams.
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VERMILLION, S.D. — North Dakota State goalkeeper Payton Mulberry hammered a free kick from just inside the halfway line and into the net for the first keeper goal in Bison history. Isabel Garcia then capped off a trio of late goals to give the Bison a 4-3 win on Thursday against South Dakota, securing a Summit League tournament berth. Garcia knocked down a cross from Ava Stanchina, turning and firing a left-footed shot into the top left corner of the net with 34 seconds remaining. This came two minutes after Morgan Russmann gave NDSU a 3-2 lead for her second goal of the game on a rush but Elsie Odney responded just 28 seconds later with the equalizer at 87:53. Along with the Summit League tournament berth, the Bison can grab the Pod A title and earn a bye into the semifinals with a win Sunday at South Dakota State. Mulberry had three saves against USD, but it was her soaring free kick that slipped through the hands of a leaping Cambell Fisher for a 1-0 lead. Fisher