FARGO, N.D. - Senior Morgan DeMike scored a goal and senior goalkeeper Kalani Bertsch made eight saves as the North Dakota State soccer team defeated Summit League foe Oakland, 1-0, for its sixth straight win on Sunday, Oct. 16.  The Bison (13-2-1, 6-0-0 Summit) finished their home schedule unbeaten with a record of 7-0-1.  Oakland falls to 4-10-1 overall and 2-2-1 in Summit League action.

Prior to the game, the team's 10 seniors - Bertsch, Danielle Boldenow, Aubrey Bot, Megan Dean, DeMike, Michelle Gaffaney, Katie Luce, Kaylee McDonald, Abbey Moenkedick and Laura Wagner - were recognized for their contributions to Bison soccer.

DeMike gave the Bison a 1-0 lead at the 20;31 mark in the first half.  An Oakland defender attempted to clear the ball out of the penalty area, but it fell to DeMike, who put it into the right side of the net for her fifth goal of the season.

Oakland responded with a close call than three minutes later as Nicole DeLuca's shot hit the crossbar.

Oakland keeper Anne Berschbach made four saves in the first half.  The Bison held a 7-6 edge in shots at the break.

The Grizzlies came out in the second half and immediately put the Bison defense under pressure, notching four shots in the opening 10 minutes.  The visitors came close to scoring in the 60th minute as DeLuca's shot was tipped onto the post and saved by Bertsch.

Bertsch came up huge for NDSU in the second period, making six saves, including a late shot by Abigail Haelewyn, to keep a clean sheet. Serena San Cartier saw her shot get blocked by a Bison defender with a second with a second remaining on the clock.

The Grizzlies dominated the shot count in the second half, 13-3, and had a 19-10 advantage in the entire game.

Bertsch's eight saves helped the Bison record their ninth shutout of the season and fifth in a row.  Moenkedick led the team with three shots.

The Bison now travel to undefeated UMKC on Oct. 21 with an opportunity to clinch a berth in the league tournament.  The team plays at South Dakota on Oct. 23.