SDSU soccer shuts out Green Bay to close road stretch

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The South Dakota State women’s soccer team used an all-around performance to defeat Green Bay, 3-0, on Sunday at Aldo Santaga Stadium to cap an undefeated road trip.

SDSU controlled every facet of the match from the start other than the score for the first 32 minutes of action. The Jackrabbits produced the first 11 shots of the meeting before the 12th attempt found the back of the net.

A set of passes from Katherine Jones and Taryn Hettich found the ball at the feet of Lauren Eckerle . The SDSU junior struck a shot from over 30 yards out right inside the top of the cross bar. Green Bay goalkeeper Mallorie Benhart was only able to get a fingertip on it as the Jackrabbits took a 1-0 lead in the 33rd minute.

The Jacks took the one-goal advantage into the halftime break, but put the game out of reach shortly after.

The 62nd minute saw an Avery Murdzek pass to the right side of the field to Jones. The Jackrabbit senior dribbled into the box and crossed the ball in front of the goal. Senior Avery LeBlanc was on the receiving end of the pass and booted the ball easily into the goal, giving SDSU a 2-0 edge.

South Dakota State added to its tally in the 78th minute. Xehlia Salanoa crossed a pass in through the box. Laney Murdzek used a fake on an attempt to let the ball slip by to Shelby Hopeau . The Jackrabbit sophomore drilled a strike into the top corner of the net for SDSU’s third goal of the day.

SDSU’s back line had another strong effort on Sunday. The Jackrabbits didn’t allow a shot on goal until the 82nd minute which was saved by goalkeeper Emma Knack .

The Jackrabbits closed the match out to improve to 4-2 overall. Green Bay dropped to 0-3-1 on the season.

Notes

• South Dakota State had three different first-time goal scorers this season in Eckerle, LeBlanc and Hopeau. The goals were the fourth of LeBlanc’s college career, third of Eckerle’s and the first ever for Hopeau.
• Jones was credited for two assists in the match and now has a team-high four this season. Recording their first assists this year were Hettich, Avery Murdzek and Laney Murdzek , while Salanoa earned her first assist and point of her career.
• The Jackrabbits outshot the Phoenix 25-5 in the match including an 11-1 clip in shots on goal. SDSU also had 11 corner kicks while not allowing one to Green Bay.
• South Dakota State improved to 9-2 all-time over Green Bay and has won the last seven matches against the Phoenix. The Jacks have outscored the Phoenix 14-0 in the last four meetings combined.
• All four of the Jackrabbits’ wins this season have come in shutout fashion. Knack earned her first clean sheet of 2024.

Up Next
South Dakota State has a week break between matches. The Jackrabbits return to their home pitch as they host Drake in their annual Goald game at Fishback Soccer Park at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8.

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