South Dakota State women's soccer took the lead in the first off the foot of
Karlee Manding and hung on late for a 1-0 victory Sunday in the second-annual Hometown Heroes Game.
Playing in front of 403 fans, the Jackrabbits (2-2) posted their second-consecutive shutout, with keeper
Maggie Smither stopping five shots on goal over 90 minutes of action.
SDSU won the shot battled with Drake, 13-11, led by
Leah Manuleleua's four attacks and a goal from Manding, who was assisted by
Sunniva Dunagan.
"I thought we did enough to get a result," head coach
Brock Thompson said. "Drake's a very, very good team and for periods of the game we had to defend with great organization, but we were also able to break out and create a number of good chances. I'm proud of the growth we've had from week one to week two."
SDSU faced adversity early when the Bulldogs were awarded a penalty kick after a Jackrabbit hand ball in the box. Smither kept it even with a diving stop on the attempt, and off the rebound stopped another Bulldog attack to keep the game scoreless in the eighth.
20 minutes later, the Jacks broke the tie with Manding's second goal of the season. Dunagan fired a thru ball from the midfield to a charging Manding, who took possession near the top of the box and beat the keeper in the lower right corner of the net.
That score held the rest of the way, as the Jackrabbit defense continued its stellar play at home and kept the DU attack at bay.
Game Notes
- South Dakota State is now 7-5-1 all-time against the Bulldogs
- Maggie Smither has lowered her goals against average to 1.38 over the last two games, not allowing a goal in 153 minutes between the pipes at home.
Up Next
South Dakota State continues its homestand next weekend with a pair of games, taking on Green Bay Friday and Creighton on Sunday.
-GoJacks.com-