Soccer defeats Green Bay, 2-0

Friday, August 31

Brookings, S.D.

6 p.m.

South Dakota State University

3-2

Green Bay

1-4

Green Bay

South Dakota State

Photo by: Mark Smither

8/31/2018 8:52:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

The Jackrabbit women's soccer program picked up its third consecutive shutout victory Friday evening at Fishback Soccer Park, taking down Green Bay 2-0.

SDSU (3-2) turned in a dominating performance from the start, putting nine of its 22 total shots on goal while limiting Green Bay to just one shot.

21 Jackrabbits saw action in the affair, with Karlee Manding and Abigail Kastens scoring goals for SDSU. Kaitlin Zabel and Carina McLennan had assists in the win.

Maggie Smither played all 90 minutes at keeper and picked up her third win between the pipes without facing a shot on goal, thanks to an all-around effort from the Jackrabbit back line.

"I thought our team was frustrated in the first half," head coach Brock Thompson said. "A little bit of that had to do with Green Bay, and a lot had to do with how we were playing.

"To our credit, I was really impressed with our leadership and how we regrouped in the locker room. I thought you saw a more motivated, enthusiastic and driven team in the second half, and that changed the trajectory of the game."

South Dakota State controlled the tempo throughout the contest but was unable to break through until early in the second.

After a nine-shot opening period, the offensive pressure paid off in the 53rd minute when Manding netted her third goal of the season. The scoring opportunity presented itself after a Rachel Hewitt cross was originally cleared by a Phoenix defender's head towards the top of the box, where Manding waited for the rebound and found the back of the net for the unassisted goal.

20 minutes later, the Jackrabbits extended their lead to 2-0 with Kastens' first career score. Midway through the 72nd, Zabel hit a long ball from midfield to a charging McLennan near the upper left corner of the box. After taking possession closer to the goal line, McLennan sent a low cross towards the feet of Kastens, who finished for the one-touch goal from five yards out.

SDSU limited Green Bay's comeback chances down the stretch with a continued offensive onslaught, firing 13 total shots in the final period (including five in the final 15 minutes of action).

Game Notes

South Dakota State is now 7-2 all-time against Green Bay, winning the last seven in the series.
Tonight's game marks the third time in SDSU's history the Jackrabbits have held opponents to one shot. It last happened Oct. 16, 2010 against UMKC.
Rachel Hewitt earned her first career start.
10 Jackrabbits have now scored or assisted on a goal this season. Last year saw 13 SDSU student-athletes record a point.

Up Next
South Dakota State wraps up the weekend Sunday afternoon against Creighton. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. from Fishback Soccer Park.

-GoJacks.com-