HISTORIC DEFENSIVE EFFORT LIFTS JACKS PAST HUSKIES

Friday, September 17

Brookings, S.D.

6 p.m.

South Dakota State University

8-1-0, 0-0-0

Northern Illinois

3-5-0, 0-0-0

Northern Ill.

South Dakota St.

9/17/2021 8:57:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

South Dakota State (8-1-0) blanked Northern Illinois (3-5-0) to earn its third consecutive victory Friday evening at Fishback Soccer Park. Two first-half goals and a historic performance from the Jackrabbit defense secured SDSU's fifth shutout of the season.

The Jacks held the Huskies to just one shot during the contest, a feat that had previously been accomplished by an SDSU squad only three times in program history. The last time the Jacks held an opponent to one shot came against Northern Illinois in 2019, the teams' last meeting.

A pair of Jackrabbit freshmen, Laney Murdzek and Teani Arakawa, scored the game's only goals in the first half, both unassisted.

Murdzek opened the scoring when a rebound came to her following a flurry of shots off a corner kick for the Jacks in the 12^th minute. The Hudson, Wisc. native found the back of the net on the far right side for her fourth goal of the season.

Arakawa provided SDSU with some breathing room in the 37^th minute with some nifty footwork to separate herself from the Huskie defender before beating the keeper low and to the left.

Jocelyn Tanner had a quiet night in goal, needing only one save to secure her third-career shutout and improve to 4-1 on the season.

SDSU held possession for 62% of the match and fired 21 shots, 11 on goal, in the win.

Notes

South Dakota State has held an opponent to one shot in a game only four times in program history, with two of those occasions happening against Northern Illinois (2019, 2021).
Jackrabbit freshman have accounted for 33 of SDSU's 85 points this season, good for 39% of the squad's offensive output.
SDSU has played 28 consecutive home matches without a loss. The Jacks' last loss in Brookings happened September 10th, 2018 against Arizona State.
Laney Murdzek has earned two points in three consecutive matches. She has four goals on the season.
Teani Arakawa has four goals on the season and has tallied a point in five of SDSU's nine matches.
SDSU has recorded five shutouts this season.
The Jacks improve to 5-0-0 all-time against Northern Illinois.

Up Next
The Jacks venture to the state of Colorado for their final tune-up before Summit League competition begins in October. SDSU squares off with Air Force Monday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. (CT).

-GoJacks.com-