JACKRABBITS DOMINATE TO WIN 2025 SUMMIT LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

Sunday, November 9

Tulsa, Okla.

1 p.m.

South Dakota State University

13-2-6, 4-1-3

Oral Roberts

13-5-2, 6-1-1

South Dakota St.

Oral Roberts

The SDSU Soccer team takes a picture with The Summit League trophy

Photo by: The Summit League

11/9/2025 4:56:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Andrew Pedersen

TULSA, Okla. — South Dakota State scored a goal in the ninth minute and never looked back on its way to defeating Oral Roberts, 2-0, and claiming the 2025 Summit League Women's Soccer Championship on Sunday at Case Soccer Complex. The championship gave the SDSU program its ninth Summit League tournament championship, setting a new conference record.

SDSU were on the attack early. The Jackrabbits had two corner kick opportunities in the first 90 seconds of the contest. A Jenna Maloy shot in the fifth minute hit off the top cross bar as the Jackrabbits continued to put pressure on the Golden Eagles' defense.

The Jacks capitalized in the ninth minute. Mia Bosch delivered a pass to Ellie Gusman who struck a left-footed strike into the back of the net to make it 1-0.

The No. 1 seed and host Golden Eagles had their best chance in the 20th minute. An initial shot on goal by Genesis Helsley was saved by SDSU goalkeeper Mallorie Benhart. The deflection went straight to an Oral Roberts player who kicked it into the goal, but the assistant referee's flag was up as the Golden Eagles were called for offsides.

Both teams recorded three shots apiece in the first half as the score remained 1-0 at the break.

South Dakota State registered three shots in its run up to getting a game-altering goal in the 72nd minute. Hailee Christensen fed Adrianne Agbayani who found her way past the ORU back line. Agbayani finessed a shot past the incoming Golden Eagle keeper to give the Jackrabbits a 2-0 advantage with 18 minutes remaining.

The Jackrabbit back line was stellar over the course of the final 45 minutes. SDSU held ORU shotless until the 87th minute. The Golden Eagles had two shots saved by Benhart as the Jackrabbits withstood an onslaught in front of the net.

Neither team had a shot in the final three minutes of play as South Dakota State sealed its third consecutive Summit League tournament title.

NOTES

South Dakota State improved to 13-2-6 overall on the season. Oral Roberts, which shared the regular season title with Denver, saw its season end with a 13-5-2 record. SDSU also beat Oral Roberts 3-2 in the regular season finale.
SDSU defeated Oral Roberts for the third consecutive season in the conference tournament. The Jackrabbits also topped the Golden Eagles in last year's championship, 3-1, as well as in the tournament semifinals the year prior by a 5-2 score.
State is now 5-0-1 against Oral Roberts in the postseason. The Jackrabbits hold a 20-1-3 all-time record over the Golden Eagles.
Gusman scored her third goal of the season while Agbayani scored her second. Benhart earned her ninth shutout of the season. Her four saves on the day improved her save percentage this year to 0.854 and her goals against average to 0.69.
Maloy and Gusman had a team-high two shots apiece. Defenders Lauren Eckerle and Renny Buchanan each played the full 90 minutes. MaKynlie Cade led the reserves as she participated for 47 minutes.
SDSU completed three shutouts on its way to the conference tournament crown. The Jackrabbits beat Omaha 1-0 in the quarterfinals and Denver 1-0 in the semifinals.
SDSU is now 8-0-3 all-time in the conference tournament as the No. 3 seed as well as 17-6-6 overall in tournament play. The Jackrabbits are 6-1-3 all-time in their 10 championship appearances.
South Dakota State completed a three-peat having won The Summit League Women's Soccer Championship in 2023 and 2024 as well. The Jackrabbits have also won The Summit League tournament title in 2008, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2021. SDSU's nine Summit League Tournament titles are the most by a program, surpassing the eight earned by former conference member Valparaiso.
SDSU had four players chosen to The Summit League All-Tournament Team. Selected to the team were Mallorie Benhart, Lauren Eckerle, Ellie Gusman and Lauren Walter. Eckerle was chosen as the Tournament MVP.

UP NEXT
South Dakota State awaits its destination in the upcoming 2025 NCAA DI women's soccer tournament. The Jackrabbits will find out their postseason matchup Monday during the NCAA Selection Show that will be streamed live on NCAA.com at 3 p.m. CT.

QUOTABLES FROM HEAD COACH BROCK THOMPSON
On team performance during the championship game
"I thought we started the game exceptionally well. That was a credit to the team and the team leadership within it. Then Oral Roberts made it hard for a chunk of the game. I'm proud of how hard we battled. Ultimately, it just felt like our team never really got rattled this whole tournament and there were some tense moments for sure."

On getting that first goal of the match
"Going into the wind and getting that early goal was incredibly helpful. Now, I thought we let off a little bit when it comes to our energy and intensity, but obviously goals change games. Ellie's certainly did that."

On the performance defensively by the Jackrabbits
"Incredible. (The effort by) the back line and Mal in goal through the entire tournament to not concede a goal is impressive. There were moments that were managed by the backs, and moments that Mal made some exceptional saves. "

On overall thoughts on the championship game
"We work really hard to live in the present. Going into this game, I got asked a lot about a third straight final appearance. We really approach it as this is the one and only championship game appearance for this team. I think everybody in our program embraces that. When you do that, it just allows you to play in the moment. That was really powerful for us."

-GoJacks.com-