Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer versus Northern Colorado on September 14, 2025 at 1 p.m.
/
1 p.m.
Women's Soccer
vs Northern Colorado
South Dakota State University Athletics
Lauren Eckerle and Hailee Christensen
JACKS 2ND IN SUMMIT LEAGUE PRESEASON POLL
8/12/2025 11:01:00 AM | Women's Soccer
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The Summit League announced its 2025 Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll on Tuesday, Aug. 12. The two-time defending conference tournament champion in South Dakota State was picked to finish second in the regular season standings.Â
Â
North Dakota State and SDSU were separated by just one point in the poll. NDSU, which claimed the 2024 Summit League regular season title, received six first-place votes and a total of 60 points. The Jackrabbits acquired three first-place votes and accumulated 59 points.Â
Â
The Bison went 10-5-4 overall a season ago and had a 6-1-1 record in Summit League play. The Jacks took third through the Summit League schedule with a 5-2-1 record. SDSU eventually tallied three consecutive tournament wins en route to earning its third title in the previous four seasons. The Jackrabbits finished the campaign with a 15-5-2 overall record.Â
Â
Following NDSU and SDSU in the poll were Denver (50 points), Oral Roberts (43), Omaha (38), South Dakota (26), St. Thomas (22), North Dakota (16) and Kansas City (10).Â
Â
The Summit League also announced its Women's Soccer Players to Watch for the 2025 season. South Dakota State's standouts included Lauren Eckerle and Hailee Christensen.Â
Â
Eckerle was picked as SDSU's Defensive Player to Watch as she heads into her second consecutive season serving as team captain for the program.Â
Â
The Hugo, Minn., native has been a focal point of the Jackrabbits' strong back line since the 2022 season when she was selected to The Summit League's All-Newcomer Team. Eckerle has played in over 50 matches in Yellow and Blue and started in over 30. Last season, Eckerle was tabbed as a Summit League honorable mention as she started in 21 of 22 matches played. Eckerle played 1,584 minutes over the course of the campaign which was the fourth most on the SDSU roster.Â
Â
Christensen was chosen as SDSU's Offensive Player to Watch as she enters her sophomore season.Â
Â
The Sioux Falls native played in all 22 matches a season ago and started in 18. Christensen finished second on team with 11 points behind four goals and three assists. She scored a goal and dished out an assist in a match on two occasions, one of which being in the Jackrabbits' conference championship victory over Oral Roberts. Christensen was recognized as a Summit League All-Tournament Team honoree.Â
Â
The South Dakota State soccer team begins its 2025 season on Thursday. The Jackrabbits are slated to face Missouri at the Tigers' Audrey J. Walton Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m.
Â
Â
North Dakota State and SDSU were separated by just one point in the poll. NDSU, which claimed the 2024 Summit League regular season title, received six first-place votes and a total of 60 points. The Jackrabbits acquired three first-place votes and accumulated 59 points.Â
Â
The Bison went 10-5-4 overall a season ago and had a 6-1-1 record in Summit League play. The Jacks took third through the Summit League schedule with a 5-2-1 record. SDSU eventually tallied three consecutive tournament wins en route to earning its third title in the previous four seasons. The Jackrabbits finished the campaign with a 15-5-2 overall record.Â
Â
Following NDSU and SDSU in the poll were Denver (50 points), Oral Roberts (43), Omaha (38), South Dakota (26), St. Thomas (22), North Dakota (16) and Kansas City (10).Â
Â
The Summit League also announced its Women's Soccer Players to Watch for the 2025 season. South Dakota State's standouts included Lauren Eckerle and Hailee Christensen.Â
Â
Eckerle was picked as SDSU's Defensive Player to Watch as she heads into her second consecutive season serving as team captain for the program.Â
Â
The Hugo, Minn., native has been a focal point of the Jackrabbits' strong back line since the 2022 season when she was selected to The Summit League's All-Newcomer Team. Eckerle has played in over 50 matches in Yellow and Blue and started in over 30. Last season, Eckerle was tabbed as a Summit League honorable mention as she started in 21 of 22 matches played. Eckerle played 1,584 minutes over the course of the campaign which was the fourth most on the SDSU roster.Â
Â
Christensen was chosen as SDSU's Offensive Player to Watch as she enters her sophomore season.Â
Â
The Sioux Falls native played in all 22 matches a season ago and started in 18. Christensen finished second on team with 11 points behind four goals and three assists. She scored a goal and dished out an assist in a match on two occasions, one of which being in the Jackrabbits' conference championship victory over Oral Roberts. Christensen was recognized as a Summit League All-Tournament Team honoree.Â
Â
The South Dakota State soccer team begins its 2025 season on Thursday. The Jackrabbits are slated to face Missouri at the Tigers' Audrey J. Walton Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m.
Â
-GoJacks.com-
 Players Mentioned
MF/F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's SoccerSoccer Weekly Update (09.09.2025)
Tuesday, September 09
Soccer Highlights vs Oregon State (09.07.2025)
Sunday, September 07
Soccer Weekly Update (09.02.2025)
Tuesday, September 02
Soccer Highlights vs Southwest Minnesota State (08.22.2025)
Saturday, August 23