The Game
South Dakota will continue Summit League play against South Dakota State at 1 p.m. Sunday at First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex in Vermillion. It is the first event in this year's Interstate Series sponsored by First Interstate Bank – a yearlong competition between the state's two Division I athletic departments.
The Series
South Dakota is 5-2-1 at home against South Dakota State and hasn't lost to the Jacks in Vermillion since 2014. The two teams tied 0-0 in Brookings last season and USD won 2-1 in Vermillion back in 2021. SDSU leads the all-times series 8-6-3.
The Coyotes
South Dakota (5-2-3) is on a three-game win streak following its win against St. Thomas Thursday night. Senior Ashby Johnston currently leads the Summit League in goals (7), game-winning goals (2), shots on goal (14), and points (16). Johnston is also ranked 24th nationally in total points scored this season. She has found the back of the net in six of her last seven matches.
Freshman Brooke Conway logged her fourth career goal and career assist on Thursday. Conway ranks second in the league in assists (4). Sophomore Rylee Haldeman tallied two assists Thursday, the second and third of her career.
Senior goalkeeper Caroline Lewis made two great saves against St. Thomas in contributing to the Coyotes' 3-1 win. Lewis has tallied 45 saves so far this season.
South Dakota is looking to return to the Summit League Tournament for the third time in the last four seasons.
The Jackrabbits
South Dakota State (7-2-0) is playing its Summit League opener and hasn't taken the pitch since a 3-1 loss at Creighton back on Sept. 15. SDSU had won three in a row entering that match. The Jackrabbits have been runner-up to Denver in the Summit standings in each of the last four seasons, but has two Summit tournament crowns in that span.
South Dakota State returns Summit Offensive Player of the Year Maya Hansen and Goalkeeper of the Year Jocelyn Tanner. Hansen leads the team in points, scoring five goals with an assist. Tanner has two shutouts and has combined on another two. Junior Laney Murdzek leads the Summit with five assists on the year.
The Jacks have scored 24 goals and allowed seven in nine matches this season. That's the best margin among Summit League teams.
Up Next
South Dakota will host the North Dakota Fighting Hawks Thursday at 4 p.m.
