Zach Anderson

The No. 1 seed Jackrabbits women’s soccer team prevailed in the opening round match of the Summit League tournament on Nov. 6 over Western Illinois 1-0. Kaitlin Justice connected for the game-winning goal with 2:49 left in the second overtime on Nov. 6 at Fishback Soccer Park.

Each team fought back and forth as the Jacks dominated the Leathernecks in shots 29-9 for the game.

On Nov. 8 the Jackrabbits season ended at home to Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis 4-1. Danni Healy scored the lone Jackrabbit goal in the first half.

The Jaguars used four second half goals to put the Jacks away. They tied the game on a Stephanie Hoffman free-kick with 36:40 left in the second half and took the lead on a Kelli Parks goal that got past the Jacks goalkeeper Brie Rogers.

“I think that we struggled with our game plan in the second half,” SDSU coach Lang Wedemeyer said. “Part of that was due to some tired legs from Friday’s game, but part of that was due to IUPUI stepping up their pressure and we didn’t answer. As we became fatigued in the second half, we lost our momentum and our focus.”

IUPUI would add two more goals before the final seconds ticked away on goals from Chelsi McHenry and Megan Hock.

“I always believed that no matter what obstacles were in our way, we were talented enough to overcome them,” Wedemeyer said. “And we did, time after time, until the end.”

Jaguars’ goalie Jamie Farrell was elected Tournament MVP with her seven saves in the win over SDSU.

SDSU players Justice, Jess Heine and Christa Nyblom were named to the All-Tournament team. The Jackrabbits ended the season with an 11-7-2 overall record.

“It was definitely a season of ups and downs,” Wedemeyer said. “Having lost so many starters from last year’s team put a lot of doubt in people’s minds as to whether we could accomplish the same goals this season. We were hit with some season-ending injuries and the flu ran through portions of our team, but the girls kept coming back and making things happen. Probably the game that stands out the most is our short-handed win over IUPUI in the regular season as to where we really gave a great effort mentally and physically.”

Wedemeyer said the team appreciates all the students that made it out to their games, especially the other athletes who supported the team. “It makes such a difference when you have those fans in the stands cheering you on, so we greatly appreciate all who made the effort to come out this season.”