Zach Anderson

The women’s soccer team was coming off its highest point-scoring total of the year when they downed Mary (N.D.) 4-0 on Sept. 23 at Fishback Soccer Park.

Ahead 1-0 after the first half, SDSU scored a flurry of goals in the second half to earn the victory.

Kaitlin Justice, Kayla Braffet, Christa Nyblom and Kelsey Ferguson were part of the scoring parade for the Jackrabbits.

“I thought we started the game very well and scored in the first minute,” head coach Lang Wedemeyer said. “I don’t think we maintained the energy or focus we needed to put them away in the first half, but the second half was much better.”

Up next for the Jacks is a weekend two-game road trip during which the Jacks will head to Centenary for a game on Oct. 2 in Shreveport, La., and Oral Roberts in Tulsa, Okla., on Oct. 4. The match versus Centenary will mark the start of conference play.

Centenary is having a good season at 8-1 with their only loss coming to Louisiana Tech on Sept. 11.

“They are having their best season ever,” Wedemeyer said. “They are much more attack-minded than last year and are dangerous up front.”

Wedemeyer said the Jacks will have to be focused from the opening whistle and take advantage of their opportunities in the attack in order to beat Centenary.

Oral Roberts will also be tough at home.

“Natalie Manyan is one of the best attacking players in the conference,” Wedemeyer said. “We’ll have to find a way to shut her down.

“They are another attack-minded team that is very skillful and crafty. We have to take their personality players out of the game by not giving them time to operate and generate their attack.”

Wedemeyer said the team still needs to work on being more determined and not losing its focus at key moments throughout the game.

“Both Centenary and ORU are having good seasons, so it’ll be a tough road trip,” Wedemeyer said.

#1.881410:170204679.JPG:IMG_4829.JPG:Junior midfielder Kaitlin Justice (19) dribbles around Joanna Drennen (22) of the University of Mary. The Jacks downed the Marauders 4-0 on Sept. 23.:Robby Gallagher