Jackrabbit soccer are heads above all teams in Summit

Ariy-El Boynton

Ariy-El Boynton

What a run the Jackrabbits women’s soccer team has been on.

The Jacks are currently on an eight-game winning streak. In the last eight games, the Jacks have only given up two goals. More importantly, SDSU is 6-0 in the Summit League with no ties.

This past weekend was business as usual, as the Jacks bested the Ladies of Centenary, 6-0, and beat Oral Roberts, 2-0.

The 6-0-conference start is the best conference start in school history. SDSU has just about clinched a spot in the Summit League Conference Tournament.

Head coach Lang Wedemeyer has been impressed with his team’s play. He is extremely complimentary to the seniors on his team, and he is also pleased with the defense’s play.

The SDSU assistant coach is amazed how well the seniors have played.

“Not only do they communicate well, but they just know each other so well,” said assistant coach Brock Thompson.

“I’ve been here for a handful of months, and it doesn’t take you long to realize how special the nine seniors are. They’ve got loads of experience. They’re great players and great individuals. And they allow us do some unique things on the field.”

Certainly earning a spot in the Summit League championships is impressive, but the way that SDSU is doing that is what turns heads.

In the last six games, SDSU has not allowed a single goal. The Jacks have out shot their last opponents, 142-20. SDSU out shot IPFW, 15-3; Western Illinois, 35-4; Southern Utah, 24-2; and Centenary College, 41-2. SDSU out shot Oral Roberts, 27-9, in the last game on Oct. 13. The Jacks have beaten their last eight opponents with the combined score of 19-2.

Despite dominating all their recent opponents, SDSU is trying to get better.

“We want to get better each week; it will be three to four weeks before we know who we play,” said Thompson.

The last four games for SDSU are good measuring sticks inside and outside the Summit League. SDSU hosts former D-II power (now a D-I independent team) Seattle University at 7 p.m. at Fishback Soccer Park on Oct.16.

“They’ve (Seattle) beaten some very good teams,” said Thompson. “They’re not going to come in here with anything other than expecting to beat us on the home field. It will be a tough challenge for our kids.”

After the non-league match-up, SDSU will travel to Fargo, N.D., to play North Dakota State University.

In the past, the two teams have had some classics.

Such as in 2007, when Fishback Soccer Park hosted dubious weather (wind and rain), and in double overtime, SDSU won, 2-1.

In 2006, SDSU spilt with the Bison, 1-1, but the Jacks beat NDSU at the United Soccer Conference (USC) Tourney in Washington, D.C. With the win, SDSU won the USC.

In or out of the Summit tourney, SDSU wants to beat their rivals to the north.

“I think we want to, I don’t know, slaughter them,” said senior goalkeeper Nicole Lograsso.

After playing their rival, the Jacks will travel to Rochester, Mich., to play Oakland University. The Oakland University Golden Grizzlies/ SDSU Jackrabbits’ game on Oct. 24 could determine who wins the Summit League regular season championship and the coveted No. 1 seed in the Summit League Tournament.

SDSU will then head to Michigan State in a Big Ten match-up on Oct. 26.

With a Summit League Tournament berth nearly a certainty, SDSU will wait 12 long days before playing their first opponent in the championships at Macomb, Ill., on Nov.7.

For four long years, the class of 2008 knew they only had one year for a berth in the D-I postseason. The seniors have made this year count with their play.

“It’s a great feeling that we’re going to go (to the playoffs), but that doesn’t mean we have to take a step back. We’re still going to take a step forward,” said Lograsso.

#1.882347:2739033118.jpg:Soccer.ORU.ES.jpg:Kellyn Farrell fights for position with Oral Robert’s Samantha Roberts as they get ready to head the ball on Oct. 11. The Jacks are riding an eight-game winning streak, and SDSU is 6-0 in the Summit League.:Ethan Swanson