In Pocatello, Idaho, the South Dakota State women’s soccer team accomplished a season first: win an away game.
On their Big Sky trip, the Jacks defeated the one-win Idaho State Bengals 2-0 and drew 0-0 with the Eastern Washington Eagles.
It was the first road trip for the Jacks after having a six-game homestand.
“I love playing at home and the fact that we played six in a row at home,” head coach Brock Thompson said. “But it was nice to get away.”
Against the Bengals, the Jacks were propelled by two second half goals. The first goal came from Karlee Manding in the 57th-minute, with the assist coming from Leah Manuleleua. It was Manding’s fourth goal of the season.
In the 84th-minute the Jacks were able to put the Bengals away when Bianca Madonia scored her first goal of the season.
Despite outscoring the Bengals, the Jackrabbits were outshot 21-18 and relied on goalkeeper Maggie Smither to make eight first half saves.
After defeating the Bengals, the Jacks traveled to Cheney, Washington.
In Cheney, the Jacks were unable to find the same success they had in Idaho.
Both the Jacks and Eagles were unable to separate themselves from each other. In that contest, the Jacks were outshot 17-13.
Despite the discrepancies in shots, it was the sixth shutout for the Jackrabbit defense on the season.
“The ability for us to get shutouts and defend at a high level starts with our forwards then it trickles back to Maggie,” Thompson said. “We can still get better defensively.”
Before the Jacks can focus on Summit League play, they will have one more non-conference game.
The University of Missouri-Kansas City Kangaroos are scheduled to face the Jacks at 7 p.m., Sept., 21 at Fishback Soccer Complex.
UMKC (7-3) will be coming off of a 2-1 loss to No. 20 Oklahoma State, which snapped a three-game winning streak.
Through ten games, UMKC is averaging 2.2 goals per game.
Offensively, Kelsey Mothershead and Lexie Howard lead the charge for UMKC.
“[They are] a very good team, they are built for this year,” Thompson said. “They will test our team, that’s exactly what we want heading in to Summit League play.”
