Jacks soccer drops physical contest at home
#9 Ashley Adams with the ball during Sunday’s game against Creighton University.
September 7, 2016
The South Dakota State soccer team fell to the Creighton University Bluejays 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at the Fishback Soccer Park in Brookings. The Jackrabbits are now 2-3-1 on the season.
It was a very physical game, with 17 fouls. The wind played a big role, limiting both sides to a total of 25 shots. The Jacks were outshot 16-9 in the game. Maggie Smithers, freshman goalkeeper for SDSU, made four saves keeping the game tied at zero.
SDSU had the wind at their backs in the second half and scored the first goal of the match in the 46th minute with a header by junior midfielder Jennie Scislow. This was Scislow’s first goal of the year and she was assisted by sophomore defender Annie Williams from the top right of the box. The lead did not last long, as the Bluejays tied it up in the 48th minute and then took the lead in the 49th.
With five minutes to play, the Jacks had a chance to score the equalizer with three corner kicks in two minutes, but they could not get the best from it. SDSU, who was outshot 10-1 in the first half, returned the favor outshooting Creighton 8-6 in the second half.
Head Coach Lang Wedemeyer knows that some of his players need to step up.
“We lost a lot of our scoring line last year especially from Dianna Potterfield,” Wedemeyer said. “So we have players that are trying to find their way right now.”
With this comes a lot of confusion, but the Jacks are working to get that fixed.
“The team chemistry is great but we are just a bit uncoordinated. We have many new players, in new places on the team that we have not quite have not connected or gelled the way we are capable of,” Wedemeyer said. “We need to be more lethal and hungry around the goal.”
The Jacks will travel to Wisconsin this weekend to play Wisconsin on Friday and Green Bay on Sunday. Wisconsin (1-2-3) is led by senior midfielder Rose Levelle. Even though Levelle is yet to score this year, SDSU thinks controlling her is the key to success.
“If we can find a way to contain her, then I think it gives us a chance to handle Wisconsin.” Wedemeyer said.
