The SDSU women’s soccer team only needed two goals to earn a pair of wins, advancing to 7-3-2 overall (2-0-0) Summit league following their weekend trips to Summit League foes Western Illinois University and IUPUI.

“It is always a very difficult trip to go to Western and IUPUI,” head coach Lang Wedemeyer said. “So we’re happy with the results.”

Friday’s 1-0 victory over Western Illinois proved to be a hard fought contest. Neither team was able to convert a scoring opportunity until midfielder Madison Yeuill found defender Katie McNeary for her first career goal during the 71st minute of the contest.

“We always ask that our players find ways to make plays,” Wedemeyer said. “And Katie has been great in the back for us. She had a wonderful run in an opportune moment and made the most of it, and that certainly was the deciding factor in the game.”

Although Western Illinois outshot the Jacks 16-13, goalie Nicole Inskeep’s six saves proved enough to preserve the victory for SDSU.

Sunday’s rain soaked contest against IUPUI featured more of the same as SDSU once again secured a 1-0 victory. The Jacks didn’t wait quite as long to score though. Late in the first half, McKenzie Wolf provided the assist on Delaney Ratcliffe’s game winning goal. Very few shots were attempted in the contest, with the Jackrabbits holding the 8-6 advantage in the category. Inskeep made three saves to secure the Jacks second conference and seventh overall victory. 

For her efforts over the weekend, McNeary was named the Summit League’s defensive player of the week. The sophomore defender played for the full 90 minutes during both games over the weekend and has been a staple in the Jackrabbit’s back line.

The Jacks’ last four road games have all culminated in 1-0 victories for SDSU. Although they are not flashy, the team is showing that they have the poise and grit to find ways to win in spite of the adversity they face on the road. 

“I think it’s a combination of good defensive play,” Wedemeyer said. “And, you know, just a winner’s mentality, finding a way to win, and sometimes just a little bit of luck.”

Whatever the Jackrabbits are doing, it’s working. They have only suffered one loss (the University of Kansas) since August and have won six of their last seven games. They currently stand atop the Summit League standings with their 2-0-0 conference record. Only the University of Denver and the University of Nebraska Omaha still have unblemished records in conference play. 

The Jackrabbits return home to Fishback Soccer Park on Friday, Oct. 11 when they will host the University of South Dakota at 6 p.m. 

“Well, it’s certainly going to be a clash of instate rivals,” Wedemeyer said. “They’ve gotten better and better every year so we know it’s going to be a very tough game. We’ve got to come play our best.”

The Coyotes will enter the contest with a 5-4-3 (0-1-0) record and having lost their last two games.