Jacks secure title, No. 1 seed on senior day

Saturday, October 31

Fishback Soccer Park

1 p.m.

South Dakota State University

North Dakota State

10/31/2009 7:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer

By: SDSU Sports Info

The Jackrabbits' offense got on the board early and often as they defeated North Dakota State, 4-3, on a soggy field at Fishback Soccer Park. The win secures at least a share of the Summit League regular season title, their second in as many years, and earns them the No. 1 seed in the Summit League tournament held Nov. 6 and 8 at Fishback Soccer Park.

"I think it's fantastic the team rallied today to beat a talented NDSU team," said head coach Lang Wedemeyer. "We are excited about hosting the Summit League tournament next week and realize we need to refocus in order to get results against the quality opponents coming to Brookings."

SDSU improves to 10-6-2 overall and 7-2 in the Summit League while NDSU falls to 9-7-2 and 6-2 in the league.

Danni Healy was the first to draw blood on a goal in the second minute of the game off an end-line pass from Kayla Braffet for a 1-0 lead. NDSU would answer in the 10^th minute on a goal from Brooklyn Dyce.

Reigning Summit League Athlete of the Week, Courtney Higgins, broke away from the pack and scored a one-on-one goal against NDSU's goalkeeper the put the Jacks up 2-1. Emily Quigley assisted on the play.

Just seconds before the half, NDSU received a free kick off an SDSU foul and Abbey Stratton scored a controversial goal from 35 yards out as time expired, making the score 2-2 at the half.

Minutes into the second half, Braffet found Kaitlin Justice in the box from point blank range to put the Jacks up 3-2. In the 64^th minute, NDSU's Abby Stratton scored an equalizer to run the score to 3-all.

After setting up two previous goals, Braffet put one of her own in the back of the net on a pass in the box from Megan Huegli for the game winner in the 76^th minute of the match. She finished the match with four points on a goal and two assists.

SDSU was outshot 16-12 in the match, but led in shots on goal 8-7. NDSU led in corners by a 4-1 margin.

Dani Pappas started in goal for the Jacks, allowing two goals while making a save. She was replaced at the half by Brie Rogers, who made one save and allowed one goal in the win. NDSU's Kalani Bertsch allowed four goals and made four saves.

Pappas and Jess Heine were honored on Senior day but will recieve bonus soccer as the Summit League tournament will be held in Brookings.

The Jacks will face the No. 4 seed in the 3 p.m. game at the Summit League Women's Soccer Tournament held Friday at Fishback Soccer Park.