Jackrabbit Soccer All-Time Top XI: Defenders

South Dakota State women's soccer is celebrating its 20th season as an NCAA sport at South Dakota State University. The previous 19 seasons has seen the program win nearly 200 games, claim 11 conference championships (four Summit League tournament titles, six Summit League regular season trophies and one United Soccer Conference tournament crown), and make four trips to the NCAA Tournament.

In looking back at the past 20 years and celebrating the success of Jackrabbit soccer, fans were invited to vote on an all-time Top 11 Team. Over 400 ballots were cast by Jackrabbit alumni, student-athletes and fans.

GoJacks.com will reveal the team in four parts this week, and the Jackrabbit soccer program will recognize the all-time squad Oct. 6 during its contest against North Dakota.

Defender: Annie Williams (2015-18)
As the most decorated defender in SDSU's history, Annie Williams played over 5,100 minutes in her career while helping the Jackrabbits to a pair of NCAA Tournaments, two Summit League Tournament titles and two league regular season crowns.

Williams was a back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year selection 2017-18 and earned All-Summit League honors in her final two seasons. The Cottage Grove, Minnesota native scored three goals and added five assists from the back line, helping the defense to just 14 goals allowed in 2018.

"Annie is a great example of someone who dedicated herself to become the best she could be," head coach Brock Thompson said. "Her daily commitment to do that didn't just produce a two-time Summit League Player of the Year, but an incredible leader who was unstoppable on the field."

Defender: Jess Heine (2006-09)
A 2009 All-Summit League Second Team pick, Jess Heine left South Dakota State with the second-most minutes played in school history (5,865). Now sixth on the all-time minutes record list, Heine teamed up with fellow all-time Top XI winners Kelly Larson and Kerstyn Farrell for three years in her career as part of a formidable back line.

Heine scored three goals in her career and was a part of the Jackrabbits' 2007 USC Tournament title and SDSU's 2008 NCAA Tournament win over Colorado.

"Jess is a model of consistency, and that is one of the most important traits you look for in a center back," Thompson said. "She made difficult plays look easy and was a tremendous leader on and off the field. I specifically remember when one of our ball girls was disappointed about calls from referee during the game, and Jess simply told her, 'we had many opportunities to win; it's not the referee's fault.' I imagine that made a lasting impression on the young fan."

Defender: Kelly Larson (2005-08)
Kelly Larson was the first Jackrabbit to earn Summit League Defensive Player of the Year honors, earning the nod as a junior in 2007. The Mahtomedi, Minnesota defender left State as the all-time leader in games played (76) and starts (75); tied with Kerstyn Farrell), playing a pivotal role in SDSU's success during the Division I transitional phase.

Larson was a two-time All-Summit League honoree (2017 first team, 2018 second team) in her time in the yellow and blue, and alongside her teammates allowed only 31 total goals in her final two seasons.

"I had the privilege of coaching Kelly for one year and can tell you her passion for the team, and specifically her teammates, was incredible," Thompson said. "Kelly was a hard-working center back who just always found a way to make the play. She was gritty, hardnosed and as competitive as the come. She was truly someone that you hated to play against, but you loved as your teammate."

Defender: Kerstyn Farrell (2005-08)
Playing alongside her twin sister, Kellyn, Kerstyn Farrell was a force to be reckoned with in her time as a Jackrabbit. The 2008 Summit League Defensive Player of the Year (and All-Summit League First Team pick that year) left SDSU with more minutes played than any other Jackrabbit (6,001). Additionally, she matched Kelly Larson for the school's start record (75) and was a part of 25 team shutouts in her career, including 11 as a senior.

Farrell tallied 15 points in her career, scoring four goals while adding seven assists from the back line. She teamed with Larson, Jess Heine and Steph Peterson to play all 90 minutes in the defensive unit during SDSU's 1-0 victory over Colorado in the NCAA Tournament, and was a key member of the Jacks' 2007 USC Tournament victory.

"When we moved Kert (Kerstyn) from a wing to an outside back, it really changed her effectiveness on the field," former head coach Lang Wedemeyer (2000-16) said. "She was the first attack-minded back we had in our program as we transition from Division II to Division I. Her speed, tenacity and knack for scoring goals with forays into the attack resulted in Summit League Defensive Player of the Year honors."

Also nominated: Stephanie Berube (2009-11), Hannah Evans (2016-18), Kelli Herman (2008-11), Lindsee Larson (2013-16), Dani Patterson (2011-15), Steph Peterson (2008-11), Delaney Ratcliffe (2011-15)

-GoJacks.com-

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Hannah Evans

Lindsee Larson

Dani Patterson

Delaney Ratcliffe

Annie Williams

Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer at South Dakota on September 24, 2026 at 6 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer versus North Dakota on September 27, 2026 at 1 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer at North Dakota State on October 4, 2026 at TBD

Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer versus Oral Roberts on October 8, 2026 at 6 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer versus Kansas City on October 11, 2026 at 1 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer at St. Thomas on October 15, 2026 at TBD

Completed Event: Women's Soccer versus Northern State on April 19, 2026 ,

Completed Event: Women's Soccer at Sioux Falls on April 15, 2026 ,

Completed Event: Women's Soccer at Augustana on April 9, 2026 ,

Completed Event: Women's Soccer at Minnesota on March 28, 2026 ,

Completed Event: Women's Soccer at Nebraska on March 7, 2026 ,

Completed Event: Women's Soccer versus Alumni Game on March 1, 2026 ,

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