JACKS MAKE IT BACK TO NATIONAL STAGE IN 2023

BROOKINGS, S.D. —The South Dakota State women's soccer program's 2023 season came to a close on Friday, Nov. 10, in the First Round of the 2023 NCAA Division I Championship. The Jackrabbits fell to the Nebraska Huskers, 5-2, in Lincoln.

SDSU took a lead in the opening minutes on a goal by Avery Murdzek. Nebraska scored moments later to tie the score at 1-1. A Murdzek free kick in the 24th minute ended up in the net on a goal by Taryn Hettich to give the Jackrabbits a 2-1 edge. The Huskers scored four unanswered goals, with two coming to end the first half, en route to the win.

Nebraska and SDSU played in front of over 2,000 fans, good for the Huskers' second largest crowd ever at Barbara Hibner Field. The Huskers are now 1-0-1 all-time against the Jackrabbits with the series including a shootout win in the 2016 NCAA Tournament.

The Jackrabbits 1-0 victory in The Summit League title game advanced SDSU to its seventh NCAA Tournament. The Jackrabbits have won seven of their eight all-time showings in The Summit League Championship.

SDSU was keyed by several players over the course of the season. Katherine Jones was named The Summit League Tournament MVP and earned All-Tournament accolades for the third consecutive year. She was joined on the All-Tournament team by Kayla Anderson, Reagan Anderson and Avery Murdzek.

SDSU featured nine upperclassmen in its customary starting 11 by the end of the season. Among them included Murdzek who was the Summit League Midfielder of the Year as she led the Jacks in scoring. Her 21 points are tied for the 13th most in program history in a single season, while her eight goals were tied for 12th most. Murdzek currently sits 10th all-time in career points with 47 and 11th in goals with 17.

Her twin sister, Laney Murdzek, was a Second Team Summit League performer with her team-leading five assists. Kaycee Manding was also a First Team All-Summit League choice as she paced the team in minutes played.

South Dakota State concluded its season with a 13-4-3 overall record. The 13 victories are tied for the fourth most in a season ever by an SDSU team. The Jackrabbits tied their highest win total mark at home with 10 wins while going undefeated at Fishback.

All five of SDSU's top seasons by win percentage have come in the last five campaigns. All have come under the direction of Brock Thompson who has led the Jackrabbits to seven consecutive seasons with at least 11 victories. The Jacks have won three of the Summit League's tournament championships over the past five seasons.

The Jackrabbits lost the services of their all-time points and goals leader Maya Hansen during the season. Despite the setback, the team rallied and still put together a strong offensive slate. SDSU's 44 goals on the year were the fourth most by a Jackrabbit squad, while its 40 assists and 128 points each were the third best marks in the respective category.

An array of seniors depart the program with a host of accolades. Jones, noted for her All-Tournament honors, is joined in playing her final match in Yellow and Blue in Lincoln by both Andersons, Jocelyn Tanner, Jadenn Carrillo and Delaney Grant.

Tanner has served as SDSU's primary keeper for multiple seasons. Her career ends second at SDSU in wins (36), third in games played (66) and sixth in saves (164).

Reagan Anderson finished her career third on SDSU's all-time games played list with 91 and tied for 10th in matches started at 71.

By The Numbers

14: Total of championships earned by the South Dakota State soccer program since it began in 2000. The Jackrabbits have won seven Summit League Tournament Championships (2008, 2014-16, 2019, 2021, 2023), six Summit League regular season titles (2008-09, 2011, 2014, 2017-18) and a United Soccer Conference tournament title in 2006.
11: South Dakota State has recorded at least 10 wins in 11 consecutive seasons, the longest streak of double-digit wins in the Summit League. The Jacks boast more 10-win seasons (13) than any other league school since 2010 and have amassed at least 10 wins in 15 of the last 16 seasons.
82: Number of victories over the last six seasons (including 2023). That number is tied for 13th among all Division I women's soccer programs. The Jackrabbits' .768 winning percentage is the 10th best at the national level.

-GoJacks.com-

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Players Mentioned

Kayla Anderson

Reagan Anderson

Jadenn Carrillo

Delaney Grant

Maya Hansen

Taryn Hettich

Katherine Jones

Kaycee Manding

Avery Murdzek

Laney Murdzek

Jocelyn Tanner

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

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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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